Non-Believing US Voters Feel Demonized

AFP:

One presidential hopeful is a preacher, another proudly Mormon, and most openly tout their Christianity. In an arena where faith can make or break a politician, the one in 10 Americans who profess no religion feel left in the cold.

"They're very disconcerted," said Darren Sherkat, an atheist sociology professor specializing in religion at Southern Illinois University.

Read the whole story: AFP

Comments

[Leefeller]

Religion and Politics a symbiotic relationship used by both since mankind started killing each other.

[kvass]

Huffpo -- why has this blog been deleted ?- it is a breath of spring in these silly times. I hope it is reinstated as many of the comments are very worthwhile considering the direction politics of the right are heading.

[outnow]

A Christian state, a Jewish state, a Muslim state. Need I say more. How oppressive and undemocratic can one be? Democracy does not work where one group controls the state. Our founding fathers knew that from the European experience.

The only true religion, the saved ones, God's chosen people, the promised land are concepts that guarantee permanent war or ethnic cleansing at best.

Look at the Catholics and the Protestants in Ireland and England. Look at the crusades.

From my perspective, the concept of God is not a useful one to explain the mysteries of the universe. Who created the creator? Was he/she/it always there? Nobody can answer these questions.

Being a "Christian nation" will only interject prejudices into governmental decision -making and create a scapegoating of those the majority faithful decide are "evil."

Why is it that everywhere one looks, religion is the excuse to cause injury to one's brother? I fear the religious more than the criminal. The criminal wants to steal or rape, the religious are trying to convince themselves of something, from my experience, they don't even truly believe themselves.

If you are Mother Teresa doing good acts, then fine, but how many of you "true believers" have recently lifted your finger for another human being. Even Mother Teresa doubted God - so how can you others even claim to believe. You don't fool me.

Now if a bolt of lightening hits me, then you will know what happened.

[kvass]

It seems to be a situation of "intelligent design" religious fanatics vs. intelligent thinking citizens quite comfortable in their acceptance of not having a god in their life. Perhaps those who have the god/monkey on their back
(and they expect to for eternity) are envious of our freedom. But like the mormons banging on doors or the pentecostals with with their never ending missions to save our souls, these weird but well-meaning people will never get it. It seems to me that more and more of the godless are standing up to be counted which is good. I hope that continues.

[lungfish]

feel demonized? We ARE demonized... we are the people that Mitt and Huckabee and others are talking about when they decry secularism, when they attack people who aren't Christian or who don't by into their hate-mongering theology... we are the bad guys in their world. They speak the language of devisiveness and, in spite of their claims of upright Christian ways, they would have us removed from the planet if they could get away with it.

Yea we are demonized.... and they are demonic.

A bunch of psychos parading as pious, "good" Christians, whatever the hell that means. In any other context somebody who professed belief in Holy Ghosts, angels, demons, etc would be considered to have had a psychotic break... How are they any different from the guy in the back of the psych ward who hears voices and talks with invisible beings?

Yea, they demonize us but they are insane... and so are their followers.

[GodIs]

I'll pray for your souls.

[mrcontinental]

As long as they keep their crap between them and their imaginary friends live and let live I say. But as soon as they try forcing their crap on me I will consider them the enemy and fight them as viciously and ruthlessly as I would anyone attempting to take my freedoms away.

I am a decent man because I was born that way. I don't need the threat of "eternal damnation" as a excuse to treat my fellow man with dignity and respect.

[CologneCitizen]

The world outside America strongly hopes the "non-believers" will vote this big ass sucking party out of the White House.

No more religious weirdos needed, but a strong, sincere, trustworthy personality to rebuild America in the sense of your founding fathers.

[wijg]

I don't feel demonized, I feel really, really relieved and grateful that I have NOTHING in common with the religious nutcases that are running this great country into the ground, and the 25-28% of the U.S. population that follow and believe in them. I'm proud of the standards with which I was raised. I believe in championing causes that protect those that have lost their right to be heard in our so-called "Democracy." I believe in a strong middle class, because without a middle class, this country fails.

These people can keep their "God" that obviously condones bigotry, deceit, hatred, and intolerance. Who are the demons here?

[DrVeruju]

Ban the words "They" and "Us".

Keep "We" (the People)

[Mike169]

"Demonized" - hardly. I would think that most "non-believers" just shake their heads at this blatant pandering to a base with so little intelligence that they buy this crap. It's a sad commentary on the state of affairs within the country at this time.

[cognate]

What is more preposterous than a God that came into this world through a vulva?

Do you suppose it was shaved?

[dmcrane]

All I can say to Lt is "amen".

[Tankan]

Non Believers are not demons, because even the real demons know there is a God.
It is not the non believers who are at war with one another, rather there is a centuries old war between Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Ironically, the common denominator between all three is that they all profess to worship the same God, that is the God of Abraham. Blind leading the blind, into the ditch they stumble and fall.

[Pdubya]

if one can arrive at the golden rule through a religion, fine.

to wear it on one's sleeve and damn the rest, by inuendo, preachings, or marginization is pure heretic fundamentalism.

as if atheists can not be compassionate, tolerant, or peaceful.

we're not alone. thanks for this

blue dog democrat atheist for ron paul