Atheists, have you ever suffered discrimination / awkward moments because of your atheism ?

Answer 1

so many awkward moments, which lead to anger from the people around me who then began attacking my views, beliefs, all because i cant seem to accept the bible, especially none of it seems to make sense

Answer 2

LOL! I was in a business meeting when one of my co-workers (from accounting, I think) with a bit of a personality problem started talking about religion in the way a plain folks advertisement would sound. When he got to me, I just said that I'm not a member of any church. I usually say this to people I know are very religious and that I have to deal with on a daily basis. It helps keep the peace- but he pressed it. I told him I was atheist. His response was ... "you mean, like- you don't believe in GOD? well... What DO you believe in?" I was trying so hard not to laugh, because his face was literally bright red with shock and disappointment, as if he was my friend or something. I replied with "nothin- I think science covers what I need to know" He was NOT happy (and I am very glad he was not my boss or I would not have this job, and he would be paying me NOT to work here after unemployment got a hold of him).

From that point on, he tried to avoid me whenever possible- there was a constant feeling of unease with him. It didn't help him much that I'm IT and he's not too computer savvy. I stayed polite with him from then on, but he never did quite treat me the same again.

Answer 3

Every once in a while someone will discriminate against me because of my religious views (or lack there of). I sometimes end up in awkward situations because of them. But I know I am not the one suffering.

Answer 4

I'm not an atheist, but my 16 year old son is agnostic leaning toward atheism, and he usually gets expressions of surprise when he reveals this to people because they assume he is a Christian because he is a good kid who participates in sports, school functions, makes good grades, and is genuinely popular at school.
They genuinely wonder how that can be, when he should be so amoral?

Answer 5

You have to know when to discuss it and when to keep quiet or avoid it. You don't have to engage in conversations about religion. It's your right to be private. If someone doesn't respect that, they are being impolite and you should say so. I simply avoid people who are overly religious and want to preach at me. It's not worth the effort to even try to have a conversations with them on the topic, because they are sure to the core that they are right -- it's an exercise in futility and frustration.

Yeah, I live in the South, so people just assume you must be a Christian and look at you funny if you aren't. Don't let spiritual beliefs define you.

Answer 6

I don't think discrimination because I don't make it a point to tell anyone that I work with. It really doesn't come up.

Awkward moments, yes but I am usually the one who creates them.

Answer 7

Awkward moments yes, but as I live in England its usually when I've raised the subject like 'surely you accept evolution?' and then become annoyed when the majority of people present disagree and accept that the sky-fairy made everything with a swish of his magic wand.

Answer 8

YES!!! My mom is Baptist, and I go to church with her when I am visiting (out of respect). I am an athiest, but I do not broadcast it to the world, unless you ask me first. I was in her Sunday school class, and they asked me to open the group with a word of prayer. I told them that I did not feel comfortable doing that...that was all it took. One of the ladies asked me why, and asked me if I didn't have a close walk with God. I told her that I didn't want to talk about it. She pushed the issue, and I finaly told her that I am not a christian and that I do not believe in God. They all freaked out and told me that my soul was in danger of going to hell, that Blasphemy is a sin, etc. My mother was mortified, and her sunday school class prays for me now (so that I will be sraped from hell...blah blah blah). THAT WAS AWKWARD!!!!!!!





---I am NOT bashing Christians, but they are really the only religious group that I have ever been exposed to....so, that is where the discrimination came from.

Answer 9

My proto-in-laws are Catholic, and so is my gf.

Since I'm no "Atheism Preacher", whenever religion pops up in a conversation, I change the subject immediately. If they insist on inquiring me about why I'm an atheist, I give them reasons and they usually RANT and SPIT OUT scripture.

That IS a sticky situation.

Answer 10

As a Christian I have been discriminated against by non-believers... It's just how it goes... get over it.