'Like lesser Americans': Atheists face discrimination, persecution, report says

[sinkingfeeling]

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/10/15814394-like-lesser-americans-atheists-face-discrimination-persecution-report-says?lite

GENEVA -- Atheists and other religious skeptics suffer persecution or discrimination in many parts of the world and in at least seven countries can be executed if their beliefs become known, according to a report issued Monday.

The study, from the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), showed that "unbelievers" in Islamic countries face the most severe -- sometimes brutal -- treatment at the hands of the state and adherents of the official religion.

In the United States, for example, where freedom of religion and speech is protected, a social and political climate prevails "in which atheists and the non-religious are made to feel like lesser Americans, or non-Americans," the report said.

In at least seven U.S. states, constitutional provisions are in place that bar atheists from public office and one state, Arkansas, has a law that bars atheists from testifying as witnesses at trials, the report said.

[Curmudgeoness]

1. My first question was....what seven states?

And I found that: States with laws on the books barring atheists from holding public office: Arkansas, Maryland, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. WTF, my state is here!!!! WTF is wrong with PA? And I just thought that I couldn't get elected to office because of the voters' perceptions. Gads.

I will say that if I lived somewhere that brutalized atheists, it wouldn't take much to pretend that I was a believer. It really wouldn't matter all that much----no one can steal my non-belief. And since it doesn't really take much to pretend you are a believer, I could live with that. It's a no-brainer.