Michele

Atheists are the most hated and mistrusted minority in the United States. The picture above shows North America and the percentage of people who identify with religion (expect Mexico) 1991, 1998, 2000, 2001.

Atheism is misunderstood. There is often a lack of understanding  about what it is to be an Atheist. Hiding from the facts and everyday current events because they aren’t to your liking and filling your head with rosy colored realities… is of course your choice. I am certainly not here to convert anyone. I challenge you to use your critical thinking to understand the world we all live in.

I realize to some the negativity towards atheism isn’t a shocker. Some of you may have stumbled across my page out of curiosity. While others are much like I was ten years ago, spiritual but not religious. Whatever the cause of your visit, I challenge you to escape from all dogma. If you happen to be a closeted atheist I encourage you to keep looking forward and finding people of like minds to share in your non-belief. I am lucky to have a partner who is, as I am, an atheist. There is a tremendous amount of literature on how to better understand what it is to be an atheist. I hope my blog reaches you in a positive and motivational way.

Growing up I thought an atheist was synonymous with the Antichrist or devil worship so I never thought much about becoming an atheist. My own misunderstandings got in the way of becoming a better educated person. Atheists don’t believe in witches, warlocks, and we certainly don’t believe in the devil. Their are no ghosts in our closets, no such things as phantoms or haunted houses, no magic incantation to cure cancer and no way to astrologically predict anyone’s personality. Superstition is a figment of the imagination. The supernatural experiences you hear about are delusions of one person’s  perceptions.  It is impossible to test any of the supernatural claims. The Amazing James Randi has offered a one million dollar cash prize to anyone who can prove the supernatural. If you think you are able to prove your psychic abilities, by all means please prove us wrong. I would be delighted to have some solid evidence to prove the existence of god, but there isn’t any.

Atheophobia is the fear, distrusts and/or hatred against atheist and atheism. Examples of atheophobia:

–anyone who believes atheist are without morals
–the belief atheist can’t have meaningful lives
–the claim atheist shouldn’t be allowed to express their beliefs in any way

Examples of discrimination towards non-believers:

-The Boy Scouts of America does not allow atheist to join
-In custody battles there are countless cases which favor the religious over the lack of indoctrination
-Several polls show 50% of Americans would not vote for a qualified presidential candidate if he or she were an atheist
–You’re deemed high risk if you are in the  military and don’t believe  in a god
-Here is a recent interview on Fox in regards to creating a atheist chaplain in the military, notice how negative the interviewer is and offended by the idea atheist need a chaplain type supporter within the military
– Atheist put to death for their non-belief in 13 countries

In America, eight states won’t allow an atheist to run for public office and in some cases sit on a jury.
Arkansas:
“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:
“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:
“No person who denies the existence of a Supreme Being shall hold any office in this state.”
North Carolina:
“The following persons shall be disqualified for office: First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God.”
Pennsylvania:
“No person who acknowledges the being of a God and a future state of rewards and punishments shall, on account of his religious sentiments, be disqualified to hold any office or place of trust or profit under this Commonwealth.”
South Carolina:
“No person who denies the existence of a Supreme Being shall hold any office under this Constitution.”
Tennessee:
“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:
“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.”

I’ll end this post with something I found rather interesting in regards to atheist and prison thanks to a favorite friendly atheist website.

For a detailed looked on how this spreadsheet was compiled go here. Hemant Mehta writes the process in getting the percentage of atheists in prison by requesting the information the Federal Bureau of Prisons with the Freedom of Information Act.

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“If you talk to God, you are praying; If God talks to you, you have schizophrenia.”

– Thomas Szasz

I was living in a  studio apartment in Tacoma, Washington. I was 22 and nothing was going my way. I had two jobs and another one on its way. I was planing on taking the Series 6 to sell insurance for Woodbury Financial. I was a server at Jillian’s in Tacoma and also working as a host at a casino called Freddie’s.

In 2001, I was a promising young all-nude entertainer at a local gentleman’s club. It was a wonderful job. Everyday I would learn something new about myself, compliments boosted my confidence, and I had the most money I’ve ever had. I was a spiritual guru trapped in a stripper’s body.

I was listening almost exclusively to Dr. Wayne Dyer and I wanted to motivate people. I wanted to give a little happiness to the lonely. Manifest your destiny! Everything happens for a reason. You get what you give. Everything was great until it wasn’t.

I was watching the news in the early morning when I saw a plane hit the second Trade Center tower. When I arrived to work a handful of regulars filled us in on the latest news. No one really knew what was happening. All the girls were worried. Everyone was worried. When people are in fear for war or the unexpected they don’t spend money on lap dances.

The hit was catastrophic to a new dancer’s career. I panicked. Interviewed for several positions at various locations and stopped dancing. It felt like more security, but I just spread myself out too thin. I was over-worked and under-paid.

After a few months of working I became muddled with depression. Maybe it was all the rain, but whatever it was I found myself alone in my studio searching for change. I lay in my bed, staring at the ceiling. I was 22, and I needed to do something with my life. But what? Vegas was in the back of my mind, but I didn’t want to go alone. Tormented with not knowing what to do, I tossed and turned until I heard the Lord’s voice a voice in my head. “Go to Vegas.” And that’s all the confirmation I needed.

I was on the phone with my girlfriend, Joy, the next day. I gave my noticed of leave and never looked back. It was the best thing I’ve ever done.

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