Have atheists ever been persecuted??
813503
Yes all the time but it's usually done by other atheists.
97859
Probably because of people like you who are so full of their own convictions that they must shove them down everybody's throat.  I have yet to hear of atheists who have killed, maimed, tortured, stolen, invaded, forcfully converted a people in the name of the Non-God as has been done for hundred of years by the so called faithful who were spreading the truth! Oh, and no thanks on the info.  As Madonna recently sang "...i've heard it all before...."
249487
I am sorry to not be able to offer better company. If it is of any relief, I did meet one guy a long time ago who was a true atheist. His belief was that mankind would be better off the sooner they realized that a higher power was neither existant nor necessary. I was intrigued to find someone of such a like and opinion. Although I do not agree, I did respect his thoughts and beliefs. Unfortunately, the rest of the class overheard and went off on him. I had to apologize for it was not my intention when I first asked. So, no, you're not alone.
772872
The world's first self-proclaimed atheist governments, made the 20th century the bloodiest and most brutal century in human history. An estimated 25 million people were murdered by the atheist government of Chairman Mao in China, approx 8 million were slaughtered in Stalin's atheist Soviet Union, not to mention the millions slaughtered in the other atheist states, such as the atheist Pol Pot's Cambodia etc. etc.\nNow we have the abortion mills founded by atheist beliefs where millions of babies are heartlessly slaughtered,\nBy their fruits ye shall know them.
101967
I'm an atheist myself, but in defense of religious people, there are some wonderful, well-meaning, loving religious people out there. Then there are some jerks. It's the same, in my experience, with any group of people. There are always going to be some loudmouths who want to convince you to be like them. But don't let them make you think that they're all like that. They aren't.
775633
yes\n\nThe Doctor of the Atheist Revolution has Spoken!
812591
Lot's of people have.  They obviously don't think their lives are bad enough already that they are tempting God to send them straight to hell!\n\nI'm an Atheist and have nothing to do with the whole affair, if God exists then he surely admires my honesty and will send me straight up!
982202
My question to you is this: Why did you not pose this question to everyone and only American Christians because you didn't give details on Whose households were used to answer. This is bias. Do you actually know who answered this survey and what group or individuals answered? I hope that you don't think believers only answered that. As a former atheist, I never told anyone what I belived and it wasn't out of fear and rejection. I believe that those who see atheists as the most distrusted group of people is because they seem to be the opposite of any thing that reliigous people belive in for instance some atheist are for abortion. Reliigous are against it. Some atheists are against homosexuality and gay marriages. Some Religious people are against. Some atheists are deadset on pushing evolution on anyone that's against it especially on this site. Stem cell research is another issue and some religious people are for it. Let's not forget how some atheists consistently oppose against religious rights. Not every christian want to destroy religious freedom and seek only one religon nor want others to believe as they do. IMO,Hell was created for a reason not every one wants to believe. There are unbelievers in the christian world that label themselves believers and straddle the fence. No one can be trusted if they want to impose their beliefs or non beliefs on any individual that have made theirs up. As for as I am concern atheists are in every group that you have listed such as Muslims,recent immigrants, homosexuals and minorities and let's not forget christians. Think about it!
861058
Thankfully no.\n\nI HAVE been berated by a family "friend" for being a godless heathen... but that was years ago.  He has since abandoned his vituperation for civility and I've not faced any serious problems since.\n\nI'm one of the LUCKY ones, though.
322984
Evangelicals in the US are persecuted in the same way Germans were persecuted by Jews in the 1930s.  \n\nIt's a lie told to justify violence against those who disagree with them.
917647
It seems both atheists and Christians seem to feel the same way about this issue. Equal discrimination from yahoo.  lol\nEDIT :\nGood to see you back Jim Darwin!
1122438
Not preaching atheism.  Just cuz ONE atheist is, does not mean all atheists are.    I mainly ask and read questions/answers to get answers.
573185
There have been thousands of Christian martyrs over the last 2,000 years.\n\nToday in most western countries, there is very little religious persecution to the point of death. However some people still die for their faith.\n\nOne recent example is Archbishop Oscar Romero: http://www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/romero.html\n\nA whole website dedicate to modern martyrs is at: http://www.gospelweb.net/modernmartyrsindex.htm\n\nWith love in Christ.
1009896
I think the Atheist camp has the most continuity in this matter.\n\nEvery Atheist can close their mind, shut down the spiritual world around them and be convinced that they are on an island, barren of all super-natural influence. If any of their Atheist friends or family slip off the Atheist bandwagon the Atheist can consider them delusional and psychotic ....throw them off of the "island", then go back to their atheistic life-style and anti-beliefs.\n\nIt's not as easy with the Agnostic camp or the Theist camp or the camp that includes so many of the other styles of religions. All camps but the Atheists have a dynamic range of beliefs and spiritual possibilities open to them. They can blend many similar beliefs and come up with unique combinations.... like celebrating Christmas in a Pagan fashion on a Pagan holiday during Winter Solstice, for example. Even the very birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God is not sacred enough to most Christians to schedule it far away from the end of December....and away from those darned Christmas trees. The Jehovah's Witnesses are smart enough and dedicated enough, however.\n\nEvery church-goer has experienced the dissent and break-up of a congregation or study group due to differing interpretations of scripture and dogma. Every religion has its orthodoxy and its reformed groups. The Agnostics are waiting for proof so they have the most complicated position out there !!!!\n\nThe Atheists cannot prove that God does not exist and they will never be able to prove it. They are simply taking the easiest path by committing their "spiritual" concerns in every OTHER direction except inward.\n\nThe rest of us are looking and searching and doubting and discovering and EXPERIENCING revivals of heart, spirit, mind, soul, body and most importantly....... each other.\n\nLet's hear it for doubters and believers, alike  !!!!!
588850
The fact is that there are parts of the world where Christians are persecuted for their beliefs. Certain parts of China and India, for example.\n\nHowever, I don't think that Christians are persecuted in the United States, and i always feel the need to call them out on it when they claim that they are. I realize that the Bible says that Christians will be persecuted, but honestly, having the Wal-Mart greeter say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" does not count.\n\nWhen people cry "persecution!" when they are merely being put-upon (at best) or not obeyed (at worst), they do a disservice towards people around the world who actually do suffer for their beliefs.\n\nNow, I'd have to say that from a historical perspective, Christians are more often holding the lash than the other way around.\n\nAs an atheist, living in New York City, I have never felt persecuted.
389077
I'm British so maybe shouldn't get involved with your countrys politics, but as a believer, no I don't think atheists should be persecuted, or anyone for their beliefs. Most of my friends and family are not Christians and we respect each other's beliefs.
791814
none, because I want to accept things as I see them, not how others, and especially ancients see or saw them. the religions of today are to old and full of crap to be relevant in today's society. religion has caused more major wars in the history of mankind than any other single factor. Lack of religion has caused none. ever heard of an atheist st. petersburg? Have you ever heard of an athiest saying "i killed them because no god told me to"?