標題:The stigma of being an atheist in the US
新聞來源: BBC
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-28616115
大意：美國的無神論者正凝聚力量推動新的電視節目，以支持那些公開其信仰的無神論
者。在美國，無神論者容易遭受不友好的待遇。一位未公開出櫃的無神論者相信公開自己
的身份會招來排擠或恐嚇。一位無神論學生社團的社長，也認為告訴父親自己是無神論
可能會被踢出家門或送至聖經教化營。而根據最近Pew Research Centre所作的民調，美
國人寧可總統是七十幾歲的老人、公開的同性戀或從未擔任過公職，也不要有一位無神論
總統。儘管年輕一代的情況似乎有所改變，但與歐洲相比，仍有很多美國人認為基督信仰
是其生活中重要的一部分。
Atheists in the US are rallying together, launching a new TV programme and
providing support for those who go public with their beliefs.
"Sometimes things need to be said, and fights need to be fought even if they
are unpopular. To the closeted atheists, you are not alone, and you deserve
equality."
So goes the rousing speech from the American Atheists president, David
Silverman, in the opening moments of the first US television broadcaster
dedicated to those who do not believe in God, Atheist TV.
A series of testimonies from prominent atheists then follows.
"It's one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life and I completely
advocate people 'coming out'," says Mark Hatcher, from Black Atheists of
America.
"Coming out" is how many atheists in the USA describe what remains, for many,
a very difficult admission to make publicly.
At one of the biggest gatherings of atheist students in the country, in
Columbus, Ohio, Jamila Bey from the Secular Student Alliance said there
were many attendees who were nervous about being interviewed and had indicated
so by what they were wearing around their neck.
"Red lanyards mean 'You may not talk to me'," says Bey. "A number of the
students we have aren't 'out'. Their parents may not know that they are
atheist or questioning their religion."
She said many were worried about being ostracised or were even scared of
violence if they revealed they did not believe in God.
Lasan Dancay-Bangura, 22, is happy to talk to us. He is, after all, head of
his university's atheist student group. He lets out a deep, sad sigh as he
recalls the moment he told his mother he was an atheist.
"Things were really not good to begin with. She was so angry," he says.
"After a while I think she just accepted it. We still don't talk about it.
It looks like she's not going to kick me out."
Dancay-Bangura admits that he still has not told his father.
"I don't want our relationship to be destroyed because of that," he says.
"You hear it all the time."
"And you hear about people being kicked out, and sent to bible camps where
they're forced to be religious. I don't want to lose my father to that."
The parents of Katelyn Campbell, 19, from West Virginia, have been very
supportive of her stance as an atheist. Her problem has been other members
of the community. "In high school, when I walked down the hallway it would
be completely silent, or I would be spat on," Katelyn says.
Two years ago, she protested against the inclusion of religion and abstinence
in her school sex education classes. She is still feeling the impact.
"Often times I'm really uncomfortable being out in public spaces in my
community at home because people often bring that discussion to my face,
which is a discussion of values that are very personal and very private,"
she says.
A recent poll conducted by the Pew Research Centre shows Americans would
rather have a president who was either in their 70s, or openly gay, or who
had never held any public office than one that was atheist.
Astonishingly, a previous poll by Pew suggested respondents in the US regarded
atheists as less trustworthy than rapists. One of Atheist TV's new phone-in
programmes, The Atheist Experience, has already had a taste of how many
Americans perceive "non-believers".
"So you were studying to be a minister, and now you don't believe in God?
You're the devil," one caller tells the host. "You're a Marxist, you're an
atheist and you're from Russia," says another.
At the atheist student event in Ohio, they are trying to change things.
T-shirts are laid out for sale on one of the vending tables. "Godless Goddess"
says one; "This is what an atheist looks like" says another.
Beside the stall stands Andrew Seidel, an attorney for the Freedom from
Religion Foundation. "Many Americans think they have never met another atheist,
but that is because so many are afraid to publicly acknowledge it," says Andrew
"The way we'll win this fight is because of demographics. Just like it was
really important for the LGBT movement to come out of the closet, it's
important for us to say it loud and say it proud, 'I'm an atheist!'"