Are Atheists Really Hated in the US?

[5thHorseman]

I thought atheist/agnostic accounts for about 10% of the USA, so hardly a tiny minority so you should just come out, pretty sure if you do others will do too, to you and you'll realise you're not alone.

[Norfolk And Chance]

I think it is hard for us to understand on this side of the pond just how hard it is for American Atheists to "come out". That country really is an ignorant retard, and you have front line troops like Egor desperately scrabbling about trying to maintain that.

[Rokcet Scientist]

Yes.

Ask a simple question, get a simple answer.

And when 'just' hated turns into active isolation, initiated and executed by the authorities – as the acronyms do with every list they create – you have a bona fide fascist society.

[houseofcantor]

I thought atheist/agnostic accounts for about 10% of the USA, so hardly a tiny minority so you should just come out, pretty sure if you do others will do too, to you and you'll realise you're not alone.

Aren't you across the pond? It's nasty over here, bro. Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the US, and you don't wanna be telling people you're atheist here. Some stats go as high as 20%, but that's gotta be cities; that's gotta be spread out in cities. You're right, atheism needs to step outta the closet in a big way in this country, but for a lotta peeps, that's a lonely road. If not dangerous. You're not likely to get killed over it, but you're not doing your "street cred" any good.

[Faith No More]

I think it is hard for us to understand on this side of the pond just how hard it is for American Atheists to "come out". That country really is an ignorant retard, and you have front line troops like Egor desperately scrabbling about trying to maintain that.

Plus you have people like Egor spreading bold faced lies about who we are and how we behave. On top of that there are millions of these bigots.

[Perhaps]

I'm currently in college and rooming with international students from all over the world (UK, Ireland, Italy, Australia, Turkey, and France). The majority of them are staunch atheists who actively debate the existence of God with theists. As I am going to college in the South I have only had one chance to discuss religion formally with a group of theists. That chance occurred while attending a Christian meeting where we watched a video explaining the religiously explicit Christian founding of America. I was amazed by how easily people believed what they were fed from this video. There were no counter examples given, nor refutations made, simply regurgitated, outdated, misinformation about the beliefs of the founding fathers.

I proceeded to refute almost every statement made in the video at its conclusion. The people who invited me to sit in with them while we watched the video were unaware that I was primarily atheist in belief, while holding an open mind to any who do the same. They were astonished at my dismissal of what they considered hard fact. Needless to say I was asked to leave while given a half hearted 'thanks for coming and sharing your thought provoking opinions'.

My story is not individual whatsoever, many of my atheist friends from high school who are now going to college all over the nation have similar stories of intolerance towards our beliefs. We engage in civil discussion raising factual refutations to common religious beliefs and are all to often asked to leave and never return. A closed mind is a dangerous thing, and America has become polluted with them.

To answer your original question: Yes, atheists are really hated in America - especially in the bible belt of the South. We are not trusted, looked upon is immoral, and often dammed for our open minds. Even at universities where free thought and freedom of expression are promoted, our opinions are negated as being flat out wrong and mislead. It often saddens me to experience such ignorance, but it is by no means a theocracy as it once was. We are slowly progressing and becoming more open minded. I remind myself daily not to become too distraught at those who will never be converted to free thought, but to continue to discuss the ways of intellectualism with all who I encounter.

We, as non-theists, have to remember to give respect to those who don't hold the same beliefs as us. I see all over these forums words thrown around which only conjure distaste and anger for ourselves by theists. If we want to be given respect and actually be heard then we must change our attitude towards those who don't believe the same things we do. We cannot return hate with hate or mistrust with mistrust. Everyone has a reason for their belief, the best we can do is use reason and rational thought to help those who choose the alternative path realize their wrong choice.

[thesummerqueen]

We, as non-theists, have to remember to give respect to those who don't hold the same beliefs as us. I see all over these forums words thrown around which only conjure distaste and anger for ourselves by theists. If we want to be given respect and actually be heard then we must change our attitude towards those who don't believe the same things we do. We cannot return hate with hate or mistrust with mistrust. Everyone has a reason for their belief, the best we can do is use reason and rational thought to help those who choose the alternative path realize their wrong choice.

And as I told another member, I actually wrote an open letter to the forum a couple months ago about some of the hostility going around.

But I'd like to be clear that the hostility was mostly towards new members who might not have met with atheists or had a chance to get their feet wet in other perspectives. Everyone deserves a chance.

In general the so-called 'hostility' of this forum is because we've had to deal with BS time and again with people who AREN'T new but don't bother researching anything, don't want to ask politely, or are here to deliberately troll. In that case, I don't care if this was a BDSM site, a fly fishing forum, or a knitting club - that sort of behavior is worthy of people being hostile back. We made this forum open to all different groups for a reason, but it's our sandbox and our sanctuary because a good many of us, especially living in the Bible Belt, have experienced annoyance, discomfort or all out wrath from theists - particularly Christians.

Most of the people on this forum conduct themselves in a rational, if passionate, and debate oriented manner. If the theists don't like it, it's for one of two reasons: 1) they don't like the language it was couched in (because they have lost the argument and are picking on something irrelevant) or 2) they don't like their philosophies being picked apart period. Neither of those is our problem.

There are plenty of theists who have no problem with atheists. These are the people who are not tied down with "in group" mentalities. It's the "in-group" mentality that causes the fear and hatred - that an ignorance.

No atheist here attacks for no reason, and there's usually a nice respectful build up before we do.

Also, atheists aren't under one umbrella. They're humans - they just don't believe in god. Kinda like all the humans who do. It's not our fault that theists can't grasp that there are bad theists and good atheists.

[Handprint]

Are we hated? I can answer this question with another: Do you think I hide my atheism from almost everyone I know just because I'm a private person?

I came out as an atheist on my fb profile. yay fb.

Now I'm considering coming out as bisexual...but yeah not brave enough yet

[downbeatplumb]

I came out as an atheist on my fb profile. yay fb.

Now I'm considering coming out as bisexual...but yeah not brave enough yet

Is it called 'coming out' if your announce your an atheist?

Anyhoo how is the news going down?

[Handprint]

I came out as an atheist on my fb profile. yay fb.

Now I'm considering coming out as bisexual...but yeah not brave enough yet

Is it called 'coming out' if your announce your an atheist?

Anyhoo how is the news going down?

So far I've gotten one PM from one of my christian friends saying they are "praying" for me and then when i suggested that prayer was useless against the VT attack this week, and that people should actually donate money to a fund for murder victims and/or the VT tech massacre fund...i got a bunch of posts on my status about that.

"Never underestimate the power of prayer! Donate AND pray."