DarkMatter2525 did a fairly good job at explaining some of the reason why Atheists are so hated. I would also like to suggest that, particularly in America, Atheism is somehow associated with loosing the right to practice whatever religion you wish. It is somehow associated with loosing freedom of religion. Obviously if you look at the big picture Christians and Mormons (and I suppose Muslims if they were in a large enough majority) are the ones who try to destroy freedom of religion (except theirs) any time they get. This is not rational but we aren't dealing with rational people. We are dealing with a group of people who think that Atheists have crossed the line when they won the battle to teach evolution in classrooms and ignore intelligent design or when they booted out mandatory school prayer. Christians are the victims and the evil Atheists are winning. For whatever reason people have an odd sense of separation of church and state here in the U.S.
It also keys into their millennialistic paranoia. Even in the very moderate churches there is a belief that when the world enters the "end times" religion will be outlawed.
It also keys into their millennialistic paranoia. Even in the very moderate churches there is a belief that when the world enters the "end times" religion will be outlawed.
I have studied the Bible and the theology behind Christianity for many years. I have been to many churches. I have walked the depth and the breadth of the religion and, as a result of this, I have a lot of bullshit to scrape off the bottom of my shoes. ~Ziploc Surprise
