Why do atheists have such a negative image in society?

Question

And is there a short-term solution to this problem?

Answer 1

It's because people think we don't have morals. With theists, they all have a basic code of morals to follow and a figure to punish them if they don't follow them. People think that because we don't have this code of morals, we're going to go around killing people. There really is no solution because theists can be quite ignorant. If you look at statistics, atheist make up about 14 percent of the United States and less than one percent of the prison population. But people will still ignore this fact and call atheists immoral.

Answer 2

I do not believe I have a negative image of society. I'm not the one running around saying the world is going to end.

Every society in history has had its good and bad... we work on correcting the bad even if it takes decades and centuries. There is no such thing as perfection - that is unobtainable. I will admit even though I do vote in every election I am scornful of politics as I regard it a game of the rich - the good average person does not have the capital to even consider making a run at Congress.

I love my family, love my job and volunteer in my community. I know some religious people that don't do all that. Why must one generalize and not look at things on a case by case basis... or is just being judgmental towards a whole group of people easier and more convenient.

Answer 3

It is the same as any prejudice, people base their opinions of someone on one aspect of them. I think the more educated about something and the more they are exposed to different cultures, beliefs, etc, the more open-minded and tolerant they will be. I don't see this making much of a difference though, because many people don't want to learn about anything except what they believe. They become defensive when discussing religion when someone has a different belief then theirs, they immediately think they are trying to convert them. Because there isn't evidence to prove either way what religion is right or whether there is even a God, I think many peoples belief just comes from within them and they don't even know for sure why they hold that belief. So when someone asks them something and they can't answer they get defensive. As for atheists being angry, there are no more angry atheists then there are of any other religion. As for atheists not having hope, I do have hope in many things. I have hope that people will someday see the most important things are being content with yourself which you can't be as long as you are busy judging others and guessing what thoughts go through their minds or what you think is wrong with their life.

Answer 4

Atheists are a minority. The majority of society is religious (or at least theists). I'm pretty sure all minorities in the past have faced a negative image in society, but I don't think that there is a short-term solution...

Answer 5

Morals variety from place to place. In some international places it is incorrect as much as now whilst in others stoning somebody to loss of life is acceptable. Whose morality are we speaking approximately? If a so-referred to as god gave morality then why isn't morality an identical the international over? Even between Christians there are modifications interior the translation of morality. Morality comes from oftentimes frequently happening habit of society. while a majority of human beings adhere to a definite prevalent or regulation then it is going to become a ethical code for that society. It has no longer something to do with god or absolutely everyone else.

Answer 6

Actually, I have known atheists that were very nice, and good citizens, altruists, and all the works... I wish some Christians were like that. Atheists can be nice, just as some Christians might not be... What is sad, is that all the niceness won't matter in the sight of God becasue they didn't have a personal relationship with him... He's just have to say "depart from me, I never knew you" - I think this is really sad...

Answer 7

That's not necessarily true everywhere. Atheism is widespread and generally accepted in Europe.

But in North America, where the majority profess the Christian faith, atheists are a minority and generally a silent one at that. I think we need to do what the gay community has done: speak up and let the world know that we're here and we're not going away.

Answer 8

I've also met some negative ones but I'm sure they're not all like that.

If you think about it wouldn't you be negative if you had not hope? Hope is the light at the end of the tunnel. Atheist have only the tunnel.

Answer 9

You're generalizing, but I'd say IN GENERAL, atheist are realists. Unlike Christians who must be idealists just to believe in the things that they are required to believe in.

So a realist views the current situation from the facts, an idealist views the current situation from what could be. Like heaven could be. But a realist doesn't see any evidence anywhere, EVER of heaven so they may take a negative view.

But my realist view is really positive. I say live life to the fullest and don't bother to change anyone else.

Because no one gets out of this alive. So enjoy it now, this is your only shot.

Answer 10

Atheists are the root of all evil....

Notice, North Korea is an Atheist regime.....

Look at what it is doing to it own people.

Atheists do not respect or value human life.

Atheists are nihilists.

To edsawyer is it hate to mention North Korea is an Atheist regime? The last time I checked, it was an Atheist regime. You Atheists call it hate when someone criticizes you, but when you criticize people of faith, it is so-called reason. Nice double-standard.