Why is atheism and agnosticism frowned upon so much in the USA?

Question

yankee doodle dandy landers seem to have a real problem with it. I live in England, and i'd say that most people I know are agnostic. I'm an atheist. I know a few christians and muslims, but not that many

Answer 1

Christians tend to think Atheists are at the bottom of the morality pile , despite the evidence to the contrary.

Atheists don’t need a God , or a threat of Heaven and Hell to do good things , they do good things for the sake of goodness , not for the sake of God .

Answer 2

people who call themselves agnostics tend to be folk who aren't too interested in the issues, and will blow the way the wind goes.

during the 1980s ronald reagan's republican party realised that the large minority of fundamentalist christians in america (who traditionally had low voting rates, since most of them have believed in an imminent rapture since at least 1914) if they could be got into the hustings would vote overwhelmingly republican.

the republican party politicised the far-right bible-humpers, and in return got a secure tranche of the mandate in perpetuity (or at least until the rapture arrives). in return the republican party conceded major 'christian' policy initiatives which probably violated the constitution's commitment to separation of church and state - but if you win, who cares if you break the rules?

the increasing religiosity of american politics from the early 1980s on meant that more people who had not previously felt strongly about religion decided that there was profit to be taken by avowing their faith (particularly if that faith was reactionary). as more right-wing christians declared, more right-wing christians saw the advantage of standing up to be counted.

the history is dealt with in detail in adam curtis' 'the power of nightmares', one of the most successful non-fiction tv series of modern times - which american tv companies have been strangely reluctant to air.

as thurber once wrote:

"you can fool too many of the people, too much of the time."

Answer 3

Im speaking up for the West Coast of the United States. We are a bit more open minded over here. As for the Middle of our Country and the South. Well i am not completely sure. Ignorance?

Answer 4

Because they have the highest number of Bible believing Christians. Maybe thats why they are also the no 1 power in the world today, like it or not, ever think about that. Or why dear old england just isn't worth hanging around anymore. Maybe you should come and live in Australia its a real Atheist paradise you'd love it.

Answer 5

Same with me.I just live and work to myself.

If someone an athiest (free of theiestic beliefs) or agnostic (have not fully concluded) then it is of no importance. I know lots of agnostic people too.

Answer 6

I think part of the answer is that Americans don't have much tradition to fall back on. In the US, when the children grow up and leave the house, many will go all over the country leaving behind all the "ties" of family. Not so in Europe, I think.

Faith in God is one of the ties that is holding the country together.

Answer 7

Actually it is just the Christian extremists in the USA that are so vocal. Unfortunately they have a lot of religious extremists in the USA. It is likely a result of tainted water supplies.

Answer 8

Actually it's not really except by a few people you don't want to hang out with anyways.

Answer 9

It means they're not as easily controlled; xian peasants are controlled very easily with the Heaven & Hell Carrot & Stick.

Answer 10

The Christian Lobby is getting the upper hand in the USA.
If you remember this is how George W. Bush got into power.