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|NEXT STORY »

US Atheists Step 'Out of Closet'

Growing movement seeks acceptance, not members

By Matt Cantor| Posted Apr 27, 09 10:14 AM CDT|

(Newser) – Atheists across the country are turning up the volume, gathering openly and advertising their lack of faith, the New York Times reports. Their goal isn’t to win others over—“The most important thing is coming out of the closet,” said one activist—and win acceptance for their beliefs. And their numbers may be growing: A recent survey saw “no religion” as the only group that grew in every state.

The demographic’s growing presence is in part a backlash against the weight of the religious right under the Bush administration; a secularist surge on college campuses has also boosted the movement, as have new books which treat atheism as a cause as opposed to an argument. Ten national groups have formed the Secular Coalition for America, which plans to lobby Washington for separation of church and state.

In this Tuesday Jan. 6, 2009 file photo, Richard Dawkins, author of 'The God Delusion', poses in front of a London bus with an ad: 'There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life'. (AP Photo/Akira Suemori, file)

KMPS country music station radio hosts pose in Seattle with an atheist sign that was turned into the station. (AP Photo)

A San Francisco man, a member of the local chapter of American Atheists, holds up a copy of the original Pledge of Allegiance that does not contain the words under God during a protest in 2007. (AP Photo)

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46 comments

VIEWING:

Observer
Apr 27, 09 10:50 AM CDT

If God created Atheists - why can't he make them believe in the caveman inspired supernatural myths that led to modern Christianity? Reply

IN RESPONSE:

myvoice
Apr 27, 09 11:09 AM CDT

hahahahahahaha! I guess we Atheists just don't get it!!!

IN RESPONSE:

paul123
Apr 27, 09 11:25 AM CDT

Because he doesn't make anybody do anything, assuming you believe in God in the first place.

IN RESPONSE:

Collusive
Apr 27, 09 12:15 PM CDT

did god tell you that he doesn't make you do anything or is that just you being 'creative'

IN RESPONSE:

woody66
Apr 27, 09 1:14 PM CDT

I am open to the guidance of synchronicity, and do not let expectations hinder my path. - Dalai Lama

| 0 minutes ago

bcfilmguy
Apr 27, 09 11:24 AM CDT

Hallelujah! Reply

| 0 minutes ago

NutsInNY
Apr 27, 09 11:26 AM CDT

FWIW, my idea of hell would be 76 virgins. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Rob
Apr 27, 09 11:56 AM CDT

You mean a Star Trek convention?

IN RESPONSE:

NutsInNY
Apr 27, 09 2:48 PM CDT

LOL!

| 0 minutes ago

TerrifiedCitizen
Apr 27, 09 11:36 AM CDT

Atheists haven't been hiding anywhere; they're some of the most vocal people I've talked with... they exit our institutions of higher learning in the thousands every year, armed with their Macs and definite ideas about indefinite theories. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

myvoice
Apr 27, 09 12:07 PM CDT

And you know all of them right? People like TC are ignorant if they think they they know all of any group. oh wait...that's called stereotyping !!!! WTF !!!

IN RESPONSE:

Raggle_Fraggle
Apr 27, 09 5:27 PM CDT

It's not that we're vocal angry people. We just get vocal and angry over stupid and ignorant sayings like that.

IN RESPONSE:

woody66
Apr 28, 09 3:56 PM CDT

Is Christ the "real" son of God as opposd to Buddha or Mohammed ? Is my God better than yours ? ...or are we all just part of the same life field; this wonderful energy that breathes us and sustains us every minute ? We are not separate from it. There is no separation but in our minds. No need to give "it" (this) a name. It (this) is nameless. Just swim in the river and live the moment. The moment is where truth lies. Right before your very eyes. The finger points but don't grab the finger. Look where it points.

| 0 minutes ago

skylinesandsunsets
Apr 27, 09 12:06 PM CDT

As an Atheist for 20+ years, I'm thrilled to see this much needed uprising. Despite centuries of persecution from religious zealouts, the Atheist lives on. It's only a matter of time and scientific advancement before Atheism is mainstream. My only regret is that Dr. O'Hair isn't alive to see this. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

myvoice
Apr 27, 09 12:08 PM CDT

I agree!! the more secular we become as a nation the more democratic we will be! Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Collusive
Apr 27, 09 12:16 PM CDT

"Imagine there is no religion" Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Rob
Apr 27, 09 12:21 PM CDT

"Imagine there's no HEAVEN"

IN RESPONSE:

drlarrymitchell
Jul 18, 09 5:01 PM CDT

"Nothing to kill or die for."

| 0 minutes ago

freethemall
Apr 27, 09 12:59 PM CDT

I'm not a believer, and as a non-believer I'm certainly not an atheist. In my view, an atheist is a believer; he believes there is no God. I'm humble enough to assert that "I don't know". I'm a freethinking agnostic. It seems self evident to me that there is a "higher power"- the power of the universe that we as humans are learning more and more about. But I do not believe that any knowledge is to be gained by perusing "scripture', because I don't believe the creator of the universe has authored any book, That doesn't make me an atheist. I am a freethinking agnostic. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Mad
Apr 27, 09 4:05 PM CDT

I am a freethinking agnostic. Reading the Bible, which advocates prejudice, cruelty, superstition, and murder, convinced me that was not the God I seek. I see powerful evidence of a deity in everyday life. Things like the moon is 2,000 miles across and the sun is over 850,000 miles across, yet from Earth they have nearly the exact same aspect ratio, allowing us to witness solar eclipse unlike any other planet. Or how a plant absorbs carbon dioxide and water, and creates sugar and oxygen. (6)CO2 + (12)H2O = C6H12O6 + (6)H2O + (6)O2 Pretty neat trick. So, whereas, I'm fairly certain there is a God, I am equally sure, it ain't a Christian God

| 0 minutes ago

Anonymous
Apr 27, 09 1:18 PM CDT

Finally... Religion - or the three worst religions - Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, are shrinking back to the hell hole they came from... Religion is the death of the mind and it is past due time (because of religion) that we advance to reach for our greatest potential as living conscious, communicative, creative, thinking beings. www.myspace.com/positive_brain_change Reply

-1

IN RESPONSE:

Rob
Apr 28, 09 1:29 PM CDT

Oh yes? And what makes these the worst three? Because they are the ones you are aware of? Educate yourself.

| 0 minutes ago

newsrmandan
Apr 27, 09 3:54 PM CDT

athiest at least are honest they think no God exist. Some people say they believe but then say they don't believe in the Bible or they say Jesus was and is not God. they to me are worse than atheist. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

freethemall
Apr 27, 09 5:00 PM CDT

Atheist and believers in some particular religion, such as Christianity or Islam, have this in common: They claim to know for certain that there is, or is not a God (however one defines "God", higher power, ultimate cause, etc.) Why is it dishonest to assert that I just don't know. The scary thing about people who think they do know, is what this unshakeable knowledge might lead them to do. Like fly airplanes into buildings, or bomb abortion clinics. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

AnnieChrist
Apr 27, 09 5:48 PM CDT

Thank god for atheists!! Reply

| 0 minutes ago

ezrider
Apr 27, 09 5:57 PM CDT

If those of you who are true atheist,why do you fight so hard aganist something you say don,'t exist? Reply

-1

IN RESPONSE:

Raggle_Fraggle
Apr 28, 09 8:41 PM CDT

We aren't fighting against god. We're fighting against the bigotry and ignorance that religion permits.

-1

IN RESPONSE:

PaleRider
Apr 29, 09 9:42 PM CDT

Keep telling yourself that, you must belong to the rare chapter of the , "Oh we don't care if you believe just as long as your cool" atheist cause.

-1

IN RESPONSE:

Raggle_Fraggle
May 1, 09 2:43 PM CDT

PaleRider, do you see atheists attacking Shintoism, Buddhism, or Paganism? No. You know why? They don't do anything particularly wrong. Atheists always attack the same two religions: Christianity and Islam. Islam is obvious; it's tied to violence. Christianity is subtle. The Christian Right is brainwashing children to be bigots like you and make them as anti-intellectual as them. I have no problem with liberal Christians except that they give the conservative ones enough legitimacy to carry on their viral conversions. So if people's faith need to be challenged to bring down the radicals, so be it.

IN RESPONSE:

Raggle_Fraggle
May 1, 09 2:50 PM CDT

Oh yeah. Next time you argue with someone, don't judge them by their group. That's called stereotyping, you bigoted prick.

| 0 minutes ago

AnnieChrist
Apr 27, 09 6:21 PM CDT

Congratulations EZ, you win the coveted "Most Pointless/Most Clueless Comment of the Day" award. Note to 'Myvoice," keep trying, you came very close to winning. Reply

-2

IN RESPONSE:

PaleRider
Apr 27, 09 9:09 PM CDT

EZ is 100% right, if there is no God then why would they care if people believe in anything. Because it's not about not believing in God now is it?

IN RESPONSE:

Rob
Apr 28, 09 1:28 PM CDT

BS Pale. The reason to fight against god/religion is because it subverts and undermines aspects of society that do not welcome the input. And if you doubt this for one second then refer yourself to the constant attack on Evolution and ask yourself what religious people know about the subject. I can tell you that they know little to nothing and negatively impact the science education of student's at every level. Teach what you want inside the walls of your establishment, but keep it in there.

IN RESPONSE:

PaleRider
Apr 29, 09 9:33 PM CDT

And under the same guideline of your statement, They can choose to not believe in God, but don't try to force other people to do the same or eradicate all signs of it from their view. This is one of the most ignorant arguments of all time and I'm not even that religious. Most Atheists have malicious intentions of eradicating all semblance of any religion from anything that they can see despite the fact that they are in the minority. If they do not like it, to bad.

| 0 minutes ago

newsrmandan
Apr 27, 09 7:19 PM CDT

What does not exist cannot be percieved. You cannot percieve of God unless he exist. Opposite of belief in God is not atheism. It is complet silence regarding God. If atheist were true to there belief we would never hear anything about God from them. Atheism Hinges on the belief that God does not exist. I believe God exists because He says so. Atheist believe God does not exist because they say so ultimatly that makes them god. Just to follow the logic and be consistant atheist do not exist. Further more there thoughts regarding God are at best mere thoughts. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Raggle_Fraggle
May 1, 09 2:46 PM CDT

Lack of belief in a god is still atheism, dum dum. Atheism is the opposite of theism, which is the belief in god. Atheism is just not having that belief. Use a dictionary, not a bible.

| 0 minutes ago

kirei_gaisuto
Apr 27, 09 8:15 PM CDT

Whatever. It's a free country. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

freethemall
Apr 27, 09 9:23 PM CDT

Those who believe God speaks to the through scripture, believe this because the scripture they believe in tells them this is so. It seems to escape them, that this is circular logic. It's been said that if one argues with a fool, that makes two fools. Maybe I'm a fool, but I feel compelled to make such people see the error of their way of thinking. Reply

-1

IN RESPONSE:

ezrider
Apr 27, 09 10:08 PM CDT

Thanks PaleRider &newsrmandan you see who's blind and who is not

IN RESPONSE:

SPH
Apr 28, 09 2:56 PM CDT

"Centrifugal force" does nor exist but is readily perceived...False argument....

| 0 minutes ago

newsrmandan
Apr 27, 09 10:40 PM CDT

the God christians around the world worship do so because the Bible -Gods words- tells them to do so. The better question is who is this Jesus guy, He claimed to be God whats up with that. Freethemall--I will grant you the circular logic if you will tell me how you got to be on this earth. Isn't belief in the evolutionary process more circular? Zillions and trillions of years come on? really? I don't say that in a sardonic way at all I just want to know the truth and so far the Bible has not been undone. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

freethemall
Apr 28, 09 12:11 AM CDT

Newsmandan, I think I can tell you believe the Bible to be the absolute truth to the extent that it is interpreted correctly. If I asked you why you believed this, you would say because the Bible said so. You say if I can tell you how I got to be own this earth, you will concede that your logic about God's word being the Bible is circular. Well, I can't tell you how I got to be on this earth, because I don't know. That's what being an agnostic is-- not knowing. Scientist do not claim to know anything for certain either, but they do have theories. Evolution is a theory. The notion that disease is caused by germs, is also a theory. In science, even the most assured conclusions are subject to change in the light of new evidence. This is different than religion, that has final immutable truths that can be discerned if the holy scriptures of the particular religion can be interpreted correctly. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

newsrmandan
Apr 28, 09 1:32 AM CDT

Freethemall, thanks for your honesty. Knowing something with out a doubt can be problematic at best for finite minds. If one was to "know" God then one would have to be at least as big. Christianity does not claim to know God completely, but only what He has revealed of himself that we must. Of course rightly interpreted is all part of it. You stated earlier --- "Like fly airplanes into buildings, or bomb abortion clinics." referring to those that think they know of the existence of God. That statement and that which came before it is has so many straw men I can't even begin to touch all of them. But the abortion clinic bombings you and I both would agree that they are equally as horrifying as the 9-11 attacks but to tie them together and say that they were caused by people who believed in the God of the Bible is a bit too big of a straw man to not say something. Those that do that kind of thing believe in a god of their own making. I don't know of one Bible believing christian that thinks killing abortion workers is in the pale of right interpretation. God or no God killing unborn babies might be the most horrible thing my mind has ever come across. As a fellow human being I hope you would agree with that. I understand that evolution:theory line and agnosticism bit but isn't it that E. is a way to sidestep true faith in Christ. And isnt Agnosticism just an elevated cop out for living that so called good humanistic life? Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Alexandria
Apr 28, 09 1:45 AM CDT

I respect peoples beliefs providing they want to cause no harm to others or themselves. But I don't understand how people who believe in God can fight and kill over God. And I will never understand how someone who believes in God and Jesus (both of which promote loving everyone equally) can just dismiss someones religion or sexuality. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

ezrider
Apr 28, 09 8:29 AM CDT

alexandria you touched on something,that God and Jesus promoted love.That same Jesus taught us to beware of false prphets,who come to you in sheep's clothing,but inwardly they are ravenous wolves and he also taught that a tree is known by the fruit that it bares.Every good tree bares fruit,every bad tree bares bad fruit and this is the same way with those who try to hide behind christianty to cover up their wrong doings.I agree with newrsmandan completely

| 0 minutes ago

freethemall
Apr 28, 09 1:13 PM CDT

Newsmandan, I really didn't mean to imply that most Christians would bomb abortion clinics, or, for that matter, most followers of Islam would fly airplanes into buildings. If I gave that impression I regret it. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

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US Atheists Step 'Out of Closet'

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UK Man Worships at
Church of Climate Change

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in Italian Classrooms

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European Union • Italy • religion • Catholicism • European Court of Human Rights • crucifiction