Targeting Atheists and Agnostics

[SoonerMatt]

It seems that in today's society you practically HAVE to belong to a flavor of Christianity to be socially acceptable. For example, there are many people who have said that in an election they'd vote for the opposite party if that candidate were Christian and their party's candidate were atheist or agnostic. As an agnostic all I can do is sigh. While the person in my example may cite that "America is a Christian nation," the fact of the matter is that all the founding fathers were deist at best and that religion should have no part in policy making. (for example, Benjamin Franklin said "Lighthouses are more useful than churches") At the same time I've noticed I've come under a lot of fire for my lack of faith. Many seem to think that I'm somehow less of a person because I don't follow a religion.

Why do you think people feel religion is a necessity? While this may appear to be a generation-related trend, many young people also share this mindset. Also, atheists/agnostics, how do you react to this sort of logic?

 

[APPCRASH]

Hey, hey, hey, hey... welcome to reality, this shit is old. Be glad the inquisition isn't on you.

 

[Vrex360]

I think it really shouldn't be a big deal. I'm pretty sure I'm an athiest and while I have nothing against Christians I really wish they would be a LITTLE more open minded.

When I said I have nothing against Christians that excludes Creation Scientists obviously.

 

[Rabite]

The sooner we can get away from religion as a species the sooner we can have some really interesting reasons for war for a change. Religion, control and money are the three main reasons behind most of the wars in history. Sadly they all fall into the supercatagory of Power. Good luck ever convincing the hardcore religious that this is the case. Ah well. This topic should get some very very interesting responses from the religious.

 

[Joos]

You could emigrate to Sweden, or any other Scandinavian country. There, the religious people are the weirdos, not the other way around.

 

[Nmil-ek]

It may seem that way but its not Europe is heavily secular hell the last polls were what 4 years ago we may even be the majority now, Britain is 44% or so agnostic/atheist and some countries like sweeden are pushing 85% or higher. Its only an American thing really.

 

[matnatz]

Wait, it's like that in America? It isn't like that in the UK.

 

[Palindromemordnilap_v1legacy]

You could emigrate to Sweden, or any other Scandinavian country. There, the religious people are the weirdos, not the other way around.

I shall bear this in mind...

 

[traceur_]

I had no idea that was the case, it is rather equal in Queensland so no one really gives a shit either way.

 

[Samurai Goomba]

That certainly isn't the case here. The Escapist is primarily comprised of atheists/agnostics (this has been proven multiple times by polls and as of the last poll was not merely a subjective opinion of mine.)

 

[Lios]

Uh...from my standpoint it seems to be the exact opposite...

Nowadays it seems that religion and morality requirements are on a rather steady decline. All of the old heavily religious christians who think everything needs to be done the christian way are starting to die off. Less people are caring about pointless and overzealous moralities and starting to think about more important things that actually matter. Seems out society is starting to level out on the religion side. The younger generations who find enjoying their lives more important than following their religions are starting to take over. Hell even Texas is starting to change, and that's something I personally never though possible.

 

[Frequen-Z]

Yeah Christianity is America's problem. Shits not so bad here in the UK, it's not pushed onto us at all at school or anything like that.

I'm a strict atheist, I think religion is just a phase that will die out in the next few hundred years.

 

[quack35]

Do people really criticize you in public for being an agnostic?

I can't imagine someone having the audacity to do that in real life.

 

[Legion]

*snip*

It isn't like that in the UK, or many other countries in the world in fact, so it means little to me.

I'm pretty sure I'm an athiest and while I have nothing against Christians I really wish they would be a LITTLE more open minded.

On this site I come across a lot more close-minded Atheists than Christians.

The sooner we can get away from religion as a species the sooner we can have some really interesting reasons for war for a change. Religion, control and money are the three main reasons behind most of the wars in history.

Religion is not, and never has been a reason for War, it's just an excuse.

The difference being that the people who claim that they are going to war for their God would be claiming it was for something else if they weren't religious.

 

[PedroSteckecilo]

It's a lot easier to be non-religious here in Canada, and I live in the Canadian equivalent of the American South (Alberta).

Up here many Christians don't even go to church on a weekly basis and really don't care whether or not you believe.

 

[zauxz]

I'm a strict atheist, I think religion is just a phase that will die out in the next few hundred years.

I REALLY doubt that.
I mean people believed in higher power since the beggining of mankind.

 

[azurawolf]

I'm an atheist living in the bible belt so you can understand how I feel. Some people will ask me my religion and I will tell them honestly that I am not Christan. Oh boy that's fun... but for the most part, my religious beliefs don't play any part in my life. I have plenty of friends who are christians and it doesn't matter what I believe. It shouldn't matter.

Do people really criticize you in public for being an agnostic?

I can't imagine someone having the audacity to do that in real life.

I've have someone do that to me at work. They asked if I was christian, I told them no, and someone even told me that I was going to hell if I didn't accept God. If I hadn't been at work at the time....

 

[Megatheist]

With the largest grain/heap of salt I can muster until I've heard enough and drop the most inflammatory and witty thing I can think of and then walk away. Luckily I've been able to gain friends that think like I do or as Atheist/Anti-Theist as I am.

That Being said....

At this point I'm done arguing with fear minded people and just keep to myself. If asked I'm honest and then give fair warning; if it's not heeded or they think I'm kidding then I rip into them and let them ponder what I said while thinking of a reason or another to leave.

 

[ontherisess]

Hardly anybody is Christian now anyway.

 

[Skeleon]

Well, I never had any problems being an atheist/agnostic. I openly talk about my views and the weirdest reaction I ever got was: "Really? How come? Weren't you raised Christian?"
I never experienced anything offensive/oppressive.
But then again, I live in Europe.