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How many of you feel discriminated against for been Atheist? Do you agree, we need laws that protects atheist, non-believers, freethinkers minorities?

Many religious groups always claim protection under the constitution for their beliefs. Yet, they constantly attack secularists as bigots for calling out their privilege and shortsightedness. How many of you feel it's the opposite. We don't get protection against the bigotry we face. Do you feel we get fair treatment?

missgi 5 Apr 23
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52 comments (26 - 50)

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3

I’ve bern belittled, outed to strangers as an atheist, and pressured and harassed for it. Jews leave me alone. It’s the f’ing Christians that harass me.

3

Not in Britain, thankfully - but were I to live in bible-belt US, I suspect I might feel far less comfortable.

3

I have never been discriminated against because of my lack of belief. There are only a handful of people in the real world who know what l do or don't believe.

Ignorance is bliss they say.

3

There are already laws of free speech, if the religious are not able to subvert them.

There are places where non-religious people are discriminated against, and it's shocking. Not where I am. It's the failure to have or enforce free speech laws.

What I resent is the constant stream of articles from mainstream conservative media maligning non religious people, and prominent atheists as well. This truly ticks me off.

Australian First Nation People are discriminated against all the time. In W.Victoria I have frequently been discriminated against by the religious. And you should familiarise yourself with the positive discrimination applied to Lutherans only a quarter of a century ago in the following disgusting case.
[news.com.au]

@FrayedBear I don't understand the first point and how this discrimination is on religious non belief. Also, negative attitudes towards non religious is different from discrimination in a legal or economic or demonstrable way. There is plenty of the former in Oz, but the latter would be legally challengable. That's what I meant.

@David1955 When murder receives little or no sentence because it was done in the name religious exorcism I say that positive discrimination is being applied in favour of religion.

@David1955 As for the past and ongoing genocide of people who for 40,000 have inconveniently lived and cared for this land without xtianity I suggest that you fail to see the religious discrimination occurring.

@FrayedBear I'm not the enemy here, and I do see that as the outcome of racism and imperialism, of which there may be a religious aspect, but it's a broader topic, in my view.

2

Here in Portugal I don't have any problems with that.

Apart from developing countries, USA is probably the most religious in the world. In my country Australia, one would be more likely to be ostracized for attending church. We would probably stereotype them as 'no fun'.

@MsDemeanour yes and where we can find the most crazy religious people. It´s so sad. Here people are too...but no one cares if you are or not. That does not matter for most of us. We usualy don´t judge people for that. Caracter is the most important thing.

2

with the current admin.....anticipate anything

2

Laws are already there to protect us but the religious refuse to adhere to them. They want their religion to dictate how the laws are put into use. We are outnumbered by Christians that hold their beliefs above the law.

Wait until Sharia law is imposed!

@TCorCM A lot of Christians said "you won't get abortion or contraception in America". Others said no marijuana. I am led to believe that some states now allow it.

2

This has varied a lot depending on where I lived. Here, definitely there is prejudice if one is not a believer.

MizJ Level 8 Apr 23, 2019

How do you differentiate between xenophobia and religious based discrimination?

2

Current laws are enough if we enforce them. Discrimination is the bad thing.

Laws like the Missouri Bill awaiting upper house approval and highlighted by @Larimar above?

@FrayedBear There is nothing wrong with being a non-believer and some who try to pass stupid laws actually say in public that they want atheists to suffer. Well, so much for the love of god.

2

We don't need more laws to protect us. We have the Constitution.

If only we had more people willing to enforce the current laws and Constitution.

2

More laws won't matter.
The only way change is to be made is to stand up to those who would use their beliefs against anyone else. In the moment, every time we're faced with it.
Too many are "keeping quiet", and making excuses for doing so.
They're afraid of the consequences.
I can't minimize people's fears.
I can't tell anyone not to be afraid.
More laws won't do that either.

Do your laws give people the protection necessary to enable them to make their contrary beliefs known? See @Larimar's comment above about the Missouri Bill.

@FrayedBear The Missouri Bill is not likely to withstand the inevitable court challenges.

@KKGator Quite a majority of the lower house representatives believe that it will withstand challenge and is representative of their constituents desires for them to have voted thus. Perhaps that is what the federal court or legislature needs to look at?

@FrayedBear They like to say that the stupid stuff they try to do is what their constituents want, but that's not always the case. There are quite a number of them who are pushing their own agendas. There are an awful lot of religious zealots who play it "light" during their campaigns, then when they get to the offices they want, they unleash their agendas. Usually these same people have a small group of core believers who encourage these actions.
Much of the time, if these ridiculous laws get passed, they wind up in court.
They usually do not pass muster under the Constitution, but the republicans under 45 have been packing the courts with conservatives. That is a move that is going to cause very long-term effects on the country, even long after 45 is gone.

Our system is completely fucked, and we are in danger of proving this "experiment" a failure. The run up to 45's ascension to power proves just how stupid so many Americans truly are.
It's also show just how insidious the two-party system has become.
They are the extremely corrupt sides of the same coin.
Seems like the republicans have just figured out how to use the system more to their advantage than the democrats have.

2

Everyone is discriminated for every reason you can imagine. Sometimes it’s disguised as ‘preferences.’ The vast majority of the planet believes in a higher power. That makes atheism a dramatic minority. With that comes issues.

We are protected under the same constitution as everyone else, questionably more so.

However, just because we are protected does not mean we are free from scrutiny.

I’ve never been ‘attacked’ for being an atheist. I also don’t feel that religious groups come after us.

Educate yourself and learn to protect yourself from them. All they can really do is verbally assault you. I don’t find the conversation from them challenging or worth while.
Shrug it off and move on.
If you feel more is happening due to your beliefs such as harassment and aggressions then hire an attourney.

Bottom line keep your personal life personal.
We can choose to hide our beliefs. We can hide ethnicities or gender. I’d like to resolve these issues in our society first before I worry about silly ole religion hurting my feelers...

@missgi
I don’t think fear should be the motivation.
I just don’t ever advise discussuing politics or religion at work. Long time philosophy of mine.

@darthfaja When others less principled do so in your hearing they are subjecting you to unwarranted and uncalled for stress that will reduce your longevity as surely as radiation exposure will. It is also called bullying an American trait that unfortunately has been and continues to be practiced in the name of American economic well being. I remind you of Martin Niemöller's poem:

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

@FrayedBear I’m not fragile enough for it to bother me.

@darthfaja that is what you think.

@FrayedBear umm? No... that is what I know.

@darthfaja lol, you have certificates to prove it? ?

@FrayedBear
You’re just being ridiculous.
You’re debating wether or not I’m being discriminated against at my work got being atheist?
Or any of my work ever?

Or wether or not others trying to shove religion down my throat bothers me?

What a giant waste of time.

I can tell you with 100% fact It’s never happened for a variety of reasons.

@darthfaja I am being facetious not ridiculous. ?

@darthfaja although a little ridicule and ridiculousness does help life on its way!

2

Not personally except in a few awkward moments when I was "outed."

An Atheist/Agnostic is very unlikely to be elected to high office in the US, though. I think there may be a couple of Unitarians Universalists in congress.

@CelticAtheist You are running?

@FrayedBear oh......Heey--LL No!

@BufftonBeotch ??? Why not?

2

Yes, we are discriminated against. When I divorced, my ex made it well known I was an atheist. Never mentioned verbally in court, but conveniently put my my membership picture and title with an atheist group I belonged to. Can I ever prove damage? No.

I learned a long time ago to put a lid on it in working environments. The discrimination is always ambiguous, but it is there.

What I really can't understand though is the millennials. Where are they? They have a greater number of non theist types, but they don't seem at all interested in forming a community or a movement of any kind.

I can’t speak on behalf of a whole generation, and I’m not part of it, but I know that there’s a higher number that aren’t religious and to them it’s just not a big deal. It’s more accepted. This is the same thing with their views on gay marriage, what’s the issue and why the hell not.

@missgi I have heard that organizing Democrats is like herding cats. I would say the same applies to Atheists. Not a put down, as the bar for conformity / group think/ organizing has been set pretty high and been very consistent for 2,000 years

community doesnt mean the same thing to current generations (x, millenial, z) as It did to the previous ones.

It's there, you just arent a part of it mate, sorry.

2

I haven’t been discriminated against for my lack of beliefs. If I were, that would be just fine. I don’t need any law to protect me.

You have obviously never had a job interview suddenly terminated because of your "immorality" being unacceptable to the employer? I did when it was learnt by the Christian school that I was divorced.

@FrayedBear Yes, my religion & marital status has never been brought up in a job interview. If they were and they decided not to hire me because of that, it would be fine by me.

2

absolutely but don't fool yourself into thinking that will ever happen in bible thumping land

2

"RIGHT TO ACCURATE MEDICAL INFORMATION July 30, 2014. A number of states require that abortion providers give inaccurate or misleading information to patients. The Satanic Temple demands that its members, and those who share our beliefs, not be subjected to anything but the best scientific understanding, as this is a violation of our religious beliefs. Thanks to rulings such as Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, which exempt corporations from some laws they find religiously objectionable, The Satanic Temple began a campaign against practices it finds offensive."

[thesatanictemple.com]

"It is the position of The Satanic Temple that religion can, and should, be divorced from superstition. As such, we do not promote a belief in a personal Satan. To embrace the name Satan is to embrace rational inquiry removed from supernaturalism and archaic tradition-based superstitions. The Satanist should actively work to hone critical thinking and exercise reasonable agnosticism in all things. Our beliefs must be malleable to the best current scientific understandings of the material world — never the reverse."

[thesatanictemple.com]

1

Constitution is protection for all of us,if you can get courts to acknowledge it.Some christians have christian only list/phone book so all commerce restricted to like minds only.What happened to the "free market"idea?Bigotry indeed.

wmk24 Level 2 Apr 25, 2019
1

Thanks for the information yet again identifying the absurd lengths taken to preserve religiosity against all sanity. No wonder I call it inxanity.

1

Yes, imho, in the Laws of the Land of ever so many, SUPPOSEDLY, Civilized and Enlightened Countries we are seen as a Minority Group of something similar to the Pariahs and Lepers of older times, though not that much older I'd hazard to say.

1

Unfortunately, laws are being created to do the opposite of protecting atheists. [friendlyatheist.patheos.com]

Buxx Level 7 Apr 23, 2019
1

I think we have one law too many..... The answer is time and patience to allow more people to awake from religion and become secular.

It would be interesting to have a law passed that contains major punitive measures like mandatory fines and jail terms for offenders. A law that prohibits all discussion and practice of religion in all places of worship, all radio and TV religious broadcasts, all door to door evangelist preachers, all conversation in home, restaurant, transport vehicles and waiting places, places of work, entertainment and prayer, cease for a period of one year.
Then we will find out how people managed to live for twelve months without the raison d'étre!

@FrayedBear Well you kind of proved my point. The ball started rolling with the idea of having a law for whatever and now you have multiplied that times over..... I still believe we have too many laws already. Of course that's my opinion

@IamNobody laws are only necessary when people do not obey the intent of the law. For example if a law is passed that says every profit will be taxed at 20% of the baseline profit how many will start dreaming up schemes to reduce the baseline to the point that no tax is paid? That is why laws can no longer be generalised and have to cover every eventuality. America is very indoctrinated in the concept of "user pay" until it comes to paying taxes when the philosophy becomes one of "let other's pay".

@FrayedBear Now you took a turn towards "don't know what you're talking about". We are done here, you win. Let's have a law that says we don't need/want more laws. That's the only law we are missing.

1

No , I don't . I believe in the don't ask , don't tell philosophy , and it works for me . I also believe in not ridiculing other peoples beliefs . There are a lot of good people doing a lot of good work for others , even though they have religious beliefs . There remain a lot of soup kitchens . The majority of our hospitals exist because religious groups went out and begged donors to contribute billions of dollars to build , staff , and stock hospitals . Many hospitals are also teaching hospitals , some are also research facilities . They've build schools , although they do teach their religion , they also educate a lot of children . The local pagan group , that I am aware of , distributes blankets to the homeless , during the cold weather during the cold weather months . Atheists , to the best of my knowledge don't organize enough to accomplish any of these , " god works . "

The cynical merely observe that in promoting hospitals the religious bodies are merely jumping on the gravy train in order to profit whilst seeming to do "good".

1

I do feel that way but in a social sense only. I don't feel that I would be fired for being an athiest or in physical danger. I do feel like some people treat me differently if they know. I keep it to myself at work for the most part for that reason. Being fired isn't the only reason to lose a job over athiesm. You can't pass laws against peoples opinions though.

I do think lack of religion should be protected as strongly as religion against discrimination.

MsAl Level 8 Apr 23, 2019

How many jobs were you ineligible for?

@FrayedBear I have never been ineligable or fired for any job because of my lack of religion. That was the point of my post. Mabey I didnt say it right. I keep it to myself so people don't treat me badly. In my experience if the group doesnt want you there the job doesnt last. Like I said that is not something that can be legislated.

I do think atheism should be protected as much as religion when people are targeted because of it.

@MsAl A recent experience of a friend is a case in point. He has been usurped by women and snowflakes making perjured statements against him. In terms of qualifications and practical experience they have admitted that they are in awe of him. As a result the group of no hope women have said that they cannot work with him and have forced him to leave the job he has held for fifteen years. He is 50 with a 4 year old son and wife to support. In this country you are lucky to be employed after the age of 40. I suggest that the law has badly let him down. Oh, and the last false accusations were started by a 23 Year old snowflake who reported him for mentioning that he was giving a private lecture to local budhists whilst she was being taught by him some of the necessities for a successful convention - facts that she had not been taught at college in obtaining her chocolate diploma.

@FrayedBear Wow sorry your friend lost his job. Was it because of athiesm?
It's hard to prove if that's why it is anyway because they can just fire you for something else if it is because of athiesm. Or sometimes someone treats everyone badly or doesn't do a good job but blame athiesm and snowflakes when they are let go. It's hard to tell.

@MsAl As stated he was at the time lecturing to budhists and mentioned it. Complaint ensued but was dismissed. This however was about the fifth time they had pulled this type of stunt. They realised that they now looked very very stupid and believed they would be too ashamed to work with him. When he left he presented the bitches each with a bunch of flowers to rub their noses in it. They couldn't believe it. 7 months later they had him back in to pick his brain on a new project. He is still unemployed however. Strangely one event that has become a feature on the local calendar was I believe very much supported by the local Happy Slappy's.

1

Discriminated; no. Disrespected; hell yes.

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