For a Norwegian (me) it is so weird to read about how atheists are met in big parts of USA. US was one of the first nations to claim freedom from and of faith. So how come it is so problematic to say say "I have no beliefs" without a lot of religious people trying to pull you down?
I was a loud and out brand new atheist when I moved into my new condo about 12 years, bumper stickers plastered all over the back of my car. So I'm the "condo atheist" and it has brought pain and happiness. The pain came in the form of ostracism and the happiness came by knowing/hoping I was my part to push the world a tiniest bit closer to being a better place.
I have done a lot of work in Cochise County. I have first hand experience and stories from local government workers that Cochise County is extremely corrupt. I understand that corruption in La Paz County and farming counties like Gila are also corrupt. It seems most of the corrupt have good standing in their churches. Also, farmers and ranchers for the most part are not honorable people, especially if white.
It's so strange to me, because growing up in the Midwest, many of my dad's relatives were farmers. They were always the upstanding people in the community, and when farming took a nosedive in the 1980s/90s, it was really tough for so many of them. But now, like with any other industry, the one with the most money wins. Now the big farms have bought out most of the small ones, and they run them like the pigs from Animal Farm.
I could provide details but better if I do not. This is because a lot of the problems seems highly correlated to religion. Since I do not know you I would not want to disparage your religion.
For a Norwegian (me) it is so weird to read about how atheists are met in big parts of USA. US was one of the first nations to claim freedom from and of faith. So how come it is so problematic to say say "I have no beliefs" without a lot of religious people trying to pull you down?
I was a loud and out brand new atheist when I moved into my new condo about 12 years, bumper stickers plastered all over the back of my car. So I'm the "condo atheist" and it has brought pain and happiness. The pain came in the form of ostracism and the happiness came by knowing/hoping I was my part to push the world a tiniest bit closer to being a better place.
I have done a lot of work in Cochise County. I have first hand experience and stories from local government workers that Cochise County is extremely corrupt. I understand that corruption in La Paz County and farming counties like Gila are also corrupt. It seems most of the corrupt have good standing in their churches. Also, farmers and ranchers for the most part are not honorable people, especially if white.
It's so strange to me, because growing up in the Midwest, many of my dad's relatives were farmers. They were always the upstanding people in the community, and when farming took a nosedive in the 1980s/90s, it was really tough for so many of them. But now, like with any other industry, the one with the most money wins. Now the big farms have bought out most of the small ones, and they run them like the pigs from Animal Farm.
I could provide details but better if I do not. This is because a lot of the problems seems highly correlated to religion. Since I do not know you I would not want to disparage your religion.