It’s hard enough meeting someone who understands and appreciates your atheism. Now, we have the relationship “experts” working against us?

Steve Harvey appeared on The Tyra Banks Show the other day to promote his new book Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy, and Commitment.

He was discussing a section of his book in which he tells women to find out certain things about the man they’re interested in before pursuing something more serious.

Here’s the clip (5:57 mark):

And the transcript:

You need to get into some personal stuff: What’s his relationship with his mom? How does he feel about children? Does he have a relationship with God? You sitting up there talking to a dude and he tells you he’s an atheist, you need to pack it up and go home. You talking to a person who don’t believe in God… what’s his moral barometer? Where’s it at? It’s nowhere. You gotta get into this stuff.

First of all, my answer to the children question should already give the girl an indication of my atheism.

Secondly, if the girl is foolish enough to actually believe what Harvey is saying, then she deserves what she can find. Not every God-fearing man is a great catch.

If any lady asks that question, I would hope the atheist moves on to someone more worthy of his affection.

Harvey isn’t the only relationship advice giver who has it out for atheists.

A couple weeks ago, Dr. Gian Gonzaga wrote an article for eHarmony in which the following was stated:

There are types of people that are more vulnerable to engage in affairs. It’s probably not surprising that men are more likely to cheat (especially those who feel powerless and socially isolated), but both genders can easily fall into the following groupings: Those who crave excitement

Those who have a history of divorce, sexual abuse or such psychological problems as depression or bipolar disorder

Those who are not religious

Ouch. My feelings.

I don’t have access to the research cited for this data, but I’d like to know how accurate that statement is.

Can anyone give some real advice to atheists who are single?

What should we look for in another person?

What should be our warning signs that this relationship won’t work out?



