I am so glad you have happened into my new blog! Keep coming back! Trust me there will always be something new to read and discuss! Okay, so lets jump right in.

First I would like to take a moment to touch on the title I am sure you have already read, Atheist Memes. As I explained in the header a meme is an idea, belief, cultural phenomenon, ect. that replicates and propagates by Natural Selection much like genes in a gene pool. This idea was first proposed by Richard Dawkins in his book "The Selfish Gene". By the way that is a MUST READ! Memes can be used to explain much about the cultural and social interactions of humans where Darwinian Evolution gets out of its depth. So, I just wanted to clear that up for anyone who was a little ambiguous about the title. There is a wealth of information on Memetics to be had and it is a fascinating area to look into.

I started this blog, first and foremost, as a way to raise awareness about Atheism in America. We are a group that is abused, neglected, ignored and discriminated against on a massive scale. Recent polls show we are the "most hated" minority and it is almost impossible for an Atheist to be elected to public office.

In spite of all of this, the non-religious is the fastest growing segment of the American religious population. The number of those who mark "none" under religion on their census is up to 16.1% in 2009. That is the 3rd largest "religious" segment of the American population behind Protestants and Catholics. Larger than the Jewish population. Larger than the Mormon population Larger than the Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist population combine! Larger than the African American Minority. Larger than the Hispanic Minority. What I am trying to say is that this is no small segment of the population. This is not the fringe of the census with some .01% at the bottom of the list. This 4,800,000 people!

Also, consider that it is a growing population with a positive trend! The number is up from 8% in 1990 to 16.1% in 2009. That is a 100% increase in 19 years. The religious majorities would (and have) killed for that kind of growth rate! With all this size and momentum under the Atheist/Non-Religious sails you think that it would be a very visible force on the social and political battlefield. If you think that you would be wrong.

Atheists have no voice in government. No elected officials save for a couple here and there. No political lobby. (I think I heard someone has been trying to get an Atheist lobby together but I am uncertain if it is still in the works or what.) No presence in the media or television. How can almost 5 million people be invisible? Call the church, I think we have some kind of miracle here!

I have heard the idea that herding Atheists is like trying to heard cats. I'm not sure if I buy that. I think it is much more a "peer pressure" problem. I would have to say that many people fear being ostracized from their family or community. I think the statistic that Atheists are the "most hated" minority is a lot more factual than many might like to admit.

It is because of this that I have felt compelled to start this blog. I hope to get a dialog going between Atheists, and between Atheists and the Religious. The issue is not so much to convert anyone as it is to get the discussion going and make these 5 million people drop their cloak of invisibility. To do what Richard Dawkins' Out Campaign is trying to accomplish. To...