7.08.2008

Many Atheists Endure Hostile Workplaces in the United States

New office

If you are an American atheist with a job and you have more than a handful of co-workers with whom you interact regularly, chances are pretty good that you have experience dealing with Christians in the workplace. Some of these Christians would never dream of wearing their religion on a chain around their necks, decorating their cubicles with bible quotes, or repeatedly inviting you to attend their church long after you've made it clear that you have no interest. Consider yourselves fortunate because many atheists have to deal with an entirely different breed of Christian.

Evangelical Christians who wear, display, or push their religious beliefs in the workplace can be a problem. "Hostile workplace" generally refers to a form of sexual harassment, but many atheist workers experience another sort of hostile workplace. Express their feelings about religion, refuse to participate in prayer meetings, or turn down enough church invitations, and they can be ostracized, harassed, or even fired. Legal assistance is expensive, and religious discrimination in the workplace is not always easy to prove.

7.04.2008

What Patriotism Means To Me

statue of liberty

Man, that title sounds like a fourth grade essay assignment! I wasn't going to bother with a 4th of July post this year, at least not one focused on the usual themes of the day, but then Stardust asked what patriotism means to us. The question is too intriguing to pass up. So what does patriotism mean to me?

In a nutshell, patriotism means giving a damn. It means caring enough about one's country and the people in it to act in order to make it better. This is precisely why the right-wing mantras like "love it or leave it" infuriate me so. If I didn't think my country was worth the effort, I wouldn't expend any. It is precisely because I love my country that I want to improve it.

7.02.2008

Atheist Revolution's Health Care Plan

doctor
I was sick last weekend, and I'm still feeling lousy. I have no energy and feel like I could sleep all the time. If I'm not feeling any better by this afternoon, I'll probably have to visit the doctor. I've just been holding off because of the expense. You see, I recently opted out of my employer-paid medical plan for a free one with much better benefits. The new plan does not even require me to visit health care providers. All I have to do is pray.

Health care will be a big issue in the 2008 U.S. election. Given that the United States is the only Western democracy without universal health care, it should be a big issue. While Obama promises universal health care, McCain seems satisfied with the quality of our current health care system, a system ranked 37th by the World Health Organization.