MADISON, Wis. — While conservatives in Indiana and Arkansas were explaining last month why their new religious objections laws weren't invitations to discriminate against gays, the leaders of Wisconsin's capital city were busy protecting the rights of another group: atheists.

Although there was no dissent when the City Council passed its new statute, some question the need to protect non-believers in liberal Madison from discrimination in the areas of housing, employment and services. Among them is Julaine Appling, the president of Wisconsin Family Action.

"I don't understand why they would add this to that litany of protections in Madison, of all places," she said. "I thought this was an April Fools' joke."

Atheists and other non-believers, though, say the statute marks an important step forward for those who aren't religious.

"I think Madison is way ahead of the curve," said Todd Stiefel, the president of Openly Secular, which helps non-religious people become open about their absence of faith.

Stiefel said people who tell their employers or family members that they are not religious face rejection and harassment. He said he's heard from atheists who were fired the day after sharing their non-religious views with their employers or disinherited by their parents after opening up about their lack of faith.

"It boils down to the misinformation and prejudice that gets passed down generation to generation. People have been raised being told that atheists are evil and they eat babies and they can't be trusted." Said Stiefel, adding that he thinks it will be quite a while before another city follows Madison's lead.

it does have merit in my eyes too. more than once i have met a guy who hired me, things were going great for a couple months, he thought i was the best guy hes found in years... then the moment i mention there is no god, everything changes. he starts preaching tons of religous shit and every tiny problem i have he tries to compel me to listen to god. thats when i have to find a new job because everything from that point on becomes tied to some religious bullshit when its supposed to be about making money.

thanks for the advice. you are a supreme intellectual.

He's also employed.

Here is some career advise for you...don't talk about religion. Don't bring it up. Don't talk about it. Don't tell him that you don't think there is a God. If this has happened to you more than once then apparently you have difficulty learning lessons.

I hate to agree with SH, but this is good advice. Never talk about politics or religion in the work place.

so you guys, once again, have no fucking clue what the point of this thread is.

they made a law in madison to protect peoples religion- even if they dont have one.

when your boss asks you- what religion are you? just casually... just something to talk about in the middle of the day... you guys are sitting here telling me you don't respond? your zombie asses will never get a better job because of your 'advice'. the amount of stupidity on these boards is usually entertaining, but sometimes i feel like im talking to apple's siri

I hate to agree with SH, but this is good advice. Never talk about politics or religion in the work place.

so you guys, once again, have no fucking clue what the point of this thread is.

they made a law in madison to protect peoples religion- even if they dont have one.

when your boss asks you- what religion are you? just casually... just something to talk about in the middle of the day... you guys are sitting here telling me you don't respond? your zombie asses will never get a better job because of your 'advice'. the amount of stupidity on these boards is usually entertaining, but sometimes i feel like im talking to apple's siri

when your boss asks you- what religion are you? just casually... just something to talk about in the middle of the day... you guys are sitting here telling me you don't respond? your zombie asses will never get a better job because of your 'advice'. the amount of stupidity on these boards is usually entertaining, but sometimes i feel like im talking to apple's siri

The hard part of this is getting people to understand that this is good advice for people on both sides of the debate. I don't know Ike personally but I'm willing to bet that the conversation he references didn't start with him denying the existence of god.

I work for a Catholic hospital system and I have never once raised the issue of my own beliefs for obvious reasons but more than once I have been asked in casual conversation what religion I and my family observe. Now I generally think it best to answer in a way that deliberately avoids confrontation as that's not something I need in the workplace but, if someone is allowed to ask that particular question, then the other person should be allowed to answer honestly if they so choose.

I'm not sure that you're in a position to be offering The Board career/career advancement advice and tips on workplace decorum.

im not sure why you keep reading my threads, for as wrong as you always think i am

In his defense, they are kind of everywhere.

in my defense, i have original thoughts

I hate to agree with SH, but this is good advice. Never talk about politics or religion in the work place.

I hate to agree with SH, but this is good advice. Never talk about politics or religion in the work place.

so you guys, once again, have no fucking clue what the point of this thread is.

they made a law in madison to protect peoples religion- even if they dont have one.

when your boss asks you- what religion are you? just casually... just something to talk about in the middle of the day... you guys are sitting here telling me you don't respond?

:lol: your zombie asses will never get a better job because of your 'advice'. the amount of stupidity on these boards is usually entertaining, but sometimes i feel like im talking to apple's siri

I hate to agree with SH, but this is good advice. Never talk about politics or religion in the work place.

I understand perfectly what the point of the thread is. You said that you tell your boss that there is no god, and then you are looking for a new job, shortly thereafter. It would appear that Scorehead and I have given you some good advice.

I have never had a boss talk to me about religion.

Why would you insult people's jobs/situations when you don't even know what they are? It sounds like Scorehead is doing alright for himself. I am more than content with my situation. I have done well enough to own my own home, and have three cars without a car payment. I go see Phish, and play golf whenever I feel like it.

Jorr, how could I possibly give you advice? You seem to have more life experience than anyone not named Mr. Reason.

I rarely talk religion. I love politics and talk about it all the time. At an insurance company, even the lawyers are Republicans. Frankly, most people think I am too Liberal because I have a distaste for all forms of government interference. Meaning, I don't give two hoots if people have abortions, use drugs, men marry one another, etc. But Chus and SH are right in that it's safer to avoid it.

I have never had a boss ask my what religion I am.

of course its safer to never say anything opinionated, ever, in the workplace. just stick with duty-only words. like a zombie.

but if you are able to do that, then i have pity for your position because it means your job must really suck and you either cant find a better job or your stuck because you have a family to take care of.

you miss the part where i implied i quit because i realized the boss was a religious fuck?

never been fired from a job, i quit every god damn one of them. wait, there was one... i chewed the boss out and he fired me. that was what i wanted though, it was great.

and this applies to me how?

when your boss asks you- what religion are you? just casually... just something to talk about in the middle of the day... you guys are sitting here telling me you don't respond?

because people constantly insult my position and i would be a pussy not to fire back.