LGBT rights & Atheism

[reasek1]

I had always thought of the Czech Republic as being basically atheist. Here are some stats:

The Czech Republic has one of the least religious populations in the world, being the country with the third most atheistic population by percentage, behind only China and Japan.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czech_Republic#Religion

According to a Eurobarometer Poll in 2010,[104] 16% of Czech citizens responded that "they believe there is a God" (the lowest rate among the countries of the European Union),[105] whereas 44% answered that "they believe there is some sort of spirit or life force" and 37% said that "they do not believe there is any sort of spirit, God or life force".
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Czech_Republic#Religion

And yet...

In March 2012, a survey found that 23% of Czechs would not want to have gay or lesbian neighbours.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_the_Czech_Republic

A 2014 survey by the Academy of Sciences found that support for same-sex marriage had fallen slightly on previous years.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_the_Czech_Republic

Same-sex marriage is not allowed.

Both joint and step adoption by same-sex couples not allowed.

MSMs allowed to donate blood 'allowed' with 1 year deferral.

It seems then that, no matter how the stats get spinned, large numbers of those who are non-religious (but state some vague belief in a 'life force') or who just state outright they are atheist, oppose gay rights.

Why?

To take another example East Germany is quite atheistic:

One study in September 2012 was unable to find a single person under 28 who believed in a god.
wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_atheism

However, obviously, East Germany is now part of Germany, so I suppose they have the same laws. But I wonder would the laws differ from the rest of Germany if East Germany had become a nation state like the Czech Republic.:thinking:

In China nearly a whooping half of the population say they are 'convinced atheists'. LGBT rights there are very limited.

Perhaps the healthiest balance is when a society is as diverse as possible, as opposed to when it moves too far in a particular direction?

As I say statistics are open to interpretation so it might be useful if some Chinese, Czech, etc. members explain their own views and experience of attitudes in their own countries.

And finally as food for thought consider the following. Taoism is practiced by some in China:

What is Taoism’s view on homosexuality?

It doesn’t matter what Taoism or any other religion says about homosexual behavior. Religion doesn’t stop people from being people. People will always contain in their nature: all the Yin Yang aspects of humanity itself. Some people will embrace with acceptance homosexual activity as being natural. Others will find homosexual activity to be a threat to their own ego, their own sense of self and hence attack the behavior.

Some people will embrace a religion just to support their personal views and justify their feelings as right or wrong. Taoism steps away from this and reminds us we are human first. That in being human, we will have this wide range of nature to accept. This isn’t a religious issue no matter what anyone says… homosexuality is an interpersonal issue. People are always people for both good and bad… Learn to understand people, not religion, to help find peaceful answers to such questions.
personaltao.com/teachings/questions/taoism-homosexuality/​

 

[W!nston]

Great post!

Some interesting statistics I was not aware of.

Thank you reasek1

 

[gb2000ie]

I don't think people oppose gay rights because of religion.

I think religion is often a convenient justification for a dislike of gays.

B.

 

[Sinnerr]

I don't like to divide people to theists and atheists. Much better is "dwellers and seekers" concept.
Dwellers have their very strict dogmatic belief which is something they totally refuse to polemize about and have hostile attitude to those who don't share their belief. (all kinds of bigots from every abrahamic or non-abrahamic religions, but also convniced atheists).
Seekers are open minded ones who might be or might not be members of some church, religious organization or so...

 

[brmstn69]

This is no surprise, the Czech Republic was under Soviet rule for decades and the Soviets were both extremely anti-religion and anti-gay...

 

[youngagain]

I really want to post a reply here but don't want to open a can of worms and don't want a thousand questions to answer later since it will be a while before I return. I only come here once in a while more out of curiosity since I struggle with this issue in my own life. Here goes:
Not all persons of religious faith "hate" homosexuals. Simply because a person has a religious preference or not does not make them a bigot. There are plenty of atheist bigots - My great uncle was one. The religious people I know, except maybe one, haven't used their faith as a justification to hate anyone. They will welcome anyone but will never accept the culture or lifestyle. As far as the person goes they care but would admittedly be uncomfortable and not know how to act.

Many would not support special gay and lesbian rights but would gladly support basics such as treating all people with respect and dignity simply because they are a unique and wonderful creation.

Czech republic seems to have a thriving porn industry so I think that makes the stats intriguing.

Well, I had more but got distracted - darn ADD.

 

[gb2000ie]

There are no saints in this world. Dawkins does not pretend to be one, nor does he claim to be perfect, or ask to be worshipped. He's human, so he has flaws. But don't throw out everything the man offers the world because he has warts.

I totally agree that he's very wrong about kids with Down Syndrome - I know from my own family how much love and joy these kids add to the world. But, don't dismiss the man's insightful science writings because you disagree with him on at least one moral issue.

B.