Just A Quick Note to Atheists (From an Atheist)
Being an atheist does not erase privilege.
This includes white privilege.
This also includes cis privilege, CNDP privilege, and het privilege.
Seriously, being an atheist does not erase your white privilege.
Criticizing exclusively (majority) non-white religions is racist.
This includes Islam.
The existence of white Muslims does not invalidate this point.
Black Christianity is not always hetereosexist.
Black people are not the most heterosexist heterosexists that ever heterosexisted.
Black queer/gay/lesbian/non-straight/pansexual/asexual people exist too.
Mestiz@s are not the root cause of sexism.
Neither is Latin American Christianity.
You do realize Christianity was imported, right?
Atheists are not the only oppressed religious group.
Muslims are oppressed too.
Often by white atheists.
Islam is not evil.
Neither are hijabs or niqabs.
Neither is Vodun/voodoo/hoodoo.
Neither is any other religion…
…unless it’s World Church of the Creator / The Creativity Movement…
Which is white supremacist.
…or the Westboro Baptist Church.
Who even the KKK hates.
Evolutionary psychology is sexist, racist, cissexist, ableist, and heterosexist.
This includes evolutionary psychology that (supposedly) supports atheism.
Supporting evo-psych means
You have not done your homework, or
You are prejudiced.
Other people’s clothing is not your business.
Including religious articles of clothing.
Including hijabs, headwraps, niqabs, burkas, crosses, crucifixes, pentacles, and other symbols.
Even if you really don’t like it.
Even if it’s really religious.
Acknowledge other people’s identities.
Even if you’re uncomfortable with them.
Especially if you’re uncomfortable,
Because they have racial, sexual, cultural, or disabled identity
Paganism is not ‘atheism-lite’.
Neither is agnosticism.
Neither are indigenous religions.
There is no such thing as ‘ironic’ bigotry.
Unless it’s atheists whining about Christmas.
Seriously, I thought only evangelicals did that.
Trans people are not your special little puzzles.
Neither are autistic / disabled people.
I don’t care if you’re a scientist. We’re still not your Rubik’s Cubes.
Not everything should be about science.
There. I said it.
PoC are not the reason why a lot of people are wary of atheists.
It’s because of white/het/cis/CND atheists.
Yes, including you.
Demanding people educate you is oppressive.
Even if you’re ‘being really nice about it’.
Nice =/= good.
Religions are not inherently oppressive.
Did you know that hijabs and niqabs are cultural?
And that many women find them liberating?
Using emotion in writing, reasoning, the internet, or decision-making does not mean one is stupid/dumb/monkey-like/less-evolved/other ableist, racist, eugenicist terms.
It means one is a fucking human being.
Disability is not a flaw in evolution.
Disabled people will not die out with evolution.
Fuck you.
Being atheist does not mean you are automatically not allistic.
If you don’t know what that means, look it up.
You can use Google.
Being a queer atheist does not make you white.
Seriously, enough with this racist bullshit.
Cultural appropriation is also done by atheists.
Deal with it.
There are no purple people.
You should know this.
Making fun of ‘them crazy darkies doin’ their ridick voodoo’ is racist, ableist, and the reason why a LOT of black atheists will not have anything to do with you.
Satire is a tool that works when aimed upwards, at the most powerful people.
Black people are not the most powerful people.
Especially black people practicing voodoo.
No religion is more ridiculous than any other.
Including Mormonism.
…but some have more power, and are therefore better to make fun of.
Like Mormonism.
Being colorblind is only okay if you literally cannot see or distinguish colors.
Otherwise, it’s racist.
Religions derive strength and power from the social power of their followers.
Which is why evangelical Christianity is a better target than Black Christianity.
Being an agnostic (or bisexual) is not ‘taking the easy way out’.
Really, now?
Monosexism is real.
How do I know?
You’re doing it right now.
And yes, queer can be a term for polysexual.
If you think black people are mean to you,
You’re probably white,
And won’t say you are
Because white people never say they’re white.
The terms ‘hermophradite’ ‘third sex’ and ‘biological gender’ are
Essentialist,
Bigoted,
Cissexist,
Anti-intersex
And not up for debate.
If you refuse to identify your privileged identities,
I’m going to assume you just think you’re ‘normal’
And moderate you.
Refusing to acknowledge the power of environment and social structure
Is bigoted
And means you’re a biological essentialist.
Intersex people exist.
Deal with it.
And no, they are not ‘miracles of evolution’.
I thought you didn’t believe in miracles.
Freedom does not just mean ‘freedom to be an atheist and make the choices I would make’. It means freedom to make even choices I don’t like.
Including religious choices.
Social justice / social uprooting / anti-oppression is not about you and your feelings.
Nobody cares about white guilt.
Making everything about your feelings is oppressive.
If you’re offended,
Get over it.
Realize that being offended is much better than being oppressed.
