Just ask any atheist, chances are they will answer, "absolutely!" Many try to disguise discrimination against non-believers as a moral issue. Much of that is discussed in False Assumptions. That rhetoric gravely mirrors that which is used against homosexuals today and was used only decades ago against African-Americans. As acceptance for other minority groups and religions grows, Atheists will probably be the last to gain the protection under the 'PC' umbrella.
It has never been advantageous for religions to be accepting or even tolerant of Atheism and doubters. Their smear campaigns, criticism, censorship and punishment of dissenting opinions throughout history still echos today. It was seen strongest in the anti-communist era with Mccarthyism and is now seen in areas dominated by radical Islam.
A Newsweek poll found that 26% of registered voters think that Atheists are inherently immoral, only 29% would vote for an Atheist, and only 3% called themselves Atheists.
In another poll, 53% of US responders found Atheism 'Unfavorable'. The next highest was Muslems at 29%.
The following exchange took place at the Chicago airport between Robert I. Sherman of American Atheist Press and George H. W. Bush, on August 27 1987.
RS:
"What will you do to win the votes of Americans who are atheists?"
GB:
"I guess I'm pretty weak in the atheist community. Faith in God is important to me."
RS:
"Surely you recognize the equal citizenship and patriotism of Americans who are atheists?"
GB:
"No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God."
RS:
"Do you support as a sound constitutional principle the separation of state and church?"
GB:
"Yes, I support the separation of church and state. I'm just not very high on atheists."
"ATHEISTS, AGNOSTICS AND NON BELIEVERS ARE THE TRUE CRIMINALS OF THE WORLD COMMUNITY" - tencommandments.org
"How can there be peace when drunkards, drug dealers, communists, atheists, New Age worshipers of Satan, secular humanists ... and homosexuals are on top?"
- Pat Robertson
"... atheism is none other than raw depravity - the diabolical principle at work in people who dishonor their parents, murder, lie and commit every other moral crime." - tencommandments.org
"Not only does atheism prevent atheists from properly understanding... but it prevents their minds from being elevated enough to understand the simplest common sense facts." - tencommandments.org
"All you atheists are *******es. None of you have fought in any wars, or have done anything dangerous."
- testify
"Have you been burned before? If not, then you will experience it for eternity, unless you accept Christ into your heart."- guestbook
"THIS IS BS!!!! u guys have no right!! i know u are entitled to your own religion and ur own beliefs... but that is ALL BS!!! and u should be ashamed of urself!!! u inconsiderate a$$holes!!!!!!! TO HELL W/ ALL OF Y'ALL!!!!" - guestbook
