The topic seems silly, doesn’t it? Surviving Atheism? This is the 21st century, isn’t it? Aren’t we a more tolerant, accepting species than we have been in even just a few decades past? I used to believe so but then I grew up watching The Jetsons, and was certain we’d all be in flying cars by this time. Here we are, in mostly he same old internal combustion engine driven vehicles and yes, trying to survive atheism.

It’s not as if atheists are being jailed (in the United States) but eight states have language in their Constitution prohibiting atheists from holding office. These of course, fly in the face of the U.S. Constitution which explicitly prohibit any religious test for holding office (Article 6). As far as I am aware, no one has at least recently been jailed or even prohibited from being an atheist, but there always is, at least some, social stigma, declaring oneself to be a non-believer.

When I look at being an atheist for myself, I am certain I have been excluded from a social circle or two but I have no regrets as those that refuse to accept a non-believer into their social group probably have the same opinion about brown or black people. Yes, even Jews. These intolerants are becoming fewer. but in some instances, louder (note the antisemitic protests on campuses around the country). I’ve known some atheists that claim coming out as an atheist would probably affect career advancement. That’s probably true although illegal. Then again, how many ways do employers have around anti-discrimination law? Why take a chance?

When I look back, I can think of only a single instance, career-wise, where I may have lost an opportunity because it was known I was an atheist. At the time I didn’t think much of it because I wasn’t interested in the offering because all it meant were additional headaches of which I had enough. It may have been a boon to my career, but then, maybe not. The person eventually selected didn’t last a year. There are other ways to hold dimedone back, and being a non-believer shouldn’t be on the list. Anywhere. But it is, in some places.

Will people ever be able to drop their petty prejudices, bigotry over beliefs as well as race, gender, and sexual orientation, just to name a few? Probably not in any near future.