Religion has gained major importance in the lives of many Americans. A Sept. 11 Newsweek article cited a poll that found Americans believe in God by a margin of 92 to six. These numbers are up significantly from previous years. But the increased emphasis on faith has brought unnecessary suspicion and prejudice toward those not so religiously inclined.
In fact, a study conducted at the University of Minnesota found a large portion of the American public views atheists as a threat to the American way of life. The prejudice that this belief suggests toward atheism is ridiculous and offensive as well as dangerous.
The pretense of this opinion is laughable. Can a nation who prides itself on freedom of religion really view atheism—which can be labeled a religion—as dangerous?
The statement that atheism is a threat implies some action should be taken against atheists to eliminate the danger. And this would go against the American way as dictated in the Constitution, a tangible guideline for American society.
As an atheist, I found this statement hurtful. To suggest that atheists are a threat implies that we are religiously corrupt and contribute nothing to society. But many atheists hold important positions in society without being destructive or morally subversive in any way.
The man who set your broken arm or the woman developing alternate fuel sources is not dangerous just because of his or her religious beliefs. My rejecting the idea of God does not make my columns subversive or obscene.
The real danger here lies in the idea that Americans are still capable of such ignorance and alienation. To harbor the belief that atheists are dangerous, immoral monsters that must be controlled encourages prejudice and injustice—two aspects supposedly absent from American society.
This view of atheism promotes a lack of understanding that could cause increased prejudice and hatred in the future. And I would prefer not to be excluded from a shop by a sign that reads “No pets, no atheists.”
