One in 20,000?
Guest Column
By NIKO THERIS

Demographic studies offer widely different numbers for atheists in our country. They range from 0.4% to 5%. These percentages applied to Laguna Beach would be 80 to 1,000 (adult) atheists. Why so disparate? One reason is that the majority of atheists are reluctant to admit to their atheism. Why so in this land of the free? Another study shows that almost half of Americans despise and distrust atheists. Knowing this, would you admit to being an atheist? I doubt it. If I'm the only one in town to publicly so admit, Laguna Beach's atheist population percentage is 0.00005%. Hardly likely.

You've probably sung this many times: "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty." There's nothing sweet about being unwarrantedly denigrated by almost half of the populous and so, no liberty to be an open atheist. How about: "from every mountain top let freedom ring." It doesn't ring for atheists.

In freely admitting to being an atheist, one presently risks the loss of income if a professional or business owner, it's a career killer. It also jeopardizes one's social life and is considered political suicide.

Now sing from "America the Beautiful," …"and crown thy good with brotherhood." What brotherhood? Easily sung, but in real life almost half of Americans project an America the Ugly.

Atheists are misunderstood and need to change that. This column invites them to tell their stories, to share their experiences good and bad, their accomplishments and contributions to this community.

This can be a beginning to earning deserved acceptance. Be honest with the community and true to yourself. It's worked for me.

Niko Theris is an avowed atheist.