The Price of Atheism (ViDeO)

Rosie - posted on 01/10/2012

everyone is born an atheist though...you don't come out knowing anything, or believing in anything. by default you are an atheist. religion is shoved down our throats pretty early though...

Proud - posted on 01/10/2012

The dad seems a bit "off" to me. Personally I think the dad pushed her into atheism.When she said "I was born atheist" it seemed forced and rehearsed.



I honestly think with a dad like that she couldn't believe in God even if she wanted to.

Ashley - posted on 10/12/2010

Meghan M sory reread your post unaware were u lived seemed like u were saying it was ok because of were she lived understand now. I just get sick of organized religion also i think the girl answered that she was born an atheist because she was if u ask kids why there christians they will answer the same way dosent change the fact that she is, poor girl.

Krista - posted on 10/12/2010

True, Laura. I've met a lot of self-professed Christians who are utter assholes. They make a big show of judging others and going to church on Sunday so that everybody can see, but wouldn't give five seconds of their time to a bum on the street.

I used to work with one lady who was a "real" Christian, though. She was awesome. You could tell that her faith brought her a lot of personal satisfaction and joy, and she was always happy to answer questions about it and even be challenged on it, but would never proselytize. She and I used to have many the theological debate over lunch, and it was always really respectful. She volunteers and gives of herself to others, and I've never heard her say an unkind word to or about anybody.

If ALL Christians were like this woman, Christianity would be such an incredible force for good in the world.

Instead, you get a lot of them that turn into this judgmental, ignorant clique, like this bunch down in Oklahoma. They judge others without even understanding them. In fact ,they make no effort to understand others' points of view, because that might get in the way of their deeply held preconceived notions.

Isobel - posted on 10/12/2010

unfortunately ladies...I rarely come across "real christians" a lot more are like these people.

Krista - posted on 10/12/2010

That poor kid. What the hell is wrong with people anyway, that they have to torment those who do not believe what they believe? How is her disbelief hurting anybody?

And her saying she was born an atheist is probably just her way of saying that she's NEVER believed in a god, which is the case for a lot of atheists.

Good Day! - posted on 10/11/2010

I would like to echo something that Alison said, "They use Christianity as a cultural..." Christianity is often a cultural identity in the Bible belt. It's something that I struggle with as a Christian living in the Bible belt. There are so many ideas that are supposedly "Christian" but are nowhere to be found in the Bible that people hold on to.

And I'm sorry that I'm just repeating other people, but something Carol said is also true. "If people were actually secure and confident in the truth of their own faith, they would not feel the need to attack the non-believer."

This story makes me sad, for atheists as well as Christians.

Johnny - posted on 10/11/2010

If people were actually secure and confident in the truth of their own faith, they would not feel the need to attack the non-believer. There are so many Christians whom I have known who are not the slightest bit concerned by my agnosticism, and I know they are truly faithful. These people are cowards.

Jessica - posted on 10/11/2010

Religion = Fail, yet again. I believe the girl and feel proud for her standing up for herself. The world truely would be a better place without organized religion, the sad pathetic delusion it is.

Joy - posted on 10/11/2010

I think she's a brave girl for not being afraid to stand up for herself. And shame on anyone who would treat her differently. Watching that interview though, makes me think that in the end, she will be a better, smarter, stronger human being for having had to deal with the intolerance.

Kelina - posted on 10/11/2010

I think people can use any religion to twist to what they want, not that religion necessarily is bad. She shouldn't have had to go through this. Personally I'd like to see proof. I try not to believe things people say without proof that it happened. I've had too many poeple lie to me to believe everything that is said up front.

Rosie - posted on 10/11/2010

horrible. this is what bothers me so much about christianity. it just doesn't make sense to me to be so discriminatory against soooo many other types of faiths or lifestyles. completely goes against everything i learned about god when i was a christian.

Jackie - posted on 10/11/2010

@ Dawn - I think she probably had a better explanation but it was edited and she was cut off.

I also think that the lady in the red with the short hair is one that is covering up the crap. She said." we have good children here. Good, Christian children." Sounded to me that she implied that if you're christian, you're good.

This whole thing pisses me off to no end. I would stand up for my beliefs (or lack thereof) just as much as a christian person. So good for her for standing up.

Emma - posted on 10/11/2010

Very Sad...
As an Atheist i know that people have a hard time leaving it alone, most dont care what you believe in as long as you believe in something a bit nutty but true...

Alison - posted on 10/11/2010

I don't think any true Christian would condone this kind of bullying or any kind of lies that were told by the school. It should not have happened and the school is liable for letting it happen.

My experience of the bible belt is that most of them are non-believers themselves. They use Christianity as a cultural identity to discriminate against things they don't like, things that might be considered unAmerican. These people use Christianity as an excuse because they don't like changes.

Meghan - posted on 10/11/2010

@ Ashley Dwinnell -- I happen to like in KS...the center of the bible belt and I am an Atheist so I think it I have a right to say that. I didn't mean it in an offensive way, just stated that that's how it is here in the "bible belt" and that I sympathized with her.

Dawn - posted on 10/11/2010

I don't know.......

I do believe that the girl was targeted unjustly by her class mates as well as facuilty but something just did not seem right with her or her father....did anyone else not get a weird-o vibe from him????? I also didn't like the girls response about why she is an atheist....."Ummm....because I was born an atheist?" This sounds to me like her family is truly motivating this. I am not religious but I do believe in God. I respect people that stand up for their beliefs and think it is a shame that religious freedom isn't always the case in this country.....but I still feel both sides are wrong here (there is a lot of missing or he said/she said information reported). That's my opinion.

Barb - posted on 10/11/2010

I'm glad ABC did this story. Good for this family and this girl for standing up for what they believe in.

She's learning that hard lesson the right thing is not always the easy one.

I believe her as well and the video is going to sink this school, they might as well start settlement now.

Schmoopy - posted on 10/11/2010

I live in the Bible Belt, and I really identify with this girl. Religion is shoved down people's throats around here without any regard for differences. It's pretty sad.



I totally believe her. And I really admire her for standing up for her beliefs.

Anika - posted on 10/11/2010

Remind me to never visit Oklahoma.....

Ashley - posted on 10/10/2010

Thats what u get for living in the bible belt really i think thats horrible to even think that. U should be able to live any were no matter what you believe. That is the main reason why i would never believe in god.

Sapphire - posted on 10/10/2010

WOW! My jaw is just dropped on how filthy and discriminatory the school is towards this young lady and her family. So fucking unbelieveable and even if she wins a lawsuit, what does she really "win"? Fucking predjudice idiots from the school!