Atheists around world suffer persecution, discrimination - report

[Jetavan]

(Reuters) - Atheists and other religious skeptics suffer persecution or discrimination in many parts of the world and in at least seven nations can be executed if their beliefs become known, according to a report issued on Monday.

The study, from the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), showed that "unbelievers" in Islamic countries face the most severe - sometimes brutal - treatment at the hands of the state and adherents of the official religion.
....
While freedom of religion and speech is protected in the United States, the report said, a social and political climate prevails "in which atheists and the non-religious are made to feel like lesser Americans, or non-Americans."

In at least seven U.S. states, constitutional provisions are in place that bar atheists from public office and one state, Arkansas, has a law that bars an atheist from testifying as a witness at a trial, the report said.

These American laws are unconstitutional, and haven't been enforced for about two centuries.

[JamesR]

Religious America sort of hates anyone who is not a Protestant tbh

[Cavaradossi]

(Reuters) - Atheists and other religious skeptics suffer persecution or discrimination in many parts of the world and in at least seven nations can be executed if their beliefs become known, according to a report issued on Monday.

The study, from the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), showed that "unbelievers" in Islamic countries face the most severe - sometimes brutal - treatment at the hands of the state and adherents of the official religion.
....
While freedom of religion and speech is protected in the United States, the report said, a social and political climate prevails "in which atheists and the non-religious are made to feel like lesser Americans, or non-Americans."

In at least seven U.S. states, constitutional provisions are in place that bar atheists from public office and one state, Arkansas, has a law that bars an atheist from testifying as a witness at a trial, the report said.

These American laws are unconstitutional, and haven't been enforced for about two centuries.

I am not so sure about that. In the beginning, the Bill of Rights was most definitely interpreted as applying only to the federal government. States, for example, continued to have established churches, and they also passed their own bills of rights. I guess one could say such laws are unconstitutional according to our reading of the constitution today, but I am not convinced that the same was true when the laws were passed.

[TheTrisagion]

Atheists constantly say they do not have a belief, they have the absence of belief.  How now can they say they are being persecuted for their beliefs?

While freedom of religion and speech is protected in the United States, the report said, a social and political climate prevails "in which atheists and the non-religious are made to feel like lesser Americans, or non-Americans."

The Bill of Rights protects against tangible discrimination, not their feelings.

[stavros_388]

In at least seven U.S. states, constitutional provisions are in place that bar atheists from public office and one state, Arkansas, has a law that bars an atheist from testifying as a witness at a trial, the report said.

No wonder some of them have become so vocal.

[Tags:]

OrthodoxChristianity.net > Moderated Forums > Free-For-All > Religious Topics (Moderator: Carl Kraeff (Second Chance)) > Topic: Atheists around world suffer persecution, discrimination - report