God hates atheists

Anyone who knows me well would immediately realize that this article is probably not going to be about how God hates atheists, or for that matter it’s probably not going to be about God's hatred for any group of individuals. I don’t feel as though God hates anyone. He doesn't hate terrorists; he doesn't hate Nazis, and he doesn’t hate sexual predators. The reason I don't believe in this hatred is because I am what you might call an atheist. What exactly is an atheist you ask? Well despite what you may have already assumed, it is not a term for people who love terrorists, Nazis and sex offenders. The name actually gives it away; an atheist is someone who does not believe in theism. In other words, it is someone who denies there to be a higher deity or deities. Although nearly all atheists would tell you that they do not know for 100 percent certainty that there is not a God, they do not call themselves agnostics. Someone who is an agnostic says that they are unsure of God's presence or lack thereof. However, an atheist’s doubt is much more than the typical uncertainty. If atheists, such as me, were to refer to themselves as agnostic they would need to do so in all other aspects of life. For example, I do not believe that what happens in the Harry Potter series is real life; regardless of how statistically unlikely it might be, I will probably never be able to be 100 percent sure that there is not a parallel universe in which this does in fact hold true. Therefore, the atheist title is more defining of me because of how I base my beliefs (ie: probability). That is to say, I believe as much in a higher deity as I do in the notion that Hogwarts is an actual academic facility. I also refrain from exclaiming that I am a Harry Potter agnostic. Ok, before you stop reading here my (insert your religion here) brother/sister, this will not be an article convincing you why you need to “come to the dark side”. And with that I will return once again to the title. God hates atheists.

I still don't believe that God hates anyone (I don’t have multiple personalities); however, I do believe there are a large percentage of North Americans that feel as though God does have hate towards atheists. The problem with this belief is that it can affect how my fellow universal agnostics are treated. I have noticed an odd trend in modern society; there is a large amount of tolerance towards different religious belief systems, unless that belief system happens to be one without the presence of a God. A public agenda poll surveyed Americans and found that 74 percent of people believe that raising children without religion is a bad idea (Farkas et al. 2001). These opinions are often reflected in day-to-day life. A conversation between a Muslim and a Jew in North America (this isn't the Gaza Strip) can be a tolerant and respectful one; however, when the third guy enters the bar (or conversation) the joke gets awkward (see '3 guys in a bar' jokes). In fact, the joke (or conversation) can many times turn more awkward than a dead baby joke at an abortion clinic (see the sound of a drum roll). From my standpoint, it seems as though the religious are almost afraid of direct discussion about their beliefs with anyone other than a fellow fundamentalist. I guess it is an easy argument when it's one ancient text’s word against another's; the argument always gets harder when you add in the word of thousands of scientists with visible proof of something (see evolution versus creationism). Once again, it is not awkwardness that I am worried about. It is discrimination.

Discrimination is discrimination regardless of who you think sanctions it. That's how discrimination is bred. The Nazi's felt sanctioned during the holocaust (see Rwanda, see the Spanish inquisition, see the Catholic witch hunts). I was recently reading a story where two university students were assaulted while hanging up posters for a guest lecture on atheism. This is a cut-and-dry hate crime. Imagine if two Christian students were putting up posters about a sermon that was discussed the ins and outs of converting everyday objects to food (see Acts of Jesus Christ). Then imagine these two students where assaulted during this distribution. There would be public outcry. I can see the news headline already, “Devil worshipers attack two of Jesus' disciples, leaving them for dead”. The picture above the article would be of a bony bearded man standing in front of a cross and waving with both hands. Although large scale atrocities have yet to be committed against atheists, I am still scared about the perception of my people.

According to the American Mosaic Project Survey by the University of Minnesota (this is where the rest of my stats will be drawn), although there was a rise in the rejection of Muslims post-9/11, Americans still rejected atheists at a higher rate. The lesson here children is it doesn’t matter what God is telling you to do, just as long as you do believe he is telling you to do something! Another startling statistic is how potential in-laws feel. The study asked the following question: I would disapprove if my child wanted to marry a member of this group…: The results were as follows: Atheist: 47.6%, Muslim: 33.5%, African-American 27.2%, Asian-Americans: 18.5%, Hispanics: 18.5%, Jews: 11.8%, Conservative Christians: 6.9%, Whites: 2.3%. Almost half of society says they would not want an atheist in their family! Do not be fooled. Disapproval in this context is discrimination. Well, I refuse to sit at the back of the bus (unless the cool kids are all back there).

Hopefully as atheism continues to spread and individuals are able to stray from fear, the fear used by religion for centuries to control their followers, some of this discrimination will subside. Another way to help end this discrimination is by bringing attention to it. I have a hard time believing that half of the population willingly discriminates. This means that they are more than likely just ignorant to their behaviour. Along with the illogical fear and ignorance there is still the small few who are just looking for a scapegoat (see Pharmakos and then Leviticus).

As time moves on, more individuals will be stepping out of the shadows of religion and identifying themselves as atheists. I suspect that with this unveiling, some of the people who now are rejecting atheists into their families (the 47.6%) will discover that they may be too late. Surprise! Mix this divulgence with the continual advancements and discoveries of science and it should also help alleviate some this fear and ignorance. To the remaining few, those looking to blame their problems on others, well although my name is Aaron, I refuse to be the scapegoat for anyone; however, I will make you a beautiful yellowish coloured statue of a baby cow that you can all worship (see the Golden Calf in the New Testament).

Side note: Help me determine if this site is real or a joke? Comments?
http://www.truechristian.com/atheists.html


Aaron Bawn


Source:
Farkas, Steve, Jean Johnson, and Tony Foleno, with
Ann Duffett and Patrick Foley. 2001. For
Goodness’ Sake: Why So Many Want Religion to
Play a Greater Role in American Society. New
York: Public Agenda.