Stop the Presses: Americans STILL Don't Like Atheists

[Keelandson]

This Washington Post story asks, "Why to Americans still dislike atheists?"

In looking for the answers it has some hits. But it misses the glaringly obvious: There's no money to be sucked up in atheism.

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.

Rarely denounced by the mainstream, this stunning anti-atheist discrimination is egged on by Christian conservatives who stridently — and uncivilly — declare that the lack of godly faith is detrimental to society, rendering nonbelievers intrinsically suspect and second-class citizens.

Is this knee-jerk dislike of atheists warranted? Not even close. . . .

But there's hope. Near the bottom it says the number of American nontheists has tripled since the 1960s — one-fifth of the population are nonbelievers.

No homos caused Katrina for them.

 

[EwanSF]

Wierd contrast. I deliberately wouldn't vote for a christian.

 

[chrisw87]

Thats the US for you I guess... I am a Christian, I went through the steps, all the way through to being confirmed by the local bigwig whatsit (I'm Anglican BTW).

However I was brought up as a Christian by my parents for the basic morals, ie treat people as you want to be treated, showing compassion etc, none of that radical christian BS. Heck even at our Anglican school, they taught us about beating it, being gay etc, and said it was fine.

However, I was also brought up by a highly science based family, with rational thought based off evidence. I dislike any notion of a country being run by religous ideals as it always leads to issues, discrimination in one form or another.

A truly efficient society that can advance well into the future should be based off simple notions instead of faith, with religious activity free to practice but restricted in a way that it can't be actively used to discriminate blahblahblah and etc.

 

[Gin&Tonic]

I often wonder if humans found proof of an afterlife, would the world change in the least bit? Sad to say, probably not.

 

[chrisw87]

Finding proof doesn't convince people half the time, you know what humans are like.

Besides, knowing that an afterlife existed, who's to say how the best way is to get there, you'd just have all the same problems with differing faiths complaining and fighting.

 

[NineOfClubs]

I'm an atheist and I don't care who does or doesn't like me.

Also I notice a lot of "dislike" on this site towards all sorts of belief systems and political persuasions, not to mention hate directed at whole regions of the US or at individual states.

Plenty of "dislike" anywhere you care to look.

 

[ThreeCrows]

This Washington Post story asks, "Why to Americans still dislike atheists?"

I've got a really short answer to the rather complex question you pose: religious zealotry is favored over reason and logic here in the US.

 

[MarquisOrias]

I often wonder if humans found proof of an afterlife, would the world change in the least bit? Sad to say, probably not.

Physical proof? Yes it would change everyone. Knowing they could be spending a long time being burnt to a crisp would change the actions of someone. Seeing it in front of their eyes, even temporarily would be enough to change them for life.
Vice versa too, if they saw an amazing future in heaven where they could do anything and be anyone, I'm sure they would strive to be a better person.


Non physical proof? Yeah it's hard to convince people. I myself believe in God but not the religions as I feel humans have distorted and twisted them to turn religion into power over the weak.

 

[chrisw87]

Physical proof? Yes it would change everyone. Knowing they could be spending a long time being burnt to a crisp would change the actions of someone. Seeing it in front of their eyes, even temporarily would be enough to change them for life.
Vice versa too, if they saw an amazing future in heaven where they could do anything and be anyone, I'm sure they would strive to be a better person.


Non physical proof? Yeah it's hard to convince people. I myself believe in God but not the religions as I feel humans have distorted and twisted them to turn religion into power over the weak.

Well religon does tend to screw everything up for everyone. Its kinda easy to be a good Christian if you want to be
*believe that jesus died for our sins/believe in god etc
*love/respect your fellow man
*help others where possible/dont be discriminate etc.

Or we can all just take the bible literally, in which case I'm gonna go pick up some hookers because jesus said they make good dinner guests apparently.

 

[MarquisOrias]

Don't forget you can't eat any of that sinful shellfish

 

[PSCGuy]

This Washington Post story asks, "Why to Americans still dislike atheists?"

In looking for the answers it has some hits. But it misses the glaringly obvious: There's no money to be sucked up in atheism. But there's hope. Near the bottom it says the number of American nontheists has tripled since the 1960s — one-fifth of the population are nonbelievers.

No homos caused Katrina for them.

Not speaking as a great defender of religion, but you are quoting an opinion piece, not a news item, from the Post, and should make that clear.

 

[Keelandson]

I often wonder if humans found proof of an afterlife, would the world change in the least bit? Sad to say, probably not.

And if my grandmother had wheels, she'd be a wagon.

 

[barnbuddy]

not surprising, but it's funny how people of "faith," often confess to have doubts,

that sometimes what they're told or a senseless tragedy doesn't make sense.

an atheist just kept going with that feeling.

 

[MawellEvans]

i remember having to say the pledge in grade school and being uncomfortable saying "one nation under god". i didn't want to say it because i didn't believe it and always wondered which god? i don't think it should be required any longer in schools, its telling kids that the christian view is the only one that counts.

 

[eryk-v]

Religion and morality are independent. I wish Americans would understand this.
A Christian can be highly immoral (hell, millions of people were mercilessly killed by God in the Bible). An Atheist can be immoral. It doesn't matter their sect, religion, or whatever else.
I'm an Atheist and I have objective morals. Not based on my own thoughts, but the facts that since animals/people live their whole lives avoiding harm/pain/etc, then anything that causes harm/pain is immoral. It can be applied to everything, almost. Magnificent idea from [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCC3zGYKYPM"]this girl.[/ame] Morals based on facts and observation. Not an invisible man in the sky.

 

[MisterMajestic]

I deliberately wouldn't vote for a christian.

America is a melting-pot of different people, ideas and beliefs... I'd NEVER vote for an Atheist. Atheists I've listened to live up to the stereotype..."Anger" seems to be at the root of why they believe what they believe and feel the way they feel...

I have voted in Local, State & National elections where Christians running for office have gone on record saying we have to Respect people that have different beliefs. I have YET to see an Atheist run for Office with the same attitude.

If an Atheist EVER runs for National-office it's gonna be interesting to see how he sells himself to a Country where MAJORITY believe "In God We trust"...It's even written on our Currency and in "God we Trust" is and always will be the Foundation of The United States of America...

Argue all you want but that will NEVER change...

 

[MawellEvans]

requiring kids to say a pledge reminds me of north korea. get them while they are young so that they think that is the only way of life and anything else is anti-american.

 

[Keelandson]

If an Atheist EVER runs for National-office it's gonna be interesting to see how he sells himself to a Country where MAJORITY believe "In God We trust"...It's even written on our Currency and in "God we Trust" is and always will be the Foundation of The United States of America...

U.S. theocratic revisionism at it's best/worst.

 

[bankside]

I'd never vote for a christian, simply to counterbalance the angry angry christians who would never vote for an atheist.

Americans; I don't get your country. So out of touch. Not everyone of course, but if these stats are accurate, then on average it's pretty delusional. This just isn't even a factor in so many countries.

 

[MisterMajestic]

U.S. theocratic revisionism at it's best/worst.

You're probably a PROUD Canadian..So what is the Foundation of Canada besides Celine Dion?