Some things religious folk might find helpful, frustrating, or offensive about atheists.
(A response to Pastordans diary)
1) Just as there are varying degrees of Christianity, Islam, Judaism, etc., there are varying degrees of atheism. We are not all created equal. Some of us are very, very, (did I say very? I mean extremely to the extreme) offended when people feel the need to define our lack of belief in their terms.
I am what some people like to refer to as a "strong" atheist. Whatever the fuck that means. (Perhaps it's obvious, but if not, let me be clear, I hate that term) Which means that I don't believe in God, Gods, Goddess, Goddesses, Flying Spaghetti Monsters or any other supernatural Creator of the Universe. Like the absence of water, my absence of belief cannot be measured and attempts should not be made to describe my absence of belief in terms that Theists are comfortable with. Like: "Everyone has faith, you have faith that there is no God". This is a ridiculous argument thrown out by Theists to non-Theists and let me be the first to tell you if you haven't already heard, it's offensive.
2) Burden of proof belongs on those who think something needs to be proven. In other words, SHOW ME. People who say that there is evidence that God exists, let's hear it. I want concrete, verifiable evidence, no namby pamby bullshit. When I get it, I'll concede. But saying that I have to prove to you God doesn't exist is pure CRAP.
Let's say for instance that I believe that invisible 10' tall, talking bunnies inhabit the closets of children. What, you don't believe me? Prove that I'm wrong. The fact that you can't see, touch, hear, smell or taste such a creature should be enough, yes? hmmmm...how interesting. Cause it's not. It never is and that's the problem.
- Tired of having your God, Gods, Goddess, Goddesses, Flying Spaghetti Monsters or any other supernatural Creator of the Universe compared to Santa Claus and Invisible Bunnies? Guess what? We're tired of making the comparison. So stop asking us to define ourselves using your terms. We don't believe. We've faced down the possibility of spending eternity in hell if we're wrong and we're still comfortable with that. That oughta be enough for you.
- Atheists are tired of being in the small minority of the population and yet treated like we're a threat to your very existence. That I am somehow making your life uncomfortable with my heathenism is just laughable. I have my Democratic Women's meeting in a church where I am first asked to say the Pledge of Allegiance with Under God right in the middle, followed by an invocation and I am trampling all over your rights? Give me a fucking break.
I cannot run for public office in my state (NC) as an atheist. It's in our state constitution. Is that unconstitutional? You bet your ass it is. The Supreme Court said so in a case in MD in 1961. But it's a law still on our books and it will remain there until someone in this state elects an atheist and the law is challenged. I'm not holding my breath on that one.
5) Atheists care about your "poor me, I'm so persecuted" nonsense about as much as you care about the fact that we genuinely face discrimination in our daily lives. Some of us might be more considerate of those offended by us on DailyKos if you could get it through your skulls that there is a group here who FEELS persecuted and a group that actually is. For you to scream foul about the way you're treated here is like me comparing my experience with discrimination as a white woman dating a black man to being black myself. It's ludicrous.
In conclusion, let me say this: I personally do not resent or belittle anyone's religious beliefs. I know that might not be apparent in this rant, but this rant isn't about your religion. It's about my lack thereof and how it affects the way people look at me, the way people treat me, whether someone will decide to hire me or whether I can serve my country in public office.
It's about people defining me. It's about people judging me. It's about people scoffing at me or scolding me. It's about my mother who won't admit who I really am and does an alter call every Sunday to pray for my lost soul.
It's about you having Freedom of Religion but me not having Freedom FROM Religion and call me crazy, but I just don't think that's fair.