Democrats diss atheists, but still count on our votes

[yortsed snacilbuper]

The nonreligious voter bloc and its significant subpart, atheists and agnostics, are a big deal for Democrats. And what thanks do we get? Snubbed on a good day and open hostility on one that’s not so good.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/op-ed/article96809767.html#storylink=cpy

[cheapdate]

1. Democrats are generally not the party

that's obsessed with erecting granite religious monuments at the entrance to courts of law. And it's Democrats who generally keep a reasonable outlook on proseletyzing in public schools.

I'm not religious, except maybe in some vaguely animist way, or an occasional unserious devotion to the Norse pantheon.

I'll take the Democrats over the Republicans views on religion and public life any day and it's not even remotely a close call.

[madokie]

2. I'm non religious

and I'm going to whistle on past all that cause I don't want to see a tRump presidency. I could care less what someone thinks of me as a non religious, atheist person
Thats their problem, not mine

[KG]

3. business as usual - because who else ya gonna vote for

[bigwillq]

8. This.

[Nitram]

5. Welcome to democracy.

Welcome to politics. Line up behind women, African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, LGBTs, etc. They've all had to fight for recognition and appreciation. We atheists will have our day. And it won't be the Republican Party that makes it possible.

[Panich52]

54. Atheists still at bottom of list on favorability polls...

But Dems closest we have to a major political ally.

[Hortensis]

81. Are atheists supposed to be a quasi-religious political movement now?

Good grief. Is zealotry something in the air now? Even our Southern Baptists don't have one of those. Shoot, Catholics don't either.

I'm a Democrat. I don't call myself an atheist because a 3-syllable label just sounds too serious for a "beats me" non-philosophy, pretty indifferent, maybe I'll learn the answers. Or not.

In any case, none of this quasi-religious/anti-religion zealotry for me.

Exactly like religious zealots, "atheist" zealots can live as they wish or drop dead as they wish--as long as they don't bother me or anyone else.

[Panich52]

107. Why the link to religious zealotry?

All I said was atheists are a reviled minority.

BTW, many sects of the Southern Baptists have joined RW religious zealots.

[Hortensis]

115. I was hoping you'd make that connection, with

that we'll have OUR day nonsense.

You're having your life now, born into the times you were born into, along with everyone else. Make the most of it for yourself, and just don't bother others about your belief system. EXACTLY the same as you'd wish from members of belief systems other than your own. Otherwise, you'd be just what it sounds like you profess to oppose.

I think we can agree that America would be enormously better off without zealots using their hostile beliefs as an excuse to try to oppress others. Anti-religionists just need to apply that to themselves--because it very much does.

Btw, Pew says the % who identify as "atheist" is way up -- to 3.1%. You're outnumbered by those who identify as "agnostic" instead, 4.0, and you're both behind the "nothing in particulars" who say religion's not important at 8.8. Guess that'd be my group.

Since your belief system is strong enough to proudly wear a label, though, here's Pew's article about you.
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/06/01/10-facts-about-atheists/

[Panich52]

135. I used to "live & let live. Then...

Theocrats took over a major party & used their political pull to try & destroy science education. That got me fired up.

When that was largely unsuccessful (tho they're still trying), they moved on to other social issues so that a perverted strain they call Christianity, but which is based instead on every xenophobic passage they can find in the Bible, is used as a bludgeon. That these theocrats gave managed to infest every level of gov't incl'd judiciary has made me rather reactive. And why I bother "labeling myself."

I'm still all for letting the faithful worship as they please. But I've had quite enough of the radicals insisting this is a "Christian nation" in which we all live by their corrupted creed.

Sorry if I sound angry. I am, but not with you.

[Maru Kitteh]

127. Hortensis, you just summed up my own thoughts so very well.

My feelings on the matter are best summed up with "I really don't think so, but who knows" and I'll skip the label, thank you very much.

Some atheists get SO INVESTED in their label that they end up being just as obnoxious as any fervent, crusading theist. Evangelical atheists. Annoying, and every bit as intolerant as the pro-faith variety. I want none of that.

I find people who are walking about with a furrow in their brow because "In God we Trust" is on the money to be ridiculous. That's a stupid "problem" to have. It affects no one. Hospitals that deny medical procedures based on faith - there's a problem, how about you go after that one? Or women being denied health care, or Ted Cruz and his dildo laws?

Worry about religious tyranny where it actually exists and matters. This running about crying "I'm oppressed because nobody is paying attention to meeeeeeeeee" is just foolish, and stains the worthwhile cause of fighting against the very real effects of religious-based intrusion into our lives.

[Hortensis]

132. "In God We Trust. I don't believe it would

sound any better if it were true." -- Mark Twain

Personally, I think if all believers, anti-believers, unbelievers, and disbelievers shared one true belief we'd get along incredibly better: "One person's rights end where another's person's nose begins."

[Stellar]

6. So they diss atheists and agnostics, but...

they make fun of everybody else. Nobody's happy, so what can you do?

[betsuni]

7. Wait, I thought Democrats took ALL their voters for granted. That's what I keep hearing, anyway.

I hate all the "God bless America" and religious language, and don't like it when religious people think I'm immoral and going to Heck, but so what. I may be an atheist, but I'm not a crybaby. A lot of people have REAL problems.

[TexasProgresive]

9. I can hear it now,

"So watta you gotta lose? Vote for me, it'll be Yougggge!"

[FLPanhandle]

10. I'm a pretty hard core atheist, but I understand politics

Atheist is a dirty word when trying to get elected in most places.

Win the election.

[phylny]

75. I'm a Christian sending you

respect and a friendly hug

[pintobean]

11. I don't think most atheists dwell on the

fact that they are atheists. I don't see how it matters,when it comes to politics, unless one is a militant about it. Most aren't. It's just a fact about themselves. It's not a big part of their lives, like religion is for the faithful.

[joshcryer]

25. +1

In my experience it's not really a part of their identity, they just, don't believe something, and it doesn't define them. Now there are vocal atheists out there, but most of them are not that way in my experience.

Hell, I think 2 out of our last 3 Presidents were / are probably atheists...

[Nay]

74. I'm a lifelong atheist and I agree with this. It's just a fact, not a big part of my

life. All Dems have to do for me is keep the theocrats away from the levers of power as much as possible.

[SCantiGOP]

129. Agree

I don't believe in Zeus, Thor, Vishnu, etc but I don't consider that non-belief to be part of my identity.
Religion saturates the culture I live in but as long as they leave me alone I am happy to ignore it. It doesn't offend me when someone says "God Bless You" anymore than it does if they say "Have a Nice Day."

[ileus]

12. Try being Christian...

[pintobean]

13. Especially here

I'm not a Christian, but yeah, I hear you.

[WillowTree]

17. What pintobean said. Twice.

(Hi pintobean! )

[whatthehey]

15. Trade?

We get:

Atheistic slogans on money, public buildings and government trappings from courthouses to police cruisers
The vast majority, far beyond demographic ratio, of seats in legislatures, executive department leadership positions, and judges at all levels from the national to the local (we'll share a few with our intellectual ancestors the Deists, but only as many as you share with the analogous Jews) so that every single body charged with enacting or adminstering every law in the nation is lockstep, unchallengably atheistic
Constitutions in 7 states banning Christians from holding public office
The words "And may The United States of America continue to be blessed by the complete and utter absence of any gods" as an obligatory coda at the end of nigh every political speech
The phrase "that's mighty atheist of you" used as a universal cliche for decency
Every sports game from pee-wee to national championships with an obligatory standing silence for a recitation of an Ingersoll speech
The right to preach nonstop that only we and the politicians we prefer are decent and good and patriotic, tax-free, from 330,000 atheist meeting spaces, despite laws against politicizing in such expression, because then it will be IOKIYAA and the IRS will look the other way
Swearing in of officials and witnesses on a copy of The God Delusion, with the phrase, "so help me, rationality"
Laws that excuse us of even the most vile of crimes to the most helpless and innocent of victims as long as we say we did it because the absence of gods said we had to

You get:
A little fewer people making fun of you on a scattered tiny minority of websites that happen to have attracted a rational and educated population


Deal?

[WillowTree]

18. You're saying that those things were/are the result of Democratic policies? Really?

[whatthehey]

19. What a strange question

[WillowTree]

22. The original post and the follow-ups aren't about the government in general, the media etc.

You're the one who's injecting those entities into the conversation.

[whatthehey]

28. And the Democrats are part of both, and have done not one single thing to help atheists

The party, and believe me I know that they must do so to survive, simple hate us less virulently than their opposition.

[killbotfactory]

41. I was a Christian for the first 16 years of my life...

Christians have a persecution complex.

[trotsky]

52. It's programmed into the religion itself.

That's how people like Kim Davis believe themselves to be "persecuted" when they have to allow other people to live their lives the way they want to.

[pintobean]

56. I'm guessing you guys don't see the irony.

Maybe you missed the OP. Hard to believe, but possible.

[trotsky]

58. Oh yeah, major irony.

Nonbelievers deal with this:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/107th-congress/senate-bill/2690
Passed the House, 401-5.
Passed the Senate, 99-0. NINETY-FUCKING-NINE to ZERO.

And a Christian has to read with my opinion on a message board.

SO FUCKING IRONIC INDEED. Oh how terrible Christians have it.

[pintobean]

60. Oh, my dog, we have to hear the word "God" once in a great while.

People like you give the rest of us (atheists and agnostics) a bad name.

[trotsky]

62. Now who's missing the point?

Since you've made this into a "loudmouth atheists are the problem" thing now, let's review:

99% of our elected representatives voted to reaffirm that ours is a nation UNDER GOD.

Do I give a shit about a word? No.

Do I give a shit that virtually all the members of both parties are mixing in religion with politics, giving belief special privilege and position over non-belief? Yes I do.

If that makes me the bad guy, bring it on.

[pintobean]

63. Lol. A special privilege.

[trotsky]

65. Yep, this guy was on your side.

http://religionnews.com/2016/01/04/supreme-court-justice-scalia-constitution-says-government-can-favor-religion/

[pintobean]

69. Along with 99 Senators and 401 House Reps

like you posted up-thread.

[trotsky]

70. Yes, you've already pointed out that I'm the bad guy in all of this.

So did you have anything else to add?

[pintobean]

71. You're not a bad guy. I was just amused at the irony.

And your attempt to tie me to Scalia was amusing. It reminded me of this:

[trotsky]

73. At what irony, exactly?

The "irony" was supposed to be that in a thread noting the lack of respect non-believers are given by our party, I was making an observation about a common Christian behavior (claiming persecution). Thus it was "ironic" that somehow I, speaking as a lone individual on an anonymous message board, was engaging in equivalent behavior to a national political party pandering to belief and believers.

Do I have that correct?

[Egnever]

111. omg that cartoon!

[JNelson6563]

64. That makes me a bad guy too I guess.

I'm good with it.

[trotsky]

67. Definitely.

[PoutrageFatigue]

79. I'm sorry, but which states can you be fired in for being a christian?

Yup. Sounds like atheists are the real problem here...

[mdbl]

117. No one is fired for being a Christian

Unless they let their belief system break civil law, which is as it should be. Anyone who doesn't get that needs to go live under the Taliban - and no, it's not an exaggeration. There are plenty of times in history that religion was used as a killing machine, and not just muslims.

[AlbertCat]

82. once in a great while.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!



"A great while".... thats a good one!

[pintobean]

83. How often do you hear the pledge of allegiance?

That's the context of my post. I never hear it.

Maybe you've heard the expression that money talks... and believe it, literally.

[AlbertCat]

90. That's the context of my post.

Maybe....


But that's not where god is only mentioned. You SEE (just as bad) it every time you pay cash.

What does invoking god add to these venues? Religious privilege?

[pintobean]

92. No, I don't.

I don't pay any attention to it. It doesn't matter to me.

Besides, who uses cash anymore? God isn't on my plastic.

[AlbertCat]

97. who uses cash anymore?

Really?
That's all you got????

[Goblinmonger]

94. I hear it every day.

Does that make your interpretation different?

[AtheistCrusader]

124. I like how any wrong is just fine and dandy so long as you do not have to personally notice it.

[AtheistCrusader]

86. Be not afraid of enemies; the worst they can do is to kill you.

Do not
be afraid of friends; the worst they can do is betray you. Be afraid of
the indifferent; they do no kill or betray. But only because of their
silent agreement, betrayal and murder exist on earth.
--Bruno Yasiensky "The Plot of the Indifferent" (1937)

[pintobean]

88. Your name says it all

[AtheistCrusader]

123. As does yours.

Usually a few hours after I consume them.

[rug]

91. That's how people believe themselves to be "persecuted".

The caps are a clue.

[mdbl]

116. those in congress are all such good Christians

NOT!

[phylny]

76. Lol. I am a Christian

and I am grinning at your assertion. Neither I nor anyone I know feels persecuted. I work hard in my daily life to make others feel valued and welcome. I don't push my beliefs on anyone else or think they should believe what I do.

I've never once felt persecuted. In fact, I realize that as a white, Christian woman, I outta to stand back when the "I've been persecuted" train comes through.

[AlbertCat]

87. Neither I nor anyone I know feels persecuted.

You must not be a real Christian then!


OK..... Seriously

The "War on Christmas", "The Muslims are coming to get us!!!" and the "I don't have to do my job I'm getting paid for and expected to do because Jesus says so" are not imaginary, and even powerful, memes.... sometimes effecting legislation (or trying to). And of course, no mater what you feel you are being persecuted for, if you turn to religion for strength, you appear noble (for some reason).

That you and your friends are sensible and realize it's ridiculous to claim that a religion with literally a house of worship on every other street, hours of TV and radio time, and billboards and crosses (for Christ sake!) everywhere is persecuted, alas, does not make it go away.

I wish sensible religionists had a louder and more out-there voice. (I guess that's not sensational enough in the US for the MSM). You guys are the only ones who can do anything about it.

[synergie]

78. Well, it's part of what's beend drummed into them as being a "holy" thing, so it seems that a

a certain sub-set desperately WANTS to be persecuted, that's what reaps the rewards, the sainthoods, recognition etc.

You hear it in the RW Xtians, they so fervently wish to be as persecuted as those they actually persecute.

[lindysalsagal]

105. It's actually the backbone and the sop of christianity: Self-fulfilling prophesy.

The church wants you helpless and dependent. Strong, capable people are from the devil. Hence, the witch hunts that went on for a hundred years. Strong, confident women terrify the church.

[snooper2]

51. most atheists in America did try being Christian-

Or were born into it...

I figured it out around age 13 after being "saved" LOL- Still the most creepy experience of my life. All those old women wanting to put their hands on a young boy. Looking back...ugh...

[Humanist_Activist]

98. What is there for you to complain about as a Christian? You get all the privilege...

all the leadership are Christian, they invoke your god at the end of every speech, even open the DNC with a prayer.

[treestar]

14. That's not how it is

You vote as is in your best interests. And exactly where have you been "dissed?" Why decide to be a victim rather than part of the process?

[WillowTree]

16. Christians aren't treated any better.

[whatthehey]

20. By whom?

Treated a damn sight better by the government, the media, the courts. Who in the US treats atheists better but a few backwater websites?

[WillowTree]

21. Try re-reading the title of this thread.

And then re-read what I said earlier and point out where I said that atheists are treated better.

[whatthehey]

27. Try considering the thousands of Democratic speeches

that did not end with "And the absence of gods bless America". The utter absence of Democratic votes to revoke a McCarthyite religious fragment from our pledge and our banknotes. The vile treachery directed from within the party at a 17-term Representative and loyal Democrat who had the unmitigated and unacceptable gall of admitting, only after being pushed, that he did not believe the shared national fairytale. How again are we treated better than Christians?

[WillowTree]

33. "How again are we treated better than Crristians?" I never said that. Not once. Anywhere.

I'm done.

Have a nice day.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

50. lol

[Humanist_Activist]

99. Well that's a load of bullshit, where's your evidence? n/t

[WillowTree]

101. Next time there's a thread around here.......

.......with post after post after post bashing and ridiculing and taking all manner of petty, demeaning jabs at atheists, send me a PM and let me know so I don't miss it because I've obviously overlooked all those threads so far.

[Humanist_Activist]

102. Actually such a thread exists...

here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028132468

Atheists who die or their survivors can't even grieve without having their beliefs demeaned, many times in person, so don't give me that bullshit again.

[WillowTree]

103. I've read that thread.

Nope. I see questioning, but not the kind of demeaning ridicule that gets hurled at any kind of religious belief system on DU regularly.

Your bullying style may work with some people. Maybe with most people. I don't happen to be one of them. Do have a nice evening and a great holiday weekend. Ciao.

[Humanist_Activist]

112. Yeah, we are seeing two different things in that thread, your privilege is showing...

but no matter, you have to keep up the "Christians are always persecuted" mantra no matter how dishonest it is, even by moving the goalposts. A few internet threads and trolls hurt your fee fees, so fucking what? That's not evidence that "Christians aren't treated any better" by the DNC. Most of them ARE Christian, so how the fuck does that work? Or are you just being dishonest?

[joshcryer]

23. Two of the most reliable voting blocs (Latino and African-American) are religious.

It is what it is.

Take it for what it is.

Anyway, this post is digging up old primary bullshit, and I think it's not productive. Bradley Marshall was making a dumbass political argument that he should've never written and he apologized for it. Move on.

[whatthehey]

29. Atheist vote for Democrats by about 60% margins. Not enough?

[Buckeye_Democrat]

35. Notice how they dismiss it and get defensive?

Religious privilege.

[joshcryer]

39. Defensive?

I'm rightly dismissive. But defensive?

[joshcryer]

37. 90% of them don't consider their atheism a defining factor.

So you're asking to pander to a very small group of people (10% of the 7% population of 60% leaning Democrats). Yeah. That's not how it works. That's not how any of this works.

And again the OP is drudging up a dumb email sent by a jerk who lacked any sensitivity. An email, which, btw, was leaked due to Russian hacks to meddle with our elections.

Color me concerned.

[whatthehey]

38. Cite?

[joshcryer]

40. Stats?

On atheists? http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/06/01/10-facts-about-atheists/

Or Marshall's idiotic statement? http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/top-dnc-staffer-apologizes-for-email-on-sanders-religion-226072

Or the email leak? http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2016/jul/31/what-we-know-about-russias-role-dnc-email-leak/

[whatthehey]

43. Not seeing the claim you made that 90% consider it not defining

[joshcryer]

44. I read #6 that way.

[whatthehey]

49. Bit of a stretch really

I'm defined by a whole bunch of things I hardly ever mention to people who don't share them. Ever think that since 60% of Americans, and thus a vast majority of Christians, believe in a literal hell to which such as I are inevitably consigned by a perfect loving being for disagreeing with said Christians might somewhat limit the amount of conversations one wishes to have with that group on the topic? Not to mention the everpresent risk of violent assault from the followers of the cheek-turning advocate of neighborly love.

Besides, the same data would suggest 3/4 of believers don't take it as defining either if you are consistent, so why should they get all the knob-slobbering concern and lipservice if that's what matters.

Strange the ramifications of 8 and 9 seem to have missed your notice as societal indicators but you picked at that contrived mid-paragraph nugget...

[Warren Stupidity]

95. "bit of stretch" is massively generous.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

46. From that Pew Research link.

About half of Americans (51%) say they would be less likely to support an atheist candidate for president, more than say the same about a candidate with any other trait mentioned in a Pew Research Center survey – including being Muslim.

Religious privilege.

[jamese777]

125. The Gallup Poll

SOCIAL ISSUES
JUNE 29, 2016

Most Americans Still Believe in God

Most Americans Still Believe in God
by Frank Newport

89% of Americans say they believe in God
In a separate poll, 79% say "believe in God" and 10% "not sure"
All measures of belief in God show declines from previous decades

About nine in 10 Americans say they believe in God, and one in 10 say they do not. However, when presented with more than a "yes or no" option, about eight in 10 say they believe and one in 10 say they aren't sure. Belief in God, regardless of how the question is phrased to Americans, is down from levels in past decades.

These results are based on several different questions that Gallup has used over the years to ask Americans about their belief in God. The latest results come from surveys conducted May 4-8 and June 14-23.

When Gallup first asked Americans, "Do you, personally, believe in a God?" in 1944, 96% said they did. Between 94% and 98% of Americans said they believed in God in other surveys conducted through 1967. In 1976, Gallup modified the wording and asked Americans about their belief in "God or a universal spirit," with 94% to 96% responding in the affirmative through 1994.

Since 2011, Gallup has asked both questions of random half-samples of Americans. The results on both questions have been similar, indicating that adding "universal spirit" into the mix doesn't significantly affect how Americans respond to the question. Since 2013, the percentage believing in God or a universal spirit has been consistently in the upper 80% range. In the most recent June survey, both versions of the question netted 89% affirmative responses.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/193271/americans-believe-god.aspx?g_source=RELIGION&g_medium=topic&g_campaign=tiles

[Warren Stupidity]

84. No that is not what the poll data you cited said.

They said religion was not important.

Where in the pew data is the assertion that "90% of them don't consider their atheism a defining factor"?

5. Unsurprisingly, more than nine-in-ten self-identified atheists say religion is not too or not at all important in their lives, and nearly all (97%) say they seldom or never pray.

Oh yeah, that would be nowhere in the pew data.

[NCTraveler]

24. There is no diss in the article.

Seems to be a clear trend in writing inflammatory headlines and then not meeting the bar set in the article. That was a waste of a minute of my life. My agnostic Democratic Party supporting life.

[Mc Mike]

26. I'm a Dem Catholic. I love and respect a ton of good atheistic people and thinkers.

Vonnegut is one of my favorite thinkers.

You know that the right wing attacks Dems and the left for being atheistic secular humanists. We're actually a mix of all different religions and people who think all religions are false.

It would be a sorry turn of events if the athiest and agnostic bloc was to leave the Dem party for it being too 'religious right' while at the very same time the republican party is trying to give your bloc credit for being in complete control of the Dems.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

30. It will never get better until religious people acknowledge their privilege.

Atheists were burned at the stake in the past for their non-belief, and there's still parts of the world today that kill non-believers.

It's very hard for atheists to get elected into public office since they're an extreme minority, and politicians know they can openly use someone's disbelief in God against them.

There are holidays for various religions, but none for the disbelievers. It's religious privilege, pure and simple.

I recommend finding a local group of other atheists, and don't allow others to invade your safe space.

[Behind the Aegis]

113. Yeah, that discussion won't happen...for along time.

Many of the same people who will go on and on about white and male privileges, rarely acknowledge other forms of privilege, especially when it comes to religion or lack thereof. And, as usual, there are those of the dominant religion, Christianity, who routinely complain of persecution, when nothing of the sort exists in this country. Is there sometimes prejudice/bias? Sure there is, but it is a far cry from actual persecution.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

114. Yeah, I know.

I was mostly being ornery and wanted to participate in the "privilege" stuff.

Not that I'm making up that form of "privilege" (one of many), but it's not really something that bothers me very much. I identify as "agnostic" anyway.

At this point, I'd mostly like to have the privilege of decent eyesight again!

[RKP5637]

31. My background is heavy in science and technology, the real world. I don't believe

in the fantasizes of religion still trying to explain the ancient past and ramblings of religious zealots. Hence, non-religious. I don't push it on anyone, nor do I allow any to push their religious crap on me. The world/earth is still very backward and immature.

[dembotoz]

32. if christians like me are treated badly here i think it is a reaction to the cra cra stuff elsewhere

some evangelical doofuss says or does something stupid and the slime seems to slop onto the rest of us

christian nameplate covers all from mother theresa to joel olsteen (murdered his name but i don't care i hate him)

i understand that

i try not to be offended

[whatthehey]

36. Sincere question. Ever consider why there is little accorded distinction?

I mean, everybody sane of any religion or none knows that there are perfectly reasonable, progressive, tolerant Christians out there (I don't think the pain and deprivation - for everybody else - obsessed Mother Teresa is a good or even true example of one, but the point itself remains), by the tens of millions no less. Would never claim it were not so.

The trouble is that, from the outside looking in, they seem far more concerned about bonding with and defending the people who share the Christian part of that description than those who share the reasonable, progressive and tolerant parts. Read any DU thread that condemns misdeeds, even unto murder, done in the name of Christianity to see what I mean. Far more vitriol directed at the people who point out the problems within Christianity than at those who ARE the problems within Christianity, even here. Until that changes, it's hard to take protestations of separation from those who share the nameplate all that seriously.

[dembotoz]

80. think we just like to label folks ...good bad, crazy sane

we seem attached to our broad over simplistic paint brush.....square peg in a round hole? just hammer harder

[whatthehey]

96. Possibly. Not sure I see relevance here

After all, people who torture their kids to death because God tells him to are obviously a bit worse than those who point out that this is a problem for the religion to address wouldn't you think? Now look at the last DU thread on the topic and see who draws more angst from known believers.

[Warren Stupidity]

85. the only "bad treatment" christians get here is that their beliefs are not immune to ridicule.

By the way mother theresa was more than a bit of an abusive monster.

[tenderfoot]

42. Had no idea that Atheists were so sensitive to criticism.

eom

[whatthehey]

45. It's more the marginalization really

No doubt you'd be equally sanguine at race, sexuality or disability being used as a political bombshell lobbed at an undesirable.

[Throd]

77. Most of us fly under the radar.

[tenderfoot]

106. So sorry to upset the Atheists.... I'll have the Flying Spaghetti Monster send prayers.

eom

[Odin2005]

119. They think any criticism is "making them shut up".

[rug]

133. Oh, the irony.

[Iggo]

47. We're used to it.

It's their world, man. We're just living in it.

[lpbk2713]

48. Just wait till you hear about Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny.

[Iggo]

53. My favorite.

[HassleCat]

55. We will know there is progress when...

The president skips the White House prayer breakfast.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

57. I would like to think so, but...

... that will probably just draw out more anti-atheists to spew their hatred openly.

[Panich52]

59. Political trends are often unavoidable...

Repub's theocrats have made religion a major social issue: vouchers, school choice, science standards, LGBT, Islamophobia, and more are tied to their agenda. Dems have to answer since RW evangelicals are loud, even if not a majority.

Dems fight in the trenches for adherence to the Establishment Clause—atheists' "inclusion" (w/ prohibition of religious test f/ office) in Constitutional rights. But since rwnjs have made religiosity an issue, Dems have to answer politically. Atheists are, after all, still the least favorable choice among electorate, the most distrusted minority of all.

I have no problem, ultimately, w/ some minor pandering to the religious by Dems in an election year. But should those who are elected then push theocratic agenda, one couldn't find a more determined enemy than I.

[dawg]

61. Seems to me that they discussed "dissing" Sanders as an atheist ...

and then decided not to do it.

But, rest assured, the Republicans would not have been so conflicted.

[Act_of_Reparation]

68. Awesome sales pitch, isn't it?

"Vote for us... because let's face it: you really don't have a choice."

[Blue_Tires]

66. So one clown says something and it's reflective of the whole party?

[Warpy]

72. There are also Republican atheists

and they're openly despised in that party. However, they share the top down, follow the leader viewpoint of that party.

I don't expect to have my butt kissed because I am an atheist who votes Democratic. I don't expect to have religion or lack of it to be brought up at all. Politics and religion should be separate, the way they are in our system of government.

I want to keep it that way.

[JI7]

89. I'm an atheist and i don't feel the same way you do.

But i know there are some atheists who almost want to be treated as if it's a religion .

But for me it's about lack of belief. I don't really care to be acknowledged as one.

There are issues such as separation of church and state which i care about but many non atheists support this also so it's not really an atheist thing.

[Takket]

93. i'm supposed to be pissed at the DNC

because some jackwagon, who is gone now, wanted to label Sanders an atheist because it would hurt his chances in the South? And what should I do with my anger? Vote for Trump? Give me a break. I'm not turning my back on the greatest Progressive force in the country over that. As an atheist I find the act despicable. But progressives are supposed to understand the principles of not letting a few bad apples spoil the whole bushel, or throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

[stopwastingmymoney]

109. +1, nt

[GulfCoast66]

100. I am curious...

What would you have the Democratic Party do?

Pass a platform item that there is no God?

Make it party policy that no one should mention God?

Maybe make it a party position to oppose all the horrible discrimination and oppression atheist face?

Tell religious party members to stop referring to their faith, no matter how much it animates their activism?

Warn African American ministers who have been stalwarts in the civil rights movement to put a sock in all the God and Jesus talk?


What are you asking the Democratic Party to do exactly?

Or is this just a subtle way to relive past resentments?


Your complaint should not be with the party. But with America. Only a stupid party would nominate an atheist(not that Bernie is) knowing that the American people will not elect one. May be cruel and unfair, but that is the truth. I would prefer an atheist president but that does not blind me to reality.

[Ohioblue22]

104. You mean even after all the respect given to religious Democrats by atheists? Why I'm shocked

[Egnever]

108. Democrats diss intolerance IMHO

And atheists can be some of the most intolerant people on the planet.

That article is an outrage looking for a place to happen.

[Quantess]

110. Atheists and agnostics account for a lot more than 7.1% combined.

It's just that people think it sounds more acceptable to call themselves christian.

[Odin2005]

118. "New Atheism" is an intelectual facade for Western Imperialism.

https://www.jacobinmag.com/2014/12/new-atheism-old-empire/

[cpwm17]

120. New atheists are right-wingers and have nothing to do with this.

They don't represent most atheists. I despise the new atheists:

U.S. religious groups and their political leanings:

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/02/23/u-s-religious-groups-and-their-political-leanings/

Atheist are 15% Republican and 69% Democrat, one of the strongest pro Democratic "religious groups" in the US. Only black churches and Unitarians are stronger.

[yortsed snacilbuper]

122. If you use the reasoning of this article,

catholic priests are molesting children, so all catholics must be molesting children.

[demmiblue]

128. Trying to dialogue with militant religionists is a futile practice. n/t

[HereSince1628]

121. Here's the thing, supported by sociological research... people see church-going as good

and an indicator that a person has pro-social interests, is dedicated to working for others and is generous. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160822083443.htm

Not surprisingly, politicians who need and desire to look good to get elected, and who in that pursuit need to seem as though they care about society, don't often want to look anti-church.

[Act_of_Reparation]

126. And so they lend tacit support to bigotry instead of sticking up for what's right.

Yay.

[Spew]

130. I think things will improve

For those who might not know, there's a secular PAC, and several of the endorsed candidates won their primaries!

The PAC isn't exclusively atheist, but it welcomes us and focuses on getting secular voices into the discourse.

[link:http://freethoughtequality.org/|

[cornball 24]

131. Forgive me for my question if it is in any way interpreted as critical. It is not meant to demean,

question or cast aspersions on any person for any reason. It seems to me that the discussion is limited to those who are of a particular religious affiliation and those who are self-proclaimed atheists or agnostics. There are a number of us who are not associated with nor identify with a specific religion but are spiritual in nature and by choice. Why the hell is all this even a topic for discussion or a reason to whine about who feels dissed, etc., etc. I don't give a rat's ass about anyone's beliefs or lack thereof. Why is this even a litmus test for any reason, political or otherwise! I just don't get it. People are people. WE CHOOSE with whom we befriend, socialize, marry and for whom we vote. Amen or whatever!

[Nye Bevan]

134. Shouldn't that be "one Democrat dissed atheists"? (nt)

[RobinA]

136. Why Should Atheists

or anybody else be thanked for our votes? We vote our priorities including self-interest. Our vote isn't a favor to a party, it's an attempt to shape the future the way we want it.

[yortsed snacilbuper]

137. All Athiests want is an apology.

Why did members of the Democratic National Committee think it OK to tar Sanders, who says he’s Jewish, as an atheist? Bradley Marshall, the now former chief financial officer of the Democratic National Committee, thought this would be a way to hobble Sanders’ appeal in Kentucky and West Virginia. “My Southern Baptist peeps would draw a big difference between a Jew and an atheist,” Marshall wrote in an email to DNC colleagues.

Marshall and others in the DNC resigned over this dirty trick. He issued an apology to the DNC on Facebook. But there’s one group Marshall didn’t apologize to, the group he maligned — atheists.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/op-ed/article96809767.html#storylink=cpy