Why do Americans still dislike atheists?

[MrsSmith]

cleanhippie Donating Member (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list    Sat Apr-30-11 10:44 AM
Original message
Why do Americans still dislike atheists?
   
Long after blacks and Jews have made great strides, and even as homosexuals gain respect, acceptance and new rights, there is still a group that lots of Americans just don’t like much: atheists. Those who don’t believe in God are widely considered to be immoral, wicked and angry. They can’t join the Boy Scouts. Atheist soldiers are rated potentially deficient when they do not score as sufficiently “spiritual” in military psychological evaluations. Surveys find that most Americans refuse or are reluctant to marry or vote for nontheists; in other words, nonbelievers are one minority still commonly denied in practical terms the right to assume office despite the constitutional ban on religious tests.

--snip--

A growing body of social science research reveals that atheists, and non-religious people in general, are far from the unsavory beings many assume them to be. On basic questions of morality and human decency — issues such as governmental use of torture, the death penalty, punitive hitting of children, racism, sexism, homophobia, anti-Semitism, environmental degradation or human rights — the irreligious tend to be more ethical than their religious peers, particularly compared with those who describe themselves as very religious.

Consider that at the societal level, murder rates are far lower in secularized nations such as Japan or Sweden than they are in the much more religious United States, which also has a much greater portion of its population in prison. Even within this country, those states with the highest levels of church attendance, such as Louisiana and Mississippi, have significantly higher murder rates than far less religious states such as Vermont and Oregon.

As individuals, atheists tend to score high on measures of intelligence, especially verbal ability and scientific literacy. They tend to raise their children to solve problems rationally, to make up their own minds when it comes to existential questions and to obey the golden rule. They are ore likely to practice safe sex than the strongly religious are, and are less likely to be nationalistic or ethnocentric. They value freedom of thought.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-do-americans...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=214x277082

For one thing, atheists make stupid statements on morals and ethics as above.  They support the murder of millions of children, hold the value of the lives of murder victims as less than the value of the life of the murderer, and think raising children with no discipline is somehow superior to raising kids that know how to behave AND think, and then call themselves more ethical!

Another reason may be the huge cost of taxpayer monies that are used to defend the First Amendment against the constant attacks of atheists that prefer freedom from religion over the clearly stated freedom of religion.

The entire attitude that atheists are somehow smarter because they choose to believe something that many find foolish doesn't endear them to anyone, either.

OHdem10 Donating Member (1000+ posts)  Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list    Sat Apr-30-11 10:55 AM
Response to Original message
5. Atheism is a direct threat to Religion, It is just as simple
   
Atheists do not believe in God and Religious believe in God.

For the insecure this can be frightening.

I do not believe all Americans dislike Atheists. Most fear
will be found among Fundamentalist Religions who are always
looking for a boogey man. Their insecurity makes them
feel compelled to "put down" others in an effort to make
themselves feel important. (Inferiority Complex of sorts).

 

Looking in the mirror when you wrote this, OHdem?   

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

So atheists get to unilaterally define morality then declare every one else an infidel.

1) how convenient

2) remind me again what is supposed to be so objectionable about exclusivist religions

[franksolich]

Maybe because atheists tend to be negative, pissy, frowning, antisocial people?

Might that be it?

[thundley4]

Maybe because atheists tend to be negative, pissy, frowning, antisocial people?

Might that be it?

And they try to impose their minority views on the majority.

[ChuckJ]

OHdem10 Donating Member (1000+ posts)  Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list    Sat Apr-30-11 10:55 AM
Response to Original message
5. Atheism is a direct threat to Religion, It is just as simple
   
Atheists do not believe in God and Religious believe in God.

For the insecure this can be frightening.

So let me work this out. A Christian has no problem if an atheist chooses to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" while many atheists have a near cardiac arrest if a Christian chooses to say "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays".

Which one is frightened and insecure?

[MrsSmith]

mzteris Donating Member (1000+ posts)  Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list    Sat Apr-30-11 12:02 PM
Response to Original message
15. jealousy.
   
Atheists have the courage to do what many "believers" wish they could do.

Atheist's have freedom from such things as:

- Constantly squelching "doubts" while pretending to yourself that you don't, or trying to "rationalize" those doubts using irrational data.

- Wrapping one's head around completely contradictory information and holding conflicting ideas in you heart and mind simultaneously. Trying to "make sense" using nonsensical data.

- Rejecting your own logic to accept a doctrine directly based on the superstitions of pre-educated man.

- Rejecting your own sense of "self" and concept of self-worth to be replaced by some set of dogma dictated by a bunch of delusional power-hungry men who designed "religion" around keeping the few in power and the many in thrall.

- Remaining within a community of "like-believers" - most of whom you secretly can't stand - just because they belong to your belief system.

- Not having to really accept responsibility for anything because "god" and the "devil" control it all. (Other people are being "punished" when bad things happen to them. You're being "tested". Things go well for you because you're "special" & "blessed by god". If you fail, the "devil made you do it". . . )


Those first two can and do make people a little bit crazy. Some of them a lot of bit crazy. And associating with and modeling your behaviour to mimic people you don't even LIKE can destroy a person's sense of self-identity.

These are the people who believe that you must cling to some human created ideology of superstition in order to be "good". That one MUST have that carrot/stick of heaven/hell in order to behave morally. They are suspect of those who are obviously "good people" - but how can they be because they aren't being MADE TO BE GOOD!?! gasp! IMHO those people are much less "moral" than those who choose the moral path because it's the right thing to do. (Not to mention the whole "pseud-morality" of most major religions issue.)


People fear what they don't understand. And "the religious" can't understand how some are not afraid to embrace the freedom of not being forced to "believe" in something - that if they had the courage- they'd admit that deep down - they don't really "believe" it either. (sssshhhh - don't question. Just have "faith". :evilgrin: )

They really do answer their own questions, don't they?  Unfortunately, they aren't quite smart enough to figure that out.  "People fear what they don't understand."  Since mzteris made it abundantly clear that he/she/it has zero understanding of God, the devil, religion in general, Christianity in specific, and the meaning of the word "moral," it's obvious why they fear losing their faith in themselves.  Ignorance may be bliss, but it's still ignorant.

[Ballygrl]

I don't dislike Atheists at all, I know a few of them and I have no problem with them, what I do have a problem with is this, our Nation was founded on Judeo-Christian principles, there is no separation of Church and State in the Constitution, you have every frigging right to not believe BUT don't think you have the right to impose that on others. We have freedom of Religion in the US not freedom from Religion.

[Ballygrl]

So let me work this out. A Christian has no problem if an atheist chooses to say "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas" while many atheists have a near cardiac arrest if a Christian chooses to say "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy Holidays".

Which one is frightened and insecure?

Oh, that's good!

[GOBUCKS]

I saw a show on The Military Channel last week, about WWII. It included a newsreel of FDR and Churchill meeting onboard a large warship. They had the entire ship's company assembled, and along with the two leaders they all sang "Onward Christian Soldiers". Of course it was staged for the newsreel cameras, but it was nevertheless an inspiring display by men facing great peril. The democrat party would be apoplectic if that happened today.

[franksolich]

I saw a show on The Military Channel last week, about WWII. It included a newsreel of FDR and Churchill meeting onboard a large warship. They had the entire ship's company assembled, and along with the two leaders they all sang "Onward Christian Soldiers". Of course it was staged for the newsreel cameras, but it was nevertheless an inspiring display by men facing great peril. The democrat party would be apoplectic if that happened today.

Yeah, that was 1940 or something, the Atlantic Charter.

They didn't do only Onward Christian Soldiers, but also O God Our Hope In Ages Past, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, God of Our Fathers Strong to Save, &c., &c., &c.

You're right; today's Dems, liberals, and primitives would have a fit.

[compaqxp]

This topic and that topic makes me feel sad, one of the few times I felt that way about both sites. The main reason is because I know where each topic will go.

I'm an atheist and I'm a nice guy. Those over at DU are the reason we look bad with their constant complaining and nastiness towards Christians and people who believe.

I don't complain about Christians because while I may receive nasty comments sometimes I have yet to be killed, threatened or imprisoned for my beliefs, things which our friends in the middle east would be more then happy to do.

You get nuts on both sides, everyone should know that.

They support the murder of millions of children, hold the value of the lives of murder victims as less than the value of the life of the murderer, and think raising children with no discipline is somehow superior to raising kids that know how to behave AND think, and then call themselves more ethical!

Why do you say that? How can you generalise every single one of us without knowing most of us? Don't haul out an excuse like Stalin being atheist or such because you can't use one man as a reason to say something like that about all atheists.

Opinions like this are part of the problem. What you said is no worse then when some atheists say similar things about Christians.

[Ballygrl]

I really adore compaq and glad he posts here.

[Rufus2010]

We dislike them because they are gigantic assholes. and most DUmmies probably are atheists, so a 2 for 1 special there...

[Duke Nukum]

I don't think most Americans hate atheists so much as they hate smug, self-satisfied thugs who think they have the right to tell other people what to believe.

I know plenty of atheists who are good decent people and don't really care about the practice of religion.

Then there are the ones like Madison's Very Own Freedom From Relgion Foundation who, simply put, are idiots. Nobody wants to listen to or tolerate an idiot.

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

We hate them because they are gigantic assholes.

Birds fly

Fish swim

Assuming God to be real He would be the source of all life and goodness

To reject Him is to reject life and goodness

So how else would you expect them to act?

Unlike birds and fish it is man's nature to choose his nature and theoretically--by nature--Christians are supposed to assist in that decision by word, deed and example.

So who is really acting outside their nature?

[Toastedturningtidelegs]

This topic and that topic makes me feel sad, one of the few times I felt that way about both sites. The main reason is because I know where each topic will go.

I'm an atheist and I'm a nice guy. Those over at DU are the reason we look bad with their constant complaining and nastiness towards Christians and people who believe.

I don't complain about Christians because while I may receive nasty comments sometimes I have yet to be killed, threatened or imprisoned for my beliefs, things which our friends in the middle east would be more then happy to do.

You get nuts on both sides, everyone should know that.

Why do you say that? How can you generalise every single one of us without knowing most of us? Don't haul out an excuse like Stalin being atheist or such because you can't use one man as a reason to say something like that about all atheists.

Opinions like this are part of the problem. What you said is no worse then when some atheists say similar things about Christians.

I don't complain about Christians because while I may receive nasty comments sometimes I have yet to be killed, threatened or imprisoned for my beliefs, things which our friends in the middle east would be more then happy to do.

Yes! You are a rational atheist,there are irrational atheists and irrational christians....part and parcel of the human condition unfortunately. I think what you see when you see christians being a bit overzealous with their opinion is a direct defense against the very loud militant atheists who while they may not realize it are being just as judgemental,overbearing and irritating as the worst fundamentalist christian....two sides of the same extreme coin!

[DumbAss Tanker]

I'm fine with Atheists as long long as they STFU instead of arguing with everyone and picking verbal fights with everyone of faith.  Actually I feel pretty much the same way about Teh Gheys, and proselytizing religious people, too. 

Liberals on the other hand remain dangerously stupid, even on the rate times when they do manage to STFU.

[MrsSmith]

This topic and that topic makes me feel sad, one of the few times I felt that way about both sites. The main reason is because I know where each topic will go.

I'm an atheist and I'm a nice guy. Those over at DU are the reason we look bad with their constant complaining and nastiness towards Christians and people who believe.

I don't complain about Christians because while I may receive nasty comments sometimes I have yet to be killed, threatened or imprisoned for my beliefs, things which our friends in the middle east would be more then happy to do.

You get nuts on both sides, everyone should know that.

Why do you say that? How can you generalise every single one of us without knowing most of us? Don't haul out an excuse like Stalin being atheist or such because you can't use one man as a reason to say something like that about all atheists.

Opinions like this are part of the problem. What you said is no worse then when some atheists say similar things about Christians.

   I wasn't referring to all atheists.  I was referring specifically to the OP...

issues such as governmental use of torture, the death penalty, punitive hitting of children, racism, sexism, homophobia, anti-Semitism, environmental degradation or human rights — the irreligious tend to be more ethical than their religious peers, particularly compared with those who describe themselves as very religious.

 I even bolded that section to highlight what I was responding to, in contrast to the DUmmy's opinion I find those with this specific attitude unethical and immoral.

[WinOne4TheGipper]

Haven't read the DUmmy responses, but I'd venture to guess that a few DUmmy atheists will demonstrate just why they're not liked.

[Boudicca]

I don't dislike Atheists at all, I know a few of them and I have no problem with them, what I do have a problem with is this, our Nation was founded on Judeo-Christian principles, there is no separation of Church and State in the Constitution, you have every frigging right to not believe BUT don't think you have the right to impose that on others. We have freedom of Religion in the US not freedom from Religion.

 
I've encountered some religious folks who could learn tolerance, kindness and good living from atheists and vice versa.  People are people, some suck, regardless of what they profess to believe or not believe.

[LC EFA]

I don't like many people who brand them self as atheist because they're more fundamentalist in their belief systems than even the radical muslims. These same usually use the label of atheist, but are really nothing more than seething anti-christian bigots.

For some reason there is a large statistical correlation between this group of atheists and communists.

FWIW - I'm a totally non-religious person who cares not a whit for what religion someone practices so long as they don't try and convert me by force.

[Boudicca]

I don't think most Americans hate atheists so much as they hate smug, self-satisfied thugs who think they have the right to tell other people what to believe.

I know plenty of atheists who are good decent people and don't really care about the practice of religion.

Then there are the ones like Madison's Very Own Freedom From Relgion Foundation who, simply put, are idiots. Nobody wants to listen to or tolerate an idiot.

Well, I do have to say that I have never opened my door to face and smug, self-satisfied S.O.B. atheist.  OTOH, I could only wish the Jehovah's Witnesses, some fundamentalist Christian churches and the Mormons would quit knocking.
I agree, no one wants to listen to or tolerate an idiot, which includes those who think they should be going door to door bothering people with their beliefs.  While it's freedom of speech and all that, it's still very arrogant to insist that YOUR beliefs are the correct ones and everyone else is wrong and/or going to hell.

However, I am thankful each and every day that in this country, and the civilized portion of the world one can chose to believe, or disbelieve, as one choses and the worst that will happen is someone else may get heartburn.

[catsmtrods]

I feel sorry for them and will wager there are no atheists in foxholes with bullets flying or huddled in a basement with a tornado overhead!

[diesel driver]

cleanhippie  Sat Apr-30-11 10:44 AM
Original message

Why do Americans still dislike atheists?

First, your name is an oxymoron, moron.

Second, why do DUmmies dislike Christians?

[thelaughingman]

Atheists: you want people to like you better?  Why not try reigning in fundie atheist idiots like PZ Myers, Michael Newdow and that retarded "Freedom From Religion" group in Wisconsin?