by Catherine Nickerson

Created on: September 08, 2008

I don't believe in God. In the United States, this is a stigma. It is easier for the American community to accept and care about the small Muslim child or the Jewish child, but the child taught science must be changed. Those look down on the disfigured, discolored, sexually distracted and different are almost universally intolerant of non believers. I gave birth to one boy and one girl, which means girlscouts and boyscouts. The other parents and children in these organizations tried continually to convince my children that there was an all powerful invisible man who watched them all of the time. They were often banned from visiting the houses of possible friends and we rarely were invited to birthday parties.

Discrimination based on religion or lack of is illegal in this country, right? I have made it known at a few jobs that I didn't believe in God only to find myself the subject of rumors that were so outrageous that one company was convinced that I was actually a witch. One position I held was at a manufacturer where a Christian radio station played in every work area everyday. I had to quit. Do you know of anyone at your job who doesn't believe in God? They are there. Why are they hiding? There really is no way to thrive at work once people find out that you do not believe in the bible. An employer becomes very careful with an employee of different religions, but there is little caution regarding an employee of no faith.

A physical stigma presents itself to a community as it is and that community finds a way of accepting it. A stigma from a person's thoughts is dealt with by trying to change the person's thoughts. This implies that this belief is my choice. I just can not bring myself to believe as most of the planet does. Does this mean I am defective? Does this mean I need to be treated differently? Should my children be removed so that they can find the "truth"?

Please stop trying to save me and simply accept me as I am. Often I feel like convincing me that God is real is actually an exercise in solidifying a person's own belief. I guess that if I don't believe, then maybe all that you have been taught might be wrong. These are not my issues and I really don't want to be dragged into anyone's doubts about a system I don't believe in. But that doesn't mean I won't make a loyal and fun friend. You are welcome to stop by my house on your way home from church. I don't think you are silly or stupid. I just would like to be accepted as I am.

Learn more about this author, Catherine Nickerson.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.