Are Atheists Really Hated in the US?

[Xavier]

I read some articles where they say atheists are the least trusted minority in America. Can Americans answer is this true?

I live in the UK and in the under 30 age group I'd say atheists are in by far the majority.

[thesummerqueen]

Yup. There was a poll somewhere. It was talked about for days. We eat Christian babies and bathe in their blood. Or we're immoral hedonists.

[Egor]

Depends on what part of the U.S. you are in. In the South, where I am from, there are very few atheists. So, an atheist down here would be very mistrusted and actually seem somewhat anti-social. In New York City (Just the city, not the majority of the state of New York), you will find more atheists. But even there, I think they would be mistrusted. I'm sorry to step on toes, but I think most people find atheists to be a bit left-of-center, a bit off, not quite right, anti-social.

And everyone acts like England is this bastion of atheism. I lived there for eight years (1982-1990), and I don't think I ever met one atheist. Granted, I never met anyone who went to church either, but certainly no atheists. Even now, I talk to my daughter who lives there, and she doesn't go to church but she certainly believes in God. For that matter, I don't go to church, but I'm a very strong Christian. When I think of all the people I knew in England, I honestly believe they would answer something like, "I don't go to church, but I believe in God."

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Yup. There was a poll somewhere. It was talked about for days. We eat Christian babies and bathe in their blood. Or we're immoral hedonists.

Well now, it's funny you mention immoral hedonists. What's a person, like me, a newcommer, supposed to think when the first thing I see are avatars of cartoon characters having sex, or a figure with a large erection, or even your avatar, which I think is some woman from a magazine, or in other atheist forums where half the posts are in some way about sex, sexual freedom, homosexuality, sex with animals, etc?

I'm not saying atheists are all immoral hedonists, but one would certainly get that impression by visiting atheists sites on the web.

[Xavier]

And everyone acts like England is this bastion of atheism. I lived there for eight years (1982-1990), and I don't think I ever met one atheist. Granted, I never met anyone who went to church either, but certainly no atheists. Even now, I talk to my daughter who lives there, and she doesn't go to church but she certainly believes in God. For that matter, I don't go to church, but I'm a very strong Christian. When I think of all the people I knew in England, I honestly believe they would answer something like, "I don't go to church, but I believe in God."

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I know its Wiki but according to this 38% of people in the UK believe in God, and 91% of people in the US do.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_atheism

And its mnearly all older people who are religious where I live, which would indicate religion is dying out.
I don't know many people under the age of 30 who believe in God.

[Ace Otana]

I'm sorry to step on toes, but I think most people find atheists to be a bit left-of-center, a bit off, not quite right, anti-social.

Why? What have we done? I could assume every Christian is a vile dirty, corrupt, blind piece of work. But what do I have to base that on? Nothing, because I know not all Christians are vile, nor dirty or blind. So what reason to assume that atheists are all evil? Must have a good reason for it.


My entire family are atheists, so is most I know in the town I'm in. The most secular of places would be Sweden. 85% non-religious population.

I lived there for eight years (1982-1990), and I don't think I ever met one atheist.

You would of bumped into dozens of atheists, it's just that you are simply unaware of their atheism. I worked with a crazy Scotsman for months, only to learn he as well as every worker I was with were all atheists too. So's my neighbours, most of my teachers and many others. I find it hard to believe you've never encountered one.

[Doubting Thomas]

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?

[thesummerqueen]

Yup. There was a poll somewhere. It was talked about for days. We eat Christian babies and bathe in their blood. Or we're immoral hedonists.

Well now, it's funny you mention immoral hedonists. What's a person, like me, a newcommer, supposed to think when the first thing I see are avatars of cartoon characters having sex, or a figure with a large erection, or even your avatar, which I think is some woman from a magazine, or in other atheist forums where half the posts are in some way about sex, sexual freedom, homosexuality, sex with animals, etc?

I'm not saying atheists are all immoral hedonists, but one would certainly get that impression by visiting atheists sites on the web.

1) My avatar is me, but thanks for the backhanded compliment. I'm sure it's easy for a girl to claim a picture is her but several people here can vouch for me, having seen me on google video function. I've posted far more "hedonistic" photos than this before.

2) (re: other avatars you've mentioned) It's termed, I believe, as having a sense of humor. Immorality shouldn't have to do with enjoying sex. Unless you're religious, of course.

3) I was being ironic - of course most of us are hedonists.

4) I expect you to think that this is the internet and therefore a virtual playground for the bizarre and limitless self-expression.

[Mister Agenda]

Yeah, it's mostly the Southern US, not tolerant places like Canada...oh, wait.

http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Believe...z1fIRlUKee

[Faith No More]

Well now, it's funny you mention immoral hedonists. What's a person, like me, a newcommer, supposed to think when the first thing I see are avatars of cartoon characters having sex, or a figure with a large erection, or even your avatar, which I think is some woman from a magazine, or in other atheist forums where half the posts are in some way about sex, sexual freedom, homosexuality, sex with animals, etc?

I'm not saying atheists are all immoral hedonists, but one would certainly get that impression by visiting atheists sites on the web.

The problem lies not with us but with you. It's people like you that equate an unwillingness to repress sexuality as immoral that further these stereotypes. I suggest that if you get the impression of immorality from sexual discussion that you should reasses your own moral stance.

@OP, there was recently a poll asking people what minority groups do you not agree with your vision of America. I don't have time to find the actual poll, but here are the answers according to another site.

This group does not at all agree with my vision of American society…
Atheist: 39.6%
Muslims: 26.3%
Homosexuals: 22.6%
Hispanics: 20%
Conservative Christians: 13.5%
Recent Immigrants: 12.5%
Jews: 7.6%

[Mister Agenda]

Depends on what part of the U.S. you are in. In the South, where I am from, there are very few atheists.

In the South, where I live, there are lots of atheists.

So, an atheist down here would be very mistrusted and actually seem somewhat anti-social. In New York City (Just the city, not the majority of the state of New York), you will find more atheists. But even there, I think they would be mistrusted. I'm sorry to step on toes, but I think most people find atheists to be a bit left-of-center, a bit off, not quite right, anti-social.

I'm sure New York is more tolerant, but not by an order of magnitude or anything. It takes a certain kind of person to announce their atheism given the prejudices against it, which may skew your sample size. Atheists aren't much persecuted, but it's hard to persecute a minority group when most of them are, to one degree or another, hiding who they are.

And everyone acts like England is this bastion of atheism. I lived there for eight years (1982-1990), and I don't think I ever met one atheist.

Knowingly ever met one atheist. Unless you have infallible atheist radar. I was 42 before I knowingly met my fourth atheist, but I started a social group for the nonreligous and one of the first people to show up was someone I already knew but didn't know was an atheist.

Granted, I never met anyone who went to church either, but certainly no atheists.

Certainly?

Even now, I talk to my daughter who lives there, and she doesn't go to church but she certainly believes in God. For that matter, I don't go to church, but I'm a very strong Christian. When I think of all the people I knew in England, I honestly believe they would answer something like, "I don't go to church, but I believe in God."

I believe you honestly believe that, but I don't think you've thought it through.

Well now, it's funny you mention immoral hedonists. What's a person, like me, a newcommer, supposed to think when the first thing I see are avatars of cartoon characters having sex, or a figure with a large erection, or even your avatar, which I think is some woman from a magazine, or in other atheist forums where half the posts are in some way about sex, sexual freedom, homosexuality, sex with animals, etc?

Maybe the avatars are meant to scare off theists who are easily offended.

I'm not saying atheists are all immoral hedonists, but one would certainly get that impression by visiting atheists sites on the web.

Depends on the moderation, doesn't it? JREF and FRDB might be more to your liking. In other words, there's plenty of atheist sites you haven't seen, and in any case, ours should be compared to other online communities that are indifferent to religion rather than to theist sites. Pretty much any such community that isn't explicity about atheism, skepticism, or science will be (in the West) majority theists.

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I think we tend not to shy away from sexual topics, which to someone who has been sheltered, may seem a bit shocking. However, I'm not aware of any evidence that atheists are more likely to behave in a sexually immoral fashion: we're just less likely to feel guilty about having the same sexual experiences theists do. Anecdotal, maybe someone knows of a study.