# Atheists vs gays **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 11, 2013, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-vs-gays/663239 "2013-07-11T18:06:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-vs-gays/663239/1 "2013-07-11T18:06:33Z")
Which would win in a fight…? Nah, just messing with you. Imagine a worldwide poll taken of opinions of everyone on Earth over the age of 16. The question is - “Who do you object to more - a vocal atheist or openly gay man?” When the results have been tallied up, which group wins (I’m aware they’re not mutually exclusive)? There’s also a ‘neither’ option for optimists. I’m _not_ asking you that question - but want to know what you think the global result would be. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-vs-gays/663239/2 "2013-07-11T18:09:55Z")
People will object to the atheist more. The gay man is just breaking God’s rules. The atheist is denying God outright. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-vs-gays/663239/3 "2013-07-11T18:13:10Z")
I disagree. I think the majority will think they can convert the atheist. Remember that saying “no atheists in foxholes”. I get the feeling a lot of religious folks think atheism is sort of a fad and we’ll all get over it one day when we need to pray or something. Gays, on the other hand… ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-vs-gays/663239/4 "2013-07-11T18:13:43Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > People will object to the atheist more. The gay man is just breaking God’s rules. The atheist is denying God outright. I’m not sure. People see really offended by gay people. Atheists are just screwing their own afterlife. Gays are threatening society. Or so I’ve heard. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-vs-gays/663239/5 "2013-07-11T18:17:28Z")
> [@kayT](#): > > I disagree. I think the majority will think they can convert the atheist. They think they can convert the gay man, too. He’s just made the choice to be gay, after all. Edit: And polls repeatedly show that atheists are the least trusted group in America. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-vs-gays/663239/6 "2013-07-11T18:30:59Z")
I’m retarded because I didn’t understand that the question was, “How do _you_ think others would vote.” But I hearby stand by my vote for “neither” and add that I think American society is evolving to be accepting of both, in the majority\*. \*Hides rose colored glasses. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-vs-gays/663239/7 "2013-07-11T18:38:27Z")
Just to add, when it comes right down to it, atheists would totally win because the gays are better dressed and everybody knows you can’t fight in a Tom Ford shirt, skinny fitted slacks and Ferragamo shoes. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-vs-gays/663239/8 "2013-07-11T18:41:39Z")
Wow, a chance for a middle-class middle-age Midwestern Christian straight American to pass judgment on people not like me! Pass. ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-vs-gays/663239/9 "2013-07-11T18:42:46Z")
A global poll would easily result in Atheists being voted the worst. I say this as a gay atheist, I know the hatred of both. Let me just put it this way: my family and friends all know I’m gay but they certainly don’t know that I’m an atheist except for the ones who I know are also not religious. What I’m saying is, it’s a more important secret to keep that you are atheist, than that you are gay. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-vs-gays/663239/10 "2013-07-11T18:45:30Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > I’m retarded because I didn’t understand that the question was, “How do _you_ think others would vote.” > > But I hearby stand by my vote for “neither” and add that I think American society is evolving to be accepting of both, in the majority\*. > \*Hides rose colored glasses. Ha, I wondered who the relentless optimist was. I’m surprised that the atheists are winning, so far. A global attitudes poll [on homosexuality](http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/06/04/the-global-divide-on-homosexuality/) reveals that in Muslim countries only a tiny minority think society should accept homosexuality - 3% in Egypt, Indonesia. 2% in Pakistan, Tunisia. To my surprise only 16% in Russia, and 53% - barely a majority - in _Greece_ of all places! ETA: > [@Prof P](#): > > Wow, a chance for a middle-class middle-age Midwestern Christian straight American to pass judgment on people not like me! Pass. What? I’m asking about global attitudes. Of _every_ human, totted up. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-vs-gays/663239/11 "2013-07-11T18:46:55Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > A global poll would easily result in Atheists being voted the worst. I say this as a gay atheist, I know the hatred of both. Let me just put it this way: my family and friends all know I’m gay but they certainly don’t know that I’m an atheist except for the ones who I know are also not religious. > > What I’m saying is, it’s a more important secret to keep that you are atheist, than that you are gay. do you think the same is true in Europe, Asia, Africa? I really don’t know enough to venture a guess. As a non-gay atheist, in the U.S., being atheist has never been an issue. I assumed being gay would be from time to time. ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-vs-gays/663239/12 "2013-07-11T18:51:16Z")
> [@Mr.Kobayashi](#): > > ETA: > What? I’m asking about global attitudes. Of _every_ human, totted up. Oops. Sorry 'bout that. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-vs-gays/663239/13 "2013-07-11T18:55:18Z")
> [@drewtwo99](#): > > I say this as a gay atheist Heh…gaytheist. ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-vs-gays/663239/14 "2013-07-11T18:59:23Z")
Don’t most people who would object to either assume that they are the same thing (i.e., that gay = atheist)? ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-vs-gays/663239/15 "2013-07-11T19:03:28Z")
> [@Mr.Kobayashi](#): > > I’m surprised that the atheists are winning, so far. A global attitudes poll [on homosexuality](http://www.pewglobal.org/2013/06/04/the-global-divide-on-homosexuality/) reveals that in Muslim countries only a tiny minority think society should accept homosexuality - 3% in Egypt, Indonesia. 2% in Pakistan, Tunisia. To my surprise only 16% in Russia, and 53% - barely a majority - in _Greece_ of all places! Except, we keep hearing that there is a line in qrn/hdth that says something like “suffer not the unbeliever to live”, so tolerance of neither is very good. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-vs-gays/663239/16 "2013-07-11T19:04:56Z")
> [@Misnomer](#): > > Don’t most people who would object to either assume that they are the same thing (i.e., that gay = atheist)? Why would they? Apart from the Fred Phelps of the world, as well as other ultra-conservative “one true scotsman” christians (a vast minority), I’ve never heard run-of-the-mill christians consider gays to be atheists. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-vs-gays/663239/17 "2013-07-11T19:10:23Z")
As much as I hate perpetuating the persecution complex I’ve seen lately amongst atheists\*, I do think more people are going to have a problem with a vocal atheist, because that translates to one that openly tries to convert. There’s no other reason to be vocal, otherwise. \*that they probably picked up from their Christian brethren ---
**Author:** ![Misnomer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misnomer/32/14897_2.png) [@Misnomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Misnomer)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-vs-gays/663239/18 "2013-07-11T19:35:03Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Why would they? Apart from the Fred Phelps of the world, as well as other ultra-conservative “one true scotsman” christians (a vast minority), I’ve never heard run-of-the-mill christians consider gays to be atheists. Really? Many of the Christians I’ve encountered assume that gay people are atheists because being gay is prohibited by so many religions. (They don’t separate the practice of any particular religion from a belief in God.) ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-vs-gays/663239/19 "2013-07-11T19:40:31Z")
Using the US as a model for world attitudes is a mistake China, India and Africa constitute more than half of the world population. Given that atheism is state recommended religion in China, and Hinduism is fairly compatible with atheism, I doubt that most would have any problems with an vocal atheist. I also doubt that they would be as forgiving of homosexuality, particularly in the rural areas. Also people in Africa may or may not like atheists but they sure seem to hate homosexuals, a view that is probably exacerbated by the AIDS crisis. So I’m going to have to go with homophobia for the win. So I’m going to have to vot ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2013, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-vs-gays/663239/20 "2013-07-11T20:37:15Z")
> [@Misnomer](#): > > Really? Many of the Christians I’ve encountered assume that gay people are atheists because being gay is prohibited by so many religions. (They don’t separate the practice of any particular religion from a belief in God.) None of the major sects of christianity hold that view. They certainly hold that homosexual activity is sinful, but not “being gay” (yes, that’s sadly the hair they choose to split). Additionally, they’ll tell you homosexual activity is just as sinful as any other sin. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-vs-gays/663239.md?page=2)