Atheists are the most despised and distrusted minority in the United States. Americans are more prejudiced and bigoted against atheists than any other group. However, not ever atheist has directly and personally experienced such bigotry. Have you? Has anyone treated you worse simply because you are an atheist? If so, what happened to you and how did you react? Share Your Experiences
Arkansan Atheist
- I grew up in North East Arkansas and was a "closet Atheist " around 11. Around 14 I told some friends and got the cold shoulder treatment. Other friends couldn't care less. Had a friend set me up with a girl at 18 in hopes of converting me, but instead I opened her eyes up. The worst was a few months back (24 now) when i told my dad and aunt. They both said that I was immoral and they couldn't comprehend how they failed or how I couldn't see what god had created. I just explained I didn't come out for the very reason they would just get pissed at me, try to ostracize me, and told them I am moral because it is the RIGHT thing to do, not because I want keys to the golden gates. Living in Califirnia (Northern Part) has been a wonderful experience, even if my girlfriends mom thinks I am the devil (stauch Catholic. Btw I was raised Church of Chirst though I stoped going at 12. )
- —Guest Nelg
Get along with others in Canada
- I'm a secular Jew in urban Canada, where atheists and agnostics are fairly common. Politicians are generally expected to keep their religious beliefs separate from policy (for example, same-sex marriage was legalized under Prime Minister Paul Martin, a practicing Catholic). So I haven't had any problems at work or with friends. I'm open to discussing others' religious beliefs (I'm curious about how others think and what influences them). I also try to find common ground with believers (shared values, such as helping others). Being open and accepting seems to flow in both directions. I've even found Jehovah's Witnesses respectful when I tell them (politely) "Thanks, but I already have my own beliefs." or "If you want, you can leave a copy of your magazine, but I'm highly unlikely to convert." Granted, there's the odd stubborn single-minded idiot, but that label can apply to argumentative atheists, too!
- —Guest Viviane
No.
- Many of my friends are evangelical Christians, and they don't seem to mind my atheism. I don't really talk about religion, period, and I don't really have a problem with overt religious displays. People think atheists want to scrub all religion out of society. I don't, and most atheists, in my experience, don't either. I should point out that even though I don't believe in it, there is a soft spot in my heart for Christianity, and I'd wager that I read the Bible more than any of my religious friends. I also see fit to mention that, unlike many atheists, I am a conservative who believes that even though Christianity is false, it's an important part of American life. Perhaps the reason I am tolerated is because I refuse to conform to popular stereotypes of atheists.
- —Guest Dr. Jingo
Fired from work...
- My Ex-boss takes being a Christian VERY seriously, to the point that he has hired several people from his congrigation who have no idea how perform electrical work.Over several weeks I worked with one such employ who endlessly asked my questions regarding morals whilst ducking any real debate on the topic of religion, when I finaly stated flatly that I was an Atheist I was fired two weeks later over what ammounts to a trumpt up charge. I haven't been fired from a job since I was 19 years old, and have allways been curtiouse and dilligent in my work. I KNOW this kid wound up telling the boss man of my lack of belief.
- —Guest Popyseed
Never experienced prejudice, but...
- I have experienced quite a bit of social pressure. I was raised Christian (though I don't think I ever truly believed it) and became atheist in high school. My mother has told me she has failed me, and I've often been pressured to go to Bible studies or church by the fundies we all love to hate that will spend hours at a time "politely" trying to convert you while pretending to respect your beliefs. I read stories of prejudice all the time on Reddit, and it bothers me to no end how stupid, hypocritical, and irrational some Christians can be. This is a minority, but most Christians I know of respect other religions somewhat, but not the logical choice of disbelief. I've been told by a few others that it's just "sad." What's even sadder is when you believe the world's oldest game of telephone passed down by illiterate people for 30-90 years before the terribly false product of said game was written and rewritten over and over as well as edited time and time again by untrustworthy kings.
- —Guest Ryan
Devout Member of the Church of Reality
- I find it amusing that a group of individuals whose belief system is based firmly in reality rather than myth and fairy tale are the least trusted. As an Atheist, I try to do the right thing because it is the right thing to do, not out of expectation of reward or fear of punishment in some mystical beyond. I suspect the “fear” is more psychological than anything else. Deep down, many otherwise rational people of religion have a hard time fully accepting the farfetched concepts of their own religion. I suspect that the opposing views of Atheists shake their already fragile belief system.
- —Guest Ethical Atheist
Live & let live
- In my experience, I've only blives panned for my aetheism when I've questioned others beliefs. However I now find religions inspiring, like works of art, left by antiquity and seek to find something to learn from each. It doesn't mean that I believe in their god; rather they all tend to have philosophical perspectives of value.
- —Guest Jollins
Jewish Atheist
- I was brought up Jewish, barmitzvah the lot, but at some point in my mid-20's decided it was all a load of nonsense, and my lack of faith has become my over-riding conviction. I live in the UK and as such have not faced massive opposition to my choice in belief. For me now it's doing my best to shield my daughter from the worst excesses of Christianity she faces at school. Her best friend's parents are rabid Christians, and they know my beliefs well. I have to grit my teeth when she gets invited to carol singing as part and parcel of the whole childhood cultural experience, and to be fair I am perpetuating the Santa myth...it seems hypocritical to make her believe that Santa is real but to say that god doesn't exist...it's just that Santa is an easy habit to get rid of later...the god delusion isn't.
- —Guest LD
not bigotry, per se, but much evangelism
- not bigotry, per se, but much evangelism,question - as if atheism is a disease I have to decide how to break to them.
- —Guest liudan89
Varying degrees
- I've experienced my fair share. I openly became atheist while in high school (at a catholic high school no less). Caught my fair share of verbal abuse from the other students and faculty. My family wasn't exactly thrilled, but they accept it. However, you can see it in other people when it comes up. My wife mentioned it to a lady at a wedding we attended and you could see the disdain on her face, and she tried to convince me that I was simply agnostic (corrected her, of course). Several of my friends are christian, and they like to pull the evangelical bit and "pray for me" every once in a while. I've been lucky to avoid any out right hate, but it's definitely there :(
- —Guest J D
yes
- In second grade, in a California public school, Jamul de las Flores, I was made to stand in front of the class to be ridiculed because I refused to go along with the class prayer. Would love to see that teacher do jail time-- very publicly-- to stand as an example to others. But, these religious folks are the majority so they never are punished for the crime of forcing their brand of superstition down the throats of others.
- —Guest anon
Hasn't been an issue
- I've been an athiest all my life, though I'm not very vocal about it. Given most people around me are deeply religious, I don't try to change their point of views with arguements or anything. If they ask what church I attend, I just tell them I'm not religious, and leave it at that. I do often feel like if you admit you're an athiest, people will suddenly view you as some sort of devil worshipper. I don't like calling myself an athiest (though I am one). There's not a word for not believing in unicorns and leprechauns, why should there be a word for not believing in god? Just seems like a way to brandish people who are different.
- —Guest David
Indiana agnostic
- My older sister's an atheist; she once was thrown against a locker at middle school, while being choked by some idiot who was yelling "Why don't you believe in God?"
- —Guest Ash
not bigotry, per se, but much evangelism
- Thus far (Age 19, been atheist since who knows when. The moment I learned of the evils of the world, maybe.) Anyways, I have yet to be treated BADLY by theists, but the particularly devout ones are unendingly persistent in their attempts to convert me or at least get me to attend their church. It's annoying to the infinite degree. I've told them the argument from evil, the fact that much of the bible's been proven wrong, etc., and they still attempt to convert me, ignoring all the logical arguments. Now they've switched from preaching religion directly to indirectly through claiming spiritual stuff is real. It's about all I can do to just change the topic. >.< Can't disassociate them because they're the only college counselor and the only adviser for my field of study at my university. They're also otherwise nice people. I just wish they would stop bugging me about my unfaith.
- —Guest joe
Stand Tall! (Canadian Atheist)
- When I was in the seventh grade, my social studies class was learning about different societal institutions. One of our definitions was (paraphrasing, as it was seven years ago) "Mythology: a set of beliefs intended to explain the origin and meaning of humanity in lieu of proper answers". My teacher summed this up as "Made-up stories that someone wrote down to explain things. Like Greek or Norse religions." I raised my hand and asked point blank, "So Christianity is a mythology too, right? That's exactly what the Bible is!" I got told off briefly about being insulting to Christians by the teacher, and then somebody who I didn't care much for gave me more of the same. These days, I'm out-loud, standing proud, and REALLY in-your-face about being an Atheist. Honestly, I'm such a jackass. But being that way has worked well for me so far. People who want to, steer clear. People who want to, argue (I enjoy winning). I think rationally, and I know I'm right. I'll never hide or back down.
- —Guest Trevor
1-15 of 39Next
