Atheists in America are the most widely mistrusted group

This is acutate, well atleast the core message is. Most Americans cannot even imagine life without religon because it has been such a crutch In their life. Furthermore most rligous people cannot stomach the idea that the idea that they have based their entire lif off of is false. I do agree that athirsm is probably at it's highest acceptance rate in recent history, I do believe that this does not concen the aricle.

This is acutate, well atleast the core message is. Most Americans cannot even imagine life without religon because it has been such a crutch In their life. Furthermore most rligous people cannot stomach the idea that the idea that they have based their entire lif off of is false. I do agree that athirsm is probably at it's highest acceptance rate in recent history, I do believe that this does not concen the aricle.

This is acutate, well atleast the core message is. Most Americans cannot even imagine life without religon because it has been such a crutch In their life. Furthermore most rligous people cannot stomach the idea that the idea that they have based their entire lif off of is false. I do agree that athirsm is probably at it's highest acceptance rate in recent history, I do believe that this does not concen the aricle.

Anything to get rid of the Christians! % ) ( no disrespect to the christians ) ( but yea they gotta go ) ( but no disrespect ) ( but they gotta leave us alone ) ( but no disrespect ) % (...................

Having read that the conentional religions Protestant, Catholic and Jewish have fallen on hard times. Money isn't flowing like a never ending river. Religious schools are suffering. But no worry for the Atheiist since he has no Church or megachurch with a fantastic overhead and no bills to pay.

It's also pretty cliche to be an atheist right now. Just an FYI.

Personally, when someone tells me they are "atheist," it leads me to believe they aren't as bright as one would assume. Meaning, well, I can't really explain it. I don't want to offend anyone, but I think I'm going to, so I'm sorry. But I think most atheists are actually agnostics and I think it's silly in a ridiculous sort of way, when a person tells me they are atheist, when really, they are agnostic. There is more proof in the existence of an intelligent designer than there is against this. My no. 1 fav being, DNA, you can't have an intelligent program without an intelligent Programmer.

To expect science to answer all of the mystery before believing in God is ridiculous. The whole point in the mystery is to allow us to experience hope...and this hope is what tells us there is more to come and I wouldn't want to know how it all works during my 100 years on earth. I want something to look forward to. Atheists, to me, are narcissistic in that they seriously believe it's all about us. Well, it's not. It's about God too. And He doesn't owe us a detailed explanation about anything yet he provides enough for us anyway. You just have to be looking for it with a humble heart.

Imagine a billion people still believe in the tooth fairy.

Imagine a billion people still believe in the tooth fairy.

Old news but still good for discussion.

Consider for a moment that the Nazis were "irreligious" and anti-Christian, as were the Soviets, the Chinese communists, the Cambodians, the Vietnamese communists, Castro...

How many tens of millions died because of the brutal policies of "secular" governments?

I'm a Christian, and I would trust an atheist just as much as a theist. Atheists believe differently than I do, but so what? I don't care for their constant harping on believers in Christ, which serves no purpose, other than that....Re: atheism, I choose a "live and let live" approach.

I'm not atheist, but some of my best friends are. I think it's funny how people think if someone is atheist that means they have no moral and/or ethical structure.

After all, according a certain religious friend, "What do they have to live for?"

Ridiculous.

And to the people who claim to be Christian and saying things like this: you have single-handedly ruined whatever Jesus tried to do for us.

it doesnt really matter whether atheist are the most detested or not. for anyone to call another persons belief "detested" is very judgemental and inhuman. it underminds'another human's thoughts and beliefs. i am a christian, but honestly the "christian" group has lost so much meaning and has incorporated so much personal wickedness and negativity. i sometimes dont even like to call myself a christian. atheist dont believe that God is and was and will always be. our job isnt to base human relation initiatives on that at all. our job first as human beings is to find connection reguardless of a belief. when i meet someone that is atheist, buddist, satanist, gay, mentally challeneged, from another country, whatever!!!, my first reaction isnt to throw a bible at them. i feel it is more important to relate, understand, and RESPECT them as humans. god loves everyone, anyone, everything! if you are a follower of christ, let people see that through the way you talk and walked to people. if jesus talked to people who were so called possessed, diseased, homeless. etc, with nothing but kindness in his heart. what makes anyone else special? christ was a huge hhhhuuuggeee humanitarian, thats what i believe it is about first. yes believers are supposed to lead people to christ, but how do you expect someone to respect your belief if you are coming at them with full-force spirituality and at the same time being prejudice and calling them detested?

J_Jammer------I did not mean to imply that the condition [bullying/brow beating/forcing your will and world view on others] was in the least bit unique to any group in particular. I just have a "prepare to resist and hold fast" universal bias. Change should be consensual and come from reasoned argument. The "smaller" faction of any larger group simply needs to take the "resist"mode more to heart.

Atheists,...."the most Hated,,,,,,FEARED and RESPECTED group in America" sounds O.K.to me. Just don't let those Christian bullies kick crucifixes and rosaries in your face. MAN UP! Take a "this is my godless rocket-launcher" approach.

I think in many ways it's all a big misunderstanding. Atheism is more widespread than society would have you believe. It isn't widely talked about because it makes people uncomfortable.

From an atheist's point of view, I've been uncomfortable talking about it in the past because I've been treated by books, TV, and popular culture as "the other" and because I try to avoid possible annoyances such as "conversion" attempts. I'm sure religious people are also uncomfortable talking about it because not enough of us are proud and vocal about our Atheism as religious people are about their beliefs.

Without more information, the believing world is left to assume that we just believe in nothing, when Atheism is so much more than that.

I could go into the whole negative aspect of it with the religious fanatics on one side and the angry nonbelievers on the other but that part is just way overplayed. A little more openness and understanding on both sides would go a long way.

P.S. Brad Pitt is an Atheist. Take that swooning religious girls!

beat the the war drums and preach to the choir, everybody wants to feel special.

And I'm not paying $26 bucks to read a survey. 90% of surveys have inaccurate statistics anyway (and if you take that comment seriously I will kill and your whole family)

Yes, I'm an atheist. Yes, I want to eat your baby.

Who cares, what a vapid topic. If you don't want people to discriminate you because you're an atheist... don't call yourself an Atheist. People LOVE their labels though, so go on playing the game... Christian, Jew, Buddhist or Atheist you're all the same, confused people who subscribe to rediculous "ideals" and waste energy defending LABELS.

Love one another and always speak the truth its that simple. You don't need to put a label or name on that, and theres nothing to defend. You're, your own worst enemy!

Trustworthiness isn't based on religion or non religion, it is based on character. I wish people would stop using it to pump up or degrade other beliefs or non beliefs. For anyone to assert that any one group is entirely trustworthy based on their being part of that group alone is illogical and false.

Maybe it's that alot of humans naturally feel as though they are not self sustaining.?

As if they naturally believe or know that there is something greater than themselves.?

Whatever each individual of that mindsett thinks (be it whatever "religion") they might be upset by the thought of someone not feeling there is a creator or major energy that has the power to help them.

The most important question (in my life so far) has not been weather there is a god, but weather I need a god or not.

I try to be as open minded as possible.

As the Agnostic I'll say we'll never know and now lets get on with our lives. Theres better things to do these days than dwindle on this god issue and for the athiests, when you make it that much of an issue you are just as bad as the other team.

I'm fortunate enough to live in an area where there's a huge integration of different religions. Everyone gets along and no one forces each other's beliefs on another. I'm an Atheist and people don't judge me based on what I believe, but what I do/say. It's a pretty good feeling.

It's a very 2 sided problem. On one hand, members of organized religions have a tendency to force their beliefs upon others. From personal experience, nothing is quite as annoying as a person rambling on and on about their god and how wonderful he is without having met the guy(s) and quoting scripture to back up their claims.
Agnostics and atheists simply do not believe in your god. This therefore renders the bible an invalid source to pull from.

On the other hand, some atheists don't carry themselves in a professional and intelligent manner when confronted about their beliefs and resort to berating and criticizing another person's religion. Although this applies to both sides (especially religous literalists and extremists), Atheists generally receive more attention on this matter.

i religion but i believe in god because i've had spiritual experiences. religions teach one to follow not to advance spiritually. let go of religion and atheism and just say i don't know. the endless and eternal universe can work with an open mind.

Religions are biased largely on moral codes.
So the absence of a religion must mean the absence of morality.

Not true, but I can see how this would appear to be pretty solid logic to base a perception on.

Also, phonies who use Atheism to seem cool, rebellious and edgy also tend to lie, cheat, steal and do drugs for similar reasons. Thus, they cannot be trusted.
(Head out to any grindcore show if you need evidence.)

Comments?

Many Americans must be awfully frightened at the thought of...evolution, science, and reason, OH MY!

down with atheism

how could you trust a atheist whose heart is filled with hate? at least with a christian there morals and standards set in place.

how could you trust a atheist whose heart is filled with hate? at least with a christian there morals and standards set in place.

RACIST!

as an atheist that was born and raised in Georgia these findings make complete sense.

y'all should hear the gasps of awe and confusion whenever i mention that i don't believe in doG. and the mortified stares i get whenever i say i don't believe in ghosts either.

its really quite depressing.

and mostly based on misconceptions. the most common question i get is "so you don't believe in anything?!".....they seem to think that atheists and nihilists are somehow related.

faith.
-noun.
: firm belief in something for which there is no proof

can somebody tell how is that POSSIBLY a good thing?

atheist vs. monotheist what's the difference? a vs. mono...we all know people with mono are asleep at the wheel, lol.

atleast haft of my friends are atheist and i can trust all of them with my life

And it's not even about indoctrination anymore, who better to mistrust than someone you don't or won't understand? Many people grow up assuming that there is some form of creator, and when they meet someone who doesn't believe then it becomes an issue of "optimism".

There's a stigma attached to atheism. One that says, "they don't believe in anything!" Granted, this was perpetuated by most fear mongers, but the worst is that many people assume atheism is a form of nihilism without any real dose of indoctrination.

It's a sad, sad (and ignorant) story.

Lets look at atheism from two points. I am an atheist. Yesterday I watched a TV program that was showing a documentary from The Great Danny Thomas's gift to a large group of Cancer stricken Children. I know that Danny Thomas was a christian Lebanese Arab. I am addressing him as an Arab to prove a point. Danny had spent a considerable amount of his own money to start the St Judes organization for handicapped and sick children. They have a motto hat they will never turn a sick child away. A great number and perhaps most of the Children have some form of cancer. At $19.00 per month I can support one of these unfortunate children. Now There are many of these Mega Church's all over America and more under construction. All of you Christians are feeding these megachurch empires. You are making these fire and brimstone preachers filthy rich in theior dens of iniquity. All of you Christians are feeding the tills and pockets of these christian mega church empires and what good are these mega church's doing for humanity? Where is all of their wealth and rich's going? Not to Danny Thomas's St Jude hospital for the dieing youth of America. Yes all of you good christians think you are going to heaven just because you go to church and support a religious empire. The Bible tells you the give up 10% of your hard earned labor for the church. Now since the days of christ who has benefited from these tithes? Well in early Europe a priest or minister would travel through the villages selling forgiveness for their sins. Now there is nothing phony about St Judes. But if all of you christians were so hell bent on getting to heaven then why not put you Tithing to good use by skipping church and putting your donation to St Judes or if you can find a research organization that is serious in finding childhood cures for these many children, why not give them a helping hand rather than a bunch of tele conmen. That is my atheism talking, and just between us it is the megachurch's that is destroying Christianity by turning religion into a religio-politico mafia empire. Look at the sex abuse being exposed in the christian church's as well and more prevalent in the Catholic church's. Use your brains and common sense. It doesn't take a religion to make a good person, it takes a pair of caring parents and a good homespun schooled education.
Strange as it may seem, but so far it has been politicians, Christians and Catholics who are being exposed as sex predators and pedophiles and just plain wierdos. I haven't heard of any atheists of late who have been arrested for exposing themselves or who have been abusing young boys and girls. or commiting adultery. just politicians, preachers and priests.

More victimization.

How could anyone misunderstand a group that shoves info down people's throat like religious people......

For the record I wouldn't answer this with Atheist. I would tell you the real answer, but that would almost please some of you and I sure the hell don't post to please any of you.

remember when you were young, and there was that one kid in your third grade class that didn't believe in Santa Clause, so everybody hated him?

acedia~

i don't think it's as much what athiests believe (or don't) as it is about presentation. in the judeo-christian society we live in groups of athiests who seemingly seek to take away their rights in the public eye appear threatening. of course the opposite is true as well. many of the commenter's here, it seems would rather give sarcastic answers and bash "non-athiests" than calculate a reason for the behavior in america. extremists from either side often don't have rational explinations for why they belive what they do: each are just passionate to get their point across. many athiests distrust christians and religious people just the same.

but the stereotype doesn't have to be if you present yourself as approachable and trustworthy. for those that abandon simply b/c of what you believe- then i'm sorry for you and them. my thoughts ultimately- go against the status quo of society...on either side of the coin.

religion shouldn't be trusted.

Religion will die in time, its in line with our social evolution.

because anyone believing in any traditional deity has the archaic views of a 10th century peasant during the crusades. fear and comfort. get a back bone and take a damn philosophy coarse. most people think that when you dont believe in something, you believe in nothing.

I would trust an average atheist over a religious nut any day!

Those who responded with hate against Christians or those who spoke out against those Jesus lovin places. It is not about Jesus lovin, its about your feelings, and in general all these replies have listed brainwashing and anti-open attitudes as reasons to dislike Christians and as one blogger responded to "turn the poster around", by doing so you are in fact making yourself appear uneducated and shooting from the hip as many of you bash Christians for doing. If you don't like what foolish Christians do, please don't do it yourself. If you want to have an "open" conversation, part of that conversation is their thoughts and not simply your hate. Also, you are generalizing and thrusting assumptions onto Christians, you may have a bad run in but why generalize, yet again doing to them what you say you do not like. You have become someone who does not have a holistic life and have made your voice mute...think about things before you say them...

Oh crap I'm athiest.

I haven't done any devilish deeds either, I didn't know it was a requirement!! I'm way behind!

The problem is, people are so ignorant that when you say you're an atheist they think you're associated to or believe in Satan (you know, Hell's CEO).

They can't realize that, if you don't believe in God, you also don't believe in the devil (the idea of Satan is even more absurd than having a God).

They think atheists are like Satan's secret agents...

Um, not where I live in America...

In my neck of the woods, people actually respect other people's beliefs, whether they involve "the lord" or not.

Huh? Atheists are the most mistrusted group? Wow thats funny... i fear the extremists the most. They tend to be the most likely to perform hate crimes or kill/die for their distorted beliefs.

yeah atheists are such a threat... they're the ones forcing their beliefs on everyone, they're the ones touching alter boys, they're the ones that in technical terms violate the declaration of independence on a daily basis.... yeah... atheists are sooo scary......... wake up people.

>"Let us assume that this person is a great orator; a righteous person with great personal integrity..."<
And how would we assume that? it's not part of the survey. The use of the word righteous is interesting. different religious groups have different preferred systems of wording. I have a deep suspicion here that the writer was raise Jewish and still follows those ethical standards to some degree. I now look at the guy's name "Gad Saad" and do a bit of googling. What do you know: Gad is a very traditional Jewish name.

Just to throw it up in the air I think the problem is that religions are not only religious systems they are also ethical ones. People are not used to someone following an ethical system but not a religious one. Therefore someone who is seen not seen to follow a religious system is seen as someone without ethics. Confucianism for example is an ethical system free of religion. One can simultaneously be an atheist and a Confucian at the same time. How did the Confucians do in the survey?

I suspect an atheist who was an announced follower of a described and known philosophy of ethics would do just as well. When I talk to atheists about ethics it usually winds up they actually either follow christian ethics or go ancient greek, which is almost the same thing. The problem lies in that by saying that a person is an atheist the are to some degree saying that their ethical system is not externally vetted. This implies that their ethical system could possibly become whatever they can talk themselves into. This potential for self serving flexibility is no less true of many evangelical religions, but they have the cover of being associated with more organized groups whereas the atheists do not.

As I pointed out the last time, those poll results were brought up that they might've been skewed by sample of people they asked or by the format of the questions.

How can that conclusion of "most detested" group be supported when it directly contradicts the FBI hate crime statistics?

Over 50% of assaults motivated towards a group are against Gays. Lebians, Bi-sexual and Transexuals.

Atheists are only less than 5% of those crimes.

If people are hating on GLBT enough to go out an physically attack them on a much wider scale then how can it be said that Atheist are "most detested?"

This seems accurate, even if the survey is a few years old. It wouldn't surprise me if atheists were still the "most detested group," though probably by a smaller margin.

But within certain communities (mostly, though probably not exclusively, more educated groups), being intensely religious is a stigma and being atheist, agnostic, deist, etc. is not only socially acceptable, but preferred.

Who cares what Christians think. We have one life, so far as we know. Don't dwell on this information.

Haha. The feeling is mutual. Devotion to a particular god parable is one of the most disgusting human attributes possible. It is mental and spiritual suicide. If you don't at least question your beliefs, I can not trust you in any way.