To those bemoaning the presence of the divine in the inauguration

[jeff47]

234. You don't think it applies when all 5 of your quoted criteria apply?

First, you are confusing the concept of a protected minority with minority in general. But let's go with your misunderstanding anyway.

1) You gonna pretend prayer in school, nativity scenes, "under God" plastered everywhere, and a host of other lawsuits don't or didn't happen? You gonna pretend people don't get fired for being atheists? (I have). There are polls asking, "would you vote for a president who is a ______?". In such polls, atheist does worse than any non-felon. For example, "gay" beats "atheist" by 15%.

2) Atheists don't go to church. Nor do they pray. And sometimes, we point out that forcing us to pray isn't something for us to just "get over". That's different cultural traits that sets us apart, and is disapproved by the dominant group.

3) While not all atheists belong to a group, there are many atheist groups.

4) Who belongs: People who don't believe in God. Who does not: People who believe in God.

5) Atheists tend to marry atheists. Just like members of religions tend to marry within their religion.

Though I'm sure that individual atheists have faced discrimination, there is little documented evidence of systemic (institutionalized) discrimination against atheists

Seriously? How, exactly, did you make this statement without instantly realizing it was false? Never heard of 'school prayer' or a host of other lawsuits that reached the SCOTUS?

But back to your original error: discrimination is only a criteria for legal protection of a minority. The minority exists regardless of discrimination.