There’s a number of interesting reader comments over at Andrew Sullivan’s site in regards to the topic of atheism. This one caught my attention.

People aren’t worried about proselytizing, they’re worried about amorality. Those without faith are assumed to be amoral. Coming out as an atheist is a bit like revealing to many communities that you’re a sociopath – it’s done with great care if you don’t wish to be ostracized.

Of course, I’ve long argued (as an atheist and possibly as a sociopath) that atheism is amoral. When you remove God as the cosmic judge, who determines what’s wrong or what’s right?

You can also argue that religious behavior itself is amoral. If you’re behaving one way or the other to avoid going to hell, that’s not moral behavior, that’s ass covering behavior.

I have to say, though, that unlike these commenters, I’ve never felt any particular ostracization because of my (lack of) religious views. I remember one guy several years ago who got pretty upset with me because I didn’t believe in intelligent design, but most people either shrug it off or basically agree with me. On the other hand, I don’t have any particular beef with religious people and unlike many of these “new atheists” I don’t think religion is the cause of all evil.

I’m just a live and let live motherfucker.