I had an argument with another atheist recently. Well into the 21st century, I am surprised to discover people, atheists, that have no idea of what even the idea of atheism is all about. You know, the non-belief in god(s). I have given over to the proposition that there are this many atheists, at least in the United States, because people like the word atheist. Atheist. It’s a word that rolls off the tongue easily but sharply due to the reaction received by some people as if their dog collar had given them a bit of a shock.

The person I’m referring to must live in a masochistic reality where whenever he calls himself an atheist, he is shocked into ecstasy that is orgasmic in its very nature. Yes. Seriously stupid. One of the reasons I dislike anyone, anywhere making any statements about being an atheist, claiming in some part to represent we poor ignoble few. Stupid. Yes, I know it’s harsh but sometimes it’s the only world that can be found in the dictionary that fits the ignominy of a complete lack of knowledge on a subject that one speaks constantly about.

Modern atheism has no agenda, that I’m aware for or even care about, other than to prevent religious indoctrination, of any kind, in our very public school systems and to keep our government focused on the welfare of all of the people they represent, not just a few of one belief versus another. And that’s the last part: not subjecting any religious belief (or no belief) to any more scrutiny than any other. This is something our founders thought long and hard about before coming up with the first ten amendments to the very new Constitution of a very young United States of America They are known as The Bill of Rights which were carefully scripted in order to put right, what had been wrong for so long under British rule.

In case you’ve never noticed, the much hailed First Amendment, which people use constantly to remind others concerning an individual freedom of speech. And which, most media like to cite as their protection from government interference concerning that they publish in print or on air. Many seem to forget though, that the first rights mentioned under the First Amendment concern religion. That’s right. Before anything else the framers wanted to make sure that the government could not create a state religion, as England had, or prevent people from worshipping as desired (another holdover from, yes, England).

What, if anything does any of this have to do with being an atheist? Well, other than the right to freely worship as we please (or, not worship) then it follows that in the United States, not only can we declare our religious belief openly, but our non-belief as well. Of course, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a social stigma attached to being atheist and then there are the issues of career advancement. Yes, there are still pockets of bigots of all stripes that somehow find a way to thrive, like bacteria. This to me means that there will always be prejudice popping its ugly head up somewhere against any and all that claim no belief in the supernatural.

It shouldn’t be though that people automatically take on the moniker of atheist without understanding what they are doing and how it may affect their lives in the future. Baptists, Methodists, even Lutherans don’t have to worry about their future depending on their connection to their denominational beliefs, Yes, even those (what used to be) evil Catholics may walk in the sunshine, unaffected by their connection to the Vatican, Atheists?