Persecution of atheists

The ex-president of the American Atheists organization, David Silverman, was given the label of an atheist whiner by the American woman Natalie Rothschild.[1] See also: Atheism and public relations

As atheism vs. Islam conflict has increased in the world, there are growing reports of Islamic governments imprisoning/executing atheists and radical Islamacists killing atheists, but they are still relatively few in number.[2] This is especially true when you consider the large scale persecution of theists that has occurred in history by atheists and the persecution of religious people that still occurs in China and North Korea (see: Militant atheism and Atheism and mass murder).

Atheist Tom Krattenmaker was quoted in Time magazine as saying about American atheists, "Even though we’re despised in some parts of the country and discriminated against in some ways, we don’t really get bullied or picked on. That makes it harder to gain sympathy for our views."[3] See also: Closet atheist

It is estimated that in the past 100 years, governments under the banner of atheistic communism have caused the death of somewhere between 40,472,000 to 259,432,000 human lives.[4] Dr. R. J. Rummel, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Hawaii, is the scholar who first coined the term democide (death by government). Dr. R. J. Rummel's mid estimate regarding the loss of life due to communism is that communism caused the death of approximately 110,286,000 people between 1917 and 1987.[5]

## Contents

* 1 Hate crimes in the United States against atheists/agnostics are very low in number
* 2 Atheist/nonreligious and fear of conservative Christians
* 3 Claims of being an oppressed minority by American atheists are often not taken seriously
* 3.1 Theodore Beale's commentary on American atheists' claims of persecution and the issue of atheist killers
* 4 Ex-Muslim atheists are becoming more outspoken, but Muslim tolerance is still rare
* 5 Islamic countries, atheism and the death penalty
* 6 Islamic violence against atheists: Recent high profile incidents
* 6.1 Muslim violence against atheists/secularists
* 6.1.1 Charlie Hebdo incident
* 6.1.2 Denmark terrorist incident at meeting entitled Art, Blasphemy and Freedom of Speech
* 6.1.3 String of atheist bloggers killed by Islamic extremists in Bangledesh
* 7 Western World atheists unwilling to endure hardship to globally spread atheism
* 8 Low amount of atheist martyrdom compared to Christian martyrdom
* 9 See also
* 10 Notes

## Hate crimes in the United States against atheists/agnostics are very low in number[edit]

See also: Atheism statistics

According to a 2007 Pew Forum survey, about 4% of Americans are atheists/agnostics.[6] A 2008 Gallup poll showed that 6% of the U.S. population believed that no god or universal spirit exists.[7]

According to 2013 FBI statistics, 6/10 of a percent of hate crimes were against atheists/agnostics.[8][9]

## Atheist/nonreligious and fear of conservative Christians[edit]

See also: Atheism and anxiety

According to a Baylor University study, when it comes to various individuals who hold various religions/worldviews, atheists/nonreligious have the greatest fear when it comes to a fear that conservative Protestant Christians will limit their freedom or cause them physical harm.[10] Atheists/nonreligious fear Muslims the second most when it comes to a fear they will limit their freedom or cause them physical harm.[11] See also: Atheism vs. Christianity and Atheism vs. Islam

## Claims of being an oppressed minority by American atheists are often not taken seriously[edit]

See also: Atheism vs. Christianity

Dennis Prager is a vocal opponent of atheist indoctrination in public schools.[12]

Atheist Tom Krattenmaker was quoted in Time magazine as saying about American atheists, "Even though we’re despised in some parts of the country and discriminated against in some ways, we don’t really get bullied or picked on. That makes it harder to gain sympathy for our views."[13]

In the United States, a significant amount of atheists are white males and the American atheist population has been criticized for its lack of racial diversity and lower amount of females in its population (Western atheism and race and Atheism and women). The Pew Research Forum reported in 2013 concerning American atheists: "About four-in-ten atheists (43%) have a college degree, compared with 29% of the general public."[14] In 2012, the Pew Research Forum reported regarding American atheists: "And about 38% of atheists and agnostics have an annual family income of at least $75,000, compared with 29% of the general public."[15] See also: Atheism/Christianity and socioeconomic status diversity

Also, atheists within the United States have developed a reputation of uncharitableness as they gave far less to charities, even if church donations are not counted (see: Atheism and uncharitableness). As a result of these factors, claims of being an oppressed minority by atheists are often dismissed even by fellow atheists (See: Atheist whining).[16]

In addition, given the favorable treatment atheist activists often receive in the media and the atheistic indoctrination that occurs in public schools/universities, the notion of atheists as an oppressed minority is often rejected by Americans.

At the same time, in America as in many theistic societies, atheists are the least trusted group and many Americans have a low opinion of atheism/atheists (see: Views on atheists and Atheism and social outcasts). Many Americans disagree with the relativistic morality and immoral behavior that many atheists display (see: Atheism and morality and Atheist population and immorality).

Historically, many Christians have shown a significant amount of patience/tolerance towards atheists - even in face of persecution by atheists (see: Christian patience, forgiveness and long-suffering towards atheists).

### Theodore Beale's commentary on American atheists' claims of persecution and the issue of atheist killers[edit]

See also: List of atheist shooters and serial killers and Atheism and psychopathy and Atheism and morality and Distrust of atheists

After atheist shooter Devin Patrick Kelley killed 26 people in a Texas church, Theodore Beale wrote:

“  |  And let's not hear any more about how atheists are so persecuted in America, or how amazingly moral they are, when they are shooting up schools and churches and universities. No wonder they are the most distrusted group in the country.[17] |  ”

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## Ex-Muslim atheists are becoming more outspoken, but Muslim tolerance is still rare[edit]

According to The Economist, in a handful of majority-Muslim countries atheists can live safely, if quietly. Turkey is one example.[18]

In 2012, The Economist indicated in an article entitled Ex-Muslim atheists are becoming more outspoken, but Muslim tolerance is still rare:

“  |  In a handful of majority-Muslim countries atheists can live safely, if quietly; Turkey is one example, Lebanon another. None makes atheism a specific crime. But none gives atheists legal protection or recognition. Indonesia, for example, demands that people declare themselves as one of six religions; atheism and agnosticism do not count. Egypt’s draft constitution makes room for only three faiths: Christianity, Judaism and Islam.[19] |  ”

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Turkey and Lebanon have had significant Christian influence in their cultural past. For example, the churches listed in the Book of Revelation were located in Turkey and Constantinople was renamed Istanbul after the Muslim conquest of the city.[20]

## Islamic countries, atheism and the death penalty[edit]

See also: Atheism and the death penalty and Capital punishment and Atheism and death

In several Islamic countries or where Islam has significant influence, atheism is punishable by the death penalty.

In 2016, Siobhan Fenton wrote in the Independent:

“  |  In thirteen countries, you can be sentenced to death for not having a faith:

Mecca is a city in the Hejaz in Saudi Arabia, the capital of its Makkah Region.

1\. Afghanistan

2\. Iran

3\. Malaysia

4\. Maldives

5\. Mauritania

6\. Nigeria

7\. Pakistan

8\. Qatar

9\. Saudi Arabia

10\. Somalia

11\. Sudan

12\. United Arab Emirates

13\. Yemen[21]

|  ”

|
|

## Islamic violence against atheists: Recent high profile incidents[edit]

In 2015, there were violent incidents which involved militant Muslims killing atheists and an American incident which involved a militant atheist killing three American Muslims.[22][23] [24]

Below are some statistics and other relevant information relative to atheist/Muslim violence (see also: Atheism statistics).

### Muslim violence against atheists/secularists[edit]

#### Charlie Hebdo incident[edit]

France has the 8th highest rate of atheism in the world with 43 - 54% of the population being atheists/agnostics/non-believers in God.[25]

France has the 8th highest rate of atheism in the world with 43 - 54% of the population being atheists/agnostics/non-believers in God.[26] In addition, France has the 4rth highest belief in evolution in the Western World.[27]

Specifically, in November 2011, the Paris offices of Charlie Hebdo were fire-bombed by Muslim jihad terrorists and their website was hacked. On the 7th of January 2015, in the liberal gun free zone of Paris, three extremist Islamic terrorist French-born males armed with fully-automatic AK-47s murdered, execution-style, 10 of the staff and 2 policeman and wounded other ten people. Well known socialist cartoonists Charb, Cabu, Honoré, Tignous and Wolinski were all killed.[28]

#### Denmark terrorist incident at meeting entitled Art, Blasphemy and Freedom of Speech[edit]

In 2005, Denmark was ranked the third most atheistic country in the world and the website adherents.com reported that in 2005 43 - 80% of Danes are agnostics/atheists/non-believers in God.[29] Denmark has the highest rate of belief in evolution in the Western World.[30]

In February of 2015, Theodore Beale reported:

“  |  A man, aged 40, has died after masked gunmen opened fire on the Krudttoenden cafe in Copenhagen during a meeting entitled Art, Blasphemy and Freedom of Speech. Two people were taken away on stretchers after the attack after the cafe was sprayed with 200 bullets. The French ambassador, who was present at the debate on free speech, has said it was an attempt at a Charlie Hebdo-style attack in the Danish capital.

200 shots and one kill? It certainly sounds like jihad.[31]

|  ”

|
|

The event discussed the topic of drawing of pictures of Mohammed which many Muslims consider to be blasphemous.[32][33]

#### String of atheist bloggers killed by Islamic extremists in Bangledesh[edit]

In 2015, it was reported that there has been a recent string of atheist bloggers being killed by Islamic extremists.[34]

## Western World atheists unwilling to endure hardship to globally spread atheism[edit]

African Christians clapping at an open air meeting. In recent years, Christianity has seen a rapid growth in Africa.[35]

In 2005, there were four times as many non-Western World Christians as there were Western World Christians.[36]

Western World atheists have not engaged in a significant amount of global outreach.

The current atheist population mostly resides in East Asia (particularly China) and in secular Europe/Australia primarily among whites.[37] See: Western atheism and race and Atheist population

The former Soviet Union had a worldwide expansionist policy as far as spreading atheistic communism.[38] The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 led to a spike in religious affiliation, both in Russia and in Eastern Europe.[39]

Doing overseas evangelism/outreaches, often requires significant hardships/persecution. Western World atheists have been unwilling to endure such hardships in order to spread atheistic ideology. On the other hand, historically, Christians have made great evangelism efforts to reach every people group across the earth. In 2005, there were four times as many non-Western World Christians as there were Western World Christians.[40]

See also: Atheism and hedonism

## Low amount of atheist martyrdom compared to Christian martyrdom[edit]

There have been several instances where atheists demonstrated tremendous bravery till death standing up to Islamists, especially in Bangladesh.[41] See also: Atheism vs. Islam

Protestant Christianity published the book the widely read book Foxe's Book of Martyrs. There is no "Atheists book of martyrs".

In addition, Christians currently experience the greatest amount of persecution in the world given that Christianity is the most geographically diverse religious community in the world and Christians are a minority in many countries. See: Christian persecution

## See also[edit]

* Blasphemy laws

* Atheophobia

* Closet atheist

* Atheist actions against homosexuals

* Desecularization

* Desecularization and social conformity

* Atheism and human rights violations

## Notes[edit]

1. ↑ God save us from atheist whining by Natalie Rothschild
2. ↑
* Atheists: the new persecuted minority, international report concludes (COMMENTARY) by Bob Churchill | Religion News|December 17, 2014
* Bangladesh struck by wave of atheist blogger murders, France 24 News, 1/04/2015 / BANGLADESH
* Atheists around world suffer persecution, discrimination: report By Robert Evans, Reuters, Sun Dec 9, 2012 9:20pm EST
3. ↑ 5 Challenges Atheists Face, Time magazine, Hemant Mehta/Patheos, April 24, 2015
4. ↑
* The Black Book of Communism
* The Black Book of Communism
* [1]
* Source List and Detailed Death Tolls for the Twentieth Century Hemoclysm
* Memory and Ideology*The Black Book of Communism: Crimes, Terror, Repression
5. ↑ http://www.hawaii.edu/powerkills/COM.ART.HTM
6. ↑ Pew Forum Religious Landscape Survey - Key findings
7. ↑ Belief in God Far Lower in Western U.S. Gallup.com. Retrieved on 2012-02-05.
8. ↑ 2013 FBI hate crime statistics
9. ↑ Atheism: The Next Civil Rights movement, Vlad Chituc, The Daily Beast, 4-6-2015
10. ↑ Evangelicals fear Muslims; atheists fear Christians: New poll show how Americans mistrust one another, Washington Post
11. ↑ Evangelicals fear Muslims; atheists fear Christians: New poll show how Americans mistrust one another, Washington Post
12. ↑ How atheism is being sold in America
13. ↑ 5 Challenges Atheists Face, Time magazine, Hemant Mehta/Patheos, April 24, 2015
14. ↑ 5 facts about atheists By Michael Lipka, Pew Research Forum, October 23, 2013
15. ↑ “Nones” on the Rise - Demographics, Pew Research Forum, October 9, 2012
16. ↑
* Atheism: The Next Civil Rights movement, Vlad Chituc, The Daily Beast, 4-6-2015
* “You’re Not Oppressed, White Atheist Dudes”, Freethought Blogs \- Almost Diamonds, July 17, 2014 at 6:28 pm
* Disliked, Not Oppressed By Paul Thornton, LA Times, April 18, 2007
17. ↑ Two American badasses
18. ↑ Ex-Muslim atheists are becoming more outspoken, but tolerance is still rare, The Economist, 2012
19. ↑ Ex-Muslim atheists are becoming more outspoken, but tolerance is still rare, The Economist, 2012
20. ↑ Seven Churches of Revelation in Turkey
21. ↑ The 13 countries where being an atheist is punishable by death by Siobhan Fenton, Indepednent
22. ↑ http://cnsnews.com/news/article/world-expresses-shock-attack-charlie-hebdo-newspaper
23. ↑ A succint argument
24. ↑ ‘Vehement Atheist’ Charged with Executing 3 Muslim Students
25. ↑ Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)
26. ↑ Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)
27. ↑ Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds
28. ↑ http://cnsnews.com/news/article/world-expresses-shock-attack-charlie-hebdo-newspaper
29. ↑ Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)
30. ↑ Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds
31. ↑ A succint argument
32. ↑ Copenhagen Shooting
33. ↑ Copenhagen synagogue, hours after deadly cafe attack
34. ↑ Bangladesh struck by wave of atheist blogger murders, France 24 News, 1/04/2015 / BANGLADESH
35. ↑ The African apostles: How Christianity exploded in 20th-century Africa
36. ↑ Is Christianity taking over the planet?
37. ↑ A surprising map of where the world’s atheists live, By Max Fisher and Caitlin Dewey, Washington Post, May 23, 2013
38. ↑ America Coming to Terms: The Vietnam Legacy By Nguyen Anh Tuan, page 82
39. ↑ [Global Study: Atheists in Decline, Only 1.8% of World Population by 2020] by Michael W. Chapman, CNS News, July 24, 2013 - 2:18 PM
40. ↑ Is Christianity taking over the planet?
41. ↑ Desk, Internet. "Timeline of Bangladeshi bloggers hacked to death", The Hindu. (en)