Not being American myself, it is true that it can be dangerous to admit you're an atheist there?

Question

I've seen that in the R&S section before & this surprises me. For a country that's all about "liberty" this seems a very archaic trait!

vehement - is that for real? that was actually said? anyone else familiar with that??

I suppose it depends on which part of the country...sounds like I wouldn't last 2 minutes in Texas :P

Answer 1

It really does depend on which part of the country you live in. Certain places like Chicago, or San Francisco wouldn't be a problem. Although I am an Atheist and I was beaten up by a bunch of Born agains in my home town of Chicago. Places like in Knoxville Tennessee though are really dangerous if you even look at someone funny. I remember when I was staying there for a couple of weeks and a guy asked me which church I went to. When I said I was an Atheist you would have sworn I'd insulted his mother. Needless to say I decided to skip town very quickly.

You can encounter religious discrimination in many other forms though even in a Liberal environment. I have a friend who is an Atheist, and he ran into some trouble at work because there was a strong religious culture there and he didn't belive in god.

I ran into a little trouble with some of my family and friends when I decided I wasn't going to go to church anymore. Some don't talk to me anymore.

Answer 2

Mel...we are a country of liberty. I know the some people say they are put down because they are atheists here...but I do not think the "here" goes any further that Yahoo.

I have many atheists friends and none of them have ever encountered any kind of problems. For the most part people do not go around screaming out what their religion is or is not here and its really pretty impossible to tell by looking at a person what they think or believe.

I am sure that if anyone, Christian, other religion or atheist stood on the street corner and said some of the things they say on Yahoo...someone might take offense.

The Ol' Hippie Jesus Freak
Grace and Peace
Peg

Answer 3

Maybe it's dangerous in Utah or somewhere where there are a lot of super religious people but here in Maryland it's definately not dangerous. It's absolutely something that I keep to myself for the most part though, most people I know at least believe in God and I don't want them to be freaked out that I don't.

Answer 4

Not dangerous as in your life or your beliefs, but more of a social outcast kind of way, but only in some areas. It's usually not mentioned in today's PC culture. It's usually the fundamentalists who have a huge problem with it, and here on YA R&S the fundies and the atheists have been at war since inception.

Answer 5

I just want to let know...
wait, oh crap! that song's always in my mind, and now it's coming out too, lol!

Well anyhow, I just wanna let you know that from what I've seen, a lot of atheists come on here making fun of our beliefs, but I won't say any names (like Jelly, Slave of 12 Gods, God of Butterflies, and so on)
But you don't see Christians coming on here very often doing the same, do you?
(except the guy who calls himself 'Atheists are dumb!')

Fact is, atheists practically outnumber us here, when in the real world, I hardly see any. My great- great uncle is atheist, and even though I don't really know him, I know he's dieing. So, don't make up this stuff, b/c it's not true. It's just rare to know a lot of American atheists from my pov.

Answer 6

Of course, I cannot speak for all Americans, but I don't care what someone believes, and I am certainly not going to physically or verbally attack someone for admitting to me that they are an atheist or a wicca or whatever. As long as they don't start in on me for my beliefs, they can believe or not believe what ever they want. That's what it's all about - freedom of religion or not.

Of course, as in all countries - not just America, there are those radical religious people that will rant and rave at you if you admit to not believing exactly as they do. Bible thumpers.

Answer 7

Not really dangerous in most parts of the country, but many otherwise educated people mistrust atheists. You don't see "openly atheist" people getting elected to public office often, and atheism and "godlessness" are blamed for the decline of out society all the time. I don't think most atheists get beat up, but they do get blamed for all of society's ills.

Answer 8

No, America is full of atheists and mostly nobody cares. Some atheists pretend to be believers. Politicians, for example, always go through the motions of religion in the U.S. but that's just pandering for votes.

Answer 9

yes - in some locations. this country doesn't adhere to any of the liberties it was founded upon anymore. division of church and state is non-applicable. many civil liberties are have been taken away from us, because nobody pays attention to what is being done by congress, and when there is a major bill being lobbied, we have very little power but to sit back and hope that our representatives vote for what we want. but that rarely ever happens. i served 8 years in the military - relinquishing my democratic rights as a u.s. citizen to preserve them for others - and it just disgusts me to see how apathetic americans remain. nobody will get involved and try to make this place a better place, but they sure do reserve the right to complain about it! and as far as religion goes... that's really across the board. i love how they preach acceptance and forgiveness, but only when you accept their beliefs. humans are sheep.

Answer 10

No its not dangerous for atheist. We just like to challenge each others beliefs or nonbeliefs.

That's what makes America so grand.

Of course, if a person is unbalanced will yeah, it could be dangerous here and on the streets.