would you say that in the USA saying you are an atheist can have the same negative impact as saying you are...

Question

muslim or gay, to some people?

I am asking this because of this article another user posted

http://www.xent.com/pipermail/fork/Week-of-Mon-20061120/043501.html


http://mx.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AsOTFdEp.h2Fqz0dw1CZjtyY8gt.?qid=20070416215609AABFLRP

Answer 1

I would never say I was an atheist down in the South. I'm from the Midwest, and it was rarely a problem. But in reference to the original question: I have had believers get red-faced, and start yelling at me about how I "dare to be an atheist," and question my patriotism. You'd have thought I said I eat children for lunch three times a week. Even some of our national "leaders," such as George Bush Senior, question the patriotism of atheists. On right-wing hate radio I have heard the hosts call atheists "bad Americans" and "poor patriots." What a huge crock. It gets tiresome. I've gotten to the point where I no longer even mention my apostasy; If anyone asks, I just smile and say "That's private," and change the subject. It's easier than the arguments. I will say, however, since I moved up here to northern New England, it rarely even comes up. In this part of the world, gross displays of religion are considered unseemly, and are subject to suspicion. Proselytizing is considered rude. It's refreshing.

Answer 2

Yes, specially because christians b i t c h about how bad atheists are. They keep saying we're bad people, with no morals or values. But what ever... time and facts will prove them wrong. I hope I can see that in my lifetime.

I live in Mexico, a mostly catholic country. When I tell people I'm an atheist, they usually raise they're eyebrows. The worst thing is that I don't think they believe me. They think I'm confused but will soon return to religion. I've never been a believer, but I defined myself as an atheist 10 years ago... enough time for me to go back... not gonna happen.

Answer 3

Oh, gosh! That's difficult to answer..., either any of the options. But sadly, yes..., the atheist in USA are just a little bit over a stray cat. Maybe if I'm gay, I can be more accepted for what I really are. A Mexican Atheist.


Azrael has spoken. The Evil will be harvested.

Answer 4

For the most part, that is true.

In the South you may even be attacked or have your property vandalized.

The mid-west is a little tamer, but you are likely to be verbally harassed and ostracized. Not to mention having to listen to uneducated morons, usually women, berate you while wearing their grade school understanding of the world on their sleeve..

In the North or the West, especially the North West it is not a big deal as non-religious types are a rather sizeable minority, often as large a group as Catholics or Protestants.

Answer 5

~~~Dr. Dr.,,,,, Yes, I am Living Proof,,, but because I have a strong Sociology Background and have travelled and lived in other cultures, learned a few languages(not fluent) that it all depends on where one is At The Moment. From regional areas within a country to an area across the city. Discretion is Key, "When you meet a Master Swordsman, you show him your sword. When you meet someone who is not a poet, do not show them your poem." Chinese Proverb

Answer 6

a million. Yep. 2. Yep. 3. at times you would be waiting to teach a adverse, some issues are logically impossible. i will teach that there's no longer a guy who counted to infinity and then ate lunch via distinctive function of the reality that it incredibly is impossible. exterior of logical impossibilities it incredibly is incredibly difficult to teach that something does not exist, you could, besides the incontrovertible fact that freely brush off problems with which there is not any evidence for there life with out flunking one single philosophy type - probable help mutually with your technological know-how instructions too for that rely. :-p

Answer 7

Yes. Absolutely. Discrimination and hateful talk against atheists is one of the few acceptable discriminations left in this country. You're actually allowed to get away with more against atheists then you are with Muslims or gays. They are protected by anti-discrimination laws. Atheists aren't.

Answer 8

In the USA, saying you are Mork from Ork can have the same negative impact to SOME PEOPLE. You will never be accepted by everyone, even if you are Mother Teresa.

Answer 9

I depends on where you say it. On a typical college campus, you would probably fit right in. So, yeah, it makes a difference to some people...it can have a positive effect with some folks and a negative one with others.

Answer 10

Actually, studies show that it is likely to make people hate you MORE than either of those others.