Rise of Atheism in America Via Children

Looks like I'm late to the party, but since you've quoted me, I guess I'll try to address some of your comments. First, graphic design doesn't really have anything at all to do with atheism. I'm not sure why you think its mention denotes a connection, but rest assured that it was simply part of the bio. Second you seem to be confused why an atheist might consider the ramifications of outing himself as such in the workplace. Well, you're right; Atheism is nothing more than a lack of belief in god(s). Yet that seems to be a tremendous problem for many employers. I've led a pretty fortunate life, but I'm not immune to religious bigotry. I've seen people who were kind and jovial become cold and belligerent when they find out I don't worship a deity. I've actually witnessed the change. They see me differently, when it is they who have changed. I've seen this happen to others. Atheists are a much hated group, not because of what we are, but because of ridiculous propaganda and ignorance. In America, atheists are hated more than Muslims, but why? It's because at least Muslims worship a god. The wrong god, according to Christians, but that's somehow better than no god at all. After all, where would an atheist find moral values, right? On the other hand, consider this: As of 2006, about 6.00% of Americans believe no god or universal spirit exists. With no moral compass, one might expect atheists to be a high crime group. That would suggest that our prisons should be full of atheists. However, atheists comprise as little as 00.21% of the prison population. This means that either far fewer atheists are committing crime or that we are simply staggeringly better at it than religious people. I think the simpler answer is the former. But those figures don't seem to have much of an effect on the hate and ignorance being spread around.

I said you were right about your definition of atheism, but you're also wrong about what that means, because further on you say that atheism is a religion. Since atheism has no doctrine, and like you already said, is just a term to describe what I don't believe, how can that be a religion? It just honestly states that we don't know why some things happen and refuse to jump to the conclusion that a deity must be behind it all. For the same reason you don't believe there is a diamond the size of a Buick buried in your back yard, I don't believe in a god. It's really the same thought process. It's because I don't find it reasonable to assume such a fantastical explanation that has no evidential support. I don't believe in something for which there is no substantial proof. That's not a religion. That's simply a reasonable expectation. But if it makes you more secure about your religion, then by all means, continue to be wrong about my lack of one.

The last thing I'd like to mention is this indoctrination business. With my children, I handled religion the same way I handled Santa Clause. When my son asked if Santa were real, I ask him what he thought. I asked him questions, like, "Do you think one person could deliver all of those toys to everyone in a single night?" and he drew his own conclusion. The same thing happened with religion. He said that some kids at school were talking about god and Jesus, and if it were real. I asked him what he thought and asked questions, like, "Do you think a god would need to have himself killed just to forgive some people it was his idea to punish in the first place?" and "Do you think someone is really listening to your thoughts all the time?" I also told him that there are many many religions, and that none of them agree on which god is the real one. He has drawn his own conclusion. My daughter will likely follow the same pattern, but who knows? Now, admittedly, I've not taken them to church or read biblical verses. Nor have I indoctrinated them with anything. Now, assuming you have children of your own, can you make the same claim? Did you have a similar conversation, urging your child(/ren)to make up their own mind? Did you tell them that most people on earth believe differently than you do, and that you don't really have a factual basis as to why you chose your god over the thousands of others? Or did you extol the "virtues" of blind faith rather than lucid rationality? You should realize your fallacy in claiming atheism is using "get'em while they're young" as a tactic to increase their numbers. It's dishonest, or in the very least grossly hypocritical.

By the way, I'm not in the closet as an atheist. I did an interview, using my full name and occupation for an article in the N&O, after all. It was an open discussion printed in a paper that I knew my boss read daily, and you know what? It was kind of scary, because religion can make otherwise great people go nuts, and that's a fact. I didn't really know what to expect, and it turned out fine. Like I said, I've led a pretty fortunate life.

-Bruce "Atheism is not dead by a long shot" Harris