How are acknowledged atheists treated within your local community? (See Details.)?

Question

Please indicate how an acknowledged atheist would be treated within your local community in the following circumstances:

Would an atheist be welcomed to PRACTICE MEDICINE?
Would an atheist be welcomed to TEACH OR ATTEND PUBLIC SCHOOL?
Would an atheist be welcomed to serve as a POLICE OFFICER?
Would an atheist be welcomed to serve as a NEWS ANCHOR?
Could an atheist LIVE PEACABLY, WITHOUT HARRASSMENT?

Please say where you live, generally (Country/City, or if USA, State/City).

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Answer 1

1) Would an atheist be welcomed to PRACTICE MEDICINE?

Certainly.

2) Would an atheist be welcomed to TEACH OR ATTEND PUBLIC SCHOOL?

Attend? Most definitely. I'm sure there are thousands of atheist or agnostics in our school system right now.

Teach? Well, assuming the parents didn't find out I'm sure they could. But as most people here are religious fundamentalists the teacher would be virtually run out of town if word ever got out.

3) Would an atheist be welcomed to serve as a POLICE OFFICER?

Yes. Although I have a feeling the majority aren't.

4) Would an atheist be welcomed to serve as a NEWS ANCHOR?

Yes.

5) Could an atheist LIVE PEACABLY, WITHOUT HARRASSMENT?

I do for the most part. But that is only because very few people actually know I'm an atheist. I'm sure once the word gets out I'll be shunned from society. : )

6) Please say where you live, generally (Country/City, or if USA, State/City).

Austin, Texas, US.

Answer 2

Yes to all those questions. I live in NSW Australia, my closest city is Sydney. We're a rather open-minded and accepting lot here, although we do still have a lot conservatives. As far as the News Anchor goes though, I reckon they would be more welcome at the ABC (which is Australia's non-commercial channel and many people complain that it is too left-wing) especially if they were to express opinion sometimes. the commercial channels tend to be a bit more right wing conservative. Hmm, come to think it ... our public school system has just announced the introduction of new school councellors who will all be pastors or something associated with churches so that could cause some friction of the Atheist was out-spoken. I just like to think that they would be tolerated in any situation, I guess.

Answer 3

I live in Austin, Texas. A small area of liberalism in this otherwise conservative state. Some of the doctors I work for are atheists. SO yes I would say they are accepted.

Answer 4

I live in indiana and growing up was treated very unfairly for being an atheist so most of the time I kept my mouth shut. Now these days I don't care.

Answer 5

Yes to all of them,and most people in my area are Christians.In Australia,we don't really care about what religion you are if you are a doctor,teacher,officer whatever.It's not like we interrogate applicants to those positions.
You obviously have a low opinion of theists if you think we would harass or exclude someone because of their atheism,although I do recall a local church and a Christian school being vandalised. Hmm..

Answer 6

I doubt anyone would notice or care, unless the Atheist was trying to rid us of Christmas holiday or displays or do something else that was not "business" as usual for the area.

No one likes wave makers.

Answer 7

I am from NY people pretty open here. I think one would be a fool to talk about his Atheism on a job interview. So if people knew they might discriminate. So i dont really know...... I just know your better of lying if you wanna get elected to public office.

Answer 8

Yes to all of the above. People here are independent; we mind our own business. Religion is not a major part of life here for most people.

Standish, Maine, USA.

Answer 9

Fortunately I live in Australia--we tend to be a tad more laid back than some other countries--we like to give all people a "fair go"--We don't really mind what religion a person is---only how they relate to their fellow man--:]

Answer 10

Some pple do and others dont. We would probably ignore him/her for sanity sake.
I wouldnt want an athiest to take care of me as a patient
What would he/she deposit into my kids.
How does he know right from wrong.
As long as he/she is reading a script.
He can if he/she doesnt comfront us on religious issues.