Can ANY ATHEIST HONESTLY claim to have been discriminated against anywhere in the WEST because of their belief

Question

Why is it that so many atheists in this section have a persecution complex and believe they are discriminated against?

When in the west today it is those with beliefs such as Jews, Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Wiccans etc who are the ones who are being prejudiced against (often by atheists)

1) I'm NOT a Christian. I'm Muslim and actually most of the people who discrimnate agasinst me are not Christians but atheists in the name of secularism

2)In the western world religous people are discrimnated against ie that Christian woman who was sacked from BA or A Dutch Muslim woman teacher who was sacked because she refused to sake men's hands. Or anti semitism etc..

3)Markyy you know those are old laws that are not in use. In England there is a law that it is legal in Herefordshire cathedial to shoot a Welsh man with a crossbow. Do you really think that law would ever be used or Welsh men are discriminated against there??? It is is the same in the US

4)I used to be atheist and I know from experience I never felt discrimnatec against.. and I was in the majority.

Answer 1

I have never claimed to be discriminated against, but I'm Dutch, I live in one of the most atheistic countries on this planet.

Yet, the largest world power, the US, still has 7 states where it's forbidden by law for an atheist to hold a position in public office.

In two years this planet will have elections again. Because democracy on earth means that 5 % of this planet, the Americans, get to decide whether or not other countries will be at war or not. I find it very disturbing that in the country that almost controls our world politics, an atheist can't hold a job in office.

So, yes, in the democracy of this weird world, atheists are being discriminated against.

EDIT: Tabi, unfortunatelly it's not as easy as that. The laws can be found here:
http://www.godlessgeeks.com/LINKS/StateConstitutions.htm

They are sorta blue laws that aren't really used. But they aren't used, because there is no use for them now. If any atheist were to run for Governor in one of these states, they could be sued based on these laws.

They'd probably win, and the laws would be overturned. But it is an extra step an atheist would have to take to run for office. And that is discrimination.

I don't disagree with you on the other cases of discrimination btw, and you know that. I'm against any form of discrimination. The Muslim teacher in Holland wasn't fired by an atheist, but that's besides the point. No discrimination is justified. Not against a Christian, not against a Muslim, not against an atheist. It's not an either/or situation. Most groups get discriminated against. And all of those are equally sad.

Answer 2

I'm sorry, but you've got it way wrong. Atheists are discriminated against when they have to stand before a judge who displays the ten commandments behind him. This is akin to telling a person that they will be judged by the laws of a god they don't believe in. It is a blatant display of religious bias.

I'm not an atheist, but I've received many dirty and insulting comments by Christians because of the display of a pentacle around my neck.

Atheists have been denied housing by Christian folk. Some athiests have been fired from jobs by Christian bosses once the person's beliefs were found out. Even if it's illegal to do so, an employer is always able to find "other reasons" to get rid of an employee whose beliefs they disagree with.

We have a president who has declared his disdain toward other religions. We have "Faith Based Initiatives"; how does this relate to atheism? It certainly isn't inclusive of atheists. In fact, I dont' belive there are any religions other than Christian or Jewish represented in these programs. If there are, they are quite few.

In the United States, and in many other countries, Christianity holds a position of power solely by its numbers in positions of authority. Look at our list of presidents and try to find an atheist, agnostic or Pagan president. Extend that to governors, representatives, senators, mayors and others and see just how much representation those of other faiths or agnostics or atheists actually get. When you've done this, then come and tell me about discrimination.

Answer 3

Uhh, let see, I can't buy alcoholic beverages on Sunday in my state because of the Christians who think drinking is wrong.

I am ridiculed on this forum and others simply because I don't hold a belief in a Deity.

My friends cannot get married, because Christians in our state consider gay people getting married will end civilization as we know it.

In a neighboring state, all marriages have to be conducted by a religiously ordained pastor, preacher, or priest. All marriages that have been performed by judges and justices of the piece are now considered null and void.

I'm also a Buddhist. I'm much more likely to admit my religion to a stranger than to admit I held no belief in a deity.

Yes, there is discrimination and oppression by the theist ruling majority.

Answer 4

I don't remember any Atheist saying that they have been discriminated against. What is this, bash Atheist day? Again, I am going to say that it goes both ways. Christians bash Atheists just as much. Stop being so arrogant to assume that just because you are Christian you are the only one being persecuted against the most. If you take a look at questions and answers, it looks like the Muslims are the ones who are getting bashed the most.

Answer 5

being an atheist doesnt mean imply anything apart from believing, i dont do anything special so i dont see why would at my job know i am an atheist, the same as if i like disney movies...it is not something that shows! a person cannot be discriminated for not believing since it wont affect his life...anyway i am a gay atheist and i have been discriminated for the last part of who i am, so if it serves you...

Answer 6

Being an atheist is not like being Black, Hispanic, or a woman. You can pass because it doesn't usually come up. I'm also gay, and because I'm not obvious, I could pass for straight if I was willing to lie or no one asked me.

The real question of privilege for religious is whether someone would be willing to openly state that they are an atheist without fear in their community. People can go to church openly. People can display Christian bumper stickers openly. But in many parts of the country, people are frightened to display non-theistic bumper stickers.

I have on my car a moderately ambiguous bumper sticker that reads "I refuse to believe in any God that endorses war, murder, or Pat Robertson." I live in New England but traveled to a family reunion in the south last summer. One of my cousins called me aside and commented how grateful he was to see it, but that he couldn't display anything similar on his car. He hopes to retire in New England so he can have the freedom to speak his mind. In the south, he fears being ostracized from his community.

It is a function of privilege that only those who do not have it recognize it. Those who possess the privilege do not see it in their own hands. In this country, Christians possess great privilege. And they are arrogantly lording it over the rest of us when we dare to disagree with them.

^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^

Answer 7

Well, most atheist politicians in America are scared to stand up and be counted because they fear discrimination from the christians. And christians have actually said that they won't vote for an atheist. Sounds exactly like discrimination to me.

Answer 8

In the United States, atheists are the minority according to statistics and people in the U.S. tend to think that atheists worship evil. No one could win any election if they did not claim some religious belief. A homosexual who claims a religious affiliation stands more of a chance of winning an election in the U.S. than a heterosexual who is an atheist.
A black female homosexual who is an atheist is going to have a very difficult time in the U.S. and that isn't in anyone's imagination.

President Bush himself said that atheists dont deserve to be Americans.

Answer 9

LOL!

You aren't us, so how can you even talk like you know? We are the only ones that in some states we are banned from actually holding office in state government. Oh no no, but I guess that's ok, huh? No biggie there, right?

People have freakin lost their jobs because it's found out they are an atheist. People get disowned by their own families. In some towns, people receive hate threats.

I personally just keep my views oppressed (like you all like it...) and keep my mouth shut, because if I don't I worry about what might happen. I don't want to have my home burned down, or be attacked by some NUT who thinks 'god' wanted him to kill the atheists--this has happened to people!

Be thankful YOU don't have to worry about that...I mean you all are more concerned with being able to voice yourselves even MORE...well lucky you.

Answer 10

This sort of thing is more common than you might expect. One is recounted in Richard Dawkin's "The God Delusion". here are a few more -

http://www.secularhumanism.org/library/fi/downey_24_4.htm

http://volokh.com/posts/1125342962.shtml

http://friendlyatheist.com/2006/07/09/discrimination-story/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discrimination_of_atheists

http://exchristian.net/exchristian/2007/02/discrimination-against-atheists.html

And there are 14,796 more hits in the search. Face facts.