Why do most Americans seem to dislike Atheists/Agnostics?

Answer 1

As an American Atheist/Agnostic person, I feel what you're saying. People love to preach to me, tell me why I'm wrong, and ask me all sorts of stupid questions.
The funny thing is, I have perfectly logical answers for every one of their questions and dumb remarks, and my answers usually shut them up.
I don't hate on anyone who is religious in any way, I just don't believe the same things they do.
I fugure that I'll find out all of that stuff when I die, and I won't be religious just to secure a spot in heaven.
They just are taught that sort of crusader attitude and mentallity from a young age, and consequently, it follows them throughout life.
Not all Americans are like that though, almost all of my friends are christians, and they all are accepting of me. We know that we have different perceptions of what's real and not, and they are accepting of it anyway. Some parts of the country (like the "Bible Belt") are extremely hardcore about their religious stuff.

Answer 2

PLEASE don't attack America for such human flaws.
You could live where you would have your head cut off or be stoned to death for even asking that question.
Our Constitution gave us freedom OF religion, not FROM religion. It denies the government authority to "establish" any religion.
As an agnostic, I'm glad I've been given that choice.
Most of us are Christian.
Most of us see our favorite traditions being attacked by the likes of the ACLU .
Liberal judges HATE Christianity and the judge shopping ACLU enlists their support in passing anti-Christian legal decisions.
Christians don't like it for good reason.
Then there are those who fall into the category of individuals who display the all too human characteristic of fearing anything that is DIFFERENT.
It is human nature, not religion that is the problem.
When the human race grows up, it will no longer display those characteristics.
We live short lives but most adults eventually grow up and learn that lesson.
Youth have to rediscover it generation after generation.

Answer 3

Most Americans adopt a live and let live approach to religion. We dislike anyone who tries to push their views on us. Just look at how most people react to Jehovah's Witnesses coming door to door.
That said, I have friends and acquaintances from numerous Christian traditions, along with a smattering of Jews, Muslims, Hindu's, and some Neo-Pagans.
None of them have ever tried to attack my beliefs or convince me I was wrong.
Every Atheist I've meet has tried that, some quite stridently. I have no particular problem discussing my beliefs with people who have a differing view. But I expect them to be respectful of my view and willing to discuss it on the basis of that respect.
The Atheists I've met tend to be very contemptuous of anyone who disagrees with them. They often won't even discuss differences in beliefs, they just heap insults on anyone who has a different opinion. Most of my post secondary education has been in the sciences. I like people to explain why they think something is true. While religious belief by it's very nature is not subject to proof, it should be discussed on a level somewhat higher than " you're wrong because you're an idiot". That unfortunately, is the level of discussion I've had with too many Atheists.
If my experience is typical then the reason for the dislike is obvious.

Answer 4

I'm not sure if the 2nd answerer is talking about his opinions or others, but yeah I saw a poll whether Americans would vote for someone who's an atheist. And the majority of people said they would rather vote for a person from the opposing party (meaning if they were republicans, they'd vote for a theistic democrat and vice versa).

Isn't it ironic...that whole freedom of religion thing?

Well, there are still some people who don't hate us. So I thank them for being respectful of other's beliefs.

Answer 5

First I am not sure that is a fact but if it is it is because these believers need to feel holier-than-thou and need to need to use and abuse God/Christ/Mohammed etc to justify rationalize their own banal earthy need for wealth/power/status etc.

They are people who pompous and sanctimonious.They are people with such low self esteem that demonizing and vilifying others not of their beliefs gives them a false sense of "being better than".

In all my years I have never ever seen any reputable study or report or thesis that concludes that religious people are any more or less moral and ethical than atheists and/or agnostics.

Answer 6

the US is all about control of the individual, thats why fundamentalism is so much stronger there than anywhere esle. Blind obedience is valued (ie - my country right or wrong). Questioning and thinking are considered bad - so atheists and agnostics are maligned

Answer 7

They don't. Only the pious, self righteous Fundamentalists are afraid of them, it's the single most threatening thing to their religion,

even being a child murderer is better to them.

The rest of the American population lies because of the assumed stigma.

There are far more agnostics and atheists in American than people would ever know.

Answer 8

once you reside in a rustic and notice your leaders merchandising it down the river that's what makes its voters hate the chief. something of the international would sit down returned and applaud to verify a as quickly as great u . s . a . weakened, or perhaps basically snigger at it, although this is tricky success with the help of itself citizens. a similar occurred in the united kingdom under Blair and Brown. the international theory that they have got been great leaders, yet we at abode be responsive to how plenty they have been despised and we are purpose on removing them from workplace on would 6th.

Answer 9

Because Religion is a value that exists deep withing the fabric of American Culture. America as a nation and as a society was founded upon religious beliefs (mainly Christianity). Our law system is rooted into lessons learned from many history sources which included the Bible. The fact that a majority of U.S. Citizens are Christians has the largest bearing on this however.

Answer 10

Because they never read about Horus who was God's Sun to the Egyptians 300 BC.