In a new book titled Queer disbelief: Why LGBTQ Equality is an Atheist Issue, writer Camille Beredjick proposes that atheists unite with LGBTQ communities as allies against Christianity.A professed atheist and LGBTQ activist, Beredjick says that the two sides have much in common and are fighting a common enemy. Speaking to Religion News Service, Beredjick explains the genesis of the book.
This book came out of a long, professional relationship between myself and Hemant Mehta, who writes The Friendly Atheist blog. We started to see religious arguments against the movement for transgender rights and it seemed like a good time to talk about how these two groups ‐ atheists and the LGBTQ community ‐ receive outcry from organized religion in a very intense way and to talk about how they can best be allied and what’s at stake when we don’t work together to address our common goals.
Beredjick believes that Christian organizations shouldn't be allowed to fire either atheists or LGBTQ individuals. Predictably, she also takes aim at Christians like the bakers and florists who have been sued out of business for attempting to operate their place of business according to their consciences.
So many of the most significant issues facing LGBTQ people can affect atheists in some way, like violating the principles many atheists hold dear. When we see laws that seek to give business owners the right to discriminate against LGBTQ customers based on their religious beliefs, that’s state-sanctioned privileging of one belief system over another. ... The laws that target LGBTQ people could also be used against atheists.
If the book's thesis seems obvious to you, you're not the only one. But probably not for the reason that Ms. Beredjick believes.
In the interview, she correctly acknowledges that there is much overlap between the two groups. In fact, as she points out, "Close to half of LGBTQ persons say they are nonbelievers." That makes sense, and it makes sense because both groups are engaged in active rebellion against their Creator.