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These guys cannot be wrong, can they?
Several years ago, I was a regular patron of the Metro Transit bus system, taking the 5-line from South Minneapolis all the way into downtown. I would often occupy my time during the 35-minute ride by reading a good book (though, not THE Good Book). On one of these many trips, a thought occurred to me: If I were reading an atheist book and had an empty seat next to me and the person across the aisle was reading the Bible and had an empty seat next to them, with whom do you suppose would an arriving passenger choose to sit?
This thought might seem absurd to the average believer, but as I mentioned in my last article, there remain numerous biases against atheists. Look no further than a 2006 survey published in the MN Daily titled “Survey: U.S. trust lowest for atheists.” The results of the survey conducted by the University of Minnesota – which involved calling 2000 households (perhaps not the most statistically-significant number, but revealing nonetheless) and asking participants to rank various groups based on sharing their vision of American society – were surprising: atheists were ranked lower than Muslims, recent immigrants and homosexuals.
Dead last.
In this time of widening tolerance, it is shocking and disheartening to hear of any bigotry, but this survey says quite a lot about how prevalent and integral a belief-system is in our society.
In all fairness, relative to those states within the Bible Belt, I think Minnesotans are far more likely to be of a progressive mind with regard to atheism. After all, we elected former feathered boa-wearing wrestler Jesse Ventura to the highest state office. We elected comedy writer Al Franken to the U.S. Senate (how much longer can you really drag this out, Mr. Coleman?). We have a Gay Pride Festival that draws over 100,000 attendees annually. Tolerance seems to be our way of life; or could it simply be that we are too much of the “Minnesota Nice” ilk to say how we really feel?
Despite our liberalist attitudes, the subject of atheism is still hotly debated both state-wide and nationally. It seems silly that we care so much which god each other does, or does not, pray to, when the very existence of God cannot even be proven. By the same token, I cannot disprove the existence of God, any more than I can truly disprove the existence of Zeus or Poseidon. Yet, we do not seem to have intolerance for those who do not believe in the gods of the Greeks. So why is it the God of Abraham still means so much to so many?
Perhaps this is something I can continue to ponder on my long, lonely bus rides through Minneapolis.
Comments
If I had my druthers, I'd druther not have the seat next to me on the bus occupied. There's more room to stretch out that way. When I was commuting to college, I tried many things to discourage company; scowling, dressing scrofulously, eating a Limburger cheese sandwich (with garlic!). Nothing worked. People still sat next to me. But now sir, you have given me new hope! I can identify myself with America's most despised minority by ostentatiously displaying some atheist book, I could stretch out and have both seats to myself! I only wish I still commuted by bus!
Believe me, theres more than a few that would avoid the seat next to the bible reader.
All of Greece ect abandoned Zeus and those Myths because it got them nowhere, and they saw proof it was fake, The God of Abraham has proved to his people that he is the one true God by showing them miracles signs and wonders thats why. If it wasnt so, everyone wouldve abandoned the God of Abraham as they or we did with Zeus Apollo ect. If that doesnt make sense I dont know what will. I am no stranger at being skeptical about things but I have witnessed supernatural occurences that had to come from God and thats why I know God is real. But one has to believe and have faith like Child first to then see the proof or else they may never see the proof that I have seen. Im no saint either I make many mistakes and sin daily but I when I fall I get back up again and again and rededicate my self to have a better vision and Goals that keep me grounded and aligned with the will of God. I hope that helps, because I dont know how else to explain it, I am only a faulty human.
oh one more thing Abe Lincoln, Einstein, Ben Franklin, were in no way Atheiest thaere are many documents that prove they werent. And I think that is Thomas Jefferson but I may be mistakin it also looks kinada like the Guy on the 2 dollar bill, I think Alexander Hamilton? but if its Jefferson he too was believer of God. so I have no idea why they are in that picture of so called Atheists
Howard, but the damn atheists will point out that Greeks believed devoutly in Zeus, Apollo, etc., for so many centuries, that perhaps we now are just believing in our God, being fools like they were at the time.
Referencing other religions hurts our argument for our God, because it gets people thinking about how many different gods have been made up. Also, since Islam is the worlds fastest growing religion, your criteria of judging each god based on their success at being popular and maintaining/growing the number of followers, those criteria would say that Jesus Christ is not a god at all, since other beliefs are growing faster worldwide (but thankfully not yet in the USA, God bless us... not Allah bless us!)
My point: Bringing up other religions hurts our argument for Christianity. We need to have our flocks just focus on what we tell them and not let their thoughts ponder any other ideas, lest they be tempted to seek better truths.
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