I agree. now I wouldn’t automatically exclude this program because it was run by a religious group or even that program had religious elements but being forced to talk about or participate in a religious exercise is over the line.
I’m an atheist as well so I understand where the guy is coming from (not that I would ever be in his situation). Christians should imagine themselves forced to participate in a Muslim prayer group for comparison.
I agree. I live in Boston/Cambridge and am surrounded by religion-hating (well, Christian-hating, they get all warm and fuzzy when you talk about Islam...hmmm, wonder why?) atheists who freak out over this subject. Yet when I worked in a homeless shelter, it was amazing how I was always siding with and made a part of the Christian contingent, while the other atheist/liberals were abusing the clients.
Christians should imagine themselves forced to participate in a Muslim prayer group for comparison.
I almost put that idea in my initial post! :)
People in this situation should have their atheism respected as any religion's adherent's would have his or her religion respected. That's all, it's not about destroying religion or making atheism the official non-religion or whatever. It seems to be a very conservative position.