Discrimination against atheists#Nazi Germany

Tim Whitmarsh argues atheism existed in the ancient world, though it remains difficult to assess its extent given that atheists are referenced (usually disparagingly) rather than having surviving writings. Given monotheism at the time was a minority view, atheism generally attacked polytheistic beliefs and associated practices in references found. The word "atheos" (godless) also was used for religious dissent generally (including the monotheists) which complicates study further. Despite these difficulties, Whitmarsh believes that otherwise atheism then was much the same. While atheists (or people perceived as such) were occasionally persecuted, this was rare (perhaps due to being a small group, plus a relative tolerance toward different religious views).{{cite book|last=Whitmarsh|first=Tim|title=Battling the Gods: Atheism in the Ancient World|publisher=Knopf|year=2015|isbn=978-0-307-95833-4}} Other scholars believe it arose later in the modern era. Lucien Febvre has referred to the "unthinkability" of atheism in its strongest sense before the sixteenth century, because of the "deep religiosity" of that era. Karen Armstrong has concurred, writing "from birth and baptism to death and burial in the churchyard, religion dominated the life of every single man and woman. Every activity of the day, which was punctuated by church bells summoning the faithful to prayer, was saturated with religious beliefs and institutions: they dominated professional and public life—even the guilds and the universities were religious organizations. ... Even if an exceptional man could have achieved the objectivity necessary to question the nature of religion and the existence of God, he would have found no support in either the philosophy or the science of his time."{{cite book|last=Davidson|first=Nicholas|title=Atheism from the Reformation to the Enlightenment|editor=Michael Hunter |editor2=David Wootton|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=1992|pages=55–86|chapter=Unbelief and Atheism in Italy|isbn=978-0-19-822736-6}}{{cite book|last=Armstrong |first=Karen | authorlink= Karen Armstrong |title=A History of God: The 4000-year Quest of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam |publisher=Random House, Inc. |pages=286–87|year=1994|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=_n3cCF2I2FUC&q=A+History+of+God| isbn=978-0-345-38456-0}}{{cite book|last=Kelley|first=Donald R. |title=Frontiers of History: Historical Inquiry in the Twentieth Century |publisher=Yale University Press|year=2006|page=115|isbn=978-0-300-12062-2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K-wVctit5U8C&pg=PA115}} As governmental authority rested on the notion of divine right, it was threatened by those who denied the existence of the local god. Those labeled as atheist, including early Christians, Jews and Sufi Muslims, were as a result targeted for legal persecution.{{cite book|last=Gey|first=Steven G.|title=The Cambridge Companion to Atheism|editor=Martin, Michael|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2007|chapter=Atheism and the Freedom of Religion|pages=250–253, 260–2 |isbn=978-0-521-84270-9|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tAeFipOVx4MC&pg=PA250}}{{cite book|last=Armstrong |first=Karen | authorlink= Karen Armstrong |title=A History of God: The 4000-year Quest of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam |publisher=Random House, Inc. |pages=98, 147|year=1994|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=_n3cCF2I2FUC|isbn=978-0-345-38456-0}}

{{Further|Atheism in the Age of Enlightenment}}

During the early modern period, the term "atheist" was used as an insult and applied to a broad range of people, including those who held opposing theological beliefs, as well as those who had committed suicide, immoral or self-indulgent people, and even opponents of the belief in witchcraft.{{cite book|last=Laursen|first=John Christian |author2=Nederman, Cary J.|title=Beyond the Persecuting Society: Religious Toleration Before the Enlightenment |publisher=University of Pennsylvania Press|year=1997|page=142|isbn= 978-0-8122-1567-0|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r2j6ZHgXZWkC&pg=PA142}} Atheistic beliefs were seen as threatening to order and society by philosophers such as Thomas Aquinas. Lawyer and scholar Thomas More said that religious tolerance should be extended to all except those who did not believe in a deity or the immortality of the soul. John Locke, a founder of modern notions of religious liberty, argued that atheists (as well as Catholics and Muslims) should not be granted full citizenship rights.

During the Inquisition, several of those who were accused of atheism or blasphemy, or both, were tortured or executed. These included the priest Giulio Cesare Vanini who was strangled and burned in 1619 and the Polish nobleman Kazimierz Łyszczyński who was executed in Warsaw,{{cite book|last= Brooke|first=John Hedley|others= Maclean, Ian |title=Heterodoxy in Early Modern Science and Religion |publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2005|isbn=978-0-19-926897-9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=W9o_OEvMQTcC&pg=PA66}}{{cite book|last=Kłoczowski |first=Jerzy |title=A History of Polish Christianity |publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2000 |page=155|isbn=978-0-521-36429-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ecdye8hk_tgC&pg=PA155}} as well as Etienne Dolet, a Frenchman executed in 1546. Though heralded as atheist martyrs during the nineteenth century, recent scholars hold that the beliefs espoused by Dolet and Vanini are not atheistic in modern terms.{{cite book|last=Onfray|first=Michel|others=Leggatt, Jeremy (translator) |title=Atheist manifesto: the case against Christianity, Judaism, and Islam |publisher=Arcade Publishing|year=2007|page=24|isbn=978-1-55970-820-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QpEAYMo7pFkC&pg=PA24}}{{cite book|last=Chadwick |first=Owen |title=The Early Reformation on the Continent By |publisher= Oxford University Press|year=2003|isbn=978-0-19-926578-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VR1yNW8mgoEC&pg=PA413}}

Baruch Spinoza was effectively excommunicated from the Sephardic Jewish community of Amsterdam for atheism, though he did not claim to be an atheist.{{Citation needed|date=December 2022}}

{{Further|Irreligion in the United Kingdom}}

During the nineteenth century, British atheists, though few in number, were subject to discriminatory practices.{{cite book | author = Larson, Timothy | chapter = Victorian England | title = Encyclopedia of religious freedom | editor = Cookson, Catharine | publisher = Routledge | location = New York | year = 2003 | isbn = 978-0-415-94181-5 | chapter-url = https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofre0000unse | url-access = registration | url = https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofre0000unse }} The poet Percy Bysshe Shelley was expelled from the University of Oxford and denied custody of his two children after publishing a pamphlet titled The Necessity of Atheism. Those not willing to swear Christian oaths during judicial proceedings were unable to give evidence in court to obtain justice until this requirement was repealed by Acts passed in 1869 and 1870.

Atheist Charles Bradlaugh was elected as a Member of the British Parliament in 1880. He was denied the right to affirm rather than swear his oath of office, and was then denied the ability to swear the oath as other Members objected that he had himself said it would be meaningless. Bradlaugh was re-elected three times before he was finally able to take his seat in 1886 when the Speaker of the House permitted him to take the oath.{{cite book|last=Gey|first=Steven G.|title=The Cambridge Companion to Atheism|editor=Martin, Michael|publisher=Cambridge University Press|year=2007|chapter=Atheism and the Freedom of Religion|pages=253–255|isbn=978-0-521-84270-9|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tAeFipOVx4MC&pg=PA253}}

{{Further|Religion in Nazi Germany}}

In Germany during the Nazi era, a 1933 decree stated that "No National Socialist may suffer detriment... on the ground that he does not make any religious profession at all". However, the regime strongly opposed "godless communism",{{cite book|last=Smith|first=Christian|title=Disruptive religion: the force of faith in social-movement activism|publisher=Routledge|year=1996|pages=156–57|isbn=978-0-415-91405-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=39SoSG4NGAoC&pg=PA156}}{{cite book|last=Stackelberg|first=Roderick|title=The Routledge Companion to Nazi Germany|publisher=Routledge|year=2007|pages=136–8|isbn=978-0-415-30860-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cpXIR9yOMuoC&pg=PA136}} and all of Germany's atheist and largely left-wing freethought organizations such as the German Freethinkers League (500,000 members){{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1933/05/14/archives/atheist-hall-converted-berlin-churches-establish-bureau-to-win-back.html |title=Atheist Hall Converted: Berlin Churches Establish Bureau to Win Back Worshipers |work=The New York Times |date=14 May 1933 |page=2 |access-date=18 September 2010}} were banned the same year; some right-wing groups were tolerated by the Nazis until the mid-1930s.{{cite book |last= Bock| first= Heike | chapter= Secularization of the modern conduct of life? Reflections on the religiousness of early modern Europe| editor=Hanne May |title=Religiosität in der säkularisierten Welt |publisher=VS Verlag fnr Sozialw |year=2006 |page= 157|isbn=978-3-8100-4039-8 |chapter-url= https://books.google.com/books?id=nfQ0pqA53Z8C&pg=PA157}}{{cite book|last=Kaiser|first=Jochen-Christoph|title=Atheismus und religiöse Indifferenz|editor=Christel Gärtner|publisher=VS Verlag|year=2003|volume=Organisierter Atheismus|pages= 122, 124–6|isbn=978-3-8100-3639-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YXOr4xQFSJsC&pg=PA124}} In a speech which he made later in 1933, Hitler claimed that he had "stamped out" the atheistic movement.{{cite book|last=Baynes|first=Norman Hepburn|title=The Speeches of Adolf Hitler, April 1922 – August 1939'|publisher=H. Fertig|year=1969|page=378|quote= Without pledging ourselves to any particular Confession, we have restored faith to its pre-requisites because we were convinced that the people needs [sic] and requires [sic] this faith. We have therefore undertaken the fight against the atheistic movement [Gottlosenbewegung], and that not merely with a few theoretical declarations: we have stamped it out.}}

During the negotiations which led up to the Nazi-Vatican Reichskonkordat of 26 April 1933, Hitler stated that "Secular schools can never be tolerated" because of their irreligious tendencies.{{Cite book|last=Helmreich|first=Ernst Christian|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I6DYAAAAMAAJ|title=The German Churches Under Hitler: Background, Struggle, and Epilogue|date=1979

|publisher=Wayne State University Press|isbn=978-0-8143-1603-0

|place=Detroit|page=241}} Hitler routinely disregarded this undertaking, and the Reichskonkordat as a whole, and by 1939, all Catholic denominational schools had been disbanded or converted to public facilities.Evans, Richard J. (2005). The Third Reich in Power. New York: Penguin. {{ISBN|978-0-14-303790-3}}; pp. 245–246

By 1939, 94.5% of Germans still called themselves Protestant or Catholic, while 3.5% were so-called "Gottgläubige" (lit. "believers in God") and 1.5% were without faith.{{Cite book |last=Ziegler |first=Herbert F. |date=2014 |title=Nazi Germany's New Aristocracy: The SS Leadership, 1925–1939 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kBgABAAAQBAJ&pg=PA86 |location=Princeton, New Jersey |publisher=Princeton University Press |pages=85–87 |isbn=9781400860364 |access-date=23 January 2018}} According to historian Richard J. Evans, those members of the affiliation gottgläubig "were convinced Nazis who had left their Church at the behest of the Party, which had been trying since the mid-1930s to reduce the influence of Christianity in society".Richard J. Evans; The Third Reich at War; Penguin Press; New York 2009, p. 546 Heinrich Himmler was a strong promoter of the gottgläubig movement and did not allow atheists into the SS, arguing that their "refusal to acknowledge higher powers" would be a "potential source of indiscipline".{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l5gcZpnL5QUC&q=gottglaubig&pg=PA196|title=The Third Reich|access-date=5 March 2015|isbn=9780330475501|last1=Burleigh|first1=Michael|date=2012-03-22}} Himmler announced to the SS: "We believe in a God Almighty who stands above us; he has created the earth, the Fatherland, and the Volk, and he has sent us the Führer. Any human being who does not believe in God should be considered arrogant, megalomaniacal, and stupid and thus not suited for the SS." The SS oath (Eidformel der Schutzstaffel), written by Himmler, also specifically denounced atheists, repeating the sentiments above.{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/Himmler-Heinrich-Die-Schutzstaffel/page/n13/mode/2up|title=Die Schutzstaffel als antibolschewistische Kampforganisation|access-date=5 May 2020|last1=Himmler|first1=Heinrich}}

{{main|History of human rights}}

{{Further information|Capital punishment for non-violent offenses#Apostasy and blasphemy}}

Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is designed to protect the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. In 1993, the UN's human rights committee declared that article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights "protects theistic, non-theistic and atheistic beliefs, as well as the right not to profess any religion or belief".{{cite web|url=http://www.minorityrights.org/3273/normative-instruments/ccpr-general-comment-22-300793-on-iccpr-article-18.html|title=CCPR General Comment 22: 30/07/93 on ICCPR Article 18|work=Minorityrights.org|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150116043952/http://www.minorityrights.org/3273/normative-instruments/ccpr-general-comment-22-300793-on-iccpr-article-18.html|archive-date=16 January 2015}} The committee further stated that "the freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief necessarily entails the freedom to choose a religion or belief, including the right to replace one's current religion or belief with another or to adopt atheistic views". Signatories to the convention are barred from "the use of threat of physical force or penal sanctions to compel believers or non-believers" to recant their beliefs or convert. Despite this, atheists still are persecuted in some parts of the world.{{cite web |date=1 August 2003|title=Discrimination against religious minorities in Iran|author=International Federation for Human Rights|publisher=fdih.org|access-date=3 March 2009|url=http://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/ir0108a.pdf}}{{cite web|url=http://www.law2.byu.edu/lawreview/archives/2002/2/dav2.pdf|title=The Evolution of Religious Liberty as a Universal Human Right|access-date=3 March 2009|last=Davis|first=Derek H.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723210828/http://www.law2.byu.edu/lawreview/archives/2002/2/dav2.pdf|archive-date=23 July 2011|url-status=dead}}

Modern theories of constitutional democracy assume that citizens are intellectually and spiritually autonomous and that governments should leave matters of religious belief to individuals and not coerce religious beliefs using sanctions or benefits. The constitutions, human rights conventions and the religious liberty jurisprudence of most constitutional democracies provide legal protection of atheists and agnostics. In addition, freedom of expression provisions and legislation separating church from state also serve to protect the rights of atheists. As a result, open legal discrimination against atheists is not common in most Western countries. However, prejudice against atheists does exist in Western countries. A study showed that atheists had lower employment prospects.

{{Further|Irreligion in Europe}}

In most of Europe, atheists are elected to office at high levels in many governments without controversy.{{cite news|url=http://ibka.org/en/articles/miz08/politics-religion-usa|title="Most American secularists have few expectations..." An Interview with AAI president Stuart Bechman|last=Hartmann|first=René|date=March 2008|work=MIZ Magazine|access-date=2009-03-14}} Some atheist organizations in Europe have expressed concerns regarding issues of separation of church and state, such as administrative fees for leaving the Church charged in Germany,

{{cite web

|url=http://ibka.org/en/fee-european-court

|title=Fee for leaving church is brought before European Court of Human Rights | I

|publisher=International League of Non-religious and Atheists (IBKA)

|access-date=2009-03-14}}

and sermons being organized by the Swedish parliament.

{{cite web

|url = http://www.jo.se/Page.aspx?MenuId=106&MainMenuId=106&Language=sv&ObjectClass=DynamX_SFS_Decision&Id=2100

|title = Anmälan till JO – Riksdagens ombudsmän

|publisher = jo.se

|access-date = 2009-03-14

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071122134930/http://www.jo.se/Page.aspx?MenuId=106&MainMenuId=106&Language=sv&ObjectClass=DynamX_SFS_Decision&Id=2100

|archive-date = 22 November 2007

|df = dmy-all

}}

Ireland requires religious training from Christian colleges in order to work as a teacher in government-funded schools.{{cite news

|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2010/0202/1224263575172.html

|title=Why must agnostics be obliged to teach faith?

|newspaper=The Irish Times

|access-date=2010-02-02

|date=2 February 2010

|archive-date=23 October 2010

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101023200304/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2010/0202/1224263575172.html

|url-status=dead

}}

In the UK one-third of state-funded schools are faith-based.{{cite web|url=http://www.runnymedetrust.org/uploads/publications/Summaries/RightToDivide-Summary.pdf|title=Right to Divide? Faith Schools and Community Cohesion|last=Berkeley|first=Rob|author2=Savita Vij|date=December 2008|publisher=Runnymede Trust|page=4|access-date=7 December 2011|location=London|archive-date=16 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120916012850/http://www.runnymedetrust.org/uploads/publications/Summaries/RightToDivide-Summary.pdf|url-status=dead}} However, there are no restrictions on atheists holding public office.{{cite news|last=Peev |first=Gerri |url=http://news.scotsman.com/politics/I-don39t-believe-in-God.3607087.jp |title=Religion: I don't believe in God |work=The Scotsman |date= 20 December 2007|access-date=14 April 2010 |location=Edinburgh}} At least four Prime Ministers of the UK have been openly atheists, along with many other senior politicians across all the parties. According to a 2012 poll, 25% of the Turks in Germany believe atheists are inferior human beings.Liljeberg Research International: [https://d171.keyingress.de/multimedia/document/228.pdf Deutsch-Türkische Lebens und Wertewelten 2012] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011112234/https://d171.keyingress.de/multimedia/document/228.pdf |date=11 October 2012 }}, July/August 2012, p. 68{{Cite news|last=Peters|first=Freia|date=2012-08-17|title=Leben in Deutschland: Türkische Migranten hoffen auf muslimische Mehrheit|language=de|work=DIE WELT|url=https://www.welt.de/politik/deutschland/article108659406/Tuerkische-Migranten-hoffen-auf-muslimische-Mehrheit.html|access-date=2023-01-02}} Portugal has elected two presidents, Mário Soares, who was also elected Prime-Minister, and Jorge Sampaio, who have openly expressed their irreligion, as well as two agnostic Prime-Ministers, José Sócrates and António Costa. On the contrary, in Greece, the right-wing New Democracy government stated that "the Greek people have a right to know whether Mr. Tsipras is an atheist", even though they granted that "it is his right."{{cite web|url=http://www.skai.gr/news/politics/article/250179/nd-o-ellinikos-prepei-na-gnorizei-an-o-tsipras-einai-atheosd/|title=ΝΔ: Ο ελληνικός λαός πρέπει να γνωρίζει αν ο Τσίπρας είναι άθεος – η απάντηση ΣΥΡΙΖΑ|work=skai.gr|date=19 January 2014 }} In the Elder Pastitsios case, a 27-year-old was sentenced to imprisonment for satirizing a popular apocalyptically-minded Greek Orthodox monk, while several metropolitans of the Greek Orthodox Church (which is not separated from the state) have also urged their flock "not to vote unbelievers into office", even going so far as to warn Greek Orthodox laymen that they would be "sinning if they voted atheists into public office."{{citation needed|date=November 2021}}{{cite web|url=http://www.topontiki.gr/article/65820|title=Μητροπολίτης Γόρτυνος: "Το ράσο μου πετάει τριφασικό ρεύμα" (Video)|access-date=5 March 2015|archive-date=25 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725062409/http://www.topontiki.gr/article/65820|url-status=dead}}

{{Further|Irreligion in Brazil}}

A 2009 survey showed that atheists were the most hated demographic group in Brazil, among several other minorities polled, being almost on par with drug addicts. According to the research, 17% of the interviewees stated they felt either hatred or repulsion for atheists, while 25% felt antipathy and 29% were indifferent.{{Cite web|url=http://www.paulopes.com.br/2009/05/ateus-e-usuarios-de-drogas-sao-os-mais.html|title=Ateus e drogados são os mais odiados pelos brasileiros|work=Paulopes.com.br|date=3 May 2009|access-date=4 August 2013|language=pt}}

{{Further|Irreligion in Canada}}

Canadian secular humanist groups have worked to end the recitation of prayers during government proceedings, viewing them as discriminatory.

{{cite web

|url=http://www.humanistcanada.com/no-prayers-in-ont-legislature

|title=No More Prayers in Legislature

|publisher=humanistcanada.com

|access-date=2009-03-14

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904171238/http://www.humanistcanada.com/no-prayers-in-ont-legislature/

|archive-date=2009-09-04

|url-status=dead

}}

{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/article/423192|title=Stirring up yet another religious storm|last=Hurst|first=Lynda|date= 9 May 2008 |work=Toronto Star|access-date=2009-03-14}} Scouts Canada states that while a belief in God or affiliation with organized religion is not a requirement to join, members must have "a basic spiritual belief"{{cite web|url=http://www.scouts.ca/ca/frequently-asked-questions|title=Frequently Asked Questions|access-date=5 March 2015}} and one of the core values is "Duty to God: Defined as, The responsibility to adhere to spiritual principles, and thus to the religion that expresses them, and to accept the duties therefrom."{{cite web|url=http://www.scouts.ca/ca/values|title=Values|access-date=5 March 2015|archive-date=17 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017121945/http://www.scouts.ca/ca/values|url-status=dead}}

{{Excessive citations|date=September 2021|section}}{{Further|Irreligion in the United States}}

{{See also|Religion in the United States#Agnosticism, atheism, and humanism}}

Anti-atheism was described as a "key pillar of American religious identity" from the early settlements to today's conspiracy ideologies.{{Cite book |last=Klug |first=Petra |title=Anti-atheist nation: religion and secularism in the United States |date=2023 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-032-31010-7 |series=Routledge studies in the sociology of religion |location=Abingdon New York (N.Y.)}} Discrimination against atheists in the United States occurs in legal, personal, social, and professional contexts. Many American atheists compare their situation to the discrimination faced by ethnic minorities, and LGBT communities.{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/sunday/commentary/la-op-harris24dec24,0,3481836.story?coll=la-sunday-commentary |title= 10 myths – and 10 truths – about atheism|last=Harris|first=Sam|date=24 December 2006 |work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2009-03-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080417012525/http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/sunday/commentary/la-op-harris24dec24,0,3481836.story?coll=la-sunday-commentary |archive-date=17 April 2008|url-status=dead}}{{cite journal |title=Discrimination against atheists: the facts |author=Downey, Margaret |author-link=Margaret Downey |journal=Free Inquiry |volume=24 |issue=4 |date=June–July 2004 |pages=41–43 |url= http://www.secularhumanism.org/library/fi/downey_24_4.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080208144104/http://www.secularhumanism.org/library/fi/downey_24_4.htm |archive-date=8 February 2008 |df=dmy }} "Americans still feel it's acceptable to discriminate against atheists in ways considered beyond the pale for other groups," asserted Fred Edwords of the American Humanist Association.{{cite web|url=http://www.americanhumanist.org/press/petestark.php |title=Humanists Praise Pete Stark for "Coming Out" as a Nontheist |publisher=American Humanist |access-date=2009-03-17 |url-status=unfit |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080705020101/http://www.americanhumanist.org/press/petestark.php |archive-date=5 July 2008 }}

The degree of discrimination, persecution, and social stigma atheists face in the United States, compared to other persecuted groups in the United States has been the subject of study and a matter of debate.{{cite web |last1=Tabash |first1=Eddie |title=Atheism is Indeed A Civil Rights Issue |url=http://secularhumanism.org/library/fi/tabash_24_4.htm |publisher=Council for Secular Humanism |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220134411/http://secularhumanism.org/library/fi/tabash_24_4.htm |archive-date=20 February 2009 |quote=Free Inquiry magazine, Volume 24, Number 4.}}{{cite news|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/la-oew-thornton18apr18,0,5841004.story|title=Disliked, not oppressed I may be a reviled atheist, but that doesn't mean I can claim equal victimhood with truly repressed minorities|last=Thornton|first=Paul|date=18 April 2007|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2009-03-12|archive-date=4 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604172936/http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/la-oew-thornton18apr18,0,5841004.story|url-status=dead}}{{cite journal|last=Grothe |first=D.J. |author2=Dacey, Austin |title= Atheism Is Not a Civil Rights Issue |journal=Free Inquiry |volume=24 |issue=2 |url=http://www.secularhumanism.org/library/fi/grothe-dacey_24_2.htm |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130429181944/http://www.secularhumanism.org/library/fi/grothe-dacey_24_2.htm |archive-date=29 April 2013 }}

In the United States, seven state constitutions include religious tests that would effectively prevent atheists from holding public office, and in some cases being a juror/witness, though these have not generally been enforced since the early twentieth century.{{cite book|last=Giacalone|first=Robert A|author2=Jurkiewicz, Carole L. |title=Handbook of Workplace Spirituality and Organizational Performance |publisher=M.E. Sharpe|year=2005 |isbn=978-0-7656-1743-9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jlRv-eYAOlMC&pg=PA247}}{{cite book|last=Urofsky|first=Melvin I.|title=Religious Freedom: Rights and Liberties Under the Law |publisher=ABC-CLIO|year= 2002 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9791576073123/page/39 39]–40|isbn=978-1-57607-312-4|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9791576073123|url-access=registration}} The U.S. Constitution permits an affirmation in place of an oath to allow atheists to give testimony in court or to hold public office.{{cite news|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1207/p01s03-uspo.html?s=u|title=At swearing in, congressman wants to carry Koran. Outrage ensues.|last=Lampman|first=Jane |date=7 December 2006 |work=The Christian Science Monitor|access-date=2009-03-01}} However, the Supreme Court case Torcaso v. Watkins (1961) reaffirmed that the U.S. Constitution prohibits states and the federal government from requiring any kind of religious test for public office, in this specific case as a notary public.{{cite book|last=West|first=Ellis M.|title=Encyclopedia of American Civil Liberties |editor= Finkelman, Paul|publisher=CRC Press|year=2006|pages= 1314–5|chapter=Religious Tests of Office-Holding|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YoI14vYA8r0C&pg=PA1314|isbn=978-0-415-94342-0}}{{cite book|last=Douglas|first=Davison M.|title=Encyclopedia of American Civil Liberties |editor= Finkelman, Paul|publisher=CRC Press|year=2006|page= 119|chapter=Belief-Action Distinction in Free Exercise Clause History|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YoI14vYA8r0C&pg=PA119|isbn=978-0-415-94342-0}}{{cite book|last=Belknap|first=Michal R.|title=The Supreme Court Under Earl Warren, 1953–1969 |publisher= Univ of South Carolina Press|year=2005|isbn=978-1-57003-563-0|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x7UIUme1JYYC&pg=PA136}} This decision is generally understood to also apply to witness oaths.{{cite book|last=Friedman |first=Dan|title=The Maryland State Constitution: A Reference Guide |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group|year=2005|page=44|isbn=978-0-313-32044-6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MoTGJ8bk11wC&pg=PA44}}

Several American atheists have used court challenges to address discrimination against atheists. Michael Newdow challenged inclusion of the phrase "under God" in the United States Pledge of Allegiance on behalf of his daughter, claiming that the phrase amounted to government endorsement of discrimination against atheists.{{cite book|last=Bishop|first=Ronald|title=Taking on the Pledge of Allegiance: The News Media and Michael Newdow's Constitutional Challenge |publisher=SUNY Press|year=2007|pages=39–40|isbn=978-0-7914-7181-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T6v-hpqD654C&pg=PA39}} He won the case at an initial stage, but the Supreme Court dismissed his claim, ruling that Newdow did not have standing to bring his case, thus disposing of the case without ruling on the constitutionality of the pledge.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/americas/3806181.stm|title=US to keep 'under God' pledge|date=14 June 2004|work=BBC News |access-date=2009-03-13}}{{cite news|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-8128948_ITM|title=U.S. Supreme Court Dismisses Pledge Challenge|last=Mintz|first=Howard|date=15 June 2004|work= San Jose Mercury News |access-date=2009-03-13}} Respondents to a survey were less likely to support a kidney transplant for hypothetical atheists and agnostics needing it, than for Christian patients with similar medical needs.{{Cite web|url=http://www.pitzer.edu/academics/faculty/zuckerman/Zuckerman_on_Atheism.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228104545/http://www.pitzer.edu/academics/faculty/zuckerman/Zuckerman_on_Atheism.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Atheism, Secularity, and Well-Being: How the Findings of Social Science Counter Negative Stereotypes and Assumptions, Phil Zuckerman*|archivedate=28 December 2014}} As the Boy Scouts of America does not allow atheists as members, atheist families and the ACLU from the 1990s onwards have launched a series of court cases arguing discrimination against atheists. In response to ACLU lawsuits, the Pentagon in 2004 ended sponsorship of Scouting units,{{cite web|url=http://www.aclu-il.org/legal/courtdocuments/2004/11/winkler_v_chicago_school_refor.shtml|year=2004|title=Winkler v. Chicago School Reform Board|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120607215939/http://www.aclu-il.org/legal/courtdocuments/2004/11/winkler_v_chicago_school_refor.shtml|archive-date=2012-06-07|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2004/November/04_civ_751.htm |title=Department of Defense settles part of litigation challenging its involvement with the Boy Scouts of America |publisher=Usdoj.gov |date=16 November 2004 |access-date=4 December 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508175203/http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2004/November/04_civ_751.htm |archive-date=8 May 2009 |df=dmy }} and in 2005 the BSA agreed to transfer all Scouting units out of government entities such as public schools.{{cite web|url=http://www.aclu-il.org/news/press/2005/03/national_boy_scout_organizatio.shtml|work=American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois|title=National Boy Scout Organization Agrees to End All Local Government Direct Sponsorship of Troops and Packs|access-date=2006-03-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121085949/http://www.aclu-il.org/news/press/2005/03/national_boy_scout_organizatio.shtml|archive-date=2008-11-21}}{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/metro/20041116-115229-4427r.htm|work=The Washington Times|title=Boy Scouts Jamboree to Stay at Army Base|access-date=2006-03-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060419175333/http://www.washingtontimes.com/metro/20041116-115229-4427r.htm|archive-date=2006-04-19}}

Despite polling showing that nonbelievers make up an increasingly large part of the population there are only a few public atheists serving as public officials across the nation. Few politicians have been willing to acknowledge their lack of belief in supreme beings, since such revelations have been considered "political suicide",{{cite news|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/03/14/MNG7BOKV111.DTL |title=Stark's atheist views break political taboo|last=Marinucci|first=Carla|work=San Francisco Chronicle|access-date=2009-03-12 | date=2007-03-14}}{{cite web |url=http://www.nysun.com/national/california-lawmaker-becomes-highest-ranking/50312/ |title=California Lawmaker Becomes Highest-Ranking Official To Say He's a Nonbeliever |publisher=Nysun.com |access-date=4 December 2011 |archive-date=26 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126125359/https://www.nysun.com/national/california-lawmaker-becomes-highest-ranking/50312/ |url-status=dead }} and some have identified themselves as atheists only after or towards the end of their terms in office. California Representative Pete Stark was the first openly atheist member of the United States Congress, publicly identifying himself as such in 2007 despite serving since 1973.{{cite news | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-mar-13-na-atheist13-story.html |title=Congressman says he doesn't believe in God | first=ADAM | last=SCHRECK | work=Los Angeles Times | date=March 13, 2007 | url-access=limited}}Stark called himself "a Unitarian who does not believe in a supreme being" and has been identified as an atheist. [https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna17594581 Rep. Stark applauded for atheist outlook: Believed to be first congressman to declare nontheism], Associated Press, March 13, 2007 (Accessed June 28, 2024) With this announcement he became the highest ranking openly atheist elected official in the United States. Stark was defeated for reelection in the primary in 2012, the same year Jared Huffman was elected representative for a different California district. Huffman has since been the sole non-theist in the United States House of Representatives, describing himself as a humanist and stating "I suppose you could say I don't believe in God" in a 2017 interview with The Washington Post{{'}}s Michelle Boorstein.{{Cite web |last=Nadeem |first=Reem |date=2023-01-03 |title=Faith on the Hill: The religious composition of the 118th Congress |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2023/01/03/faith-on-the-hill-2023/ |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=Pew Research Center |language=en-US}}{{cite news |author=Michelle Boorstein |date=November 9, 2017 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2017/11/09/this-lawmaker-is-skeptical-that-god-exists-now-hes-finally-decided-to-tell-people/ |title=This lawmaker isn't sure that God exists. Now, he's finally decided to tell people. |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=June 28, 2024}} It is thought that for years, there was only one openly atheist state legislator, Ernie Chambers, who held a seat in the Nebraska State Legislature from 1971 to 2009, and again from 2013 to 2021. During the 2010s, some other members of state legislatures have publicly identified themselves as atheists including Juan Mendez of Arizona,{{Cite web|last=Hendley|first=Matthew|date=2014-03-04|title=Atheist Representative Juan Mendez Brings More Non-Prayer to the Arizona House|url=https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/atheist-representative-juan-mendez-brings-more-non-prayer-to-the-arizona-house-6635599|access-date=2024-06-28|website=Phoenix New Times}}{{cite news |last=Reinhart |first=Mary |title=Ariz. lawmaker comes out as atheist during meeting |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/05/22/arizona-lawmaker-mendez-atheist/2349995/ |access-date=June 28, 2024 |newspaper=The Arizona Republic |date=May 22, 2013}} Andrew Zwicker of New Jersey,{{Cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/25gxxw/i_am_andrew_zwicker_phd_plasma_physicist_science/chh3d4w|title=r/IAmA - Comment by u/AndrewZwicker: "I'm an atheist, but I don't believe that science and religion are by definition incompatible."|website=reddit|date=May 13, 2014 |language=en-US|access-date=2024-06-28}} and Megan Hunt of Nebraska.{{Cite web |title=Legislator Spotlight: Nebraska Sen. Megan Hunt |work=State Innovation Exchange |date=January 28, 2021 |url=https://stateinnovation.org/nebraska-megan-hunt/|access-date=2024-06-28|language=en-US}} Cecil Bothwell, who has publicly stated he does not believe in gods and that it is "certainly not relevant to public office", was elected on 3 November 2009, to the Asheville, North Carolina city council after he won the third highest number of votes in the city election. Following the election, political opponents of Bothwell threatened to challenge his election on the grounds that the North Carolina Constitution does not allow for atheists to hold public office in the state. However, that provision, dating back to 1868, is unenforceable and invalid because the United States Constitution prevents religious tests for public office.{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/12/14/critics-say-atheist-nc-city-councilman-unworthy-seat/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091217182413/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/12/14/critics-say-atheist-nc-city-councilman-unworthy-seat/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 December 2009 |title=Critics Say Atheist N.C. City councilman Unworthy of Seat |publisher=Fox News |date=7 April 2010 |access-date=4 December 2011}} A 2015 Gallup survey found that 40% of Americans would not vote an atheist for president,{{cite web|url=http://www.gallup.com/poll/183713/socialist-presidential-candidates-least-appealing.aspx|title=In U.S., Socialist Presidential Candidates Least Appealing|date=22 June 2015|publisher=Gallup|access-date=2 March 2017}} and in polls prior to 2015, that number had reached about 50%.{{cite journal | url = https://www.motherjones.com/news/exhibit/2004/09/09_200.html | title = Faith in the System | journal = Mother Jones |date=September–October 2004 }}{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-03-11-politics-diversity-cover_N.htm|title=2008 race has the face of a changing America|last=Page|first=Susan|work=USA Today|access-date=2009-03-13 | date=2007-03-12}}

A 2014 study by the University of Minnesota found that 42% of respondents characterized atheists as a group that did "not at all agree with my vision of American society", and that 44% would not want their child to marry an atheist. The negative attitudes towards atheists were higher than negative attitudes towards African-Americans and homosexuals but lower than the negative attitudes towards Muslims.{{cite journal |last1=Edgell |first1=Penny |last2=Stewart |first2=Evan |last3=Hartmann |first3=Douglas |last4=Gerteis |first4=Joseph |date=7 November 2016 |title=Atheists and Other Cultural Outsiders: Moral Boundaries and the Non-Religious in the United States |journal=University of Minnesota |volume=95 |issue=2 |page=619 |url=https://academic.oup.com/sf/article-pdf/95/2/607/9597834/sow063.pdf }} Many in the U.S. associate atheism with immorality, including criminal behaviour, extreme materialism, communism and elitism.{{cite web|url=http://www.authentichistory.com/1946-1960/4-cwhomefront/7-comics/tcgodless/This_Godless_Communism_1961.html|title=This Godless Communism, 1961|publisher=authentichistory.com}} The studies also showed that rejection of atheists was related to the respondent's lack of exposure to diversity, education and political orientations.{{cite web |url=http://www1.umn.edu/news/news-releases/2006/UR_RELEASE_MIG_2816.html |title=Atheists identified as America's most distrusted minority, according to new U of M study |publisher=UMN News |access-date=2006-03-22}} Atheists and atheist organizations have alleged discrimination against atheists in the military,{{cite web|url=http://www.militaryatheists.org/|title=MAAF (2009). Military Association of Atheists & Freethinkers|date=27 April 2011|publisher=militaryatheists.org|access-date=4 December 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/09/airforce_lakenheath_suit_093008/ |author=LaGrone, S.|date=30 September 2008|title=Soldier alleges religious bias at Lakenheath|publisher=Armytimes.com |access-date=4 December 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/02/air-force-academy-cites-p_n_777937.html |author1=Jones, W. |title=Air Force Academy Cites Progress in Tackling Religious Intolerance|work=Huffington Post |date=28 September 2010 |access-date=4 December 2011 |editor=Fleet, Josh}} and recently, with the development of the Army's Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program, atheists have alleged institutionalized discrimination.{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/06/army-faces-questions-over_n_805524.html|author= Banks, Adelle|title= Army Faces Questions Over 'Spiritual Fitness' Test|work=Huffington Post |date=16 January 2011 |access-date=4 December 2011 |editor=Fleet, Josh}}{{cite web|url=http://www.militaryreligiousfreedom.org/docs/spirituality_testing_cnd.pdf |work=MAAF|date=30 December 2010|title=The Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program's Unconstitutional Soldier Fitness Tracker and Global Assessment Tool |access-date=4 December 2011}} In several child custody court rulings, atheist parents have been discriminated against, either directly or indirectly. As child custody laws in the United States are often based on the subjective opinion of family court judges, atheism has frequently been used to deny custody to non-religious parents on the basis that a parent's lack of faith displays a lack of morality required to raise a child.{{cite journal|url=http://www2.law.ucla.edu/volokh/custody.pdf|year=2006|title=Parent-child speech and child custody speech restrictions|first=Eugene|last=Volokh|journal=New York University Law Review|volume=81|page=631}}{{cite journal|url=http://www.pitzer.edu/academics/faculty/zuckerman/Zuckerman_on_Atheism.pdf|title=Atheism, Secularity, and Well-Being: How the Findings of Social Science Counter Negative Stereotypes and Assumptions|first=Phil|last=Zuckerman|journal=Sociology Compass|volume=3|issue=6|year=2009|pages=949–971|doi=10.1111/j.1751-9020.2009.00247.x|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228104545/http://www.pitzer.edu/academics/faculty/zuckerman/Zuckerman_on_Atheism.pdf|archive-date=28 December 2014 |url-status=dead}}

Prominent atheists and atheist groups have said that discrimination against atheists is illustrated by a statement reportedly made by George H. W. Bush during a public press conference just after announcing his candidacy for the presidency in 1987.{{cite web

|url = http://www.atheistsforhumanrights.org/mugged.htm

|title = Your money and/or your life: mugged by the mythmakers

|publisher = Atheists For Human Rights

|access-date = 2009-02-27

|last = Castle

|first = Marie Alena

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090119230706/http://atheistsforhumanrights.org/mugged.htm

|archive-date = 19 January 2009

|url-status = dead

|df = dmy-all

}}

{{cite web

|url = http://www.positiveatheism.org/writ/ghwbush.htm

|title = George H. W. Bush: "Atheists Neither Citizens Nor Patriots

|publisher = American Atheists

|access-date = 2009-02-27

|last = O'Hair

|first = Madalyn

|url-status = dead

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090228202939/http://positiveatheism.org/writ/ghwbush.htm

|archive-date = 28 February 2009

|df = dmy

}}

{{cite news|title= Godless in Tucson; Atheists—the least-trusted group in America—speak out|last=Burns|first=Saxon|date=30 November 2006 |work=Tucson Weekly|url=http://www.tucsonweekly.com/gbase/Currents/Content?oid=89764|access-date=2009-02-27}} When asked by journalist Robert Sherman about the equal citizenship and patriotism of American atheists, Sherman reported that Bush answered, "No, I don't know that atheists should be regarded as citizens, nor should they be regarded as patriotic. This is one nation under God."Frequently misquoted as "No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots.", starting with {{cite journal |date=Fall 1988 | title = On the Barricades: Bush on Atheism | author = GALA Interim | journal = Free Inquiry | volume = 8 | issue = 4 | issn = 0272-0701 | page = 16 }}. Sherman did not tape the exchange and no other newspaper ran a story on it at the time.{{cite book|last=Dawkins|first=Richard|title=The God Delusion|publisher=Houghton Mifflin Harcourt|year=2006|pages=43–46|isbn=978-0-618-68000-9|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yq1xDpicghkC&pg=PA43}}

George H. W. Bush's son, George W. Bush, responded to a question about the role of faith in his presidency during a 3 November 2004 press conference, "I will be your president regardless of your faith. And I don't expect you to agree with me, necessarily, on religion. As a matter of fact, no president should ever try to impose religion on our society. The great – the great tradition of America is one where people can worship the – the way they want to worship. And if they choose not to worship, they're just as patriotic as your neighbor."

{{cite news

|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/04/politics/04BUSHTRANS.html?pagewanted=4

|title= Transcript of President Bush's News Conference

|work=The New York Times

|access-date=2012-01-17

|date=4 November 2004

}}

{{anchor|seven}}

On 16 December 2016, President Barack Obama signed H.R. 1150, an amendment to the Frank R. Wolf International Religious Freedom Act. It includes protections for "non-theistic beliefs, as well as the right not to profess or practice any religion at all."{{Citation |last=Emery |first=David |date=20 December 2016 |title=Obama Signs Law Protecting Atheists from Religious Persecution |publisher=Snopes.com |url=http://www.snopes.com/2016/12/21/obama-signs-law-protecting-atheists/ |access-date=23 December 2016 }}

Torcaso v. Watkins, {{ussc|367|488|1961}} was a United States Supreme Court case in which the court reaffirmed that the United States Constitution prohibits States and the Federal Government from requiring any kind of religious test for public office; the specific case with Torcaso was regarding his being an atheist and his work as a notary public.

The constitutions of seven U.S. states ban atheists from holding public office. However, these laws are unenforceable due to conflicting with the First Amendment and Article VI of the United States Constitution:{{cite web|url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/articlevi|title=Article VI|publisher=Legal Information Institute}}{{cite web|url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/constitution/first_amendment|title=U.S. Constitution – First Amendment|publisher=Legal Information Institute}}

;Arkansas

:Article 19, Section 1
"No person who denies the being of a God shall hold any office in the civil departments of this State, nor be competent to testify as a witness in any Court."{{cite book|title=Constitution of the State of Arkansas|url=http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/Summary/ArkansasConstitution1874.pdf|publisher=Arkansas State Legislature|location=Little Rock, AR|access-date=17 July 2012}}

;Maryland

:Article 37
"That no religious test ought ever to be required as a qualification for any office of profit or trust in this State, other than a declaration of belief in the existence of God; nor shall the Legislature prescribe any other oath of office than the oath prescribed by this Constitution."{{cite web|url=http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/43const/html/00dec.html|title=Constitution of Maryland|date=10 June 2011|publisher=Maryland State Archives|access-date=17 July 2012|location=Annapolis, MD|archive-date=13 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813183640/http://www.msa.md.gov/msa/mdmanual/43const/html/00dec.html|url-status=dead}}

;Mississippi

:Article 14, Section 265
"No person who denies the existence of a Supreme Being shall hold any office in this state."{{cite web|url=http://www.sos.ms.gov/links/ed_pubs/pubs/Mississippi_Constitution.pdf |title=Constitution of the State of Mississippi |publisher=Secretary of State, State of Mississippi |page=117 |access-date=17 July 2012 |location=Jackson, MS |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150421040130/http://www.sos.ms.gov/links/ed_pubs/pubs/Mississippi_Constitution.pdf |archive-date=21 April 2015 }}

;North Carolina

:Article 6, Section 8
"The following persons shall be disqualified for office: First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God."{{cite web|url=http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/legislation/constitution/ncconstitution.html|title=North Carolina State Constitution Article VI Section 8.|access-date=2012-12-28}}

;South Carolina

:Article 17, Section 4
"No person who denies the existence of a Supreme Being shall hold any office under this Constitution."{{cite web|url=http://www.scstatehouse.gov/scconstitution/a17.php|title=South Carolina Constitution Article 17 Section 4.|access-date=2012-06-18|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120602034511/http://www.scstatehouse.gov/scconstitution/a17.php|archive-date=2 June 2012}}

;Tennessee

:Article 9, Section 2
"No person who denies the being of God, or a future state of rewards and punishments, shall hold any office in the civil department of this state."{{cite book|title=Tennessee Blue Book 2011–2012|chapter-url=http://www.tn.gov/sos/bluebook/11-12/TS5_TNFoundingDocs.pdf|publisher=Secretary of State, State of Tennessee|location=Nashville, TN|chapter=Article IX, Disqualifications|access-date=17 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120714110000/http://tn.gov/sos/bluebook/11-12/TS5_TNFoundingDocs.pdf|archive-date=14 July 2012|url-status=dead}}

;Texas

:Article 1, Section 4
"No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office, or public trust, in this State; nor shall any one be excluded from holding office on account of his religious sentiments, provided he acknowledge the existence of a Supreme Being."{{cite web|url=http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/CN/htm/CN.1.htm|title=Texas Constitution, Article 1, Section 4.|access-date=2012-06-18}}

An eighth state constitution affords special protection to theists.

;Pennsylvania

:Article 1, Section 4
"No person who acknowledges the being of a God and a future state of rewards and punishments shall, on account of his religious sentiments, be disqualified to hold any office or place of trust or profit under this Commonwealth."{{cite web | url=http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Constitution.html | title=Pennsylvania Constitution, Article 1, Section 4.| access-date=2012-10-10}}

{{see also|Persecution of atheists in the Middle East|Islam and atheism|Apostasy in Islam}}

Atheists, and those accused of defection from the official religion, may be subject to discrimination and persecution in many Muslim-majority countries.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-religion-atheists-idUSBRE8B900520121210|title=Atheists around world suffer persecution, discrimination: report|author=Robert Evans|date=9 December 2012|newspaper=Reuters}} According to the Humanists International, compared to other nations, 12 countries in Africa, 9 in Asia, and 10 in the Middle East, were given the worst rating for committing "Grave Violations".{{cite web|url=http://iheu.org/story/you-can-be-put-death-atheism-13-countries-around-world|title=International Humanist and Ethical Union – You can be put to death for atheism in 13 countries around the world|access-date=5 March 2015}} Atheists and religious skeptics can be executed in at least thirteen nations: Afghanistan, Iran, Brunei, Maldives, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Libya, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-religion-atheists-idUSBRE9B900G20131210|title=Atheists face death in 13 countries, global discrimination: study|author=Robert Evans|date=9 December 2013|publisher=Reuters}}{{cite news|url = http://freethoughtreport.com/download-the-report/|title = International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU)|date = 2015}}

According to the most common interpretations of Islam, Muslims are not free to change religion or become an atheist. Leaving Islam and thus becoming an apostate is traditionally punished by death for men and by life imprisonment for women. The death penalty for apostasy is apparent in a range of Islamic states, including Iran,{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/3179465/Hanged-for-being-a-Christian-in-Iran.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/3179465/Hanged-for-being-a-Christian-in-Iran.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Hanged for being a Christian in Iran|date=11 October 2008|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=5 March 2015}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-iran-execution-apostasy-idUKTRE70U41D20110131|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117190615/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-iran-execution-apostasy-idUKTRE70U41D20110131|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 January 2016|title=Iran hangs man convicted of apostasy|date=31 January 2011|work=Reuters|access-date=5 March 2015}} Egypt,{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2007/sep/17/supportingislamsapostates,|title=Supporting Islam's apostates|website=TheGuardian.com }} Pakistan, Somalia,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7833621.stm|title=Somali executed for 'apostasy'|work=BBC News|date=16 January 2009|publisher=BBC|access-date=5 March 2015}} United Arab Emirates,{{cite web|url=http://freedomcenterstudents.org/2010/05/crimes-punishable-by-death-in-the-uae-include-apostasy/|title=Crimes punishable by death in the UAE include…apostasy – Freedom Center Students|access-date=5 March 2015}} Qatar,{{cite web |title=Islamic Teaching on the Consequences of Apostasy from Islam |url=http://www.barnabasfund.org/news/archives/article.php?ID_news_items=295 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070709045248/http://www.barnabasfund.org/news/archives/article.php?ID_news_items=295 |archive-date=9 July 2007 |access-date=5 March 2015}} Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Although there have been no recently reported executions in Saudi Arabia,{{Cite news

|url=https://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/World/20060327/muslims_conversion_060327

| date = 27 March 2006

|access-date=2023-01-02|website=CTV News

| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120041820/http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/World/20060327/muslims_conversion_060327/

| title= 'Apostasy' laws widespread in Muslim world

| archive-date = 20 January 2012

| agency = Associated Press

| quote = Islamic Shariah law considers conversion to any religion apostasy and most Muslim scholars agree the punishment is death. Saudi Arabia considers Shariah the law of the land, though there have been no reported cases of executions of converts from Islam in recent memory.

}} a judge in Saudi Arabia has recently recommended that imprisoned blogger Raif Badawi go before a high court on a charge of apostasy, which would carry the death penalty upon conviction.{{cite news |last=Abdelaziz |first=Salma |date=2013-12-26 |title=Wife: Saudi blogger recommended for apostasy trial |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/25/world/meast/saudi-blogger-death-sentence/index.html |publisher=CNN |access-date=2014-01-08}} While a death sentence is rare, it is common for atheists to be charged with blasphemy or inciting hatred.{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/news/international/21567059-ex-muslim-atheists-are-becoming-more-outspoken-tolerance-still-rare-no-god-not|title=No God, not even Allah: Ex-Muslim atheists are becoming more outspoken, but tolerance is still rare|date=24 November 2012|newspaper=Economist}} New "Arab Spring" regimes in Tunisia and Egypt have jailed several outspoken atheists.

Since an apostate can be considered a Muslim whose beliefs cast doubt on the Divine, and/or Qur'an, claims of atheism and apostasy have been made against Muslim scholars and political opponents throughout history.{{cite book|last=Kamrava|first=Mehran|title=The new voices of Islam: reforming politics and modernity : a reader |publisher=I.B.Tauris|year=2006|pages=123–24|isbn=978-1-84511-275-2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wTYJv7mwCoIC&pg=PA123}}{{cite book| last = Hamad|first= Ahmad| chapter= Legal plurality and legitimation of human rights abuses | editor1 = Al-Zwaini, Laila|editor2= Baudouin Dupret |editor3= Berger, Maurits | title = Legal pluralism in the Arab world | publisher = Kluwer Law International | location = The Hague | year = 1999 | page = 221 | isbn = 978-90-411-1105-0 | chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=VAcOB1eMa5QC&pg=PA221 }}{{cite book | author = Zaki Badawi, M.A. | chapter = Islam | title = Encyclopedia of religious freedom | editor = Cookson, Catharine | publisher = Routledge | location = New York | year = 2003 | pages = [https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofre0000unse/page/204 204–8] | isbn = 978-0-415-94181-5 | chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=R0PrjC1Ar7gC&pg=PA206 | url = https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaofre0000unse/page/204 }} Both fundamentalists and moderates agree that "blasphemers will not be forgiven" although they disagree on the severity of an appropriate punishment. In northwestern Syria in 2013 during the Syrian Civil War, jihadists beheaded and defaced a sculpture of Al-Maʿarri (973–1058 CE), one of several outspoken Arab and Persian anti-religious intellectuals who lived and taught during the Islamic Golden Age.{{Cite news|date=2013-02-12|title=Syria violence claims head of ancient Arab poet|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-statue-idUSBRE91B13420130212|access-date=2023-01-02}}[http://observers.france24.com/content/20130214-jihadists-behead-statue-syrian-poet-abul-ala-al-maari Jihadists Behead Statue of Syrian Poet Abul Ala Al-Maari] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130216053220/http://observers.france24.com/content/20130214-jihadists-behead-statue-syrian-poet-abul-ala-al-maari |date=16 February 2013 }}. The Observers, France 24. 14 February 2013. Accessed 15 December 2013.

Jordan requires atheists to associate themselves with a recognized religion for official identification purposes.

{{cite web

|url=http://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108485.htm

|title=International Religious Freedom Report 2008-Jordan

|date=19 September 2008

|publisher= US of Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor

|access-date=2009-03-14

}}

In Egypt, intellectuals suspected of holding atheistic beliefs have been prosecuted by judicial and religious authorities. Novelist Alaa Hamad was convicted of publishing a book that contained atheistic ideas and apostasy that were considered to threaten national unity and social peace.{{cite book|last=Boyle|first=Kevin|author2=Sheen, Juliet |title=Freedom of Religion and Belief: A World Report |publisher=Routledge |year=1997|page=30|isbn=978-0-415-15978-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MFUZkWWgOtMC&pg=RA1-PA30}}{{cite book | author =Al-Boray, Nagad | chapter= Egypt| title = Secrecy and Liberty: National Security, Freedom of Expression and Access to Information (International Studies in Human Rights) | publisher = Springer | location = Berlin | year = 1999 | isbn = 978-90-411-1191-3 | chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=72IynQKXt3sC&pg=PA251}}

The study of Islam is a requirement in public and private schools for every Algerian child, irrespective of their religion.

Atheist or agnostic men are prohibited from marrying Muslim women (Algerian Family Code I.II.31).{{cite web|url=http://www.lexalgeria.net/droitdelafamille.htm |title=de beste bron van informatie over Lexalgeria. Deze website is te koop! |publisher=lexalgeria.net |date=2 January 2011 |access-date=4 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040623101746/http://www.lexalgeria.net/droitdelafamille.htm|archive-date=23 June 2004 |url-status=dead}} A marriage is legally nullified by the apostasy of the husband (presumably from Islam, although this is not specified; Family Code I.III.33).

Atheists and agnostics cannot inherit (Family Code III.I.138).

{{main|Attacks on secularists in Bangladesh}}

{{See also|Persecution of atheists in Bangladesh|Religion in Bangladesh#Atheism}}

The Constitution of Bangladesh ensures secularism and right to religious freedom.{{Cite web|title=The Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh|url=http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/act-367.html|access-date=2020-07-01|website=bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd}} Yet, the controversial Digital Security Act (DSA), passed in 2018, provides provisions against blasphemous expressions:

:Article 28, Section 1
"If any person or group willingly or knowingly publishes or broadcasts or causes to publish or broadcast anything in website or any electronic format which hurts religious sentiment or values, with an intention to hurt or provoke the religious values or sentiments, then such act of the person shall be an offence."{{Cite web|title=Digital Security Act 2020|url=https://www.cirt.gov.bd/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Digital-Security-Act-2020.pdf|access-date=2021-04-26|website=www.cirt.gov.bd}}

The penalty under Section 2 and 3 of Article 28 of the Digital Security Act is a term of imprisonment not exceeding 5 years or a fine of BDT 1 million, or both. A person that commits the same offense several times is subject to imprisonment for up to 10 years or a "fine not exceeding Taka 20 lac (BDT 2 Million), or with both."

Allegedly, DSA is being used to prosecute any person for atheistic remarks.{{Cite web |date=March 2022 |title=Country policy and information note: religious minorities and atheists, Bangladesh |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bangladesh-country-policy-and-information-notes/country-policy-and-information-note-religious-minorities-and-atheists-bangladesh-march-2022-accessible |access-date=2025-03-15 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}

Religious Education is a mandatory subject in Bangladeshi public curricula from Grade-3 (Ages 8 to 9 usually), and even though Religious Education is required from Grade-3 onwards, most public and private schools have Religious Education since Grade-1 (Ages 6 to 7 usually), and most children are given Religious Education from a young age, and most children from Muslim households in Bangladesh can read the Qur'an by the time they are 8 or 9. Religion is also a mandatory in order for a student to sit for their SSCs. Although Atheism is frowned upon, no atheists have ever been given death sentence for apostasy since the birth of the country. Some Bangladeshi atheists have been assassinated by various local Islamic extremist organizations, but the Government has taken strict measures and has since banned the Islamist groups.{{Cite web|last=bdnews24.com|first=Staff Correspondent|title=Ansar al-Islam banned in Bangladesh|url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2017/03/05/ansar-al-islam-banned-in-bangladesh|access-date=2020-07-01|website=bdnews24.com}}

{{Further|Anti-atheist sentiment in Indonesia|Indonesian mass killings of 1965–1966}}

{{See also|Religion in Indonesia#Atheism|Islam in Indonesia#Religious freedom}}

Jess Melvin argues that atheists were victims of genocide under the legal definition of the term during the 1965–66 Anti-PKI extermination campaign (PKI were the Communist Party of Indonesia) as the Indonesian Army called for the destruction of "atheist" and "unbelievers" collectively for their association with communism and, according to Matthew Lippmann and David Nersessian, atheists are covered as a protected group in the genocide convention under "religious group."Melvin, Jess (2017). "Mechanics of Mass Murder: A case for Understanding the Indonesian Killings as Genocide". Journal of Genocide Research 19 (4): 487–511. doi:10. 1080/14623528.2017.1393942.

Atheists in Indonesia experience official discrimination in the context of registration of births and marriages, and the issuance of identity cards.{{cite web

|url=https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90137.htm

|title=International Religious Freedom Report 2007-Indonesia

|date=14 September 2007

|publisher= US of Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor

|access-date=2009-03-14

}} In 2012, Indonesian atheist Alexander Aan was beaten by a mob, lost his job as a civil servant and was sentenced to two and a half years in jail for expressing his views online.{{cite web|url=http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/archive/amnesty-calls-for-release-of-jailed-indonesian-atheist/524453/|title=Amnesty Calls for Release of Jailed Indonesian Atheist|work=Jakarta Globe|date= 15 June 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921223626/http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/archive/amnesty-calls-for-release-of-jailed-indonesian-atheist/524453/|archive-date=21 September 2013|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/may/03/indonesia-atheists-religious-freedom-aan|title=Indonesia's atheists face battle for religious freedom|work=The Guardian|date=3 May 2012}} However there is no law that criminalizes, prohibits atheism and atheists except in Aceh.

{{Further|Irreligion in Iran}}

Since atheism is not a belief nor a religion, non-believers are not given legal status in Iran. Declaration of faith in Islam, Christianity, Judaism or Zoroastrianism is required to avail of certain rights such as applying for entrance to university,{{cite web|url=http://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/ir0108a.pdf|title=Discrimination against religious minorities in IRAN|date=August 2003|work=Fédération Internationale des Ligues des Droits de l`Homme and the Ligue de Défense des Droits de l'Homme en Iran|access-date=2009-03-13}}{{cite news|title= Iranian Atheists Association: Issues|publisher= Iranian Atheists Association|url= https://iranianatheists.org/issues-1.html|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://archive.today/20130924185308/https://iranianatheists.org/issues-1.html|archive-date= 24 September 2013}} or becoming a lawyer, with the position of judge reserved for Muslims (and men) only.

{{cite web |url = https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde13/045/2001/en/ |title= Iran: A legal system that fails to protect freedom of expression and association |publisher = Amnesty International |access-date = 2009-03-14 |df = dmy-all}} The Penal Code is also based upon the religious affiliation of the victim and perpetrator, with the punishment oftentimes more severe on non-Muslims.{{cite web|title=Apostasy in the Islamic Republic of Iran|url=http://www.iranhrdc.org/english/publications/reports/1000000512-apostasy-in-the-islamic-republic-of-iran.html|website=Iranian Human Rights Documentation Center|access-date=22 June 2015|archive-date=2 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702051743/http://www.iranhrdc.org/english/publications/reports/1000000512-apostasy-in-the-islamic-republic-of-iran.html|url-status=dead}} Numerous writers, thinkers and philanthropists have been accused of apostasy and sentenced to death for questioning the prevailing interpretation of Islam in Iran.{{cite web|title=Iranian Writer Sentenced to Death for Apostasy|url=http://www.iranhrdc.org/english/news/inside-iran/1000000588-iranian-writer-sentenced-to-death-for-apostasy.html|website=Iran Human Rights Documentation Center|access-date=22 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623005634/http://www.iranhrdc.org/english/news/inside-iran/1000000588-iranian-writer-sentenced-to-death-for-apostasy.html|archive-date=23 June 2015|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Human Rights Questions: Human Rights Situations and Reports of Special Rapporteurs and Representatives – Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran|url=http://www.iranhrdc.org/english/human-rights-documents/aadel-collection/11756-human-rights-questions-human-rights-situations-and-reports-of-special-rapporteurs-and-representatives-situation-of-human-rights-in-the-islamic-republic-of-iran.html|website=Iran Human Rights Documentation Center|access-date=22 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924040109/http://www.iranhrdc.org/english/human-rights-documents/aadel-collection/11756-human-rights-questions-human-rights-situations-and-reports-of-special-rapporteurs-and-representatives-situation-of-human-rights-in-the-islamic-republic-of-iran.html|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Witness Statement: Mahmoud Roghani|url=http://www.iranhrdc.org/english/publications/witness-testimony/1000000543-witness-statement-of-hasan-yousefi-eshkevari.html|website=Iran Human Rights Documentation Center.|access-date=22 June 2015|archive-date=23 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623015426/http://www.iranhrdc.org/english/publications/witness-testimony/1000000543-witness-statement-of-hasan-yousefi-eshkevari.html|url-status=dead}} The Iranian Atheists Association was established in 2013 to form a platform for Iranian atheists to start debates and to question the current Islamic regime's attitude towards atheists, apostasy, and human rights.{{cite news|website= Iranian Atheists Association|title= About Us|publisher= Iranian Atheists.org|url= http://Iranianatheists.org/about-us.html|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130928122144/https://iranianatheists.org/about-us.html|archive-date= 28 September 2013|access-date= 26 July 2019}}

{{Main|Irreligion in Saudi Arabia}}

Atheism is prohibited in Saudi Arabia and can come with a death penalty, if one is charged as an atheist.{{cite news |title= Why Are Saudis Tearing Up the Quran? |publisher= Vocativ |date= 24 March 2014 |first= Rachael |last= Levy |url= http://www.vocativ.com/world/saudi-arabia-world/blasphemy-land-two-holy-mosques/ |access-date= 20 July 2016 |archive-date= 19 April 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140419012747/http://www.vocativ.com/world/saudi-arabia-world/blasphemy-land-two-holy-mosques/ |url-status= dead }}{{cite news|title= Atheists Classified As Terrorists Under New Saudi Arabian Laws |work= Huffington Post|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/04/02/atheists-classified-terrorists-new-saudi-arabian-laws_n_5075129.html|access-date=2014-03-04}}{{cite news|title= Saudi Arabia: A wave of atheism or a misunderstanding|publisher= Al Arabiya|url= http://english.alarabiya.net/views/2012/05/23/215974.html|access-date= 2012-11-28|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043137/http://english.alarabiya.net/views/2012/05/23/215974.html|archive-date= 4 March 2016|url-status=dead}}

In March 2014, the Saudi interior ministry issued a royal decree branding all atheists as terrorists, which defines terrorism as "calling for atheist thought in any form, or calling into question the fundamentals of the Islamic religion on which this country is based".{{cite web|author=Adam Withnall |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-declares-all-atheists-are-terrorists-in-new-law-to-crack-down-on-political-dissidents-9228389.html |title=Saudi Arabia declares all atheists are terrorists in new law to crack down on political dissidents – Middle East – World |work=The Independent|date=1 April 2014 |access-date=27 December 2014}}

{{Further|Irreligion in Turkey}}

Although officially a secular state, the vast majority of Turks are Muslim, and the state grants some special privileges to Muslims and to Islam in the media and private religious institutions. Compulsory religious instruction in Turkish schools is also considered discriminatory towards atheists, who may not want their children to receive any religious education.{{cite web|url=http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/docid/47665e602.html|title= A Quest for Equality: Minorities in Turkey|year= 2007|publisher= Minority Rights Group International|access-date=2009-03-14|quote=Compulsory religious instruction in schools is discriminatory not only against Alevis, as is often emphasized by the EU,195 but also against other non-Sunni Muslims and Sunni Muslims who either do not conform to the Sunni Hanefi faith or do not agree with its official version. It is also discriminatory against atheists, agnostics and secularists, who may not wish their children to receive any religious education.}}

{{Further|Irreligion in India}}

Sanal Edamaruku, atheist and founder-president of Rationalist International, had to flee India in 2012, when the Catholic Secular Forum pressed charges against him under Section 295(A) of the Indian Penal Code, which penalises outraging the religious sentiments of any citizen.Shaffer, R (March–April 2013). "Blasphemy, Free Speech, and Rationalism: An Interview with Sanal Edamaruku". The Humanist. Retrieved 2013-02-23."Blasfemia, libertad de expresión, y el racionalismo: Una entrevista con Sanal Edamaruku". The Humanist/Europa Laicismo. March 2013. Retrieved 2013-02-23. He is currently in self-exile in Finland to avoid arrest and indefinite jail time.Sims, Paul. "Sanal Edamaruku: an update". 18 June 2012. New Humanist Magazine. Retrieved 1 March 2014.

Regular Freemasonry insists, among other things, that a volume of scripture is open in a working lodge, that every member profess belief in a Supreme Being, and that the discussion of religion is banned. Continental Freemasonry is now the general term for the "liberal" jurisdictions which have removed some, or all, of these restrictions.

"Duty to God" is a principle of Scouting worldwide, though it is applied differently in different countries.{{cite web | year=1998 | url=http://www.faqs.org/faqs/scouting/rec.scouting.issues/section-11.html | title = What was Baden-Powell's position on God and Religion in Scouting? | publisher = Faqs | access-date = 2006-12-03}}{{cite web |last=Baden-Powell |first=Robert |year=1912 |url=http://www.inquiry.net/ideals/b-p/religion.htm |title=Baden-Powell on Religion |publisher= Inquiry.net |access-date=2006-12-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061115192441/http://www.inquiry.net/ideals/b-p/religion.htm |archive-date=2006-11-15}} The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) takes a strong position, excluding atheists and agnostics,{{cite web|url=http://www.bsalegal.org/dutytogo-155.htm|work=BSA Legal Issues|title=Duty to God|publisher=Boy Scouts of America|access-date=2006-12-03|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060827022542/http://www.bsalegal.org/dutytogo-155.htm|archive-date=2006-08-27}}{{cite web | url = http://www.bsa-discrimination.org/html/god-top.html | title = BSA and Religious Belief | publisher = BSA Discrimination.org | url-status=usurped | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070120110841/http://www.bsa-discrimination.org/html/god-top.html | archive-date = 20 January 2007 | date = 22 January 2005 }} while the Girl Scouts of the USA takes a more neutral position. The United Kingdom Scout Association has recently{{when|date=April 2024}} published alternative promises for people of different or no religion, specifying "Atheists, Humanists and people of no specific religion", who make a promise to uphold Scouting values rather than a duty to God. Scouts Canada defines Duty to God broadly in terms of "adherence to spiritual principles" and does not require members to be part of an organized religion, but does require that they have some form of "personal spirituality".{{cite web| url=https://www.scouts.ca/about/faq.html |title=Scouts Canada FAQ | publisher = Scouts Canada | access-date= 20 June 2019}} In other countries, especially in Europe, some Scouting organizations may be secularist or religiously neutral (such as Eclaireuses et Eclaireurs de France, Corpo Nazionale Giovani Esploratori ed Esploratrici Italiani and the Baden-Powell Service Association in the United States{{Cite web|url=https://www.bpsa-us.org/policies-and-guidelines|title=BPSA-US Policy & Guidelines|access-date=20 June 2019|archive-date=20 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620163106/https://www.bpsa-us.org/policies-and-guidelines|url-status=dead}}).

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

• American Atheists
• American Humanist Association
• Atheist Bus Campaign
• Atheist Centre
• Boy Scouts of America membership controversies
• Center for Inquiry
• Freedom From Religion Foundation
• International Humanist and Ethical Union
• McCarthyism
• Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers
• Out Campaign
• History of Christian thought on persecution and tolerance
• Religious discrimination
• Religious nationalism
• Religious persecution
• Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science
• Secular Coalition for America
• Secularism
• Secularization
• Theism

{{div col end}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book | last=Wexler | first=Jay | title=Our Non-Christian Nation: How Atheists, Satanists, Pagans, and Others Are Demanding Their Rightful Place in Public Life |isbn=9781503614994}}
• {{cite book | last=Kramnick | first=Isaac | title=Godless Citizens in a Godly Republic: Atheists in American Public Life |isbn=9780393254969}}
• {{cite book | last=Niose | first=David | title=Nonbeliever Nation: The Rise of Secular Americans |isbn=9781137278715}}

{{Wiktionary|atheophobia}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130509081026/http://www.americanhumanist.org/system/storage/63/14/a/3436/2012_IRF_Report.pdf 2012 report on discrimination against atheists, humanists and the non-religious]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20150928175809/https://nation.com.pk/blogs/27-Sep-2015/atheistophobia-it-s-time-to-talk-about-the-most-persecuted-minority-in-the-world Atheistophobia, the overlooked discrimination]

{{Discrimination}}

{{Irreligion}}

{{Belief systems}}

{{Religious persecution}}

{{Portal bar|Religion}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Discrimination Against Atheists}}

Category:Persecution of atheists