I just discovered this FB page, Working Class Atheists. I’m interested in you all since many people accuse atheism of being an elitist, ivory tower egghead enterprise (almost an alliteration there…), so a working class presence would set people straight. A while back, I wrote that I was interested in hearing from conservative atheists, who I know are out there, but didn’t hear from many. (No, I wasn’t planning on attacking them for being conservative. Honest.) Working Class Atheists, the page, writes:
“We are teachers and policemen and firemen and factory workers. We are nurses and caregivers. We are custodians and cashiers. We are salesmen and women. We are waiters and waitresses. We are laborers and contractors. We are small business owners. We are out there in everyday life working hard and being good without god. We are family members, fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers. We are working class atheists.”
Sadly, I couldn’t find anything when I perused the page that was specific to the working class! So tell me what you’re up to, guys, and submit your story if you want.
3 users responded " Working class atheists: bring it on! "
September 29 2011
As creator of the page, First I would like to say thank you very much for taking your time to write this. I had been thinking about creating this page for about a year and finally went through with it in the beginning of September. I am a father of three and soon to be four. I work swing shift in a paper mill making 100% recycled paperboard. I never really felt like I didn’t fit in with the mainstream atheist crowd but I felt like the working class/ middle class voice needed to be heard. I have heard many of my atheist friends on facebook saying that certain groups and pages made them feel like they were not smart enough to participate in debates or conversations. I work very hard to support my family and like so many others out there I am struggling with this failing economy. I wanted to 1) give a place where all atheists were able to post and share anything they wanted and 2) give all a place to voice opinions on the workplace and employment issues and politics and the economy. I am humbled by the sucsess of the page so far having gone over 1100 likes in less than a month. I have gotten many a comment saying things like I am so glad to have found this page and thank you for creating it. I can not tell you how happy that makes me. Again thank you very much for your blog!
Jon Fisher
September 29 2011
Thanks for writing, Jon:) I infer that as a working class person, you felt left out of the atheist community (ivory tower such and such). It’s true that many people view working class (depending on how you define it) as not as smart, but that really depends. Great work on the page; I am glad you are getting so much interest.
What are your experiences as a working class atheist? What does “working class” mean to you? Does it mean “not a desk job”?
September 29 2011
Since my very vocal coming out as an atheist, I have had mixed reaction in my workplace. Some people stopped talking to me all together and some people think I’ve gone crazy. A few actually stand by me as if nothing has changed. I’ve lost many a friend on facebook and deleted a few myself but none of that really matters to me. Working class to me means anyone who works hard or long hours at any job. Desk job or not. I feel that it was the working class that built America and I feel now like we have been forgotten.
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