Atheists identified as America’s most distrusted minority
Thanks to Brian for calling my attention to this article. I'm re-posting my comment to his blog entry here because this one really struck a nerve for me.
Reading this article, I feel much the same way I did after the 2000 election, wondering where I fit in this country and how it got so much away from me. Why do the people polled seem to assume that atheists have no moral sense of right or wrong, that they weren't brought up with a conscience? Why is it that so many religious conservatives seem to be less concerned with the "common good" and more concerned with upholding their personal belief system? Case in point, see the abstinence-only crowd's disappointment in a vaccine to help prevent cervical cancer.
I am only mildly heartened by this quote: "The researchers also found acceptance or rejection of atheists is related not only to personal religiosity, but also to one’s exposure to diversity, education and political orientation—with more educated, East and West Coast Americans more accepting of atheists than their Midwestern counterparts."
Much like after the 2000 election, I start to think about secession. . . And I remember a quote that really struck me from The Concession Speech We All Wanted to Hear. The one that described "us" as "the people who speak in glowing and respectful terms about the heartland of America while that heartland insults and excoriates us. . . Because we're "morally inferior," I suppose, we are supposed to respect your values while you insult ours." Why do I have to be so freaking polite while certain people put down everything I value?
Maybe because I was brought up with a conscience I still respect these people's opinions and beliefs. I just wish they would respect mine.