Are atheists a persecuted group?

Question

With the publication of Christopher Hitchens' book "God is not great", Sam Harris's "The End of Religion", there is a claim by some that atheists are being persecuted in the United States. Usually the evidence is that according to polls, a majority of American citizens will not vote for a proclaimed atheist as President.

Now I can accept that some people are still prejudiced against atheists and agnostics. I can even accept that some Christians aren't exactly keen on defending the rights of atheists. On the other hand, I don't know if we can say that atheists are being persecuted.

Answer 1

I don't feel persecuted I just feel misunderstood.

Answer 2

Of course Atheists are a persecuted group ... what group isn't??? Catholics worship idols, Baptists drink too much and their preachers are adulterers, Jehovah's Witnesses are Holy Rollers, Muslims are fanatics, Jews don't believe in Christ (they even killed Him), Mormons are polygamists ... need I go on? There is deep prejudice against all religions, as well as those who do not believe in or acknowledge religion. It's a fact of life. As for a majority of American citizens not voting for a proclaimed Atheist as President being evidence of some sort of persecution, I don't believe that it IS all about prejudice. I think it's just an uncomfortable feeling that an Atheist president might become another George Bush, and try to force his or her beliefs on the American public. In that case, the War on Terrorism might conceivably become a very real War on Religion.

Answer 3

I guess it depends on your definition of persecution. Their creation story, also known as evolution, is treated as fact and taught in our schools. Most public schools, if not all, don't give a decent creation model, offered as an alternative to the theory of evolution. Many people say that's because all creation stories that include a god, or contradict evolution, are myths. The real truth about that is that Andrew Carnegie funded the National Center for Science Education and he was an atheist. This is why people regard evolution as science and anything else as myth. I don't think atheists should have a monopoly on science curriculum if they are going to deal with issues that are based on faith, like the origin of the universe and life. If there were any witnesses to the creation, they are long dead now, so you can't say that any theory as to how the universe got here is really proven. Why not give both sides and let the kids choose? The atheistic idea of moral autonomy and moral relativism pervade our schools. Those are very anti-Christian ideals that could easily lead to the persecution of Christians in the future, when the old generation dies off, regardless of what the Constitution says. It's interesting, when the communists took over China, they didn't start teaching communism in the schools. They started teaching evolution. If evolution is true, then might makes right because there is no God to tell us right from wrong, and there's too many people with differing opinions to gain authority from them. What other alternative is there? Karl Marx and Joseph Stalin were both atheists, who used to be Christians but adopted atheism after reading Darwin's book. Hitler tried to achieve what Darwin said was the highest aim of mankind, the production of fitter species by killing the weaker ones. Hitler said, "I regard Christianity as the most fatal and seductive lie that ever existed." It's too bad they didn't keep their faith. I won't vote for a proclaimed atheist as President either, although I don't always believe politicians when they state their religious views. I will go on the record as hating atheism, but Jesus died for atheists. I really hope they'll believe that before they die because if it's true they'll be in big trouble if they don't believe it. If God is real, then they rejected Him, and they'll face His wrath for it. That won't be fun. We shouldn't persecute the people but I don't listen too much to their ideas of how to live. I don't think anyone should. It's scary that so many people do.

Answer 4

I did have a woman working in my department who was a devout christian. When she found out I was an Atheist she filed a complaint saying that because of my lack of religious belief I was unscrupulous and demanded to either be transfered to a different department or I should be removed. When my employer refused she quit and later tried to file a civil rights suit against the company. The case was dismissed but I still felt like I was the lowliest thing on the planet because someone demanded that I be fired because I don't believe in God.

I will ring your doorbell and run away!!!

Answer 5

Being persecuted makes me stronger and more militant. I love being persecuted. I look forward to it with every cell of my being. Sometimes, when I haven't been persecuted for a while, I get all flushed & itchy till I can't stand it anymore. At those times I am forced to resort to persecuting myself. I find this self-inflicted humiliation liberating to the max.

R&S has got to be the funniest category in Yahoo Q&A. It's like a three ring circus of comedic redundancy.

Answer 6

In my part of the country, (southeast) you're persecuted if people find out you're an Atheist. You can (and will) lose your job if you happen to work in a county, state, or municipal position. You will be refused admission to local clubs and associations.

Answer 7

No. Almost everyone is prejudiced against atheists, but they aren't persecuted, simply because there aren't enough of them. It's unfortunate.

Answer 8

The texas state constituion bars atheists from political office.

There are over 10 states that have similar requirements to religious belief, otherwise precluding you from running for any state office.

That is persecution.


Edit:
Jay - "No. to be persecuted you first have to have a religious belief"

So blacks were never persectued?

Answer 9

Naw. I think they're getting more and more popular actually.
Chris Hitchens and Sam Harris have a following and there are days that I feel like the athiests might have us outnumbered.

I'm a pretty left of the middle Christian and even I gotta admit that the spread of Athiesim is a bit unnerving.

Answer 10

Id say just the opposite they are on the rise. Its sad really I mean this country was founded by Christians. I think of all those that gave there life for this liberty. Now it is the Christian Church that is being persecuted. Our liberties are being attacked everyday. If it wasnt for groups like the ACLJ there probably would be no more Christian liberties left. Peace out.................

Answer 11

I'm not feeling any persecution up here in Canada, I can't speak for America but with 85% being christian, I image there is some wrath thrown their way.