I ask you, would these sorts of statements, lies, and mean-spirited generalizations be acceptable if they were levied against any religious or minority group other than atheists? Of course not. Yet we, who lack belief in a supernatural deity, are protected by our very first constitutional amendment, just as the religious are. Where is the outrage by those of all faiths and philosophical viewpoints?

I feel the need to say one more important thing before I show some recent examples.  I am bringing this to light simply because everyone should know what kind of bigotry is pervasive in culture, specifically American.  Despite the disgust I feel towards these statements, everyone has the right to freedom of speech and should be able to say whatever they want without censorship.  This doesn’t mean, though, that our culture as a whole should tolerate it, but that we should speak up against these people and fight for our place in the marketplace of ideas.

[My comments are bracketed, in italics, and colored red, like so.]

From an email to biologist P.Z. Myers from creationist Debra Rufini, posted on his science blog “Pharyngula:”

I do find it interesting that almost all athiests tend to have this angry & patronising streak in them. If only you would find the love of Christ, and it would all be gone. [Here we have a generalized bashing of atheists in a discussion on a subject that is scientific, evolution - a subject of which the vast majority of scientists who are theists like Ms. Rufini agree is a fact.  She seems to miss that.  The bigot still can't help but use it as an excuse to get in a dig.  Then a claim that mean-spiritedness would disappear if we "find the love of Christ," a claim her own bigotry doesn't support. To quote Professor Myers: "I am not surprised that atheists in the vicinity of Debra Rufini seem angry and patronizing. They're probably also annoyed and exasperated."]

[...]

Jesus called us to love those who persecute us, so that’s exactly what [... (continuing in another email)] I was just saying that as Jesus taught us to love those who persecute us, I shall do the same. I pray for you, just as he did for those who crucified him. [Now we see a new common issue that Christian atheophobes (for lack of a better term) consistently use: although atheists are in the minority, we somehow are persecuting Christians.  It appears that to Ms. Rufini persecution is simply having beliefs or ideas different from hers.  She doesn't have anything of substance to use to criticize atheists, so she must resort to lying. I know many Christians who wouldn't find that very Christian of her.] Kind regards, Debra. [Where is this supposed kindness?]

[I also must point out that Professor Myers doesn't criticize Ms. Rufini for her religion per se, but for her willful ignorance of the scientific issues that she attempts to argue.  If this ignorance is due to her religious beliefs, which they clearly are, then those beliefs become fair game.  That's her problem, not Professor Myer's.]

I was going to include more examples of bigotry from around the web, but I have already written more than I expected to on these short passages from that letter.  Never fear, I will be back soon with more examples.  Until then, keep up the good fight.  Never give up.  Don’t allow the bigotry that is already so pervasive to infect more minds, especially those of the young and impressionable.