On readings

[xoder]

Found in 125 Street Station. No, I've not gone to the site.

I started reading 'The Portable Atheist', and I have to admit I feel very vulnerable when I do so on the train. I know it's not rational, but I recognise that atheists make up one of America's least favorite minorities. Don't believe me? There have been polls that showed that not only do a majority of Americans believe in angels, but an overwhelming majority believe that atheists are unfit to be president, or to teach.

Rational or not, I'm most worried that a casual aquaintance will think less of me for not needing or wanting a Supreme Being in my life. Frankly, I do not understand what triggers the Theistic Question in the first place. But back to my paranoia for a moment - see how ingrained the concept of 'atheism = moral failing' is? And this from a lifelong atheist.

Oh, and I want to talk about theodicy for a moment. Pope Guilty posted about it recently, and it turned out to be a word I'd been looking for. Out of space!

Comments

[shoujo-mallet.livejournal.com]

Though this is not a good answer, sometimes when I am reading something risque (to someone at least) I make a temporary book cover out of wrapping or newspaper. I could deal with potential strangers making comments at me, but I'd rather avoid it and enjoy my book.

That being said, while I was reading the Portable Atheist (uncovered), someone who was very alone and uncertain in his atheism saw my book was was embolden to ask me some questions. After all, there are few reasonable "tells" for atheists I think. (Offensive t-shirts galore though!)