Atheism - A Dirty Word?

I was shocked to read in this week's Economist that whilst only 5% of Americans would not vote for a black candidate, as many as 53% would not vote for an Atheist. Coming from a largely secular society this seems not only absurd, but in contradiction of certain principles to which Americans pay a lot of lip service. Where is the tolerance, freedom to worship and seperation of Church and State when the majority of Americans freely state that they would discriminate against a person based on their religious beliefs? In giving people the freedom to worship we must also respect their right not to worship.

Many communities have been successful in highlighting instances of discrimination and (rightfully) making them taboo. Atheists, on the other hand, rarely have entire communities from which to launch similar efforts, thus giving them a weaker position. By their nature, churches, synagogues and temples are places not only of worship, but of strong community spirit and this is to be applauded. Nevertheless, such communities place a great deal of power, and therefore responsibility, in the hands of a small number of people. This should not be abused and where condescesion and abuse towards 'non-believers' is accepted (or even encouraged), they should be denounced in the same way as racists and sexists.

Granted, discrimination against atheists rarely manifests itself in the same kind of violent methods which could be seen in the days of the Civil Rights Movement. Nevertheless, intolerance here is an obstacle to the true freedom to worship and should be highlighted and challenged.

In the meantime, we can only hope that, as the article suggests, not all of those who answered the question knew what an atheist was.

ADJB