www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-28616115
There are a few quotes that just astonish me.
Do people really 'come out' as atheists in the us? Is it really such an issue?"It's one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life and I completely advocate people 'coming out'," says Mark Hatcher, from Black Atheists of America.
"Coming out" is how many atheists in the USA describe what remains, for many, a very difficult admission to make publicly.
Really? I guess these kids aren't lying, but how typical is this? Is it so hard being an atheist in the us?She said many were worried about being ostracised or were even scared of violence if they revealed they did not believe in God.
"And you hear about people being kicked out, and sent to bible camps where they're forced to be religious. I don't want to lose my father to that."
Her problem has been other members of the community. "In high school, when I walked down the hallway it would be completely silent, or I would be spat on," Katelyn says.
"Often times I'm really uncomfortable being out in public spaces in my community at home because people often bring that discussion to my face, which is a discussion of values that are very personal and very private," she says.
"So you were studying to be a minister, and now you don't believe in God? You're the devil," one caller tells the host. "You're a Marxist, you're an atheist and you're from Russia," says another.
And, this last part, if true, is just amazing.
As Marcy said in Californication, 'What the actual fuck?'Astonishingly, a previous poll by Pew suggested respondents in the US regarded atheists as less trustworthy than rapists.
I think it is over 40% in sweden who are atheist or agnostic, so it is hard to imagine the situation in this story.
Is this just in rural areas, or is this widespread in the us?
Are there any people here with experiences regarding this stuff?
Is it just atheists that seemingly have difficult times, or do people in non mainstream belief systems have difficulties, too?