If the founding fathers were liberal, how would a gay athiest be treated at that time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?

Answer 1

Ask shakespeare...?
Hang them!!!!!!!

Answer 2

I think there were many of them that could be termed as agnostic as opposed as atheist. That being said they like Jefferson for example were treated on the some level as a practicing Christian.

In the eighteenth century someone being straight or gay as we see it nowadays would not be so quite as obvious. It was not uncommon for two men or women to share the same bed and live out entire lives together without being "gay." Some men were raised as effeminate but once again not gay.
In any case these folks were treated like everyone else.
So it is hard to find examples of intolerance on the part of the founding fathers or anyone else about gays. Back then people did not wear their sexuality on their sleeves.

Answer 3

There was no 'gay' identity back then, so he'd probably be treated as a crazy person babbling nonsense:

"Good morning Mr. Jefferson, I'm Gay!"

"If you don't mind my saying so, sir, this a grave period in our young nations history, and no time for care-free happiness and frivolity..."

"No, no, I'm not happy, I'm Gay!"

"The distinction, subtle though it may be where you come from, is not lost on me, sir, I simply do not find such an attitude entirely apropriate at this point. Washington is cut off in valley forge, and our brave soldiers are dying of starvation and cold. It's not time for gaity."

"And I don't believe in God, either!"

"Then I fail to see how you could be anything other than desolate and miserable, you have my pitty. Good day, sir!"

"Dammit, come back here and oppress me, and you miscegenistic Deist!"

Answer 4

Depends on how that individual expressed their opinions and sexuality. Someone who was "in the closet" would probably be tolerated to some degree - then as now - as long as they were "discreet" in their relationships. And, given that it was the "Age of Reason" and many of the founding fathers themselves expressed some doubts about the existence of a higher power (many were Deists), an atheist would also probably be tolerated in intellectual circles.

It would also probably depend on your social class. Someone of a higher class could probably get away with a lot more than the lower classes - more money to pay the blackmailers.

Answer 5

The founding fathers were basically atheists no matter what the christian right tries to say. An average gay wouldn't even be noticed. Now if it were a flaming queen they probably think he was mad and send him to a sanitorium somewhere.

Answer 6

Actually, the 18th century was a great time for gay atheists, they were entertaining royalty. Read up on the life of Molierre if you don't believe me. Sure, the church would spread the love of Jesus by trying to set him on fire from time to time, but other than that he was accepted as a celebrity by society at large.

Answer 7

thats a complex question. although throughout history Homosexuality was accepted in many cultures. ex.. ancient Sparta. I'm not sure what the founding fathers would have thought, my guess is they would have been against it most didn't even see Africans as being the equals of Whites so that probably tells you they were in some respects small minded.

Answer 8

Liberalism was different at that time. It did not embrace immoral behavior with pride as today. If a person was gay or athiest, he/she kept it to himself/herself.

Answer 9

The Founding Fathers were libertarian.

Answer 10

Spoken like someone who doesn't believe a group's views change with the times.

Answer 11

I think that an atheist would have been persecuted more than a gay man...fact is, most of the men in those time were homosexual and it was normal for them to have young boys as lovers. Ironically, their committment to religion was impeccable.