Is There Prejudice Against Secularism?

[Lightkeeper]

There are some people who are afraid to let their coworkers and supervisors know that they are atheists. One person spoke of having car damage after telling coworkers that he was an atheist? Is there prejudice against atheism?

[Chaitanyananda]

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

There are some people who are afraid to let their coworkers and supervisors know that they are atheists. One person spoke of having car damage after telling coworkers that he was an atheist? Is there prejudice against atheism?

Of course there is, just as there is prejudice against everything. Someone somewhere will hold a prejudicial attitude against any particular thing we can think of. I am sure there are people prejudiced against redheads, people with blue eyes, heavy people, short people, atheists, catholics, you name it. I happen to know a few Christians (now that I think about it, more than just a few) who refuse to enter into business contracts with atheists, and in some cases even with non-Christians.

[RevKathyV]

Ditto!!!!!

[wwwdlhow27]

This prejudice against things that are different from our personal "norm" has been with us since we lived in caves (and before) as family and clan societies. I call it "original instinct". It served it's purpose for millinea as we struggled to eek out a subsistance, gaurding our possessions with our life, holding everything and especially every stranger in suspicion, ready to kill or be killed for what was ours, and easily provoked to do so.
Although our survival is no longer dependent on Original Instinct, we still react instinctivilly, and sadly, the oldest habits are the hardest to break.

[Storm2008]

Why are you conflating atheism and secularism?

Anyway, I've never personally seen anti-atheist prejudice in action, but I've heard stories.

[Eolas Pellor]

Originally Posted by Storm2008

Why are you conflating atheism and secularism?

I think the two are pretty distinct, there are lots of people -- even theists -- who are pretty secular.

Anyway, I've never personally seen anti-atheist prejudice in action, but I've heard stories.

I believe it happens, but I have never personally witnessed it, and I do know quite a few atheists.

[MeadowFlower]

I am inclined to agree that atheists are frowned upon and looked upon with suspicion. People do tend to separate into groups of like-mindedness which is unfortunate but not something one can do much about.

Since most people at least claim to be believers, the one who is not may either lie or refrain from the discussion in order to avoid ostracisim. Most people don't like being labeled different unless they have a rather strong ego.

And I also agree that secularism and atheism are not the same. I am a believer in God and a strong believer in secularism.

[Amergin]

Originally Posted by Lightkeeper

There are some people who are afraid to let their coworkers and supervisors know that they are atheists. One person spoke of having car damage after telling coworkers that he was an atheist? Is there prejudice against atheism?

I think there is some anti-Atheist bigotry but it is not very common in Western Europe, especially Netherlands, Belgium, and France. I have never experienced anti-Atheism toward me in Scotland.

The United States is far different. I do have the experience of living for one year in America. I was in an Academic fellowship and thus protected from the hatred out in the streets. I did attend a meeting of the American Academy of Neurology meeting that year. I have noticed the lectures were laced with references to evolutionary adaptations and a lot of discussion about the biology of neurocognition. I suspected that might mean many were unbelievers. Therefore, I did my own private poll on the message board at the hotel. I had two columns. One on the Left said, Atheist/Agnostic and the other said Theist/Christian. After 5 days in Chicago with over a thousand Neurologists and Neurology residents, my informal poll showed 278 “Atheists/Agnostics” and 3 “Theists/Christians. It was not scientific but to me was informative. While I was in Seattle, I dealt with referrals from many internists, surgeons, and Family Practitioners. We had frequent social gatherings and I managed to get to know many referring doctors on a personal level.

I found the most of the Family Doctors told me that they were "religious" or "Christian, Catholic, Protestant, or Muslim." Only a few admitted being Atheists. Why were Family Doctors mostly Theists while Neuroscience specialists (also MD's) overwhelmingly non-theists?

Therefore, I did another poll of the practitioners with letters to them asking if they believed in God. They were allowed to answer on a pre-addressed post-card that simply had two boxes. They were asked only to check a box called "NO" and one called "YES." There was nothing that could incriminate them. The results were incredible, they were 51 "NO's" and only 5 "YES" votes. Yet these same Family Doctors were among the ones who had told me in person a few weeks before that they believed in God.

I invited three of them (who X'd the NO box but I recall them claiming faith in God, to dinner at the Lobster Box Restaurant. (Pricey!) I informed them that I was returning to Scotland in less than a month on completion of my fellowship. I assured them that I would not reveal their names to anyone. I asked them "why?" they answered NO on anonymous card but YES in person. They admitted that their practices in Pierce County south of Seattle were very religious. They all described many of their better-known patients were not only believers but often were outspokenly hostile about Atheists.

The doctors admitted that they kept their non-belief secret because they know they would lose patients who would change to a Christian doctor. I think that feeling permeated the Primary Care Medical Community. They depended on patient's self-referring and personally picking their doctors. Most apparently would never go to an Atheist doctor.

I admit I was only there for a year, but I have an opinion that in America you will find that most open Atheists are in Academic or Scientific Research Centres where they are protected or in Government employment in which they cannot be fired for religious reasons. Private sector is immune to most anti-discrimination laws of the Civil Rights Act or First Amendment.

An example occurred the year before I went to America. I had contacted several groups to consider a position in a speciality or multi-speciality medical group (OK, because of the high incomes compared to the UK.) One group in the suburbs of Atlanta called me in Scotland. They were very friendly. They had humour and said they liked my background at Edinburgh. I flew over to visit with three medical groups including the one in Atlanta.

In summary, the Atlanta doctors said they would like to have me join the group. Then they mentioned their close social relationships and family values. They added that this included a morning prayer before opening office hours. They did not ask my belief yet. However, they said that they all attended the same "Non-Denominational Bible based church. They seemed to imply that I would do the same. So I asked them would my not being religious cause a problem. The chief of the group told me pleasantly that I might not fit in and feel comfortable in their group

Conclusion: America has roughly 10% (range 5% to 21%) Atheists/non-Theists that is lower than a third of the percentages in European countries. The American Atheists seemed disproportionately in Academia, Science, and Government appointed offices. Obviously, primary care doctors, dentists, chiropractors, physical therapists, elected politicians, small business persons, and military promotions must either be Theists or fake being Theists. The result is polls showing a small percentage of Non-Theists. Non-Theists are a hated minority facing discrimination. Who knows the true number of US Atheists considering the occupational and social barriers that it creates. Fortunately, we look just like Christians, so Atheists can pass for Christians to keep their jobs and avoid having their children bullied in school. This is sad. Unfortunately African Americans, Native Americans, and Gay Americans may not be able to hide who they are.

Amergin

[Amergin]

Twenty some years ago while visiting the US, I heard a Talk Radio Show hosted by Michael Medved. He did a radio call in poll on whether people would vote for president who was gay or Atheist. 49% said they could not vote for a gay person. 75% admitted that they would never vote for an Atheist. Now 23 years or so have passed. Here is Michael's latest rant.

Americans Are Right To Resist An Atheist As President
by Michael Medved

Michael Medved :: Townhall.com :: Americans Are Right To Resist An Atheist As President

Fox News

Despite the recent spate of major bestsellers touting the virtues of atheism, polls show consistent, stubborn reluctance on the part of the public to cast their votes for a presidential candidate who denies the existence of God.

A typical result came from the Zogby Poll of January 21, 2008, indicating that 50% of voters rule out supporting “a presidential candidate who doesn’t believe in God”; only 20% said they could definitely vote for such a contender. Meanwhile, an overwhelming majority of 78% (86% of women and 67% of men) say they take a “positive view” of candidates citing Scripture when discussing political problems.

It’s no accident that all three remaining Presidential contenders speak passionately and extensively about their faiths….

- Michael Medved