I lived currently in Philippines, since this country is being conquered and ruled by Spain hundred of years ago, They Established a strong foundation of religion which is what they called "CHRISTIANITY" or they taught the natives to became "RELIGIOUS" or whatsoever, In my own calculations it means that 60% of my countrymen are Catholics, 30% for Islam, 7% for other affiliations, and 3% only for the non-believers.
The scenario here was, Anytime that someone tells that he/she is a non-believer, the respond from the crowd who involves in her life (friends, relatives, etc) are so awful, they totally discriminate someone who is a non-believer, they cursed, they say improper words at that person, they actually saying this term "you are gonna burn to hell!", all they care is to discriminate those people, They do not really care how they hurt the person, they never showed understanding, sympathy, or they can't let themselves to be open-minded, all they care is that guy will go to hell because he is a non-believer, I had experienced it since I was 9 years old when I told my mom and all of my relatives and friends that I am a non-believer, that same scenario happened to me until now when I try to get socialized with my friends, but I really ignore them, my concern for now is those other non-believers who is experiencing that discrimination scenario and unluckily cannot survive that kind of thing, What I need are ideas on how to help them during the breakdown, such as psychological treatment, advice or something useful to help them survive that state.
Thank you
Subscription Note:
Choosing to subscribe to this topic will automatically register you for email notifications for comments and updates on this thread.
Email notifications will be sent out daily by default unless specified otherwise on your account which you can edit by going to your userpage here and clicking on the subscriptions tab.
Discrimination will continue to exists for as long as we have more than one religion. It's just part of human nature to have this kind of behavior between each other when there are differences in the way of thinking and the perception of things.
There is really no way to get rid of this problem.
Simple friendship is the best support. This can come through personal contact or by engaging in a group with similar beliefs. Your country seems to be several decades behind the US in it's attitude towards atheists. It will only change when the number of people with atheistic beliefs reaches critical mass. That can only be helped along by creating an atheistic community, becoming visible and vocal and exercising all legal rights available. These suggestions are less than helpful to early adopters as they will take the brunt of any abuse. Unfortunately, rights are like power, they are never granted. They must be demanded and assumed. One must remain optimistic, civil in our response to others and set an example that is non-threatening.
Good luck to you and your friends.
I actually signed in to pretty much respond very much like this poster did I wish there were an easier way but unfortunately yeah it a struggle and the early adopters will receive the brunt of the abuse and in some cases may be made an example of. This guy said it well!