Amswer 136

	Sign In Sign-Up

Question136

Have you ever felt the need to stand up for your right to religious freedom? If you did, were you surprised by the reactions of others, pro and con? Were your supporters who you thought they would be?

Not yet, but I figure I'll get a few antagonists when I get my radio show. Eventually, I'll let my feelings on some current religious event be known, and about then that call should come in... (JT IceFire)

I have been asked to explain why I am not a believer but try to avoid it whenever possible. I don't really deal well with the convoluted logic of most believers. I also have a tendency to laugh when they are being serious and that's generally considered impolite.(atheist@home.com #1554)

There's very little situationally for me to actually stand up for. Mostly it's just dodging prosyletizers, whom I have long grown tired of discussing anything with. I feel like I have enough freedom for my own person, being that I can shut them down with one or two strong words or play practical jokes on without fear of reprecussion. Seriously, the only way I see of making these people realize it's OK to think freely is to deny them the automatic sincerity and respect that they expect when they utter "Bible." Debating only makes them feel that they're talking about something important.
To answer the second question, many people who are deeply religious on the "inside" take my side as an atheist rather than defend some of the fundy dogma that goes around. (Hendrix Fan #1692)

Oh, just like every day! And yes, I have always been surprised! It amazes me that many people who scream the loudest about freedom of religion are the ones who also condemn me the most because I don't believe as they do. It also amazes me that some people who are profound believers accept my lack of belief with amazing aplomb - I currently work with two such women. Deep believers and both know of my lack of belief, but we each respect the other's rights, and don't try to force our opinion on the other although we are open about what we believe and don't beleive. (Chani #1118)

I never got into too much trouble because of my lack of belief. I've received much more grief because of my Liberal political leanings.
Being very concerned about separation of Church and State issues, I do support, to the extent that I am able, organizations such as Americans United for Separation of Church and State, People for the American Way, and ACLU. I can't give much, but I hope that I can make at least a small difference. (John Hachmann #1782)

Well, technically, I suppose I might have to stand up for my right to 'unreligious' freedom :> . Overall, though, I have gotten less flack over being an atheist then I have gotten being an anarchist (particularity one of the capitalistic variety). Other then by my parents (rabid foaming at the mouth Fundy Southern Baptists) I really haven't had any really violent reactions to my just matter of factly being an atheist. Perhaps it's because I don't wear it on my sleeve; I don't hide the fact in RL, but I don't go out of my way to announce it. I appreciate the importance of keeping vigil over the tendency of the gangs of religious zealots who would take over if they could, but I don't actually encounter many of them 'on the street' as it were. As intolerent as some of the people I know actually are I've been lucky enough to not have been the direct focus of any active discrimination (at least that I have been aware of) due solely to my lack of religiosity. (Dr. Necrophage)

No, I wasn't really surprised. My fella has been my only real supporter - he's in the "agnostic" category now, but was brought up Baptist, like I was. My Mom doesn't like me to refer to myself as an atheist, as though it were something bad. I told her that I'd never volunteer the information, but if someone brings up the topic and gets in my face, I'm gonna tell 'em, and I'm gonna use the "A" word. (Brenda Nelson #34)

Yes. When I was at our equivalent of your HS (it was run by friars, with both religious and secular teachers) I stated agreement with some atheistic opinions in a religion exam. The teacher was one of the friars and I, obviously, failed the exam. When I asked why, if my reasoning didn't have flaws and it was just a matter of opinions his answer was that I had "wrong opinions". I complained to the principal, another friar, and he asked me if I was sure I didn't misunderstood him. I produced a pair of witnesses who confirmed my words and I don't know what happened then, but the teacher didn't talked to me in the next three years (until I finished) and I got only "pass" in my exams with him.
I was surprised by the reaction of the principal. I thought he was more bigoted but he acted in an unbiased way, perhaps against his wishes, but he didn't let his opinions interfere with his duty. Leaving him apart, everyone reacted as I expected: a pair of the friars showed me their support, also did the students (not a surprise that they lined up against a teacher) and the rest of teachers, religious or not, didn't say a word. Even the religion teacher didn't surprise me, I was pretty sure about his bigotry and I knew in advance he wouldn't like my attempt to demand my constitutional rights. He was one of the "old guard". One of those who still today say "with Franco life was better". (Angel Arnal #1443)

Click here to return to master question page.