And usually by people of a faith that once was persecuted and so they should know better then to treat others the way they were treated all over the question of faith or lack thereof.
Some might not see it that way.But if you look all around you will find that not having beliefs can prevent you from many things.You can't hold certain public offices for instance.You're treated as less of a person.You're seen as immoral.You're treated as someone who is untrustworthy.All because you are a Atheist.Such persecution was reserved for Christians at one time.Now it is many Christians who persecute.
All of this because a person chooses to embrace rationality in an age of science and chooses to take responsibility for their own destiny rather then look into a religious book and hope to find the answers there and all because a person chooses not to side with one religion or another over a question of who is right and who is wrong and would rather know that neither has any evidence either way.
2007-08-20 18:29:08 · 19 answers · asked by Demopublican 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Name one Atheist president.For that matter, name one Atheist member of Congress or judicial justice.
2007-08-20 18:43:26 · update #1
Our non-belief threatens their belief because if we're right, they feel there is nothing to live for and they'll fall into despair. This is a group of people that NEED something to BELIEVE in... they need to know it's not just coincidence and that we're not alone.
I'm okay with the fact that this is all there is and I make the most of it while I'm here.
That frightens believers... because if WE'RE right, everything they believe in is wrong.
2007-08-20 18:35:44 · answer #1 · answered by Rogue Scrapbooker 6 · 6⤊ 3⤋
Atheists calling Christians out on their beliefs is not persecution (likewise, Christians calling out on atheists' beliefs is not persecution either) You might want to look at past events in history for real examples of persecution.
2016-05-18 21:17:31 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The majority of humans believe in some kind of higher power. The fact that atheists reject a concept that most others hold so dear instantly distances them from everyone else.
Allah, God, it's all the same - just different brands. Believers find it easier to accept someone who has basically the same beliefs as them (although they still may persecute them), than to accept an atheist who thinks their entire belief system is crap.
I consider myself an agnostic. I even had a psychologist recommend that I take philosophy courses once. I was slightly offended, but it just made me realize just how strongly people hold onto their beliefs - and if you reject their beliefs they truly think there's something wrong with you. Even in a clinical setting.
2007-08-20 18:53:42 · answer #3 · answered by Matt 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't feel persecuted as such.
However, I will tell you that there is a possibility of my working for a humanitarian NGO where the chief is very religious and will only employ the 'god-fearing'.
I just shut up and go with the flow. is that persecution? Is that hypocrasy?
If one is intolerant of others' beliefs or non-beliefs, that is surely not acceptable to the faithful? That is not what is taught?
2007-08-20 19:00:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It seems to me that atheists are only persecuted in religious fundamentalist states like the USA and Iran. Atheists are not persecuted in Australia or Europe, one's religious beliefs or lack of them are of no concern to anyone else. In Australia atheists are found everywhere and we have had a number of atheist Prime ministers - and no-one cares.
I would rather an atheist in charge than a fundie any day.
2007-08-20 18:42:12 · answer #5 · answered by tentofield 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
That's quite a martyr complex you've created for yourself. None of your examples are specific. Everyone is looked down upon by someone. Nobody seeks to do any harm to Atheists. You can run for any office you like, there's no litmus test. Sure, there are some people who may not vote for you. There are people who won't vote for a short man, a bald man, a woman, a Black person, whatever. So, not everyone loves you? Welcome to the human race.
2007-08-20 18:46:51 · answer #6 · answered by Jeff A 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I have yet to hear of an Atheist being persecuted. What public offices are you restricted from holding?
When did Christians stop being persecuted? IN the Sudan, Christians are being killed for their beliefs. Their children are sold into sexual slavery, tortured, or killed. Sometimes the wives are raped and murdered in front of their husbands.
I haven't heard of that happening to any atheist, yet.
2007-08-20 18:40:16 · answer #7 · answered by James B 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
we are persecuted. luckily, we hold society together. we can pull an atlas shrugged and stop the motor of the world if they give us too much guff.
i bet there are atheist congresspeople and other office holders, they just haven't come out of the closet yet because they know they never would have been elected.
2007-08-20 18:33:59 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Education, learning and free inquiry are the enemies of religion. Religion can not withstand critical thought or scientific theory.
Just look at how Galileo and Nicolaus Copernicus or Charles Darwin were persecuted.
Look at how science and education are the targets of attack - reason is their enemy, atheist embrace reason and are active skeptics. We are their enemy because by our existence we risk exposing their religion as the latest form of mythology.
2007-08-20 18:44:03 · answer #9 · answered by Atrum Animus AM 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Really, any belief (or non-belief) structure in the US that is not Protestant tends to be shunned by the "majority".
This is a reason why limits are supposed to be imposed on democracies, and why our founding fathers imposed them.
2007-08-20 18:35:54 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋