General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: To those bemoaning the presence of the divine in the inauguration [View all]Number23
(24,544 posts)Which explains why you have no idea what a minority is.
Here is another set of criteria: http://academic.udayton.edu/race/01race/minor01.htm
Characteristics of a Minority Group
Distinguishing physical or cultural traits, e.g. skin color or language
Unequal Treatment and Less Power over their lives
Involuntary membership in the group (no personal choice)
Awareness of subordination and strong sense of group solidarity
High In-group Marriage
If you can look at those five criteria and believe that ALL FIVE apply to atheists, then I can understand beyond all doubt why this tedious, pointless conversation has gone on as long as it has. I'm sure you'll be along any second now to tell me once again how atheism is a culture (LORD, have mercy) and not a belief (and surely that explains why my comment that a culture formed on (non)spiritual beliefs sounds like a religion to me flew right over your head). And then you'll tell me how you entered into this belief entirely involuntarily and how once again all five criteria apply to atheists blah blah blah, no matter how entirely ridiculous and in desperate need of perspective and a history lesson it makes you look.
I began this conversation by saying that I don't believe that atheists qualify as minorities. Thank you for proving my point, although totally unwittingly, over and over and over and over again. By every definition that I've found of what a minority is, atheists do not apply.
Now you can continue to sputter and spout, and post the most absurd things but at this point, you are talking to yourself. Have a nice life.