How can we change the negative stereotype of atheists?

Answer 1

I suppose you would have to stop making sense...

Answer 2

I don't think you can. Most people never bother to even look up the definition of atheist. They just assume you worship Satan, and sacrifice animals and children. I also can't understand why, in a Christian's mind, having no beliefs leaves you without a moral compass. You don't have to have faith to know you can't lie, cheat, steal, or kill. How sad of a person could you be to need God to keep you from murdering someone.
What you can do individually is educate people to change their negative perception of atheism. Believing when you die there is nothing else out there, is a very personal decision. I wish people would at least know what there persecuting before they damn your soul.
My favorite thing is how often Christians pass judgment on other peoples souls. When you return with a response they pull out the bible card with the oldy but goody, judge not lest ye be judged by God. Even Jesus said, " let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

Answer 3

Sadly we Atheists will have a difficult time in trying to change the negative stereotypes that people have about us. When a group is very close-minded it is hard for them to see the truth.

Answer 4

All negative stereotypes are in the beginning stages of reformation. Example: OJ Simpson, Britney, atheists, etc.

Answer 5

Have you read all the questions here in YA from atheists? So many of them are statements designed as questions to which no answer will do except what the asker wants to hear. It makes me think that the atheists here are closed minded. Many people have a belief of and in a higher power. Atheists seem to knock them and twist what they believe into something it is not. Let's take faith for example. It has been redefined to mean, "Belief without proof". But what Faith really is is the power to make dreams come true, the trust that makes relationships last, the hope for the future that keeps us going when times are tough, the power to love those who hate us. How do you 'prove' faith? If you could then it wouldn't be faith now would it? So, the redefinition is close to being true but does not explain what faith is, just what it isn't. Outside of religious context, such as in the creative process of say an artist or architect, faith is what brings things into being. How can you prove that a building exists before it is built? or a sculpture before it is sculpted? Yet in the mind of the artist, it does exist and he can see it. Making what is envisioned a reality is faith. What does proof have to do with anything?

Believe what you want but when atheists attack those of faith without properly defining what faith is they wind up looking foolish to many people, including me.

Answer 6

Is there really a strong negative stereotype of atheists in general? Or just among fundamentalists of various stripes?

Speaking of fundies, THEY are the ones I have the real negative feelings about.

Answer 7

I try to do so by referring to myself as a follower of "Humanism" as opposed to "Atheism". It says more about what I am than what I am not. Humanism is a philosophy of life inspired by humanity and guided by reason. It provides the basis for a fulfilling and ethical life without religion.

Humanists make sense of the world using reason, experience and shared human values.
Humanists see no convincing evidence for gods, the supernatural, or life after death.
Humanists believe that moral values are properly founded on human empathy and scientific understanding.
Humanists believe we must live this life on the basis that it is the only life we'll have -- that, therefore, we must make the most of it for ourselves, each other, and our world.
Humanist philosophies have arisen separately in many different cultures over many thousands of years. Whether or not they use the term humanism, tens of millions of Americans and hundreds of millions of people around the world agree with the humanist philosophy of living a happy and productive life based on reason and compassion.

Answer 8

Their are different types of atheists. One is really getting attention from the confrontational aspects of stating this fact.
Others are quiet and not conformist that include standard religion in that non conformist style of living.
Others push the idea of a life without an all powerful being while others push the idea of a powerful state that does create, but does not control or make rules.
So, different states create different backlashes from the community around these people.
NV the ancient one

Answer 9

properly no rely how challenging you attempt, there'll continually be people there who would be adverse to an suited, theory, etc. yet i might say.... stop calling Jesus a fantasy, do no longer say you burn Bibles, do no longer communicate approximately God except you're respectful and reverent, and don't condemn somebody (i.e. a Christian) beforehand you even comprehend what they stand for. you does not have faith what share people think of purely by using fact i'm a Christian i'm a company Republican, choose Creationism taught in colleges, choose to outlaw homosexuality, and picture the Founding Fathers have been all orthodox Christians. little question there are some Christians who would think of those issues, yet i'm no longer one in all them. i like many Atheists and that i like examining non-Christian essays. Age of reason via Thomas Paine is one in all my well-liked books in spite of the reality that I disagree with approximately 0.5 of it. however the main significant factor is to be respectful. If i'm around a Hindu, i'm no longer likely to squash a computer virus top in front of them. If I see a Muslim praying in a public park, i will no longer even provide them a "look" in case you comprehend what I mean. in the event that they say As-Sal?mu `Alaykum to me i'm going to assert Alaykum As-Sal?m back. no longer by using fact I believe their ideals, yet when I assume to be respected I would desire to comprehend them back. in case you comprehend people, you will desire to be respected back. And if no longer, then those all of us is obviously purely mistaking you for "different Atheists". in basic terms case in point.... close up with regard to the Flying Spagetti Monster. That 'deity' replaced into used to make a element which you would be able to no longer tutor or disprove a deity, so do no longer circulate a step extra and use mockery via pretending to choose to it, that it blesses you, and such. A Christians believes in Christ with all their coronary heart, a Muslim is committed to Muhammad, a Buddhist struggles to alter into wakened like the Buddha..... however the FSM mocks the entire faith and devotion many people have. i might fairly there be 2 billion people earnestly loving a God that i think of is fake fairly than 2 hundred thousand people pretending to love a God they comprehend is self-created of their very own suggestions.

Answer 10

Now I'm guessing you're in the US?It seems that too much of your culture relies on the perception that to be Christian [or otherwise] is wholesome and good and to have no named faith is bad.

Whilst we in Europe are no way near as hung up on others' faith... [Well we aren't any more but of course that wasn't always the case.]

So to answer you, I think its just a matter of time. US culture is way too young to have got to grips with this issue. 200-300 more years should do it...

Answer 11

Converting them ton extremist Christianity. Only kidding. They only have a negative image to religious people