I believe non-believers make up far more than just 3% of the population. The problem is there is so much negative stigma associated with the word "atheist". An "atheist" is perceived as close-minded and immoral. Furthermore, as shown in this clip, open atheists are discriminated against, so people are not open about it. It's easily hidden. I'm willing to bet there are many people who routinely lie and say they believe in God when secretly, they do not.
Jesus'd turn over in his grave at all of Christianity. From even before poor, confused Paul.
There are only two environments in which anyone becomes a Christian. Childhood brainwashing, indoctrination or inculcation (it's possible to teach a child to believe anything). Or, introduction to Christianity and the Christian Bible as an adult in profound ignorance of Hebrew scripture & messianism. The conclusions of honest, informed, critical Bible study NEVER lead from Unbelief to Belief. NEVER.
My wife is from Alabama and my first trip thier was disturbing to say the least. My wife is a deist and I am an Atheist, her parents pray for us and have various preachers over to "enlighten" us to the error of our ways. Living in Canada all my life I was never aware of the vile hatred of the non believer in the US.
My condolences to all my fellow atheists who have to put up with this atrocity. It truly is disgusting to see that these chauvinistic morons will go to such lengths to abuse and ostracise other people based on something like this. People have no right to dictate what others believe. Religion Must Perish.
Very sad that whomever made that video had to suffer all of that. I've grown up in the Midwest and I've seen a lot of that aggression towards atheism firsthand myself. Its inconceivable that this kind of shit happens in the modern age, but it does.
@calmreason Yes, so much for the love of Jesus. Thanks for your comment (everyone's comments). This video was up before as one of my favourites. Then it disappeared, but I found another copy of it and decided to mirror it for people to see for themselves.
@Michael500ca What I find most amazing is the sheriff's attitude - "We're keeping an eye on him!"
What do they expect?
I remember my Mother taking a decision to never see a friend again after she started explaining humanism to us as children (I live in England - so we were the weirdoes in being strict church goers)
@calmreason The law enforcement comes from the local community, so they are just as messed up as the community. My father was in law enforcement and he is still a christian and is not happy with the fact that I am not. However, he is secular so it is not too bad. Even he understands the common sense of the Big Bang, evolution and other such subjects.....mind you, he likes Fox News....WTF?!
I grew up in the 60s in the south in a university enclave of a prominent mid-sized city. I was an atheist as long as I have been conscious in spite of my parents affiliations and my father's deism. I never felt discrimination, though then I did not rub others' noses in it. I did however feel more affiliation with jews, blacks, intellectuals, pacifists and other ostracized groups.. Perhaps the South made me more aware, more thoughtful. No regrets considering this..
This sounds just awful. I used to live on the bible belt, only for a year though, but got a good idea how some of the people think. I was quite low profile at the time, but it was enough to cause doubts when I told people that I do not go to church.
Now I live in scandinavia where people can choose to believe in whatever or doubt whatever without discrimination or hate.
@Kaapo73 I hear you. I'm glad to live in Canada where the religious fundamentalists don't have as much influence as they do in the US. Still, Canadian Freethinkers must be vigilant.
Move to the UK. It's much nicer to Atheists. :-)
StarDustSid 1 month ago
Keep strong, support from the UK.
fredwanderingdeeply 2 months ago 2
I believe non-believers make up far more than just 3% of the population. The problem is there is so much negative stigma associated with the word "atheist". An "atheist" is perceived as close-minded and immoral. Furthermore, as shown in this clip, open atheists are discriminated against, so people are not open about it. It's easily hidden. I'm willing to bet there are many people who routinely lie and say they believe in God when secretly, they do not.
DandAinTac 2 months ago
Bull$h!t like this makes it hard for me to not hate Christianity and those idiotic enough to believe it.
1Lanavis1 3 months ago
Jesus'd turn over in his grave at all of Christianity. From even before poor, confused Paul.
There are only two environments in which anyone becomes a Christian. Childhood brainwashing, indoctrination or inculcation (it's possible to teach a child to believe anything). Or, introduction to Christianity and the Christian Bible as an adult in profound ignorance of Hebrew scripture & messianism. The conclusions of honest, informed, critical Bible study NEVER lead from Unbelief to Belief. NEVER.
Shelama 4 months ago 6
@Shelama I agree with you 100%.
Michael500ca 4 months ago 3
My wife is from Alabama and my first trip thier was disturbing to say the least. My wife is a deist and I am an Atheist, her parents pray for us and have various preachers over to "enlighten" us to the error of our ways. Living in Canada all my life I was never aware of the vile hatred of the non believer in the US.
666nonbeliever 4 months ago
My condolences to all my fellow atheists who have to put up with this atrocity. It truly is disgusting to see that these chauvinistic morons will go to such lengths to abuse and ostracise other people based on something like this. People have no right to dictate what others believe. Religion Must Perish.
AMagicalBakewell 4 months ago
Very sad that whomever made that video had to suffer all of that. I've grown up in the Midwest and I've seen a lot of that aggression towards atheism firsthand myself. Its inconceivable that this kind of shit happens in the modern age, but it does.
SuperDESTROYER71 4 months ago
Your experiences make me feel very lucky to be British...my heart goes out to you.
WendyMo1 4 months ago
Nice work. Hard to believe
calmreason 4 months ago 2
@calmreason Yes, so much for the love of Jesus. Thanks for your comment (everyone's comments). This video was up before as one of my favourites. Then it disappeared, but I found another copy of it and decided to mirror it for people to see for themselves.
Michael500ca 4 months ago
@Michael500ca What I find most amazing is the sheriff's attitude - "We're keeping an eye on him!"
What do they expect?
I remember my Mother taking a decision to never see a friend again after she started explaining humanism to us as children (I live in England - so we were the weirdoes in being strict church goers)
calmreason 4 months ago
@calmreason The law enforcement comes from the local community, so they are just as messed up as the community. My father was in law enforcement and he is still a christian and is not happy with the fact that I am not. However, he is secular so it is not too bad. Even he understands the common sense of the Big Bang, evolution and other such subjects.....mind you, he likes Fox News....WTF?!
Michael500ca 4 months ago
I grew up in the 60s in the south in a university enclave of a prominent mid-sized city. I was an atheist as long as I have been conscious in spite of my parents affiliations and my father's deism. I never felt discrimination, though then I did not rub others' noses in it. I did however feel more affiliation with jews, blacks, intellectuals, pacifists and other ostracized groups.. Perhaps the South made me more aware, more thoughtful. No regrets considering this..
AtheistCitizen 4 months ago
This sounds just awful. I used to live on the bible belt, only for a year though, but got a good idea how some of the people think. I was quite low profile at the time, but it was enough to cause doubts when I told people that I do not go to church.
Now I live in scandinavia where people can choose to believe in whatever or doubt whatever without discrimination or hate.
Kaapo73 4 months ago
@Kaapo73 I hear you. I'm glad to live in Canada where the religious fundamentalists don't have as much influence as they do in the US. Still, Canadian Freethinkers must be vigilant.
Michael500ca 4 months ago