Atheists and gays - the last of the hated minorities?

[_madeleine]

Just keeping it real...

Not really. What does that have to do with American attitudes about atheists?

The attitude of American anti-religious atheists is relevant to how American religious react.

[_Buffalo]

The attitude of American anti-religious atheists is relevant to how American religious react.

You seem to be conflating Soviets with Americans.

[_madeleine]

The attitude of American anti-religious atheists is relevant to how American religious react.

You seem to be conflating Soviets with Americans.

Nah, I recognize the differences. I also recognize the similarities. It's a matter of degree.

[_Buffalo]

Question: Is the negative blow-back I'm getting here from believers coming from a place of jealousy? Both traditional Christianity and Mormonism have a strong tradition of fetishizing the persecution complex. Does it bother you that Atheists in America are more disliked for their lack of beliefs than you ever will be for your beliefs? Would it make you feel better if we brought back the lions for believers who won't renounce their faith?

[_Buffalo]

Nah, I recognize the differences. I also recognize the similarities. It's a matter of degree.

Right - so I'm responsible for the Soviet treatment of Christians. Makes perfect sense.

[_madeleine]

Question: Is the negative blow-back I'm getting here from believers coming from a place of jealousy? Both traditional Christianity and Mormonism have a strong tradition of fetishizing the persecution complex. Does it bother you that Atheists in America are more disliked for their lack of beliefs than you ever will be for your beliefs? Would it make you feel better if we brought back the lions for believers who won't renounce their faith?

I've been both, hardcore atheist and religious. It is more complex than "persecution". I don't feel persecuted now, and I didn't as an atheist.

But I'm not blind either. Atheism in America has a strong agenda, one that wants our beliefs put in the closet, and made separate from ourselves. We should be believers at home, but non-believers at school or the office. I see this as an extreme infringement on my freedom. This is a reality, not a ill-defined "persecution complex".

So, no, I wouldn't vote for an atheist. I don't agree with the atheist agenda and won't support it.

[_madeleine]

Nah, I recognize the differences. I also recognize the similarities. It's a matter of degree.

Right - so I'm responsible for the Soviet treatment of Christians. Makes perfect sense.

That is not what I said and this statement is irrational.

The Soviets came before you,right? So which attitude is influencing who?

[_Buffalo]

That is not what I said and this statement is irrational.

The Soviets came before you,right? So which attitude is influencing who?

The statement is irrational because the comparison is irrational. The two groups aren't related. I've never met an atheist who was "influenced" by the Soviets.

[_Buffalo]

Question: Is the negative blow-back I'm getting here from believers coming from a place of jealousy? Both traditional Christianity and Mormonism have a strong tradition of fetishizing the persecution complex. Does it bother you that Atheists in America are more disliked for their lack of beliefs than you ever will be for your beliefs? Would it make you feel better if we brought back the lions for believers who won't renounce their faith?

I've been both, hardcore atheist and religious. It is more complex than "persecution". I don't feel persecuted now, and I didn't as an atheist.

But I'm not blind either. Atheism in America has a strong agenda, one that wants our beliefs put in the closet, and made separate from ourselves. We should be believers at home, but non-believers at school or the office. I see this as an extreme infringement on my freedom. This is a reality, not a ill-defined "persecution complex".

So, no, I wouldn't vote for an atheist. I don't agree with the atheist agenda and won't support it.

Are you saying that keeping church and state separate is a way of persecuting believers? Really?

[_madeleine]

That is not what I said and this statement is irrational.

The Soviets came before you,right? So which attitude is influencing who?

The statement is irrational because the comparison is irrational. The two groups aren't related. I've never met an atheist who was "influenced" by the Soviets.

Buffalo, American anti-religious atheism is influenced by the same ideologies the Soviets employed. American anti-religious statements are an echo of Soviet laws and actions.

"While religion was never officially made illegal [in the Soviet Union], the state nevertheless made great efforts towards the goal of eliminating religion."

American anti-religious atheism has the same goal, and employs similar strategies.

It should be noted that I don't view all atheists as anti-religious, however, American atheism is strongly influenced by those who are.