From the article: Most Americans See Atheism as a Negative Trait, Won't Elect Atheists
What's your opinion on how to best deal with this situation — how to deal with the widespread anti-atheist bigotry among Americans generally and Christians in particular? Do you agree that atheists will become more electable when more Americans learn first-hand that they don't need to fear or mistrust atheists as their religious leaders have told them? Or do you think that the unelectability of atheists in America needs to be addressed in a different way? Share Your Ideas
Pete Stark
- We have Pete Stark in Congress who is a long time atheist whose district is in the Bay Area in California!
- —Guest Victoria
Profile Enhancement
- I've seen images of highways "adopted" by atheists and this fact is marked by a sign. The religious have hijacked the good in society, we need to reclaim it. By being active in good works and advertising same could/would have a positive effect.
- —Robster1
Atheism may not be the problem
- I suspect the problem is the pc brigade fueled by the greedy media. Political Correctness (pc) in politics is where a candidate must match an idiosyncratic list of 'ideals' otherwise they will not survive media scrutiny. The problem is caused because the media treats the public as stupid and everything is black or white. So an atheist is evil and wants to fundamentally undermine the american way of life but a religious bigot who has affairs and syphons millions of dollars into their own bank accounts is good because they have God on their side. You can see the same simplistic arguments in other politics like abortion or sorting out the economy. If you are not 100% for one side of an argument then you must be 100% against that side. This suits the media because it allows them to create sensationalist headlines which sells more papers or increases viewing figures. One can't have a reasoned discussion about anything. It boils down to media greed that drives this simplistic pc labelling.
- —Guest Christopher
America is last in the Western world
- America trails the pack when it comes to waking up to the truth. Every other country has a higher percentage of Atheist / Agnostics who are out of the closet. But in America I don't think one will be able to get a nationwide office any time soon. Theists are still terrified of books & movies like that series on devil worshiping satanism, Harry Potter. In Ca. if you announce you are pro-life / anti-choice you have just committed political suicide when it comes to any statewide office. Nobody has yet to do it and survive. I see this as a good thing, but even in Ca. I doubt you would win a statewide election running as an atheist. One day people will wake up and realize that religion has nothing to do with running a country. As to whether that will happen before America sinks to the point of breaking up as the USSR did is anyone's guess. We don't seem to be making any progress, but then that is the opposite of Congress!
- —Guest Borsia
Come on out and play
- I agree with calls to come out and say something. And so I will, too. Atheists in foxholes can be aided here, everywhere.
- —Guest kent
Put a Scarlet A on Every Car
- @brianholly I agree with you wholeheartedly. Instead of rainbows or pink triangles, all of us atheists/agnostics need to slap a big scarlet 'A' on our cars, start marching in parades, and start publicly affirming ourselves and the consequences of our affirmations be damned! I've been loud and proud for a decade now, and I've actually received far more support than threats. As long as we're cowering before the uneducated and bigots, and keeping silent, we're empowering them and not us.
- —Guest CraigD
Aussies have it!
- Australia has gone way beyond the US in this regard. The current Aussie PM is a well-known atheist, yet her 'godless' outlook to life did not even become an issue during the last elections. Even Tony Abbot, the opposition leader, refused to be dragged into whipping up religious sentiments against Julia Gillard's atheism; as he declared that candidates should only be judged on their policies and capabilities. I think Americans need to borrow a leaf from Oz.
- —Guest Tunde Aina
Shout it from the roof tops.
- Atheists are doctor's, lawyer's, nurse's, policemen, firemen, judges, professor's, your next door neighbor. We have lower divorce rates, higher IQ's, more honest and lower percentage of prisoner population per capita.
- —Guest bandy
education
- superstition and blind adherence to ancient beliefs must be countered with education. It is necessary to point out the absurdity of some of these religious beliefs and this education must start early.
- —harebob
A Perception
- The internet yields a strong perception by virtue of its account of the expression of atheism which implies that the attitude of the non-believer toward the believer is one of fundamental separation. This is to say that the impression taken away from the thrust of most available pro-atheism arguments is one that is wholly or partially dehumanizing to the believer. Therefore, those who believe are not comfortable with further enabling or empowering those who do not believe. The key to being perceived in a more positive light is to be consistent and affirm the common thread of humanity between the faithful and the faithless.
- —Guest Nathan
The theists have done such a good job
- The voting public continues to elect corrupt and inept leaders that have lead America into ruin. They ignore history and reason only to act surprised that their "god fearing" politicians steal, cheat and promote the supposed well being of other nations while America sinks. Their chosen leaders enter one war after another and engage in covert actions that kill innocent men women and children by the hundreds of thousands ruining countless lives. But it is a good thing that these supposed leaders believe in gods while they commit crimes against America and the world. Otherwise they might not get into heaven. I read an international poll taken among people of every religion worldwide and they stated that they fear atheists more than any other religion or beliefs. Even though other religions, such as Muslims vs Christians, have vowed to their death and destruction while atheists have never threatened anyone we are the most feared. This is the mentality of the theistic world regardless
- —Guest Borsia
To fight bigotry, come out of the closet
- I think the first step is to emulate what gays have done. As more and more atheists come out of the closet, people will realize that these aren't scary strangers; they're their sons and daughters, friends and co-workers, the people they love.
- —Brianholly
Electable Atheists
- Education of the electorate is the only thing that will change perceptions. Politicians who are atheists at heart know that they must pretend otherwise to get elected. So, as a start, an avowed atheist must run for a national office and be willing to respond to attacks based on anti-atheist bigotry. He won't be elected but the conversation will have started.
- —Guest Troy
