Current Events > Why is atheism/not being a Christian such a stigma in America?

(+) Yeah! (+)

During the election, when Bernie Sanders was questioned about his "spirituality," you could just tell he was dancing his way around saying he wasn't into the Christian God. If he flat out admitted that, there would surely be fury and outrage.

Sad, isn't it?

the more folks that speak up about being Atheist the less stigma it will carry
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A lot of people attach morality to religion, despite looking around and seeing supposedly religous people doing immoral shit on a daily basis. Makes no sense
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Why is there such fury and outrage towards those of us who are Christian?
It goes both ways.

That's not typical. More often than not, Christians are the ones who face discrimination.
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Because a lot of religious people are bigots.
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DifferentialEquation posted...

That's not typical. More often than not, Christians are the ones who face discrimination.

yeah Christians and straight, white males just don't get fair treatment in this country. Sad!
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Because America sucks
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Because both sides have extremists who want to smash everyone over the head with their belief system.

spudger posted...

Because America sucks

The door is open, anytime you want to leave.

church is supposed to be separated from state, but that's never been the case. just one of many many examples of false advertisement.
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Cal12 posted...

Because both sides have extremists who want to smash everyone over the head with their belief system.

This isn't really considered an extremist view to the majority of America unfortunately
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Giant_Aspirin posted...

DifferentialEquation posted...

That's not typical. More often than not, Christians are the ones who face discrimination.

yeah Christians and straight, white males just don't get fair treatment in this country. Sad!

I wasn't going to bring that up since this topic was about religion specifically, but you're right.
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for the majority of americans, christianity/religiosity is their first and likely only foray into philosophy & introspection
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Smashingpmkns posted...

Cal12 posted...

Because both sides have extremists who want to smash everyone over the head with their belief system.

This isn't really considered an extremist view to the majority of America unfortunately

I guess that depends on where you live in the US. I live in Massachusetts where no one really cares either way. Minimal bashing from either side but when it does happen its usually the nutters.

Im_JustMe0129 posted...

Why is there such fury and outrage towards those of us who are Christian?
It goes both ways.

I've always said that I don't care what anybody believes, if you want to believe in a magical man in the sky, go for it. But your religion should not effect your policies, or lack thereof, for the entire nation. Look no further than the founding fathers, some of whom were religious, some of them where not, but they all agreed that a person's religious beliefs should not be used to govern society.

So when I hear things like Bush saying "I spoke to god and he told me to invade Iraq", I raise an eyebrow. I have no malice, but you should understand that not everyone believes what you believe.
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Cuz of shit like this:

http://i0.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/616/530/e04.png
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Im_JustMe0129 posted...

Why is there such fury and outrage towards those of us who are Christian?
It goes both ways.

You're surprised that a lot of fury is directed at the religion that most legislators in this country try to use as basis/justification for what others percieve to be immoral policies?
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Jaded_Dragon posted...

Im_JustMe0129 posted...

Why is there such fury and outrage towards those of us who are Christian?
It goes both ways.

I've always said that I don't care what anybody believes, if you want to believe in a magical man in the sky, go for it. But your religion should not effect your policies, or lack thereof, for the entire nation. Look no further than the founding fathers, some of whom were religious, some of them where not, but they all agreed that a person's religious beliefs should not be used to govern society.

So when I hear things like Bush saying "I spoke to god and he told me to invade Iraq", I raise an eyebrow. I have no malice, but you should understand that not everyone believes what you believe.

I do understand that not everyone believes in what I believe in, if you want me to respect YOUR right to believe different from me, something I have no problem doing, do us the same courtesy and cut out the "magical sky man" stuff. It shows that you DO have a problem with what others believe if you have to make disparaging remarks. Also, for the record not every Christian believes God or Heaven is up in the sky.

Asherlee10 posted...

Im_JustMe0129 posted...

I do understand that not everyone believes in what I believe in, if you want me to respect YOUR right to believe different from me, something I have no problem doing, do us the same courtesy and cut out the "magical sky man" stuff. It shows that you DO have a problem with what others believe if you have to make disparaging remarks. Also, for the record not every Christian believes God or Heaven is up in the sky.

Also a great point. Mutual respect is needed.

Respect for the right to believe in different religions/or lack thereof is needed, but I can still respect someone's right to believe what they choose AND still disagree with their philosophy, just as they can with mine. I don't like atheism as a concept or philosophy, its not something that I probably ever will agree with, but I am not going around bashing people over the head with my Christian beliefs or trying to convert them either. I am civil and respectful in my dealings with atheists, I expect the same courtesy in return.

Places on earth where strong religious views are still a core element of lawmaking/governing battles:

The middle east
America

Christianity is still top dog in the USA even after all the progress that's been made knocking it down a few pegs. It makes sense why, considering its dominance over culture here was pretty much absolute for a long time.

We just need to keep working toward reducing its stranglehold grip on things.
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Im_JustMe0129 posted...

Jaded_Dragon posted...

Im_JustMe0129 posted...

Why is there such fury and outrage towards those of us who are Christian?
It goes both ways.

I've always said that I don't care what anybody believes, if you want to believe in a magical man in the sky, go for it. But your religion should not effect your policies, or lack thereof, for the entire nation. Look no further than the founding fathers, some of whom were religious, some of them where not, but they all agreed that a person's religious beliefs should not be used to govern society.

So when I hear things like Bush saying "I spoke to god and he told me to invade Iraq", I raise an eyebrow. I have no malice, but you should understand that not everyone believes what you believe.

I do understand that not everyone believes in what I believe in, if you want me to respect YOUR right to believe different from me, something I have no problem doing, do us the same courtesy and cut out the "magical sky man" stuff. It shows that you DO have a problem with what others believe if you have to make disparaging remarks. Also, for the record not every Christian believes God or Heaven is up in the sky.

Fair enough. I apologize for saying magic man in the sky.
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ArchiePeck posted...

Places on earth where strong religious views are still a core element of lawmaking/governing battles:

The middle east
America

If that was true abortion and gay marriage would still be illegal. Even with Christian influence the US is far more progressive than most other countries.

Jaded_Dragon posted...

Im_JustMe0129 posted...

Jaded_Dragon posted...

Im_JustMe0129 posted...

Why is there such fury and outrage towards those of us who are Christian?
It goes both ways.

I've always said that I don't care what anybody believes, if you want to believe in a magical man in the sky, go for it. But your religion should not effect your policies, or lack thereof, for the entire nation. Look no further than the founding fathers, some of whom were religious, some of them where not, but they all agreed that a person's religious beliefs should not be used to govern society.

So when I hear things like Bush saying "I spoke to god and he told me to invade Iraq", I raise an eyebrow. I have no malice, but you should understand that not everyone believes what you believe.

I do understand that not everyone believes in what I believe in, if you want me to respect YOUR right to believe different from me, something I have no problem doing, do us the same courtesy and cut out the "magical sky man" stuff. It shows that you DO have a problem with what others believe if you have to make disparaging remarks. Also, for the record not every Christian believes God or Heaven is up in the sky.

Fair enough. I apologize for saying magic man in the sky.

No problem

I don't think disagree with people who are atheist but I do think it's a miserable way of living

Asherlee10 posted...

Jaded_Dragon posted...

Im_JustMe0129 posted...

Jaded_Dragon posted...

Im_JustMe0129 posted...

Why is there such fury and outrage towards those of us who are Christian?
It goes both ways.

I've always said that I don't care what anybody believes, if you want to believe in a magical man in the sky, go for it. But your religion should not effect your policies, or lack thereof, for the entire nation. Look no further than the founding fathers, some of whom were religious, some of them where not, but they all agreed that a person's religious beliefs should not be used to govern society.

So when I hear things like Bush saying "I spoke to god and he told me to invade Iraq", I raise an eyebrow. I have no malice, but you should understand that not everyone believes what you believe.

I do understand that not everyone believes in what I believe in, if you want me to respect YOUR right to believe different from me, something I have no problem doing, do us the same courtesy and cut out the "magical sky man" stuff. It shows that you DO have a problem with what others believe if you have to make disparaging remarks. Also, for the record not every Christian believes God or Heaven is up in the sky.

Fair enough. I apologize for saying magic man in the sky.

I love moments like these where two people on opposite sides respect each other. Kudos to you both.

No reason that Jaded_Dragon and I can't be civil. There's no need for name calling or anything.

Really only seems to be a thing in politics.
Your every day atheist doesn't really face any meaningful discrimination.
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Cal12 posted...

ArchiePeck posted...

Places on earth where strong religious views are still a core element of lawmaking/governing battles:

The middle east
America

If that was true abortion and gay marriage would still be illegal. Even with Christian influence the US is far more progressive than most other countries.

The point is - they're both still hugely divisive issues between the two main political groups, and a significant number of people in power on one side still would like them both illegal.

This... does not happen in the vast majority of western countries.

ArchiePeck posted...

Cal12 posted...

ArchiePeck posted...

Places on earth where strong religious views are still a core element of lawmaking/governing battles:

The middle east
America

If that was true abortion and gay marriage would still be illegal. Even with Christian influence the US is far more progressive than most other countries.

The point is - they're both still hugely divisive issues between the two main political groups, and a significant number of people in power on one side still would like them both illegal.

This... does not happen in the vast majority of western countries.

Italy
Ireland
Poland
Portugal

All more religious than the US
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Asherlee10 posted...

alimajor posted...

I don't think disagree with people who are atheist but I do think it's a miserable way of living

Why's that?

Meh just the thought that we fade to black and choosing not to believe in higher power because of it thought process kind of sucks. I was atheist at one point but I've come to find some form of spiritualness and I've been a lot happier since. (Not a Bible thumper and I don't run around trying to convert peeps)

But hey, whatever thought process helps bring peace to people I'm all for so if that's how you want to think then you do you fam