This is embarrassing. I surely hope your discussion here on this site doesn’t negatively affect your overall opinion of atheists. I’d like to think the majority of people that consciously identify as atheist are not so thick headed as this Solen individual. Unfortunately, they come in all forms.

I think it’s more than a little disengenuos to compare religion to Nazi Germany or the “genocide” of Native Americans.

But we do agree that no one should be forced to believe. As for”bullying” and “leaving people alone” does that also apply to atheists who attack belief? I can be a believer without attacking atheism, but atheism is, by definition, an active denial of belief.

Yes, Germany did that once with their “Master Race” campaign… religion is no different, casting out those the church doesn’t like, or just pure genocide like the Native Americans. Forcing religion down people throats is being a bully, just leave people alone.

I’m not quite sure what you’re trying to say. I work in a scientific field and am VERY fact-oriented. The fact is (unless you have data to thr contrary), that NO ONE has ever been denied the right to hold office because they were an atheists, regardless of what (in my opinion) misguided laws might say.

Perhaps you could be more specific?

I’m very much opposed to any kind of persecution, but I think you’re grossly exaggerating. Having come from academia, I can say with absolute certainty that in higher education being a believer is a much greater stigma than being an atheist.

It’s troubling that so many atheists have an irrational persecution complex. People are bullied, ridiculed, and discriminated against for all sorts of reasons, including involuntary things like height or appearance. American Atheists and the posters here are constantly riduculing believers — do you find that equally offensive? Or are you only opposed to discrimination against some groups of people and not others?

You don’t get it, do you? Is one thing that you have decided to “believe”. That is your prerogative and you have every right to do it. Trying to undermine reality and brushing off facts are completely another. Having a right to “punish” others and actually doing it are two very different things. People often do NOT do the right thing. Don’t turn a blind eye to what’s going on…oh, I forgot, one can’t make anyone see what they don’t what to see. Feigning ignorance is bliss…

Your comments are completely and utterly ridiculous. Atheists as well as skeptics, agnostics and people who just do not believe in any god, are “punished” on a daily basis. No, they are not beheaded, burned or lynched like they used to, but they are severely discriminated against, shunned and ridiculed by the “faithful”, including friends and family. There are some instances and some places where this is so predominant and severe that it is very difficult for unbelievers to get housing, jobs, ect. Well, I guess not being able to pursuit happiness and live a normal life is not punishment enough for you. This is exactly the kind of mentality we must fight against. It is unacceptable, unconstitutional and immoral.

How many atheists have won an election and then been prohibited from taking office based on these laws?

That said, as a believer I fully support repealing all of these laws / articles.

How about atheist being discriminated against?

Arkansas, Article 19, Section 1:
No person who denies the being of a God shall hold any office in the civil departments of this State, nor be competent to testify as a witness in any Court.

Maryland, Article 37:
That no religious test ought ever to be required as a qualification for any office of profit or trust in this State, other than a declaration of belief in the existence of God; nor shall the Legislature prescribe any other oath of office than the oath prescribed by this Constitution.

Mississippi, Article 14, Section 265:
No person who denies the existence of a Supreme Being shall hold any office in this state.

North Carolina, Article 6, Section 8
The following persons shall be disqualified for office: Any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God.

South Carolina, Article 17, Section 4:
No person who denies the existence of a Supreme Being shall hold any office under this Constitution.

Tennessee, Article 9, Section 2:
No person who denies the being of God, or a future state of rewards and punishments, shall hold any office in the civil department of this state.

Texas, Article 1, Section 4:
No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office, or public trust, in this State; nor shall any one be excluded from holding office on account of his religious sentiments, provided he acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being.