The majority in a culture is usually how things are decided in a democracy, but the majority is a culture isn't who we usually hear from. We hear from the vocal minority.
I've no problem with anyone's beliefs, providing those beliefs don't insist on people who don't believe to conform. In other words, I don't believe in beliefs by force.
It's not so much that people shun atheists, so much as people shun people that aren't exactly like them, it's the same reason that things like racism can never be entirely wiped out - there's always going to be some irrational dislike of someone based on appearances or beliefs.
I know in America at least atheists are the most distrusted minority. I think it's different other places though. Any from that are can correct me, but I think it Europe and Denmark it tends to be a non issue for the most part.
I know in America at least atheists are the most distrusted minority
I'm gonna have to disagree with you there. In this day and age, that dubious honor belongs to Muslims in the United States.
Most cultures shun non-believers like atheists.
What do you think about it?
I'm not sure exactly what kind of discussion you're trying to start here? I doubt that you'll get anyone who goes and says "I think we should discriminate against atheists because yada yada yada". So...I don't think that anyone should be discriminated against due to their beliefs as long as those beliefs don't infringe on the beliefs or happiness of others. I also think that some people don't like atheists because of the whole "godless heathen" stereotype, others because their religion tells them that any other belief is wrong, and some just don't like anyone who believes something different than they do. But I really haven't seen any serious discrimination against atheists for being atheist before. Of course, that's just me.
It's rather strange thinking about the way America goes about dealing with Atheism, apparently dealing with it as somewhat of a taboo, when so much of Europe is now full of Atheists - certainly amongst the younger generation(s), I'd be hard-pushed to find anyone that believes in God(s).
Surprisingly when I was a kid many people me tined that they were free thinkers to be, I.e agnostics which goes to show how nonchalant we are about things.
Many people told me that they were free thinkers, ie agnostics.
The only time I use the term free thinker instead of atheist is when I'm in front of my uber Catholic grandmother who owns the house I live in. (Besides the huge risk of making my living conditions 100x harder, I decided it would likely hurt my grandmother for her to find out I had no belief in any gods.)
wiki 'Freethought is a philosophical viewpoint that holds that opinions should be formed on the basis of science, logic, and reason, and should not be influenced by authority, tradition, or other dogmas. The cognitive application of freethought is known as "freethinking," and practitioners of freethought are known as "freethinkers."'
Websters Freethinker; one who forms opinions on the basis of reason independently of authority; especially : one who doubts or denies religious dogma
Urgh yeah I do know that. But on further questioning they turned out agnostic albeit with atrocious religious knowledge. We mar English with our mouths.
but I think it Europe and Denmark it tends to be a non issue for the most part.
1st denmark = europe but w/e
in most european countrys it's not a big deal to be a atheist. we understand that other people have other believes and therefor they are NOT less of a person.
maybe this map can help you all a bit to see where atheism is a bigger problem then other places.
