The Secular Student Alliance broke a story a few days ago about the largest group of non-religious people on MySpace being deleted.

"Early this month, MySpace again deleted the Atheist and Agnostic Group (35,000 members). This deletion, due largely to complaints from people who find atheism offensive, marks the second time MySpace has cancelled the group since November 2007."

Luckily, however, today the group was restored. However, the situation is still pretty murky:

"Update: 2/1/8, 2:30 p.m. Est. Group Restored! (though regulars appear to still be banned). No one at myspace has contacted me, but someone obviously got the group back. Thanks to all, and myspace. I hope the group can live up to expectations given the strong community support we got re all this." - Bryan Pesta, Ph.D.

Why though, do non-religious people still have to jump through hoops and face discrimination? There won't be an atheist for president anytime soon when, at best, 50% of the population would even consider them. In that poll, only Scientology polled worse. At least we're not that bad.

Honestly though, why is it that the offense of some restricts the speech of many? And of all the things to be offended at! The group merely existed on MySpace and people couldn't tolerate that. Atheists are not offended seeing religious organizations on MySpace, and they certainly don't ask for them to be taken down. I don't know how bigots like them can really exist in a free society. Perhaps they would rather a theocracy. The New Humanist Blog has a discussion about what should be done. My vote? "Write a sternly worded email" especially now because the group has been restored.