Is it true that not only theists but also atheists feel persecuted for their stand on issues relative to religion? In what ways does this reverese persecution against atheists manifest?
Which theists - apart from those on the radical fringes in America, or those living under certain repressive regimes - feel 'persecuted' for their stand?
Are we talking about all theists or atheists everywhere, at any time?
It was pointed out on another thread how unusual it is for someone publicly atheist to be elected to high office in the US. Is that 'persecution'?
Several members have complained, in posts or privately, that Christians are discriminated against in these forums. At least some of the specific incidents mentioned have actually been someone disagreeing with their views. Another incident resulted in my showing, with facts and figures from numerous sources, that certain claims made by the member just didn't hold water, and that just possibly, the member was misinformed by those quoted. It seems to me that those whose religion isn't given preference often claim discrimination.
Fuse posted, in AP or DP, a joke which ended up with one member of a certain religious sect wishing the death or another member of an almost identical sect. The only difference was, essentially, that one belonged to the West Side Church, the other the East Side Church, or something very close to that difference. "Die, unbeliever!" was the last line, I think. In my opinion, that was an accurate description of how many Fundies see things. It's all very sad.
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I think I may have been a victim of "reverse persecution", if I understand the term. I very often feel that I have been treated better than I deserve. Does that count?
Originally posted by DorianGreyed: Several members have complained, in posts or privately, that Christians are discriminated against in these forums.
Thats proberbly is because most atheist here are well versed in the Bible (and not Quran) and it perhaps is not easy debating against 2 sides from one place (that is christanity point of view versus atheism and then Islam).
When I came up with the phrase "reverse persecution," I wanted to see whether this phrase would annoy anyone to rebelliousness. I am glad that it, instead, resulted in requests for clarity. I got the phrase from "reverse discrimination," which essentially means "discrimination against the majority group, which ordinarily does not receive too much discrimination." Now, I realize that I made a boo-boo, because atheists, not being the majority group (if you agree), cannot be said to be on the receiving end of reverse discrimination, here reverse persecution. I think that I can rectify my wrong by just asking you all to remove the word "reverse" from the second question. Despite my confusion, it is interesting that frankvan managed to offer an interesting take on how the atheist feels he/she has been treated: he seems to not feel as mistreated as he might have been.
There seems to be one moral here, which is that religious persecution should be accessed equally as to whether it is theist against theist, atheist against atheist, theist against atheist, or atheist against theist. Has anyone heard of one atheist persecuting another atheist?
NNN made a good point that religious persecution requires that one factor in time and place. There are likely places in which atheists are the majority, and whether or not they are susceptible to reverse persecution is, again, a matter dependent on time and place. Has anyone heard of theist on atheist reverse persecution, which would occur when and where atheists are the majority?
A handful of red-state senators, a religious right nudge in congress and a constitutional amendment or interpretation by the present or future SCOTUS and watch the atheist persecution start! We've always known that a low profile was necessary, everywhere. Like being a Jew in 1935 Germany.
