Atheists = The Ninjas of Minorities
According to a study done by the University of Minnesota, atheists are more distrusted than any other minority. That includes all ethnic/racial minorities, gay men and lesbians, women, and members of any religion, including Muslims and Jews. The study was done via a phone survey in which participants were asked, among other questions, who they would feel least comfortable with their child or children marrying. Considering how far some of the other minority groups have to go before being accepted by mainstream American society it’s not just a little concerning that we’ve got an even steeper climb ahead of us.
On the plus side, since we are such a disparate group that has yet to decide on an official armband color we’re less likely to be picked out in a crowd, so long as we keep quiet about our beliefs. Like ninjas, we can blend in almost perfectly in any social situation, so long as it’s not a church bake sale (holy cupcakes make us vomit up the Disbelief Demon residing in our intestinal tract).
Honestly I don’t mind that so much, because that’s all I want out of the faithful. I don’t want everyone to be atheist - that would be dull and annoying. Religion in and of itself can be a good thing, and if it speaks to some then good for them.
But just as we’re courteous enough not to broadcast our disbelief like a touchdown celebration whenever a topic arises that has a tenuous relationship to faith, I feel it’s perfectly reasonable to expect the same. And to be fair, most of the faithful do reciprocate that courtesy. It’s their minority that are the loud-mouthed bigots that make everyone look bad (faithful and non alike), just like it’s our minority that make us look like elitist, bickering pricks.
Basically I’m saying don’t ask, don’t tell. Live and let live. So if you promise not to tell me why I should follow your faith, I promise not to sneak into your pagoda and slit your throat before vanishing in a cloud of smoke.
The Evasion-English Dictionary
One Response to “Atheists = The Ninjas of Minorities”
By Ted Goas on May 16, 2008 | Reply
Says it all, doesn’t it? I agree that some theists practice this as well, but it’s the ones that don’t that give religion a bad name.