How bad is it to be Atheist in America?

[CapnGod]

Well, in a lot of things, you guys are right. Day to day life is pretty much the same. We get to sleep in on Sundays. However, politically, atheists are fairly marginalized. I was listening to a segment on NPR about atheists, and they are the most distrusted minority in America. Most of the country admits in a poll to preferring a Muslim in office over an atheist.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discrimination_against_atheists#Western_countries

 

[Booze Zombie]

Well, in a lot of things, you guys are right. Day to day life is pretty much the same. We get to sleep in on Sundays. However, politically, atheists are fairly marginalized. I was listening to a segment on NPR about atheists, and they are the most distrusted minority in America. Most of the country admits in a poll to preferring a Muslim in office over an atheist.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discrimination_against_atheists#Western_countries

Religion hardly qualifies or disqualifies someone from being a politician, unless you're in a baby killing cult or something. But then that becomes a police matter.

 

[Biek]

I am an atheist. Here in Britain nobody cares whether you believe in god or not, and I can not possibly imagine atheism affecting how people see me as a person ever. However their are alot of jokes on american TV shows joking about atheists having a hard time, so basically I want to know if there is any truth behind the jokes.

You better steer clear of Texas, boah! We dont take kindly to yer types 'round 'ere!

 

[j0frenzy]

I would say having lived in Atlanta, GA for over 10 years that the South is more religiously active. There are certainly more churches there and more people actively trying to get converts by doing things like handing out bibles close to high schools and baseball games. However, most of the people in the cities are used to being ignored apparently and do not react (much) if you kindly refuse their attempts to convert you. This is true for any non-Christian. In the more rural areas, I am not sure how they react to Atheists. I have only spent significant time in more rural areas of the south once and I gave a restaurant of people collective whiplash by saying that I did not like grits.

All of this said, my opinion is somewhat invalidated seeing as how I am not actually an atheist. However I assume that the Christians of the South react pretty equally to Judaism as they do to Atheism, in that many do not openly attack you as long as you are polite to them.

 

[Weaver]

If you live in the South, VERY BAD. Be an atheist in Alabama = Death.

Have you ever experienced that?

I'm pretty sure cuddly_tomato is actually a zombie!

 

[velcthulhu]

I'm an atheist, and speaking from my experience, small town (where I grew up) + atheist = BAD.
City (where I go to college) + atheist = no one really cares. The devout Christians sometimes think less of you, but that doesn't really bother me.

 

[Rooster Cogburn]

Religion hardly qualifies or disqualifies someone from being a politician, unless you're in a baby killing cult or something. But then that becomes a police matter.

I can't speak for anyone but myself, but religion can be a legitimate concern in deciding who will lead a community. Religions frequently come packaged with a set of moral values, and it only makes sense for people to want politicians who reflect their values. On the other hand, religion does not have to be the only factor and should be considered one of many.

I do have one concern about Atheists in politics. Many Atheists vocally advocate banning religion completely from public life and institutions. This would be an injustice that our Founding Fathers took active measures to prevent. Of course, not all Atheists prescribe to this, just as not all Christians are strongly pro-Life and not all Republicans advocate responsible immigration policies. But it's an example of how religion can be a factor in politics.

In the political context, its about the issues and values. Religion or the lack-thereof is just a useful if incomplete way to describe those values.

 

[Darkmark44]

I see it sometimes, cause Atheists are flamed in some areas and made fun of constantly, but, thats in large religious areas.

I dont really care for them, I consdier them more open minded and nicer then some christians i know. hell, I rather talk to them then a religious person

 

[Beowulf DW]

No one but a couple of nut jobs actually care. And if they do, so what. I don't know what it's like in more Christian parts in the country but where I am no one really gives a crap.

Pretty much that.

 

[Lios]

Well you mostly don't want to be an atheist in the southwest and in Texas. People here are really hard about their religions. Hicks will probably grab a shotgun and load you full of lead if they found out you were an atheist.

How do I know this? Because I live in a neighborhood full of them, and there has been a case.

 

[Griff]

well as i see it religion is fine for individual people but religion should have no bearing on the state or the letter of the law

 

[Dentedgod]

I am an Atheist and From my experience, It's safe to be one on either of the coasts and in any major city. No one really cares there and most religious people in those areas are either tolerant or moderate.

I wouldn't dare admit to it in the south or central states, at least away from large population centers. I was in a bar in West Virginia that asked me and my friends to leave once they overheard our Atheist/Agnostic conversation about Evolution Vs Creationism.

 

[McNinja]

It's would be bad in large religious areas, I think. From my experience, though, Atheists tend to give more crap to the Christians for believing what they believe, that the Christians give the Athiests for believing what they believe. Christians will (most of the time. Some Christians are imbiciles who won't try to talk to an Athiest just condemn them to hell and fire and brimstone and blah blah blah. I don't get it but it's rediculous) try to convert or at least talk to the atheists, but the athieists are more likely to tell them to f off.

 

[Ricky 49]

really

I am an atheist. Here in Britain nobody cares whether you believe in god or not

really? where do you live? i get heckled all the time for being an atheist and I live in London

 

[Pimppeter2]

Theres no difference, stop stereotyping Americans

Sure theres lots of Christians, but Christians are people too, they know other religions exsist.

Why dont you make a topic on how "hard" it is to0 be an atheist in whatever place the person lives in, instead of assuming that Atheism is "persecuted" in the US

 

[Pimppeter2]

Contrary to popular belief, America was NOT founded as a Christian Nation. The Founding Fathers gave a nice emphasis on "Freedom of or FROM religion."

True

 

[Misaek]

Yah im an atheist and I really didn't think it was a big deal I mean it's just MY opinion right? Me and some buddies where talking and I told em I was an atheist just dead silence then all em where like "man you GOTTA believe in god your going to hell oooo" I have since made new more intelligent friends.

Wait. Yay another reason I hate America!

Edit: by intelegent i dont mean non religous just people who when I say im an atheist i get a "k" which is just what I wan't

 

[KamachoMcSagget]

it dosent really matter where i am. but i heard in other areas that it's brutal depending on if you have a religeon or not. (i do!)