Is Christianity Stigmatized?

No. It isn’t.

Pardon my bluntness. I’ve just read this article over at RD Magazine, and the premise should cause anyone with sense to roll their eyes in annoyance.

Apparently, one of the 75% of Americans who self-identify as Christian was put out by Lauri Lebo’s previous post about the social cost of being an atheist, particularly by the fact that she didn’t also talk about the social cost of being a Christian.

To which the only sensible response should be, “Shhh… grown-ups are talking.”

What social costs, where? How exactly does being part of a three-fourths majority constitute grounds for being the subject of a social stigma?

When asked to give reasons for this assertion, the true nature of this complaint becomes clear. It seems as though Christians feel that anything that gets in the way of them pushing their beliefs onto other people should be considered “discrimination.” Anyone who objects to attempt after attempt to turn the country into a theocracy is “stigmatizing” Christianity.

And if this kind of criticism amounts to social stigmatizing, then, with all due respect, Christians have brought it on themselves. If you set yourself up as an enemy of science, an enemy of choice, an enemy of gays, and a general enemy of social progress, then you should be made to feel ashamed of your behavior.

Any stigma Christians might feel is hard for me to feel sorry for. Not only did they create their stigma, but they’re also largely to blame for the stigmatization of atheists as well.

Related articles:

1. Islam vs. Christianity: Who Demands Apostates be Killed?
2. News Brief: The Christian Fascists are growing stronger