Atheism would appear to be one of the last minorities it is acceptable to openly discriminate against, right along with homosexuals. Atheists are not allowed to hold public office in four states. While campaigning for the presidency, George Bush stated and later reaffirmed that he did not believe atheists could possibly be patriotic and should not be citizens.
The Boy Scouts of America refuse to accept atheists in its ranks, asserting that they cannot possibly grow up into the best possible citizens. Good Christians on the Religious Right proclaim that a conspiracy of atheists and secular humanists is trying to take over this country and brainwash the children — despite our small numbers! Atheism itself is generally ignored in politics and in the media.
One obvious problem which people will have with atheism is that it is fundamentally subversive. Atheism often involves questioning, doubting, and refusing to accept claims for which there is no good evidence — but which have an honored place in culture and which are widely accepted.
Those in power cannot easily tolerate such unrestricted doubting. If people will go about questioning the principles underlying religious belief, how will they be kept from questioning the principles underlying common political or social policies? In a free country such as ours, however, we should not be tempted to accept the idea that certain beliefs, political or religious, should be off-limits to doubt or questioning.
Another clear problem which people will have with atheism is that religious belief is deeply ingrained in our society. Even those who do not explicitly adopt religious doctrine will refrain from criticizing it too harshly. Religion is very comforting to people, offering them hope and respite when they see no other possibilities. People cling to this hope so strongly that, unfortunately, they grow hostile when that hope is questioned. What a truly weak hope their religion must be if it cannot stand against the doubt of another.
As an atheist, I am very thankful that I live in a country that attempts to promote not only freedom of religion but freedom from religion. To live free, I must be able to live without the government imposing upon my conscience or beliefs. I must be able to choose to live without a belief in gods and without having someone else’s religion imposed upon me through my government.
For those who are hoping to try and convert me, you should prepare in advance and have some very good reasons ready. I suggest, however, that you spend some time reading and considering some of the critiques I have written concerning common arguments for the existence of God — any reasons you wish to offer me for believing in God should take those critiques into account if you actually want me to take you seriously.
