As Americans, we are all born with certain rights. The right to free speech, the right to bear arms, and the freedom of religion are a few of them. And yet, even with these rights written down on one of the most famous papers in U.S. history, we are still persecuted for our beliefs.

Muslims have been persecuted in our country for decades, and even more so since 9/11. Members of the Jewish faith are often ridiculed and persecuted for their beliefs. Another group of people struggling for acceptance are atheists.

Generally when someone admits to being an atheist, others automatically assume that they worship Satan. They are immediately thought of as horrible worshippers who are part of some satanic cult. And once you say you’re an atheist, there’s no going back. No one ever really looks at you the same. Our country says that you can choose what religion you wish to follow without persecution.  So the belief in nothing doesn’t count?

Atheism is the belief that there is no God, no afterlife, just plain nothing. It is the belief that we enter a state of non-existence after death. But according to most people, atheism is something people practice if they worship Satan, which is completely and utterly wrong. People need to stop thinking that America is a theocracy and that whatever Christians say, goes. It is not right.

America has the freedoms that set us apart from a lot of other countries. But still, a lot of these rights aren’t treated as they should be and it needs to stop. What people believe in is their personal business, not the business of the government or others.