“Just out of curiosity, why are atheists so concerned with humans who believe in a higher authority?”

When many people see something in the world that is harmful, negative, or could be improved, they try to do something to change it, counter-act it, mobilise opposition, or counter claims it makes they disagree with. I guess the best word for all this is activism. Some people do this on environmental issues; some to help the handicapped, youth, or the elderly. Some want to spread an idea they care about. Often activism translates into political action; but sometimes it transcends politics.

Atheist activists are united by a concern for all the harm caused by religion, and a desire to reduce that harm: sexism to women, opposition to stem-cell research, gay-bashing, religious terrorism, disinformation about science – you name it. Sometimes this means resistance to violence, the threat of violence, or censorship used by religion. Sometimes this means trying to lower the bigotry and intolerance that most religions and many religionists display towards both rival religions, and the non-religious. Sometimes, as in this case, it means getting the word out to non-religious people that they are not alone.

Now that religion in many countries has lost the power to coerce and persecute non-believers, we are, for the first time, seeing non-religious people openly organising, openly supporting each other, and openly talking with like-minded people without the fear of being punished for doing so. So these are the things that motivate atheist information campaigns, like this one. And that’s the main point, I think, of the “bus” campaign; to let closet atheists know that others share their views, and can give them a social network if they are currently afraid of telling religious family and friends that they don’t share religious belief.

To Kane: of course your daughter isn’t bothered by team prayer, if it is enforced upon her and you don’t have the balls (spine?) to speak up against such indoctrination of children. Would you be as blase if your child were socially coerced into reciting a Muslim prayer? People like yourself are part of the problem – meekly being bullied to the point where you leap to the defence of the bully, rather than standing up for yourself. Pathetic, really. You are the type of person who is converting to Islam in urban European cities out of fear, rather than standing up for yourself. You criticise the strength that other atheists display rather than adopt it for yourself.

Other similarities: *Both christians and atheists constantly quote the bible to prove or disprove their beliefs(or non-beliefs)
*Both christians and atheists get all pissed off when someone tries to push their beliefs(or non-beliefs) on them. Or teach something contradictory to their beliefs(or non-beliefs in their childrens school.
*both athiests and christians both are constanly trying to convert people and convince them that their beleifs( and non’beliefs) are the true path and you are wrong if you can’t see light.

When I see this, it is, to me the same thing as putting up a bilboard claiming “Jesus is Lord”….same effing thing…..christians and atheists; please leave us alone…..let us use our hearts and our minds to find balance and peace, and if we want..our own personal, scripture-less, logically deficient, relationship with God.

This is fine for people who wouldn’t go shopping on a Sunday anyway for religious reasons but is inconvenient for those who don’t observe a day of rest on Sunday. This includes religions whose sabbath is on another day as well as Atheists who simply don’t have one.

I don’t mind people having a religion, I just don’t want their religion to affect my life.

As an atheist myself, there are several reasons why I am concerned about others that have placed belief in a higher authority, especially when it has to deal with the rights of others.

One of the most obvious objections to placing belief in a higher authority is the recent trip the Pope took to Africa. I am personally disgusted about his suggestion regarding condoms and their relationship to the spread of HIV and AIDS. Although the Catholic position on the use of condoms as a form of birth control has been the same for a long time, to actively discourage the use of them at all is horrendous. While the use of condoms isn’t 100% effective against the spread of HIV, it sure beats the effectiveness of prayer and unprotected sex.

Another of my concerns is the trend for religious groups to advocate a specific political party (here in the US) and recruit heavily to enact legislation that denies and prevents rights to others. An obvious connection is the religious right and their connection to the Republican party, which I feel is now in part responsible for the party’s current disfavor in the populace. Since the Reagan era, and slightly before, the movement to blend Christian beliefs and political agenda has led to some alarming trends. I am a supporter of Gay Marriage and Gay rights in general, and it is disappointing to see religious entities like the Church of Latter Day Saints, and other groups being able to put so much money against rights that shouldn’t have to be legislated for at all. If a consenting adult wants to marry another consenting adult, who cares about their orientation?

There are plenty of other reasons to object to the authority of a ‘higher power’ but there isn’t enough time to detail them all.

Also, there probably are no windows. Now stop worrying about what is outside, and get back to work!