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In the Bible Belt, Offering Atheists a Spiritual Home

nytimes.com

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Re: In the Bible Belt, Offering Atheists a Spiritual Home

#11

Post by jasonlotito »

lenni wrote: post #3

I really don't like it but I can't shake off my smug European sense of being weirded out when I read about how atheists are seemingly treated in America. Is it really as bad as it's made out in this article or on Reddit? Do your neighbours really get into your hair because you don't have a faith?

> Is it really as bad as it's made out in this article or on Reddit?

It probably depends on where you live. Here in PA, it's been a non-issue for me.

But then, be careful. America is much larger than Europe, and while we are all part of the same country, we aren't the same people. There are big difference among the different parts of the country, and making them out to be all the same would be like me using a single country and extrapolating that out to all countries in Europe.

Even still, I have religious friends, and non-religious friends. It's never come up, and never been an issue.

Re: In the Bible Belt, Offering Atheists a Spiritual Home

#12

Post by arethuza »

odiroot wrote: post #7
lenni wrote: post #3

I really don't like it but I can't shake off my smug European sense of being weirded out when I read about how atheists are seemingly treated in America. Is it really as bad as it's made out in this article or on Reddit? Do your neighbours really get into your hair because you don't have a faith?

Visit Poland (or other ex-Warsaw pact countries, excluding Czech Republic). You're going to change your mind, fast.

Parts of the UK (e.g. Northern Scotland, Western Isles) could be pretty strict about some things - particularly observing the Sabbath. Even though my parents were "heathens" we didn't hang up washing outside on a Sunday or go out on bicycles - for fear of upsetting the neighbours.

If you've seen Lars von Trier's excellent Breaking the Waves you will get the idea.

[NB I don't think things are nearly as strict as they used to be.]

Re: In the Bible Belt, Offering Atheists a Spiritual Home

#13

Post by sixbrx »

WayneDB wrote: post #5
lenni wrote: post #3

I really don't like it but I can't shake off my smug European sense of being weirded out when I read about how atheists are seemingly treated in America. Is it really as bad as it's made out in this article or on Reddit? Do your neighbours really get into your hair because you don't have a faith?

No they don't. At least not anywhere that I've lived for an extended period of time (NJ, NY, NC, PA).

I grew up in Arkansas as an atheist (I guess that's "Bible Belt" though I find the term insulting), and really I don't have any problems that would cause me to seek out other atheists. I had minor problems as a teenager but that's probably because I had the view that christians cause all the world's problems, such as my inability to attract enough females. Realizing that was far from the truth was a big part of growing up I think.

Re: In the Bible Belt, Offering Atheists a Spiritual Home

#14

Post by bliker »

odiroot wrote: post #7
lenni wrote: post #3

I really don't like it but I can't shake off my smug European sense of being weirded out when I read about how atheists are seemingly treated in America. Is it really as bad as it's made out in this article or on Reddit? Do your neighbours really get into your hair because you don't have a faith?

Visit Poland (or other ex-Warsaw pact countries, excluding Czech Republic). You're going to change your mind, fast.

Well, I am from Slovakia. I was never met with open criticism or any kind of aggression towards me for not being christian. I think majority of Europeans are only Sunday Christians.

The level of engagement I have seen in US is far beyond this.

Re: In the Bible Belt, Offering Atheists a Spiritual Home

#16

Post by arethuza »

jasonlotito wrote: post #11
lenni wrote: post #3

I really don't like it but I can't shake off my smug European sense of being weirded out when I read about how atheists are seemingly treated in America. Is it really as bad as it's made out in this article or on Reddit? Do your neighbours really get into your hair because you don't have a faith?

> Is it really as bad as it's made out in this article or on Reddit? It probably depends on where you live. Here in PA, it's been a non-issue for me. But then, be careful. America is much larger than Europe, and while we are all part of the same country, we aren't the same people. There are big difference among the different parts of the country, and making them out to be all the same would be like me using a single…

"But then, be careful. America is much larger than Europe"

Europe (the continent) actually has a larger area (10,180,000 km² > 9,826,675 km²) and a much larger population (739.2 million > 313.9 million ) than the United States (the country).

I presume you mean the EU (which still has a much larger population) or maybe Western Europe? Or maybe North America (the continent)?

Re: In the Bible Belt, Offering Atheists a Spiritual Home

#17

Post by [deleted] »

jasonlotito wrote: post #11
lenni wrote: post #3

I really don't like it but I can't shake off my smug European sense of being weirded out when I read about how atheists are seemingly treated in America. Is it really as bad as it's made out in this article or on Reddit? Do your neighbours really get into your hair because you don't have a faith?

> Is it really as bad as it's made out in this article or on Reddit? It probably depends on where you live. Here in PA, it's been a non-issue for me. But then, be careful. America is much larger than Europe, and while we are all part of the same country, we aren't the same people. There are big difference among the different parts of the country, and making them out to be all the same would be like me using a single…

[deleted]

Re: In the Bible Belt, Offering Atheists a Spiritual Home

#18

Post by andyjohnson0 »

arethuza wrote: post #16
jasonlotito wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Is it really as bad as it's made out in this article or on Reddit? It probably depends on where you live. Here in PA, it's been a non-issue for me. But then, be careful. America is much larger than Europe, and while we are all part of the same country, we aren't the same people. There are big difference among the different parts of the country, and making them out to be all the same would be like me using a single…

"But then, be careful. America is much larger than Europe" Europe (the continent) actually has a larger area (10,180,000 km² > 9,826,675 km²) and a much larger population (739.2 million > 313.9 million ) than the United States (the country). I presume you mean the EU (which still has a much larger population) or maybe Western Europe? Or maybe North America (the continent)?

I read "larger" as meaning "more diverse". Not sure I agree though.

Re: In the Bible Belt, Offering Atheists a Spiritual Home

#19

Post by brazzy »

akmiller wrote: post #10
lenni wrote: post #3

I really don't like it but I can't shake off my smug European sense of being weirded out when I read about how atheists are seemingly treated in America. Is it really as bad as it's made out in this article or on Reddit? Do your neighbours really get into your hair because you don't have a faith?

I've never really experienced any type of heckling, however, where I live (Missouri) most people just assume you are a Christian of some form. I do feel like if my employer knew I was an atheist I'd see some discrimination at work. Not to mention that, for the most part, you won't get elected to public office if you are a atheist. In fact in Texas an atheist can't run for public office.

> In fact in Texas an atheist can't run for public office.

Can you cite a source for that? Because it sounds like one HUGE violation of the 1st amendement.

Re: In the Bible Belt, Offering Atheists a Spiritual Home

#20

Post by cpursley »

icegreentea wrote: post #6
lenni wrote: post #3

I really don't like it but I can't shake off my smug European sense of being weirded out when I read about how atheists are seemingly treated in America. Is it really as bad as it's made out in this article or on Reddit? Do your neighbours really get into your hair because you don't have a faith?

This article doesn't actually make it to be all that hard. I mean, let's be reasonable. You are part of a community that strongly identifies with a set of beliefs and activities. You become disillusioned with said set of beliefs and activities. How are you going to stay part of that community? Doesn't matter if its NASCAR, hacking around in python, DIY bioengineering, whatever. What happens is that there are situatio…

Exactly. It's hard enough to be a male and not a sports fan in America.

"Ok, so you're an atheist. Wait, you're not a {local team here} fan!!!"

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