Let Atheists Back Into Politics

More people would vote for a female or gay politician than an atheist. Why? The bigotry of such an attitude would be obvious if "atheist" were replaced by "Jew" or "Hispanic." Theists don't seem to see any problem with this bigotry and then get annoyed when atheists stand up to complain about it.

Mike Whitney writes:

[A]theism in America is a lonely experience. Atheists are widely distrusted and there is a palpable undercurrent of discrimination directed at them, even though it is less noticeable than the prejudice aimed at other groups. In many ways, atheists are social pariahs; America's leper colony. Just about everyone is wary of atheists, as the polls repeatedly indicate.

[H]ow is it that politicians, entertainers or whomever can expound ad nauseam about God and, yet, the views of atheists are scrupulously omitted from the media. (With all the religious programming on TV and radio, have you ever heard an atheist offering his point of view?) If 90% of the population is so secure in their beliefs, it certainly wouldn't hurt to get a second opinion, would it? The fact is, atheism simply doesn't exist in America. It is the forbidden topic, like homosexuality 20 years ago.

Mike Whitney argues that the voices of religious believers have been very prominent in politics and culture generally, but both would be improved if the voices of skeptics, atheists, and those who generally don't accept traditional religion were as prominent. America was founded on a commitment to reason, science, and justice, things which go hand-in-hand with skepticism but which are often opposed by religious absolutism or dogmatism.

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