Hi Niel

It is a common misunderstanding caused by religious piety and
a mis-reading of the Christian Bible.

As mentioned in the New Testament, Jesus went into the slums
of the city where there were many people who did not believe
in God and others who were just ignorant of the teachings
because they were poor and not allowed into the temples.

When I was in a church one day I heard a sermon about
"Where would Jesus be on Sunday Morning" The preacher
expounded that he believed Jesus would be in the church
building. At this point I had determined to myself to
find another church to attend because of the gross
error in interpretation of the reading of the text.

Predjuduce does not only just affect "Race and gender"
It is the dogmatic nature of religion to commonly get
things wrong. Human beings make mistakes.

Faith is another story. When you walk on a floor,
you have the faith it will hold your weight.

What I believe is not related to any religion. I speak only
from experience.

Robert

Hi Neil,

No discrimination is fair for no reason.

We all have discriminatory traits based upon upbringing, experiences etc.

Twice in my life I had a very bad experience involving some folks whos background was from Southern Italy, do I hate Italians No. Our upbringing in England was different and our values were different but the behaviour I was on the receiving end of I didn't understand. I am now aware of the differences culturaly but now ensure that I look at things in a more rounded way. It doesn't however stop me from feeling different in the way in which I would do business which some might call discrimination.

We all have hangups and I suppose to some Christians the athiest is considered a threat and somebody to be resisted as being in league with the other side. I dont share this belief but am saddened that the person is missing out on the experience of having Christ in their life. We can only speak as we find.

I hope that as an atheist there is a purpose to life and that not believing is accepted as that and not used in return as discrimination against Christians and or other religeons.

Roger

Hi Neil, It has been a very busy time here, and has been a real juggling act just to get through my email! Religious bigotry is virtually the same thing as racism. Just like racism, it is based on misunderstanding and ignorance. A true Christian cannot hate, discriminate against, or persecute an Atheist, as that was not and is not the character or teaching of the founder of Christianity, Jesus Christ. He told his followers to love those who are against them, and to do good to those who do harm to them. He actually put it very clearly and simply, lest anyone become confused: "Love the Lord your God with all you heart and with all your mind and with all your strength, and love your neighbor as yourself." He made it quite clear that your neighbor is someone living on planet Earth, not just the person next door to you. Neil, you must understand, and I believe you are well-read and educated enough that you will be able to confirm this, that there are MANY who call themselves Christian but who DO NOT follow the teaching of Jesus. I could call myself a star NBA player, but that definitely would not make me one! The true definition of a Christian is someone who has put his or her faith in Jesus Christ and who has truly trusted Jesus Christ as his or her Saviour. That is the ONLY way to become a Christian. Anything else is merely religion. God bless, Dave

Hello Dave,

I happened by this forum via another members reference, so I am a little late
getting here.

I found the topic and subsequenting comments diverse and interesting.
I would like to point to another type of racism that I did not notice talked from anyone else.

Peer-pressure..Society...This is a very strong and not always good influence on our children growing up, and even through to adult hood, to act and behave a certain way, to dress, have the right kind of friends, vehicles etc etc.  To be in the right Clique Group.
I reckon most of us here have been the target of some kind of peer-pressure.

I grew up in a small town back in New Zealand and while I lived within the boundaries of Society (polite term for peer pressure with adults) I was accepted.
However, I grew to become stronger within myself and to notice and not like this
Society and started to stand up for my own beliefs and shun this Society.  Hence
by daring to challenge my family, friends and acquantances I have become an
outcast in their eyes - I learned when I actually left the town to live in another city and talking and becoming friends with people whom were away from this Society/Peer pressure that what I was doing was perfectly OK.  I was not breaking any laws of the land, moral or unethical rules.  I learned to be ME and
what what is important for ME.  I learned that the value of good friends.
Possessions was just STUFF that could be replaced, friends and people you care about cannot.

It took me a couple of years to come to terms with the hurt and devestation I felt and forgive.  My family whom I am the youngest and I are on 'nodding' terms now.  I broke out of the mould, I was not going to be told what to do anymore.

This discrimination is just as hurtful as any other.  As a woman who has been hurt by others, I try never to judge anyone where they are, what they believe in.  I think that each person needs to step away from their own beliefs and accept the other person where they are.  Accept the person for who they are, and not so much as what their belief is. Try and find a nutrual ground - hobby etc to talk
about that does not cause conflict.  To delibrately provoke another to anger by
introducing a topic to the conversation that you know is 'touchy' is not the act of
friendship.  Leave touchy subjects alone until you know that you know the person well enough to talk about them and then give the other a chance to give their opinion too.  Yet overall, for good diplomatic actions, it is far better to stay away
from these touchy subjects altogether.

We do not have any right to try and force our beliefs, ideas etc on each other.
We are always going to meet people who have a diverse lifestyle from ourselves
we do not have to take up their beliefs and make them our own - We have free
choice.


Kind regards
Amanda Martin-Shaver

Hi All, I thank all of you for your replies. ALL the Atheists I know (I know a lot of them) and whom I have discussed this issue with, really do not care what others choose to believe AS LONG as what they believe, and practice, does not impinge on the rights of others. (And that no one lies about things.) Look at the Amish. As far as I know, while they choose to live as they want to and follow the rules of their belief, they do not either attempt to, or do, pass laws forcing those who do not have the same beliefs to live by their rules. Why can not all the other religions (and here in the US, this means the Christians) do the same? Why must Christians insist on forcing their rules and their way on life on others? (And please, do not be so naive as to say they do not.) IF any of you, and I hope you all are, interested in reading more about the discrimination against we Atheists, please read the posts is the following forum. Thank you! - http://community.adlandpro.com/forums/thread/503091.aspx - Please, Take Care! Neil "An Old Son Of A Beach!"