Atheists are Child Molesters...

[Larz]

Has anyone ever noticed that if you let others know (at least in the US) that your nontheistic or atheistic that they associate you as being in the same crowd as child molesters?

I bring this up because me and my fiance (both nontheists, me from the get go her reformed) where discusing religon in the workplace and came to the discovery that we havn't told a single person at our workplace that we are nontheistic... hell, we havn't even told half our friends such (the friends that do believe in some diety figure.)

Taking a closer look at why we havn't brought about the same, chilling answer... that if we did we would be treated as somehow 'evil' like we go home every night and pound 7 year old boys in the ass over upsidedown pentagrams and crosses all painted in virginal blood.... I was wondering if anyone has noticed that growing belief.

[General Zod]

I've never noticed such a problem, but then again if people you know are so stupid as to associate 'atheist' with 'child molester' automatically, then I'd be one to move on and get more intelligent friends.

[Darth Wong]

Where do you live? I once lived in a rural area once where people thought like that, but I've never felt the need to clam up about my nonbelief in Toronto.

[Mr. T]

Where do you live? I once lived in a rural area once where people thought like that, but I've never felt the need to clam up about my nonbelief in Toronto.

I find it hard to believe in even the rural-ist of rural areas people would actually equate atheism with child molesting I mean that's as silly as equating Priests with child molesti......oh wait

[Flagg]

I've never had that problem here on the space coast in Florida. The problem I have when the subject has come up and I say I'm an athiest is that they try and get me to go to church with them, and preach at me every chance they get.

[The Wookiee]

When the definition of "atheist" includes "immoral", then there's a fucking problem somewhere. The religious right LOVES to demonize atheists and other secular people because they're the main opposition to their attempts to enforce their ideology as law. To that end they tend to enforce the rumor that atheists are all evil, like we're about to wax our moustaches and kick some babies, or maybe cackle with evil glee while pissing on a bible. And while I might do the latter, I find it utterly sickening that this frighteningly obvious bigotry is being carried out on such a frequent basis.

[GrandMasterTerwynn]

Has anyone ever noticed that if you let others know (at least in the US) that your nontheistic or atheistic that they associate you as being in the same crowd as child molesters?

I bring this up because me and my fiance (both nontheists, me from the get go her reformed) where discusing religon in the workplace and came to the discovery that we havn't told a single person at our workplace that we are nontheistic... hell, we havn't even told half our friends such (the friends that do believe in some diety figure.)

Taking a closer look at why we havn't brought about the same, chilling answer... that if we did we would be treated as somehow 'evil' like we go home every night and pound 7 year old boys in the ass over upsidedown pentagrams and crosses all painted in virginal blood.... I was wondering if anyone has noticed that growing belief.

You make it sound like you live in the Province of Hail Jesus of Fundamentalist Assjackistan. I don't think I've ever seen that sort of reaction among people. I've seen people who will automatically attempt to convert the straying heathens, or think you're sad for not believing in their concept of "hope" and "love," or who think you're thoroughly strange, or fundamentally misguided or deficient for not believing in their god. But I've yet to see anyone who would say that atheists are Satanic child molesters, outside of some of the darker depths of rabid Christian webboards.

[Larz]

Surprisingly we live in very moderate New Mexico. And perhaps the title is a little overexageration (certainly got peope to look, go me!) but they still tend to feel less at ease around us. I've lost a few friends, gained a few annoyances due to my nontheistic views so mainly I just clam up and contribute jack shit when people start talking about their church events and bible study, youth group, so on and so forth...

[mr friendly guy]

It seems where I live atheists can be equated to communists, or more to the point, communist countries get dubbed "atheist countries" when it suits the religious right to do so. But I haven't heard of any one equating non theism with child molesting where I live, unless you also happen to be homosexual.

[Vicious]

I've never seen that kind of rabid fundamentalist reaction, but I wouldn't be surprised at it. I don't bring religion up with anyone unless it ties into whatever we are talking about. It's just better to avoid the subject entirely rather than turn every situation into a potential confrontation. If asked, I'll state my beliefs, but I won't bring it up.

[Larz]

It's never bothered me before, but I've started thinking about it since me and my fiance have been talking about our second wedding reception in Tulsa, OK to benefit the rest of her family.

Essentially, I'm getting the feeling that I should just shut up, grit my teeth, and agree about the big friend in the sky during the reception to appease her truely god-fearing lutheren grandparents and such... and this is going to be difficult. The reception is being held by her god parents, and there's talk now about having a mini wedding ceremony out there, with preaching and family priests, mutual communion and the works... The impression that I get is that I would quickly become the black sheep of the family and in thus drag down my fiance's relations with them (they still believe she's a practicing lutheren....)

So I'm presented with the option of dancing the monkey dance or sticking with my beliefs and being thought of as 'evil' (she has told me stories of how her grandmother used to tell her not to talk with atheists because they are mean, evil, and nasty... also, I like how her grandmother used to use atheists as examples of the bad monsters that lurk abouts if you wandered to far from home... )

[Darth Wong]

That's an understandable concern. In my case, in-law animosity was a done deal even before they knew I was an atheist, so it really didn't matter if they knew.

[GrandMasterTerwynn]

It's never bothered me before, but I've started thinking about it since me and my fiance have been talking about our second wedding reception in Tulsa, OK to benefit the rest of her family.

Essentially, I'm getting the feeling that I should just shut up, grit my teeth, and agree about the big friend in the sky during the reception to appease her truely god-fearing lutheren grandparents and such... and this is going to be difficult. The reception is being held by her god parents, and there's talk now about having a mini wedding ceremony out there, with preaching and family priests, mutual communion and the works... The impression that I get is that I would quickly become the black sheep of the family and in thus drag down my fiance's relations with them (they still believe she's a practicing lutheren....)

So I'm presented with the option of dancing the monkey dance or sticking with my beliefs and being thought of as 'evil' (she has told me stories of how her grandmother used to tell her not to talk with atheists because they are mean, evil, and nasty... also, I like how her grandmother used to use atheists as examples of the bad monsters that lurk abouts if you wandered to far from home... )

Oh, so you're going to visit the Province of Hail Jesus of Fundamentalist Assjackistan. I'm sorry.

A thing about concealing your beliefs, that's going to be difficult to do. Sure you can pull it off if nobody asks to closely and you don't volunteer information, but if there are any substantial discussions that you have no choice but to be a part of, then the odds are that something's going to slip. Then you will be revealed as both an atheist and a liar. Just look at the debacle of Don't Ask-Don't Tell in the military. It will be much worse if you've never been baptised, as this will become immediately obvious during the ceremony when you shake the pastor's hand and don't take communion (they're rather picky about that. You cannot take communion at all, without being baptised.)

There is absolutely no feasible reason to get married again. You'll have done it once already, and there'll be little point to doing it again. If they do the whole big family Thanksgiving Day thing, volunteer to be there for that, but don't do something stupid like volunteer to get married all over again just to satisfy the whims of people you'll only see three times a year.

[Larz]

I'm going to have to play it by ear as coming right out and declaring myself nontheist in a room filled to the brim with fundamentalists might not bode to well. I suppose I'll just beat around the bush, give as little an answer as I can get away with, and generally prod the reception towards drink, merriment, and how crappy other in-laws lives are... I'll manage I suppose.

Back on topic though does anyone else feel like they kinda have to keep hush, hush on their atheism until they know someone well enough? And do you folks think that's complete bullshit.

[Steven Snyder]

It's never bothered me before, but I've started thinking about it since me and my fiance have been talking about our second wedding reception in Tulsa, OK to benefit the rest of her family.

I have to agree with GrandMasterTerwynn on this one, going through a wedding ceremony for your family's benefit? If this is the result of them pestering you about it, consider the precedent that you will set if you go through with it.

Essentially, I'm getting the feeling that I should just shut up, grit my teeth, and agree about the big friend in the sky during the reception to appease her truely god-fearing lutheren grandparents and such... and this is going to be difficult.

I don't mean to sound harsh, but it is you that makes the decision of where people classify you. If you place yourseif in a submissive postion below those grandparents, to be corrected and guided by those people, then don't expect to be treated like an equal.

The reception is being held by her god parents, and there's talk now about having a mini wedding ceremony out there, with preaching and family priests, mutual communion and the works... The impression that I get is that I would quickly become the black sheep of the family and in thus drag down my fiance's relations with them (they still believe she's a practicing lutheren....)

I suspect they know what is going on, and I suspect they are just using subtle manipulation to get you to guilt you into doing their bidding.

Don't worry about being the Black Sheep of the family, because you are starting you own family. If you want to raise your kids the way you want to, it is time to draw the line and say "NO". The minute those people find they can get their claws into you, they will know they can get their claws into your kids...and they WILL try.

So I'm presented with the option of dancing the monkey dance or sticking with my beliefs and being thought of as 'evil' (she has told me stories of how her grandmother used to tell her not to talk with atheists because they are mean, evil, and nasty... also, I like how her grandmother used to use atheists as examples of the bad monsters that lurk abouts if you wandered to far from home... )

I mean this in the most sincere way...Is it really that important for you to be on good terms with a bunch of bigots?

[Enforcer Talen]

Im agresssively atheist. If they dont like it, tough.

[Battlehymn Republic]

If that's true, then apparently atheism is the second disease hitting the Catholic Church.

[Erik von Nein]

The worst I've come across is my rather weirdly contradictory, semi-fundamentalist friend (evolution is true, except humans didn't evolve ) and, at that, all he does is get giddy over a former atheist (not me) going back to Christianity.

[DPDarkPrimus]

Im agresssively atheist. If they dont like it, tough.

It's only fair that you be as persistant as those annoying co-workers who babble on about how great Jesus is.

[Nephtys]

Random personal story that somewhat applies to the topic...

I grew up as basically the only atheist in a town in upstate NY full of protestant christians, a noticible portion of them well into the nutbar section. My middle school had a fairly large bible study club there, that'd meet there every morning and read verses, and well. I do suppose my beliefs were strongly shaped by them. Because I'd always get to school about a half hour early, I usually waited outside of the classroom they used (which was my homeroom), reading some popular science magazines or books or whatever.

You can see where this was going. Kids like to pick on other kids for whatever reasons. I was pretty smart, and fairly athletic, so they can't do a thing there. But once when people were talking about religion in the hallways, I commented that I don't get what the big deal is, and that I didn't believe in any God. And oh, that got me in trouble. A few of the bible club aggressively harassed me to 'get saved' or 'give myself to Jesus'. In retrospect, it's rather amusing that duress seems to be a perfectly acceptable way to endorce conversion. Anyway, they used to point out how awesome stuff was for them thanks to Jesus, or how they were safe from evil witch heretics like me. They (and some adults at public events, such as school camp chaperones) used to wave their 'moral superiority' over this pathetic thirteen year old girl's 'reason-based beliefs'. Apparently, they considered 'atheist' a mortal insult, even 'agnostic' was the equivilent of a slap in the face. I remember even 'commie' being tacked on by those ignorant kids.

Basically, it all boiled to a point where one of the fundie bunch was so frustrated that I could actually just point out the bullshit involved in a talking snake, a giant flood, and 7000 year old earth, that this guy a year or two older than me actually attacked me on the school ground. He pushed me into a tree, and hit me for not accepting Jesus. I was of course, no where near a match for this kid. So I whinged a rock from the ground into his face, and was vindicated as he was taken away with a broken nose, and the blame for attacking me.

So much for moral high ground, eh? Anyway, end of story. There's enough idiots in the world who see the world in absolutes, and love imagining themselves as white-hat protagonists, even while being cruel bastards to people.

[wolveraptor]

You got to whack one of the jackasses?!? And got away with it?!? You are a lucky, lucky bastard.

Anyways, I don't think the connection between molestation and Atheism is common. Not only is it not accurate, it's pretty random. There are a million more connected "crimes" with Atheism, such as Satan-worshipping, secularism, communism, etc. Why add something as unconnected as child-molestation to the list?

[Nephtys]

You got to whack one of the jackasses?!? And got away with it?!? You are a lucky, lucky bastard.

Anyways, I don't think the connection between molestation and Atheism is common. Not only is it not accurate, it's pretty random. There are a million more connected "crimes" with Atheism, such as Satan-worshipping, secularism, communism, etc. Why add something as unconnected as child-molestation to the list?

Because they're incredibly simplistic. Anything not them is bad. Example of the worst (and most inadvertantly hilarious) 'insult' I was called was... no joke...

Liberal Communist God-hating Dyke Hippie.

So you see, these types have a tendancy to label things with as many percieved evil labels as possible, to further show how 'good' they are by comparison.

[Zero]

[sarcasm]Well, see, when HE beat you, it wasn't because he was a violent ass hole, or a douchebag, or even because he was a stupid ass hole. It was because he was such an upstanding moral person that he understands that any amount of torture/abuse is righteous to SAVE you from the ETERNAL torment in hell![/sacrasm]

This has been your jackass fundie comment for the week, from Zero.

[wolveraptor]

Yeah, but the above insult was almost redundant, it was so well-connected. After-all, extreme authoritarian liberalism is communism, and liberalism was associated with hippies...in the seventies. Furthermore, acceptance of lesbianism (also a stereotypically "liberal" trait) is associated with being a lesbian. That's why if you support gay rights, you're often considered gay yourself. And surely you've heard the phrase "God-hating lib'ral" before?

So really, the above "insult" was in synchronisation with what I said in my first post: they generally associated atheism with related things, such as liberalism, communism, etc.

[Alferd Packer]

So I'm presented with the option of dancing the monkey dance or sticking with my beliefs and being thought of as 'evil' (she has told me stories of how her grandmother used to tell her not to talk with atheists because they are mean, evil, and nasty... also, I like how her grandmother used to use atheists as examples of the bad monsters that lurk abouts if you wandered to far from home... )

You know, not participating won't necessarily mean you're a non-theist. In fact, they may go the opposite way and think you a member of some other religion. If you stand quietly out of the way, odds are they won't bother you....unless, of course, they want to give you a little litmus test to make sure you're not an EEEEEEVVVVIIILLLL AAAATHEIIIIIISSSST.

If confronted, however, you can always throw out the bit from the Bible about praying alone in the closet. Or just up and say that you're a nonbeliever. It's not like you'll come to blows over it...right?