First post in a looooong time. My apologies - I thought summer would mean lots of free time and motivation to write, but clearly I have done no such thing. Anyway, enjoy a more serious post as I shake loose the mental and comedy cobwebs.

Many of the millions of Americans who do not believe in the supernatural have had enough of being targeted by unremitting discrimination. After the repeal of "don't ask, don't tell", it appears that gays are making greater strides than atheists and agnostics in popular acceptance. Support for gay marriage has finally reached a majority, and nearly every religious group has a fair chance at the White House. In fact, the mayor of Houston, of all places, is a lesbian. No one considers the sexual orientation of guests entering the White House, but somehow it is noteworthy to comment upon the President's acknowledgement of Americans of non-faith along with those of faith.

The bigotry begins in childhood, when atheist kids are require to recite "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance or are unable to join Boy Scouts. If Jews or blacks were being excluded similarly, there would be outrage. A recent Gallup poll, shown below, demonstrates the lack of acceptance atheists suffer from, as opposed to the majority acceptance of nearly every other category.

June 2011: Willingness to Vote for Persons of Various Characteristics for President

American anti-atheism that sees the nonreligious as a dangerous foreign element dates to the early years of the republic, with Christians being the main perpetrators. Never mind that a number of founders, including crafters of the Declaration of Independence, were deists, or that the writers of the Constitution were careful to state that the power of the government derives from "We the people", not "We the people under God".

And non-theists have had enough. According to columnist Gregory Paul, "Non-theists are not meekly asking for full acceptance and citizenship any more than blacks did after World War II, or gays did after Stonewall. We are telling you observant Christians, Jews, Muslims, et al., to be as respectful to us atheists are you are to other believers. [Side note: It's my hope that believers can be respectful to nonbelievers and to believers of different faiths, seeing as right now people just treat each other like dirt unless they share a faith] Do the right thing! After all, remember what Thomas Jefferson said in 1787: "Question with boldness even the existence of God."

Gregory Paul is a guest columnist at the Washington Post - you can read his full article here.
Gallup poll found here.