Atheism Rusty Ryan Hester Baker College

We have hit on many forms of discrimination in the form of race, religion, and even handy caps. We have interviewed friends and family, and ask to post our findings and beliefs on all these things. We have talked about decimation against Jews, and Muslims and how they are viewed in America. The topic Im choosing to write about is something that has come up in the discussion board, but we have never really focused on. After searching through the book, Ive come to find that it isnt even referenced by name, not even once. Atheists are committed to the application of reason, science, and experience in order to better understand the universe and to solve human problems (Hendrix, 2012). We dont look to a book written hundreds of years ago for guidance, but instead look to the scientific method to lead us into the future. Rarely do the media portray humanists or atheists in positive terms; yet religious leaders, regardless of their records, are routinely lionized without question or criticism (Hendrix, 2012). Atheists are looked down on by religious people as the bottom of the barrel when it comes to the social latter. A Gallup poll done between June 7th to 10th 2012 showed that Atheist are the most unelectable group in the nation. The people polled were asked, If your party nominated a generally well-qualified person for president who happened to be ______, would you vote for that person? (Mehta, 2012). 96 percent would vote for a black president, 95 percent would vote for a woman, 94 percent would vote for a catholic, 92 percent for a Hispanic, 91 percent for Jewish, and 80 percent Mormon. Here is where the poll drops dramatically in the three groups. 68 percent of people would elect a Gay or Lesbian president. Muslims who are considered one of the worst discriminated groups in America got 58 percent. Last was an Atheist, who was in last place with only 54 percent of people that would vote for an Atheist president. (Mehta, 2012). A group that was hated by many Americans, after the 911 attacks, has a better chance at running for president then an Atheist. I really cant be surprised by this, considering Im taking a course on cultural diversity and like I stated above the word Atheist or atheism isnt even referenced once. Its a group in America that is over looked almost every time when discrimination comes up, because no one ever even thinks about it. The closest Ive seen where the book came close was when stated, Religion plays a fundamental role in society, even affecting those who do not practice or even believe in organized religion. (Schaefer, 2012) Despite Atheism not really being part of the national stage, we are slowly growing in number. Across all lines of wealth, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation, students are standing up together to identify as personally secular (Niose, 2012). The historical role of religion in higher learning is somewhat paradoxical. On one hand, by definition higher learning should be an exercise in skepticism--questioning facts, finding flaws in arguments, and developing work that can withstand intellectual scrutiny--so it should not be surprising that colleges and universities are havens for the critical analysis of religious claims and doctrines. Nevertheless, established churches have historically wielded enormous influence over social and political life in both Europe and America and, therefore, have often had close

relationships with institutions of higher learning. Harvard, Yale, the College of William and Mary, and virtually all of the oldest colleges in America were mainly incubators for clergymen in their earliest years. (Niose, 2012). Today's secular students, unlike their parents and grandparents, see secular identity as a primary, important part of who they are. While there were atheists and agnostics all over college campuses in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, most nonreligious students in those days, if asked, would have first defined themselves as many things other than Atheist. Slowly but surely an Atheist movement has been starting, not just because of the role of higher education, but mainly because of the internet movement. There is now a safe place for Atheist to share their ideas with other like-minded people, without the fear that friends and family will look down on them for not believing in their god. I for one welcome this, and hope to see an America that isnt run with religious ideals. One that looks only to facts and history to determine what is right and wrong. The separation of church and state should be a heavy focus in the years to come. I remember in my younger years I would fear someone finding out I didnt believe in God, but today I welcome it. I welcome the challenge of someone trying to convert me, I welcome the challenge to question what people believe in, because I feel the facts are on my side. If someone believes in God purely on faith, then there is nothing to debate and if they feel they need it to be a better person, good for them. But if someone comes up to me and tries to call me out for not believing in their god based on a book, I welcome the challenge to pick apart their arguments, and use the words in that book against them. Mainly because most that have tried, Ive found have never fully read the book, unlike myself.

Schaefer, R. T. (2012). Racial and ethnic groups. (13th ed.). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc. Mehta, H. (2012). Atheists Are Still the Most Unelectable Group in America. Retrieved from http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2012/06/21/atheists-are-still-the-most-unelectableminority-group-in-america/ Hendrix, John. "Putting scientists in their place?" The Humanist Sept.-Oct. 2012: 5. Academic OneFile. Web. 27 Oct. 2012. Niose, David. "Nonbeliever nation: the rise of secular Americans." The Humanist July-Aug. 2012: 12+. Academic OneFile. Web. 27 Oct. 2012.