Brian K.

I understand the fact that people who are ignorant to the fact that atheist exist will automatically veiw if as unorthodox, therefore wrong, but everywhere i go, i find nothing but steriotypes and dirty looks everytime i mention that i'm an atheist. Even today my friends mom asked me if i was reading the bible. He said "Yeah, Brian and the bible", sarcastically. When i replied that i did, he felt really stupid.
My question to you is "Why is it that in today's society Atheism stands for everything that is wrong, and Theism stands for everything holy and righteous? I know that i am a much better person than alot of theists. I am aware that there are steriotypes for everyone, but may i clarify my question in stating if the goverment or churches assist some into thinking that Atheism is wrong and unholy. Please forgive any typos etc.
Thanks, Brian <img src="graemlins/banghead.gif" border="0" alt="[Bang Head]" />

99Percent

I think people (specially ignorant people) are generally afraid of free thinking because it doesn't give them a frame of reference on where the "others" stand on everything in life. So if you say you Christian or a Jew or whatever you pretty much sumarize 95% of all your beliefs to the other person, where as if you say you are an atheist you have sumarize 0% of beliefs, leaving the believer in a very uncomfortable position since he does not how to relate to you.

Theist's beliefs that there can be no good outside their religion is so engrained into their minds that anyone who purposely doesn't believe in God is lost or confused at best and automatically evil at worst. Because their faith is actually hanging on a very thin thread (as it not based in anything real) any possibility of doubt must be systematically avoided. So theists, specially those who haven't really explored the fundamentals of their faith, are naturally afraid of anyone who doesn't have any religious beliefs, because it is risking contemplating the posibility that their beliefs are actually figments of their imagination.

echidna

By posting this question at a predominately atheist site, the question becomes somewhat rhetorical. The more likely answers will be along the lines of why atheism is good and theism bad, but anyway …

My own devout agnosticism still finds sceptical atheism somewhat nihilistic and largely a-spiritual.

hinduwoman

Atheists don't think like theists, therefore they 'must' be evil.

x-member

Might it have to do with the fairly binary nature of religions like Xianity and Islam?

Pomp

Just a guess:

The "religion" meme tends to flourish best when in comes with a built-in defenses against backsliding, one of which is the belief that non-believers are, by definition, either misguided or evil. Religions that do not include this belief are unlikely to spread as quickly or persist as long as religions that do.

Brian K.

I would like to 1st say thanks to all wgho have responded so far and i hope that they will keep in touch with these topic. The only thing i would like to ask is for more theist who read this topic to state their feelings because they do matter and have an impact.
This is yet another steriotype. Please Hinduwoman, don't just throw one-liners like this out. If you really feel this way, explain your reasoning. I mean no disrespect and i hope you respond.

Thanks again, Brian

Brian K.

I would like to make a retraction of my previous comment as i read hinduwoman's remark incorrectly. I am very sorry, i thought hinduwoman said Atheist don't like theist, not think like.

Hinduwoman i appologize sincerly.

Please don't disregard any further statements i make due to this flub.I feel retarded.

The AntiChris

I think there are two main reasons:

1) Most people are taught their moral priciples (what's "right and wrong") within a religious context - this was certainly true in the UK when I grew up. By ditching religion, people assume you are also ditching your moral principles. How many times have atheists been asked "so where do you find your moral guidance?".

2) By openly stating that you are an atheist, you're implicitly saying theists are mistaken. When challenged in this way, theists are hurt and defensive and, because they can't defeat the logic, will often denigrate the person. Just look around any Message Board for examples of how people react when their beliefs are challenged.


Chris

kat10

Well said AntiChrist. Nice name by the way, one of the first times I can say that and not feel it's negative conotation. There's a lack of understanding I think because of a lack of communication. Most theists don't like to talk to atheists, perhaps they are uncomfortable, who knows? But, it's a fear of the unknown; mostly from what you said, they don't know where atheists get their moral principles from. I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't try to "convert" theists into atheists. If you are confortable with your belief and it's not causing actual harm to anyone, then what the hell? I say great for you. My problem is with the conversion attempts.