Earlier in the semester, I had to give a "Self-introduction" speech in my Communication Studies 210 class. I was one of the last to give my speech, and I had the opportunity to listen to what has influenced my classmates. It was interesting to discover that more than half of their speeches were nearly entirely about Jesus. Not only how their religious experiences had shaped their life in the past, but also how their continued faith in Jesus would be a vital part of their future. Personally, I was more influenced by Spiderman growing up than I was by Jesus.

One doesn't have to go far to see the influence of religion at UT, particularly Christianity. Whether it's the plethora of religious organizations housed on campus, bumper stickers on students' cars or the crosses on their necks.

One can even see the power of religion in the Knoxville government. While attending a city council meeting, I was surprised to discover that the first order of business at the meeting was a bowing of heads in prayer. I was the only one I saw with my head up, so I have to assume that nearly everyone else thought the prayer was appropriate.

Being an atheist in a bible-belt university can be difficult for the nonreligious like myself. With such a majority of students of the Christian persuasion, it can sometimes be difficult to find common ground socially. On rare occasions, I have even felt distrusted when people discover I am an atheist.

Personally, I was more influenced by Spiderman growing up than I was by Jesus.

Atheism and other nonreligious groups are a rather large minority in the country, and they are often overlooked. The number of nonreligious Americans is somewhere around 12 percent, which is about equal to the number of black people in the United States. Despite a rather large minority population, atheists and other nonreligious groups receive very little attention or support.

Atheists are often viewed as untrustworthy or unethical. A 2006 survey by the University of Minnesota found that atheists are the most distrusted minority in America. Atheists are excluded from many aspects of life.

This is probably most evident in government. Section two of Article 9 in the Tennessee State Constitution excludes atheists from running for public office. What? I can't run for office in Tennessee according to our constitution, does that seem fair to you?

I can't help but fear that our nation is headed ever closer to a theology. Fifty years ago, "under God" was added to the pledge and now the Ten Commandments are showing up in public courtrooms. There is currently only one representative in all of Congress who openly admits to being nonreligious.

I have no problem with religious people, in fact, I have many religious friends, but I can't help but feel that too many people view this country as a Christian nation. I do not think this was the intention of the founders of this great nation. Besides the First Amendment, there is the Treaty of Tripoli, which was approved by the Senate in 1797 and signed by President John Adams. Article 11 of the treaty explicitly says "the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion."

I do not think that religious discrimination is a problem here at UT. While I have felt uncomfortable on an occasion or two, I have never felt discriminated for my beliefs, but that does not mean that it has not happened to somebody else. I believe every person has the inherent right to believe whatever he or she  wants. I only ask that everyone honor the choices that others make, and not just their own.