Why do they hate us?

[Jackalope Joe D'Antonio]

I recently saw an article that stated that many people would trust a rapist before an atheist. I just don't understand it. Atheists are the last minority it is social acceptable to discriminate in most circles. I just don't understand it. Can anyone shed some light on the subject? 

[Sheena St.James]

You know, that is one of the most tragic things about American points of view about things. ): I've seen that study as well, and it's really sad.

I think the reason is that theists tend to see their moral codes as things strongly connected to their religious faith. People are often taught that their god is the source of all morality and ethics. So, with that mental connection made, they do not see how somebody without a god can ever have a firm moral code. Now, of course, this is not everybody. It's just that people, mostly theists, often view churches and clergy as moral authority. So, if somebody goes against church, they go against god, the supposed creator of all, including morality. People don't really get that morality and ethics are social constructs that vary from person to person and will never be exactly the same for two individuals. 

I don't know for sure, of course, that's only my theory.

[James Michael DeMaio]

That seems to hit it right on the head. I'm Christian and while I disagree with the idea that God constructs morality, that does seem to be the prevailing notion of theists who haven't given the idea a lot of thought. 

[Angie Florent]

I agree with Sheena.  I think many religious people incorrectly associate atheism with a complete lack of moral values.  Also, it doesn't help that we do generally get a bad rep from cocky, arrogant atheists like Dawkins.  Personally, I like to show people that atheists can be perfectly nice, understanding, accepting, and awesome people :)

[Sheena St.James]

Okay, dude. Get ready for a verbal smackdown. 

1: No, we're not fascists. Matter of fact, I'm pretty sure you probably don't really know what fascism is... what do atheists, a minority, impose on ANYBODY? Think about that. We ask that religious paraphernalia be taken down when it's on public property because the existence of such paraphernalia on public property IS imposing upon everyone. At the expense of EVERYONE. Asking that this be removed is not imposing our view on anybody. In what part of the world are religious people oppressed by atheists? Not many. (I can't think of any, to be honest.) 

2: Bill Gates is an atheist and he gives a crapton of money to charity. I give to charity. Many of my friends, most of them religious, give to charity. Please don't make assumptions that we're all just wrapped up in ourselves. Also, we judge big churches because they use the excuse of being sacred to enact their secular agendas. That's not honest, and if churches are trying to be bastions of moral superiority, then they should get their shit together.

3: Also, here, let me show off the balls: Islam is JUST as bad as Christianity. Mohammed married a 6-year-old and bedded her when she was 9. Ew. Not cool. MANY atheists attack Islam as well as Christianity; it's just that in the western world, Christianity is the big religion in the area. It's what affects Americans and most Europeans. So it's more relevant. And too ignorant to judge Buddhists? Really? Buddhism does not teach the worship of a god. It's, for the most part, a philosophy of helping others and self-improvement. Sure, there are supernatural aspects, but these are rejected by atheists and the like, but Buddhists are generally not assholes like many members of more organized religions can sometimes be. 

I think the reason might be that religious people are not properly informed as to what's actually going on. That might be it, but I'm not sure.

[Sam Bennallick]

marry me

[Sheena St.James]

HA! Can't express your religion? What planet are you from? I tried to point out the rudeness of an anti-atheism post someone made on facebook once and I got insulted and attacked and called everything under the sun for hours. Don't EVEN try to tell me that atheists hold power there. ANYBODY can get a facebook, and most of them are religious.

Also, when did I say that I want the churches to all be poor? Don't generalize and say "You atheists." I don't say "You theists." That's stupid. Also just because I'm from a first-world country does not mean I'm rich. And making churches ALL ABOUT THE MONEY is, frankly, bullshit. And you wanna hear about some nasty Catholics? How about all the priests and stuff who have been molesting children? How about the higher-ups in the church who try to limit the access that women have to contraception? Misogyny? Rape? That's pretty awful. And Hitler was CATHOLIC. Yes. Not a good Catholic, mind you. I'm not blaming the church for Hitler and never would. But he was not a Muslim... that's really stupid. And what has the Dalai Lama done? I'd like you to link some actual information to this thread, please. Because as far as I know, he's neither a "slaver" or a war criminal. 

I don't care about your sayings.

I would just like you to give some actual arguments that aren't full of fallacy.

[Sheena St.James]

I didn't ask for a condescending remark. I asked for INFORMATION. I want a link to a viable resource to serve as evidence for your claims. Without evidence, your claim is useless.

Also look up Hitler. Go on, do it. He was a Christian. A horrible Christian, but one nonetheless. I need you to do research, again, before making your claim. Go to a nonpartisan, secular resource. History knows no sides. It just is what it is.

And that third argument is completely off the point. I have a problem with the fact that the Catholic church claims to be a bastion of moral authority and does horrid, immoral things. Other horrible people are irrelevant. I'm saying THIS PARTICULAR GROUP, since you actually said, "Tell me about evil Catholics." So I did.

Also, EVERYONE will attack the church...? Really? What reality do you have, that can be backed up by facts and evidence from other resources, in favor of the church? And, you know what people used to do to atheists? They used to burn us, hang us, cut us into pieces, because we did not fit the worldview of theocrats throughout history. We have been denied jobs, had our rights attacked by people who try to push religion into the public, secular sphere, and been mistrusted and physically attacked. We are hated, mistrusted, and threatened. 

And in return, what do we do? Maybe throw a rude remark or two out there? Oh, how OPRESSIVE of us, right? How AGRESSIVE. NO. NO. NO. You know what? The church is NOT infallible. Pointing that out does not make atheists worthy of the hatred we get. 

I try not to be nasty. I really do. I don't hate on people for their religious views. I don't. But what I CANNOT STAND is people like you, o decepticon. People who DO hate people for their metaphysical views or lack thereof. People who make fallacious arguments instead of actual ones. I don't know if you're aware of how flawed your arguments are, but you need to cut it out. Seriously.

[Katharine Hinson]

You are so admirably patient...how you even responded to these in a serious matter astounds me.

[DaveBoRamaNessOssity_the_thuhd]

What is strange to me is... I must have (in some forgotten day) blocked or otherwise arragned for the elimination of the messages to which she must be responding. Or maybe a Mod pulled them.  I wondered why she was being so combative... Thank you Katharine for implying there was more here than meets the eye.  Groups like this (which i am delighted to find BTW) are examples of the SubCommunities within Nerdfighteria that I hope will re-exist after the move.  So I can see at glance we have 690 members. I hope we retain that capability, 'cuz forums don't do that well, IMHO.

[Nicole R.]

What I don't think anyone can do is generalize based on religion. I know religious people who are complete ass-holes to any atheists and no, it is certainly not fair. There are flaws in all organized religion and yes it can be terrible. I know atheists who are ass-holes to theists and call them cowards and horrible things. But you can't attack atheists for imposing our "non-religion" on other people when organized religions have been waging war and converting each other for thousands and thousands of years. If a Muslim can oppose displays of Christianity in public places, so can atheists. I personally don't agree with limiting anyone's religious freedom. In my opinion, the problem starts when a certain group begins to impose upon others. In the case of religion, I think everyone has their rights and we need to remember that and honestly, leave each other alone. If you don't agree with a religious friend, have a friendly debate, or leave it alone.

[Katharine Hinson]

I totally agree with this. I'm from central Texas in one of the most religious areas OF Texas, and I know both kinds of religious folks and both kinds of atheists. The ones I get along with on both sides are the ones who respect each other.  

[Sam Bennallick]

dude i don't understand ANYTHING you said

"you are the 1% against the 99% attacking believes thinking that will make you smart" makes no sense

"You atheist wants the church to live in a poor way, why?" what does this even MEAN

"Tell me about evil catholics... because i just know Macchiavello. Now people from the separated churchs like christians mormons or another money maker church, and now i will tell you two names of evil muslisms Hitler and Binladem." this is a sentence that makes one think means??!!

"I think that will help you get into what is my arguments." WHAT ARGUMENTS?!

"Hope you understad it" WHAT