Not a single case of anti-atheist discrimination in 2007, according to US Commission?

Great Debates
81

Let us take one small example. Look at these two You-Tube videos of Paula Zahn on CNN discussing last January why ahteists are so hated. In the first video, we see actual cases of American families, persecuted, threatened, taunted, thrown out of their homes, etc. for their atheism.

Does any of this strike you as discrimination, my friends?

But look at second video! Following the news report Paula Zahn has assembled three people ALL OF THEM THEISTS, to discuss the issue of anti-atheist prejudice and discrimination. NO ATHEIST is present!

Can you imagine for one second a discussion about anti-black prejudice in which only white people participate??? A discussion about anti-semitism in which three gentiles espouse the opinion that Jews “bring it on themselves”?

The so-called discusssion is an extremely offensive session of atheist-bashing in which we are told that atheists believe “nothing” and are “imposing their beliefs on other people.” Not a single atheist there to oppose them.

Can you believe the African-American dismissing anti-atheist discrimination and violence because it takes place mainly in the South? Can you imagine someone saying the same thing about anti-black violence (I know racism is not confined to the South; I am just asking you to imagine how he would react if the shoe were on the other foot).

Can you imagine any other group being treated this way on American TV?

Now in the interests of accuracy, I must admit that after a huge outcry, Paula Zahn DID have the head of the Amereican Atheists and Richard Dawkins on her show. But even then, the head of American Atheists was confronted by a theist who was very agressive and argumentative. You can find that second show on Youtube as well. I believe you can see it here. In the discussion following the Dawkins interview, note that the CNN interviewer is essentially asking the atheists what is wrong with them and why they are such whiners.

Funny how an atheist appearance must be balanced by the opposing viewpoint but the Pope or any other religious leader is never “counterbalanced” by an atheist viewpoint.

82

Let us take one small example. Look at these three You-Tube videos of Paula Zahn on CNN discussing why atheists are “so hated”. She apparently does not have a problem using the word “discrimination” unlike one of the posters on tghis thread.In the first video, we see actual cases of American families, persecuted, threatened, taunted, thrown out of their homes, etc. for their atheism.

Does any of this strike you as discrimination, my friends?

But look at second video! Following the news report Paula Zahn has assembled three people ALL OF THEM THEISTS, to discuss the issue of anti-atheist prejudice and discrimination. NO ATHEIST is present!

Can you imagine for one second a discussion about anti-black prejudice in which only white people participate??? A discussion about anti-semitism in which three gentiles espouse the opinion that Jews “bring it on themselves” and no real reason to complain? Can you not imagine an outcry in Congress and even from the President about this one-sided and bigoted reporting. But it is not politically wise to come to the defense of atheists, now is it?

The so-called discusssion that follows the news report is an extremely offensive session of atheist-bashing in which we are told that atheists believe “nothing” and are “imposing their beliefs on other people.” Not a single atheist there to oppose them.

Can you believe the African-American dismissing anti-atheist discrimination and violence because it takes place mainly in the South? Can you imagine someone saying the same thing about anti-black violence (I know racism is not confined to the South; I am just asking you to imagine how he would react if the shoe were on the other foot).

Can you imagine any other group being treated this way on American TV?

Now in the interests of accuracy, I must admit that after a huge outcry led by atheists themselves (I know of no politician or justice-loving religious person who came to our defense), Paula Zahn DID have the head of the Amereican Atheists and Richard Dawkins on her show.

But even then, the head of American Atheists was confronted by a theist who was very agressive and argumentative. You can find that second show on Youtube as well. I believe you can see it here. In the discussion following the Dawkins interview, note that the CNN interviewer is essentially asking the atheists what is wrong with them and why they are such whiners.

Funny how an atheist appearance must be balanced by the opposing viewpoint but the Pope or any other religious leader is never “counterbalanced” by an atheist viewpoint.

83

The 24-hour news networks feel that they’re fulfilling their duty to be objective by presenting counterarguments, no matter how crackpot the opinion. That’s a whole 'nother can of worms.

84

Wow, two post copies and then three post copies in a row. That’s got to be some kind of record.

85

An atheist invited to give his opinion on CNN will almost always have to face a theist ready to tear into him, in the name of fairness. Okay, fair enough.

How may religious people, preachers, etc. have to face an atheist viewpoint as a counterbalance when they go on? Is the guy who reads the “sermonette” on late-night TV followed by an atheist for balance? When the Pope is reported as saying that the answer to world peace is prayer, does an atheist get to go on and discuss the results of scientific tests on intercessory prayer, or ask just to ask why 2000 years of millions of people praying for peace has still not put an end to war?

86

Here’s a link to a man who lost his job for admitting to being an atheist after being pressured by a religious boss.

Note that the “cover” for the firing was poor performance.

I wonder how many other devout employer/managers would casually fire an atheist, if they knew of his or her atheism?

87

Lemme fix that link.

88

Shoot, looks like the Boston Globe won’t let me link. I found it on Fark.

89

And the truly appalling part about that story is how our allegedly secular government is refusing to enforce the law by appointing an investigator or doing any kind of inquiry to determine whether the firing was related to his beliefs or not. I mean, where are the protections of his rights to believe as he chooses?

That’s what really turns my…

[sub]oh.[/sub]

90

Had I attempted to make any such point, I would be chagrined. As it is, I am … not chagrined.

91

Ex-worker says atheism got him fired by DeCoster
Maine Human Rights Commission investigator agrees.

92

Well, that’s pretty awful. But I do like the wording of this quote from the article:

“A consultant to DeCoster confirmed that the owner doesn’t approve of people who aren’t married, Lelli said.”

:slight_smile:

93

So anything short of enslavement is no problem?

94

That statement bums me out. The Chrsitians you know/have met sound really lame. Wait, is that statement based on personal experience with individual Christians or your observations of the group as a whole?

Also, if God were not worshipped in this country, would you still find the references offensive?

95

Sorry. I can’t spell today.
No membership, no modifying, no saving face.

96

That wasn’t my point at all.
I was simply saying that the struggle for freedom from religion is not comparable to the historical struggles cited.