Do Americans have a bad view of people who are not believers?

Answer 1

“Christians are afraid atheism is the real truth. They hate the non-believers (a form of fear) for this reason. Atheism is the wake-up call they don’t want.”
— Stan Grimes

"No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God."
- Former U.S. President George H. W. Bush, (8/27/87)

"If you're not a born-again Christian, you're a failure as a human being."
— Jerry Falwell

The Constitution is a marvelous document for self government by Christian people. But non-Christian people and atheists can use it to destroy the very foundation of our society.
— Pat Robertson

“There will never be peace until God's house and God's people are given their rightful place of leadership at the top of the world. How can there be peace when drunkards, drug dealers, communists, atheists, New Age worshipers of Satan, secular humanists, oppressive dictators, greedy money changers, revolutionary assassins, adulterers, and homosexuals are on top…there is absolutely no way that government can operate successfully unless led by godly men and women operating under the laws of the God of Jacob.”
— Pat Robertson in his 1991 book The New World Order

President Bush, saying faith has fostered democratic change around the world, told the National Religious Broadcasters yesterday that 'one cannot be America's president without a belief in God.'
— San Francisco Chronicle, (1/30/90)

The Bible is the authoritative Word of God and contains all truth.
— Pres. Bill Clinton, at a prayer breakfast

I ask you this whole week to pray for me and pray for the members of Congress; ask us not to turn away from our ministry. Our ministry is to do the work of God here on earth
— Pres. Bill Clinton

Sometimes I think the environment in which we operate is too secular. That fact that we have freedom of religion doesn't mean we need to try to have freedom from religion. It doesn't mean that those of us who have faith shouldn't frankly admit that we are animated by that faith.
— Pres. Bill Clinton

"When you turn your heart and your life over to Christ, when you accept Christ as the savior, it changes your heart."
— George W Bush (Campaign 2000)

We are guided by a power larger than ourselves, who created us equal in his image; . . . Church and charity, synagogue and mosque, lend our communities their humanity, and they will have an honored place in our plans and laws.
— From President Bush's inaugural address

I refuse to be labeled immoral merely because I am godless.
— Peter Walker

There seems to be a terrible misunderstanding on the part of a great many people to the effect that when you cease to believe you may cease to behave.
— Louis Kronenberger

Answer 2

The Reverend C asks, "Do Americans have a bad view of people who are not believers?"

Gee, Rev., I would say that many Americans do, yes, but by no means 'most.' In fact, the madcap Harvard graduates and world travelers otherwise known as Fundies, or fundamentalists, are dropping in number as sexual fun, fraud, multi-million dollar mansions, Lear jets, limos, and other Fundie habits amongst the 'men of god,' the televangelists, fall under the light. To further answer your question, some Americans harbor a 'bad view of people' who are not white, rich, Protestant, parlor racists, and right-wing Republican. One of my favorites, and that of many Americans, is Abraham Lincoln, who once said this: "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time." The clock for America's homegrown radicals, the Christian fundamentalists, is ticking. Tick, tick, tick, tick.

Answer 3

I believe, but I personally don't have a bad view. I've always thought that everyone can do and believe what they want, it's not for me to judge. So, no bad views here!

Answer 4

There have been polls that show that over half of those who responded would not vote for an official who is a declared atheist. There is only one declared humanist in office - from a district in California. I think, in general, people have a dim view of "non-believers" because of a lack of understanding of their views.

Answer 5

The bible says, all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. I think American Christians are constantly put on the spot and asked , is this a sin, am I going to hell if I do this and is Jesus the only way to heaven. Then the answers are broadcast all over to cause hate for Christians. We go by what the bible calls a sin, not our own opinions.

Answer 6

People tend to think that if a person doesn't believe what they believe, they are "non-believers", when they really just believe in something else.

Answer 7

No, just a sad view.

Answer 8

Probably depends if they're a believer or not

American atheist rabbit

Answer 9

they envy their intelligence, and feel a little sheepish for following a religion that cannot be supported in any way.

Answer 10

I think so