Atheist: The Worst Kind of Person

Too sad to read this article on Slate about the challenges of being an atheist in America.  In talking to people about it afterwards, some expressed disbelief that anyone would feel the need to hide their beliefs in modern times.  However, in my professional life as a teacher, I've always been very circumspect about my lack of religion.  To do anything else would risk serious consequences.  Of course no teacher is supposed to preach from their desk, but many feel perfectly fine telling about their faith.  I can only imagine the fallout if I were to "come out" to parents, co-workers, or administrators.  Slate is not making this stuff up, and that is really a sad state of affairs.