How do you discriminate against a non belief (Athiesm)?

Question

I asked several questions about what Athiest held in common and was pretty much told that it was only a lack of belief in God. I'm cool with that as it is whet the word means.

Then in many of the answers people say that Atheist don't readily disclose that they are because those who do are so discriminated against in America. What's up with that? How do you discriminate against a lack of belief? Is it like hey you can't come to my church cause you don't believe? Is that discrimination? If so why would you care?

By the way you can come to my church any time weather you believe or not.

Love ya!

Answer 1

In some states, there are laws that prohibit atheists from holding office, or certain jobs:

The Bill of Rights of the Texas Constitution (Article I, Section 4) last amended on September 13, 2003 states that an official may be "excluded from holding office" if she/he does not "acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being."

North Carolina's Constitution of 1971, Article 6 Sec. 8 states "Disqualifications of office. The following persons shall be disqualified for office: First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God....". This was challenged and overturned by Voswinkel v. Hunt (1979).

South Carolina's Constitution, Article 6 Section 2: "Person denying existence of Supreme Being not to hold office. No person who denies the existence of the Supreme Being shall hold any office under this Constitution."

Tennessee's Bill of Rights: Article 9, Section 2: "No person who denies the being of God, or a future state of rewards and punishments, shall hold any office in the civil department of this state."

Answer 2

Unfortunately, religion is firmly engrained into society. It's been around since the rise of man, and only now is science beginning to explain the things that religion tried to explain. Religion is leftover from when we didn't know why the sun rose every morning, or what the stars were, or where humanity came from. Science has gotten rid of the need for religion by answering our questions with facts and proof, rather than blatant speculation.

Religion has been around for so long that it's unusual to be an Atheist. Some religious people are understanding of other's beliefs (or lack of reliefs), but for most, even if they don't acknowledge it, there is an underlying tone of superiority over those that don't share their beliefs. It's the equivalent of racism, or perhaps discrimination against homosexuals would be a better example, as that isn't always outwardly noticable. Someday, as education increases, religion will continue to lose it's hold over the masses, and it will be acceptable to be an atheist, to not believe in a god or higher order for which there is no evidence.

Answer 3

I see a lot of preaching by athiests, but not so much discrimination. Well I do, but only when they come into religion and spirituality questions and answer, "god isn't real, he's imaginary" and so forth.
How to discriminate against an Athiest... well the best way I have is that Christianity (which seems to be their main target, due to lack of knowledge of any other religions) has a set of rules, dont murder, dont commit adultery, dont lie, dont have sex with beasts, or family (not the 10 commandments but in Leviticus). While Atheists have no set standard or rules to live by, they can do as they please. Without breaching laws, ofcourse. Then again, those laws were pretty much constructed by the laws or commandments of the Christian God, in Christian based countries.
Other than that, I dont see how you can discriminate against them, because a disbelief in god and the mysteries, is more logical than a belief in such things... but science is the search for answers, not just the ignorant holding to facts that they know now. It is the searching for answers to theories, and while God remains a theory, science to remain to search for its answer.

Answer 4

Well, they say, and rightfully so, that several states will not let you hold public office if you will not take an oath to God or if you don't believe in God. Like it or not, that is discrimination.

You can't become a Boy or Girl Scout unless you beleive in God.

How would you feel if Islam or Catholics took over and you had to pray to Allah or Praise Allah or you couldn't go to school or get a job or be in government. What would you do if confesssion was manditory in schools for your kids and they had to pray on the Rosary and kneel and do stations at the cross.

Would you give up your own way of worship and do things another person says to do in order to work, be part of government or go to school!

Answer 5

You can discriminate against any state of being.

Having said that, atheism could just as easily (and more accurately) be described not as a LACK of belief, but as a "belief that there is no god."

It IS a belief, of course, since atheists (or theists, for that matter) do not have the "knowledge" that deities do or do not exist.

Answer 6

I dont' mind atheists comming to church, as long as they are respectful.

In essence, it is not my place to discriminate against athiests. Although I am a Christian, I find myself questioning God a lot. And that is normal for me, to test my beliefs.

Athiests, I don't mind, unless they insult me because of my faith. Often times I feel discriminated against because I believe in Jesus. But then their are those atheists, most of whom are my friends, that don't care I believe in Jesus- and it's great! We don't care about each others beliefs, we're just good friends!

Answer 7

You don't discriminate against non believers. And you said the right words, they should be welcome in any church at any time. You seem to be a great guy with a big heart.
Love ya back!

Answer 8

For example:

The Bill of Rights of the Texas Constitution (Article I, Section 4) allows people to be excluded from holding office on religious grounds. An official may be "excluded from holding office" if she/he does not "acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being."

Answer 9

It's the same as any recognizable discrimination . some hate a person based on their non belief it's that simple! Christians tell us to go to hell or we are going to well but If i Call them weak minded they report me for being honest as they are offended .
Too bad they can't see any further.

Answer 10

I used to work for a school district as a substitute teacher.

Every other year, you had to go to an orientation, starting obviously with your first year. I did this for eight years and (because of a changei n fingerprinting laws) had to attend six orientations.

At every single one we were openly told, "If you are found out to be gay or atheist, you will be fired and forfeit any unpaid wages."