Seems to me "Americans hate atheists" is a VERY broad generalization; therefore, automatically wrong. I don't hate atheists, just can't stand people who KNOW they are right all the time and feel the need to explain to me how I am WRONG all the time. As others have said, this applies not only to atheists who know I am wrong for believing in God, but to people of religions (that I don't belong to) telling me my beliefs are also wrong.
Sure would be nice if people would just learn to respect others' right to be wrong, instead of trying to "fix" everyone else.