Atheists around the world suffer persecution, discrimination, and sometimes execution. Gee, no kidding.

Courtesy of Reuters:  

Atheists and other religious skeptics suffer persecution or discrimination in many parts of the world and in at least seven nations can be executed if their beliefs become known, according to a report issued on Monday. 

The study, from the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), showed that "unbelievers" in Islamic countries face the most severe - sometimes brutal - treatment at the hands of the state and adherents of the official religion. 

But it also points to policies in some European countries and the United States which favor the religious and their organizations and treat atheists and humanists as outsiders. 

The report, "Freedom of Thought 2012", said "there are laws that deny atheists' right to exist, curtail their freedom of belief and expression, revoke their right to citizenship, restrict their right to marry." 

Other laws "obstruct their access to public education, prohibit them from holding public office, prevent them from working for the state, criminalize their criticism of religion, and execute them for leaving the religion of their parents."

So go ahead Christians, tell me that funny story about how persecuted YOU are. Especially those who live in America where your faith is embraced by virtually every politician in the country, your holiday is the biggest event of the year, and where now there are attempts to introduce your creation story into public school classrooms.

Look I'm not complaining, I have dealt with this kind of discrimination my entire life. There have been times when I sat in quiet skepticism during religious functions, times when I choked back my dissension at how my daughter was being home schooled by her mother, and days when I politely chose not to correct those who saw miracles in easily explained phenomena.

But now it is my time, and my turn to stand up for who I am while demonstrating that those who are non-believers are not bereft of morality, nor prone to violence, nor living our lives denied serenity or hope.

We are instead simply human beings who respect the responsibilities that come with that title. Who think rather than believe, who question rather than accept, and who place our hope in humanity rather than divinity. We have no quarrel with any faith so long as it does not try to force itself upon us nor demand that we acquiesce to their set of beliefs and values.

Is THAT really so much to ask?