Is Atheism The New Gay?

     I find it interesting that recently, a teenager was kicked from her home for not believing in a deity (One here, another here), and given the relative rise of acceptance of homosexuals by family members, I am trying to understand what is so revolting to those parents that they cannot bear the sight of their children, forcing them to live a life ostracized from what they know.  What makes belief in a deity a requirement to love your child? In the past, investigators have gone into "Christian boot camps" to investigate abuse (Example). While so many are about homosexuality, they are dwindling in numbers, with states banning sexual conversion therapy, I can't help but wonder if such camps exist for atheist children and teenagers.

     In Kidnapped for Christ, we see children and teenagers sent against their will in training camps where they are put back on the straight and narrow, their crime? Being different. Most were homosexual teenagers whose parents were horrified by their same sex attraction. We see it in the media today even, with the Kim Davis (or Can't do her job, whichever name you want to call her) controversy and her ever dwindling support from the majority of the population. The same people who are persecuting those who are different are playing the victim. How in the hell can't people see through that? In spite of the media rush, we see a rise in acceptance of the LGBTQ community. But what about Atheists?

     Well, according to recent polls, Atheists are still less trusted than child molesters. Yup, you read that right! as a matter of fact, we are the least trusted group in America (link here). But why the stigma? Simply because we don't believe in a deity? Are we considered immoral? Jaclyn Glenn posted an experiment on Youtube where she accepted donation for a Methodist organization, where plenty of people donated a dollar or two, and the next time, she collected for an atheist organization, where she was questioned on her motives and the few who donated were atheists and donated in the double digits. We are a generous moral bunch, but are somehow less trusted than child molester Josh Duggar. Stop America, you need to think, why are we treated with such disdain?

    I agree with the idea that Americans, and people in general, hate us because, much like the LGBT community, they are afraid they might be like us. Or even like us, because they are so insecure in their beliefs (sexuality for the homophobia) that they decide to hide behind hat, a seething pile of anger towards those who are different. It could also be because they are not taught to love, but rather to despise, and that, friends, is why religion is a danger to society in general. The very few who actually give two shits about other human beings tend to have been that way before they got religious. Let's face it, we own the moral high ground. I will conclude with a video from my favorite speech on reason, specifically about the idea of morality, it is Adam Savage at the reason rally: