I'm sick of atheists being labeled unpatriotic.

[dwarfstar]

If you think about it, an atheist is the only person you can count on NOT to put god before country. 

Ask any christian what they would do if it came down to a choice between following the "will of god" or the laws of the nation.  And they call US unamerican.

[Jeb]

Uhm... I'd guess the reason behind the 'mislabeling' is that since atheism seems to be 'deconstructing' the 'moralistics' to them... Which pretty much consists of religion and government. These two seem to be 'unseperatable' to them and one is attacked it asscociates with the other. So, say, that may be part of the reason when one goes against the right-wing political belief they would... you know... appear to them as 'unfaithful'...

[AversionShockTherapy]

That has only come up as of late due to the United States recent and relatively drastic turn into a more theistic society then it previously was. 

[TAC]

well alot of the people in and out of the US see it as almost a christian nation and so being an atheist dont follow their plans

the label is correct for me, i dont give a lick about the US

[meirelle]

Eh... whatever. I try not to worry about it. It would probably kill me if I did.

[Bentherdonthat]

How could you follow that one patriot if the President is a religious freak that is going to jepordize any thing he represents such as the nation a atheist could not be patriot with a religious cultist ruling it for his own cult motives.

[TwilightSerenade]

Ok I've no idea at all what Bentherdonthat says whenever he writes a post, and this is the third one I read.
Proofread to make it more understandable nexttime man.

Anyways, while I'm Canadian and don't share your problem I can sympathize.
Still, why be patriotic in a Nation that's getting stupider every generation when you can all move up to Canada?

[TAC]

how are atheist treated in canada... ive been wondering

[TwilightSerenade]

Relatively well, oh sure theres a few crazies around, but I think our current statistic is 1 in 3 people are Atheists.

[Haltensie]

Thing thing that amazes me is that they associate atheism to communism (which actually isn't even a bad system of government as long as leninism isn't involved). And they alwasy rant about how they're all for democracy and freedom and blah blah blah. But they always try to get laws passed that would actually limit other freedoms and make us conform to their way of living. So who do you think is the communist?

[JohnnySpot]

The funny thing is that I am atheist and rather unpatriotic.  I don't want anything bad, mind you.  I just can't be bothered to give a toss about arbitrary lines on a map.  I won't allow my son to say the pledge and I won't stand for a war anthem.  And I roll my eyes at anything slightly patriotic.   I feel more like a New Englander than an American.  But this has nothing to do with my belief in unbelief.

[TAC]

Thing thing that amazes me is that they associate atheism to communism (which actually isn't even a bad system of government as long as leninism isn't involved). And they alwasy rant about how they're all for democracy and freedom and blah blah blah. But they always try to get laws passed that would actually limit other freedoms and make us conform to their way of living. So who do you think is the communist?

i call myself a communist

[Saturas]

A lot of people confuse country and government. Just because I wouldn't cry if the current administration all had head explosions a la Scanners doesn't mean I don't like my country. Anyway, the same people who say atheists are unpatriotic usually whole heartedly believe the US was founded on Christianity, in my experience.

[WeAllLeap]

I won't allow my son to say the pledge and I won't stand for a war anthem.  And I roll my eyes at anything slightly patriotic.   I feel more like a New Englander than an American.  But this has nothing to do with my belief in unbelief.

Do you really not allow your son to say the Pledge? That seems rather drastic, Could you just explain some of your reasoning?

As for Atheists being unpatriotic...I'll repeat the sentiment that I have seen a couple times, what's so great about being patriotic? For me, I have no use for being part of "clubs", and if I were to be part of a club I certainly wouldn't have some kind of undying allegiance to it. To me, patriotism is the that kind of thing. It's like being part of the "American Club", and saying no matter what I'll always be loyal to America. That's ridiculous. I'd rather reserve the right to criticize my country, if that is unpatriotic, than so be it. Now on the otherhand, if one wants to say they have a love for the principles which the country was founded on, such as "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness," that seems to be something different. Maybe I'm wrong. To me, those principles are only relevant if one is willing to do what is considered the norm within the country.

I personally feel no allegiance to my country. Any gratitude I have is shown by paying taxes. I pay the country to provide the kinds of things it does, no questions asked. I have no problem with giving the government part of my paycheck, they do, afterall, provide me with many of the luxuries I have today. But, I certainly feel no other loyalty. I would leave the country as soon as I felt I would be happier elsewhere.

[soletrek]

I call myself a patriot. I believe in the constitution and insist on a secular government.  I served twenty years in the Navy and have been a volunteer firefighter, EMT. Happily married forty five years, three very successful children. Atheist don't have to be losers either.

[samanimz]

Anyway, the same people who say atheists are unpatriotic usually whole heartedly believe the US was founded on Christianity, in my experience.

That's been my experience, too. I try to explain that the founding fathers never intended for the country to be this way, and that in the treaty of Tripoli they declared that the United States was not a Christian nation. I give them the dates that "In God We Trust" was added and things like that, but they won't hear it.

I do believe that there are many good things about the United States. But I am not afraid to reject many parts of the government and to admit that the system is deeply flawed and corrupted. To me, patriotism is wanting to better your country and it's government. I uphold the law, and plan on becoming a lawyer for the Anti-Defamation League. I want to protect American citizens from bigotry and prejudice. But apparently, because I don't believe in God none of that matters and I am anti-American. Sigh.

[NoahTheBoa]

well alot of the people in and out of the US see it as almost a christian nation and so being an atheist dont follow their plans

the label is correct for me, i dont give a lick about the US

Aren't you in the navy TAC?
Anyway, I think that atheists are seen as unpatriotic mainly because they are a minority.

[TAC]

well alot of the people in and out of the US see it as almost a christian nation and so being an atheist dont follow their plans

the label is correct for me, i dont give a lick about the US

Aren't you in the navy TAC?
Anyway, I think that atheists are seen as unpatriotic mainly because they are a minority.

yes i am, but i dont like it

[Saturas]

That's been my experience, too.

Mine as well. What I have experienced is that people seem to think that this nation was/is God's little pet nation and how bad it would be to stray from that. There are of course multiple things wrong with this notion, but it's the notion which links patriotism and godliness in their minds. I am horrified at how many people still blindly support the government and do so in order to be 'patriotic' even after the epic clusterfucking of this nation by the Bush Administration.

I've tried to explain to some of these people that government and country are two different things. That our government is supposed to represent us, not control us. That one of the most sensible things any citizen can do is critically analyze what his/her government is doing.