How should Atheists and Religous people treat each other?

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Buddahaid

Our basic laws are formed from Old Testament teachings and these are more than simply Christian values so it becomes a gray area about drawing lines in the sand.

Actually the first code of civil law far predates the Bible, even the Old Testament. Also, the laws in the OT have very little to do with modern civil law. Putting the Ten Commandments on a courthouse wall doesn't make them relevant to anything other than religious belief.

[Sammi79]

Originally Posted by CaptainHaplo

If people did this - the battle between Christianity and Athiesm wouldn't be what it is today.

I don't see any battle going on between christianity and atheism. If there is it is certainly a 2 way street. I see a general skirmish going on with people trying to defend themselves and their children from religion attempting to wedge itself into places it doesn't belong, like education, politics and law. (note religion, all inclusive) some religions are worse in this respect than others, but they all (at least the Abrahamic ones) do it to some degree or other.

Originally Posted by August

You don't have to earn it to be ridiculed. All you have to do is have a belief that another doesn't share. Peoples religious beliefs are mocked all the time, even in this forum.

As are atheist views. The stories I hear about your land of the free, (about which I keep an open mind and do not trust generally) are chilling. Atheists discriminated against in employment, atheists scared to admit their lack of faith for fear of physical reprisal, etc. We're all angry loud mouths according to this thread* because we dare to question someone elses faith when it is presented to us. How very dare we indeed. Sticks and stones anyone? Maybe I should delineate between ridicule that someone does for immature childish laughs and genuine ridicule that is an involuntary reaction to ridiculous behaviour.

*case in point:

Originally Posted by Takeda Shingen

I have never seen anyone proselytise on this forum. What I have seen are angry atheists attacking those that believe. You demand radio silence from believers while your's is always blasting at 11. Hypocrisy much?

Sorry Takeda. I know and have seen what you say happening, and I do not approve. However, 1 sided this is not. I defend your right to say it, but I can still see how some might consider that description of atheist members here offensive. From my point of view? sticks and stones. I for one am glad to hear these opinions.

[Buddahaid]

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

Actually the first code of civil law far predates the Bible, even the Old Testament. Also, the laws in the OT have very little to do with modern civil law. Putting the Ten Commandments on a courthouse wall doesn't make them relevant to anything other than religious belief.

I didn't know obviously. The Ten Commandments on the courthouse wall are perhaps irrelevant, but to an Atheist required to swear on a Bible to testify, they are a sign of biased governance.

[Garion]

Originally Posted by Buddahaid

I didn't know obviously. The Ten Commandments on the courthouse wall are perhaps irrelevant, but to an Atheist required to swear on a Bible to testify, they are a sign of biased governance.

Well to be fair, when I was a Police Officer giving evidence in court I was always given the choice of swearing on the bible or Affirming... I always affirmed.

Cheers

Gary

[August]

Originally Posted by Sammi79

As are atheist views. The stories I hear about your land of the free, (about which I keep an open mind and do not trust generally) are chilling. Atheists discriminated against in employment, atheists scared to admit their lack of faith for fear of physical reprisal, etc. We're all angry loud mouths according to this thread* because we dare to question someone elses faith when it is presented to us. How very dare we indeed. Sticks and stones anyone? Maybe I should delineate between ridicule that someone does for immature childish laughs and genuine ridicule that is an involuntary reaction to ridiculous behaviour.

I don't know where you're getting your information from Sammi but FYI:

In this country it is illegal to discriminate for employment based on a persons religious beliefs (or lack thereof) and it is illegal to threaten or attack a person for any reason including religious beliefs (or lack thereof).

I'm not going to say it never happens. After all in a country of 300 million people you can find examples of just about any behavior good or bad, but it is not very common and is not at all tolerated by the mainstream.

[AVGWarhawk]

As are atheist views. The stories I hear about your land of the free, (about which I keep an open mind and do not trust generally) are chilling. Atheists discriminated against in employment, atheists scared to admit their lack of faith for fear of physical reprisal, etc. We're all angry loud mouths according to this thread* because we dare to question someone elses faith when it is presented to us. How very dare we indeed. Sticks and stones anyone? Maybe I should delineate between ridicule that someone does for immature childish laughs and genuine ridicule that is an involuntary reaction to ridiculous behaviour.

I don't know where you got this impression from. In my years, of which there are getting to be many, I have not witnessed anyone discriminating against any Atheists or one that participates in a religious belief specifically concerning employment. In fact, religious affiliation or not is generally never in question unless you are going for a job in clergy!

There is an old saying, "If you want to stay friends do not talk about religion and politics." This old saying rings true today.

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by August

I don't know where you're getting your information from Sammi but FYI:

In this country it is illegal to discriminate for employment based on a persons religious beliefs (or lack thereof) and it is illegal to threaten or attack a person for any reason including religious beliefs (or lack thereof).

I'm not going to say it never happens. After all in a country of 300 million people you can find examples of just about any behavior good or bad, but it is not very common and is not at all tolerated by the mainstream.

I have, too, heard about the issue Sammi brought up.

The Wiki article highlights some of the things (grain of salt may or may not be in order):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discrim...#United_States

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

I simply can't believe there are two votes in favour of the second poll option

I have not even voted at all, so do not look at me.

[Dowly]

Originally Posted by Skybird

I have not even voted at all, so do not look at me.

Me neither.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Dowly

I have, too, heard about the issue Sammi brought up.

The Wiki article highlights some of the things (grain of salt may or may not be in order):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discrim...#United_States

I have not heard directly of discrimination of atheists in any capacity. I have heard a few snoring in the pew on Sunday morning as their significant other enjoys a morning at church. I can not say I have read it in the news either for that matter. Religious beliefs, concerning obtaining a job, does not come into conversation/questioning, nor are the interviewers allowed to ask I believe. I think religious affiliation ranks up there with sexual orientation questions. It is not questioned at a job interview. But, I'm sure there is a instance somewhere. Wide spread I would not believe.

In fact, religious affiliation or not is generally never in question unless you are going for a job in clergy!

How many people questioned your presidents religion and how many claimed that a muslim couldn't hold the office?
Then again they used to say the same about the "wrong" flavours of christianity too.

[AVGWarhawk]

Originally Posted by Tribesman

How many people questioned your presidents religion and how many claimed that a muslim couldn't hold the office?
Then again they used to say the same about the "wrong" flavours of christianity too.

Simply look at questioning the President on religion as a scare tactic. The same questions the Mormon is getting. My applications do not have a box to check on religious affiliation or not. Nor was I ever asked about it at a job interview.

PS: neither(BO or MR) stated they were atheist. This is the concern and questioning from Dowly.

[mookiemookie]

The most recent study was conducted by the University of Minnesota, which found that atheists ranked lower than "Muslims, recent immigrants, gays and lesbians and other minority groups in 'sharing their vision of American society.' Atheists are also the minority group most Americans are least willing to allow their children to marry." The results from two of the most important questions were:

This group does not at all agree with my vision of American society...

Atheist: 39.6%
Muslims: 26.3%
Homosexuals: 22.6%
Hispanics: 20%
Conservative Christians: 13.5%
Recent Immigrants: 12.5%
Jews: 7.6%

I would disapprove if my child wanted to marry a member of this group....

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%

http://atheism.about.com/od/atheistb...heitsHated.htm

I certainly believe that there's a societal view that atheists are evil or immoral, especially in places like the deep south.

I don't know if you can prove that there's employment discrimination against atheists though. No job interview I've ever been in has asked about religion, and I'm not sure where that topic would come up in any sort of job interview. But then again, there's no way to prove that it's not a factor in some situations where the job candidate's religious preferences are known. It's easy to not hire someone because they're atheist and say you didn't hire them because someone else was more qualified.

I don't talk about my religious beliefs so I don't care one way or another.

[AVGWarhawk]

I certainly believe that there's a societal view that atheists are evil or immoral, especially in places like the deep south.

They are not fond of black people either from what I hear. Find me anyone that does not have some sort of experience of discrimination. Everyone stinks in some manner to someone else.

But, yes, religious affiliation for the ice cream counter person position does not come into play. No one has asked me what church I attend except in general conversation. I have experienced this I believe once. I was from my mother in law when I first dated her daughter.

Please, no charts.

(grain of salt may or may not be in order):

The links to the constitutions requiring a belief in god as a requirement for office in those states seem up to date.

Simply look at questioning the President on religion as a scare tactic.

You mean people can be scared into not giving someone a job because of their religion or lack of?
That kind of reinforces the point Sammi made doesn't it.
After all do scare stories about the "wrong" religion run parallel to scare stories about the dirty heathens