Poll: Should Atheists Have a Say?
A recent rally in D.C. highlighted the concerns of atheists, including the infusion of religion into public life.
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Are more atheists coming out of the closet?
Some are saying yes, especially after a “Reason Rally” last weekend on the National Mall in Washington, organized by American Atheists, an organization that advocates for the separation of government and religion.
The rally, which attracted thousands of participants, comes as culture conflicts have become part of presidential politics this year. Participants said they wanted to talk about how public policy has recently been influenced by theology.
“The majority of us just want rational public policies based on facts, not someone's book of cobbled together fantasies," Dwayne Windham, 34, from Austin, TX, told USA Today. "Atheists have to carry our weight on an intellectual and a moral basis. The worst thing you could do is be immoral and stupid."
Atheists groups also had been erecting billboards across the country in advance of the rally with their message, according to CNN, which recently reported on a billboard placed in a Muslim neighborhood in New Jersey that said in both English and Arabic, “You know it’s a myth… and you have a choice.”
“We’re looking for equality for atheists," David Silverman, president of American Atheists, told CNN. "We are here to say there are atheists in your community, in your church."
A report by Trinity College in Connecticut shows that the number of people who identity themselves as atheist has nearly doubled since 1990, according to a 2009 report on NPR.org.
Fifteen percent of Americans say they have no religious affiliation, NPR reported.
In Maryland, there are approximately 950,000 adherents to Catholicism, the largest identified group in the state, according to the Association of Religion Data Archives. More than 3 million in the state are “unclaimed,” which means they are not adherents of the 188 groups in the religion data surveys.
Furor over religion—or lack of it—has been at the forefront of 2012 presidential politics, with cultural issues infusing debates, especially those on women’s issues.
Last week, protestors on Ellicott City’s Main Street decried a U.S. health care mandate that would require health insurers to cover all FDA-approved contraception methods.
Between 250 and 300 people attended the “Stand Up for Religious Freedom—Stop the HHS (Health and Human Services) Mandate!” rally in front of Congressman Elijah Cummings's office on Main Street in Ellicott City Friday to protest his support of the mandate.
Weigh in below. Are you a closet atheist? Are there more atheists nationwide?
Lorna D. Rudnikas
8:57 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
So says Dwayne Windham, 34, from Austin, TX, told USA Today. "Atheists have to carry our weight on an intellectual and a moral basis. The worst thing you could do is be immoral and stupid." I find it fascinating how the darling defines atheists...ahhh yes, intellectuals and morally on target. As we push the buttons toward a socialistic country with communism beating at the doors...of course atheism is not far behind. Atheism, in fact, is a crucial element. Each is in lock step with the other, so very, very intellectual.... And so the big "shake down" continues...the change that everyone voted for is here folks...one change after the other. Not quite what you invisioned, is it? Don't worry..hold tight, it has a way to go...on track...almost like a plan. mmmmmm. Oh for God's sake, what would ever make my tiny little brain go in that direction?
brian pile
10:01 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
What's atheism got to do with communism?
Lorna D. Rudnikas
9:02 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
Sorry, I missed responding to the important question...Should atheists have a say? Why not? Has anyone ever demanded that they NOT have a say? Ahhhh, but I guess the question for me is.... does this have anything to do with CHANGE???
Walt Hiteshew
10:45 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
Athesism is as much a religion as any valid religion. It It has it's dogmas and mythology just like the rest. Its principle doctrine is that everything is reasonable and exists in objective reality. But what is reasonable about life? For what reason are we born, What reason for death? What reason is there for love, compassion, anger.....
If reason is so reasonable why has rational man presided over the greatest wars of history? The truth is that life is not reasonable or rational. Atheists have niether the intellectual or moral high ground. It's a free society (or what's left of one), Atheisists have their say at the ballot box just like everyone else. Now, having failed to attract any real numbers, they want special consideration. They want their opponents disenfranchised. Atheisism - communism - the gulag - liquidation. It's all part of a pattern.
brian pile
11:27 am on Friday, March 30, 2012
What is the dogma and mythology of Atheists? The Atheist principle isn't that everything is reasonable, it's that there is no good reason to believe in supernatural beings.
Also you're confusing reason (verb) to make judgments, from reasons (noun) why things happen.
Bruce Goldfarb
1:36 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
Atheism is a region the same way not collecting stamps is a hobby.
Elle Eliot
3:01 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
Why must there be a reason at all? What if there is no reason, and we are all simply here? Would that make your life not worth living? Would you love your family and friends any less if that were the case?
Danielle
1:29 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
Oh for goodness sakes! Of COURSE they should. They're citizens, and last time I checked (at least for now), there is no religious litmus test for having an opinion, or vote.
Lorna D. Rudnikas
6:17 pm on Friday, March 30, 2012
In response to Brian Pile....communists tend to be atheists which is not to say that atheists are communists. Just another cog in the wheel of "change"....
Evil Satanic Communist Atheist with a Massive Donger
12:04 pm on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Whitchdoctors tends to be religious, which is not to say that the religious are withcdoctors. See, the game can be played both ways! :-D
Susan B.
11:57 am on Saturday, March 31, 2012
The title of the article is so ridiculous that it's offensive. And I am not a person who is easily offended. What if the title was "should gay people have a say" or "should black people have a say?" or "should women have a say?" Anytime you contemplate whether or not one group of people have the right to express themselves as if it's questionable you have completely lost sight of our Constitution and it's Amendments.
Lorna D. Rudnikas
11:03 pm on Saturday, March 31, 2012
Absolutely agree, Susan.
Zoobie
9:36 am on Thursday, April 5, 2012
There is no such thing as an Athiest (One who does not believe), for even they Believe that they Don't Believe!!!
Lorna D. Rudnikas
12:33 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012
I like your great sense of humor John Zubalik!!!
Lorna D. Rudnikas
12:36 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012
My final thoughts on the rally in DC.....the "divide and conquer concept" appears to be moving forward on target...on time...Lord Love A Duck!!!