It's a fact that atheists are a group which experiences bigotry and prejudice more than most others in America. More people would be willing to vote for a gay man or a women for president than an atheist. Many atheists have to hide their beliefs from friends and family. I've received death threats. Why, though, are those responsible for the bigotry and prejudice crying about how they are ones who are suffering?

The God Squad responds to a letter from someone who complains about how their Christian beliefs are treated by various friends:

The last acceptable prejudice in our society is the prejudice against people who take their faith seriously.

There are many people who sincerely believe this, but what makes it ironic coming from the Goon Squad (they don't deserve the moniker "God Squad" after this) is the fact that they themselves have engaged in bigotry towards atheists in the past. It's outrageous that two people who are as dismissive of atheists as they are would turn around and complain that it's actually people who "take their faith seriously" who are suffering. It's not even clear that they know what atheism is, but they consider themselves qualified to make generalizations about atheists.

The Goon Squad has stated in their column, without reservation or qualification, that atheists are foolish and wrong. When was the last time any major syndicated columns made such a statement about people who "take their faith seriously"? If one ever did, what would be the public reaction? Could anyone get away with saying things about religion generally or about any particular religion the things they have said about atheists? No — thus effectively demonstrating through their own actions that one of the last acceptable prejudices is that against atheism, not against faith.

When was the last time that a politician lost an election because they were perceived as someone who took their faith seriously? When was the last time that a politician even suggested that religious faith was incompatible with American patriotism or citizenship? Never, that I know of.

On the other hand, when was the last time a politician tried to score points against an opponent by portraying them as someone who doesn't take faith seriously? Just about every election cycle. Politicians continually vie with each other over how can be portray themselves as most "serious" about their faith. President George H. W. Bush, for his part, stated unequivocally that atheists shouldn't be considered patriots or "real" Americans.

When was the last time television or radio was dominated by pro-atheist or anti-religion programs? Never. In reality, pro-religion messages are a staple in all the media. Even so-called "neutral" religion reporting rarely includes anything about atheism, secular humanism, or religions outside of Christianity and Judaism.

I could go on and on, but the pervasive nature and influence of religion on American society is clear to all who have eyes to see or ears to hear. If that includes the Goon Squad, then they are guilty of deception in an effort to feed the persecution complex of conservative Christians in America. If that doesn't include the Goon Squad, then they are incompetent and shouldn't be allowed to continue distributing their column — people that disconnected from reality need professional help, not a public platform.

Read More:

• Atheism 101
• Agnosticism 101
• Defining Atheism
• Questions About Atheism
• Atheism Myths
• Books on Atheism
• Poll on Atheism
• News About Atheism & Atheists
• Rebuttals to Attacks on Atheism