10 Major Myths About Atheists

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Why are Atheists so vilified in America?

Did you know that Atheists were once the most disliked people in America?  Christians, and other religious, blinded by a belief in a mythical deity, and confident in their self-righteous bible babble, tend to dislike what they neither know of understand.  For example the Catholics hate the protestants, and the protestants hate the Catholics.  The Presbyterians hate the Baptists and the Catholics, and on and on ad nauseum.  The only hate that unifies them is the hatred of the evil non-believer, the Atheist.

Yet another study shows Atheists more vilified than Muslims and African Americans. The group did, however, lose their #1 position as the most disliked group in America. That honor now belongs to the Tea Party according to a survey by Political scientists Robert Putnam and David Campbell. Nearly 50% of Americans would disapprove if their child married an Atheist.

Quotes from Atheists

Why do people hate and/or fear Atheists? Is it because non-religious people get extra time to sleep on Saturday or Sunday? Probably not. Most Americans have no idea of what Atheists think and tend to believe unfounded tales. Atheists frighten the faithful who place their trust in an afterlife and/or God(s).

1. ”There are no atheists in foxholes”. People use this expression to convince themselves that Atheists will leap into a religion as soon as the irreligious feel afraid and/or weak. One would probably judge a marketer who targets those with terminal illnesses to sell a product or someone who says he cruises funerals because grieving women are easier to pick up lacking morals. In moments of weakness, society sees “selling” religion to Atheists as an opportunity to proselytize and convert the “Godless.”

Many Atheists feel religion often provokes anxiety and fear..If we accept that God is all-powerful, as many religions claim, then it’s like being in an abusive relationship that can’t be escaped for eternity; a relationship with a God who will throw us into hell for not fearing him and who allows horrors like the Holocaust to happen. For many atheists, believing evil is accident rather than design is comforts many more Atheists than prayer.

2 Atheists are just angry with God. How can one be angry with a being that one doesn’t believe exists? People who accept vile actions in the name of religion and don’t feel anger tolerate bad behavior do not provide a good foundation to convince others of the morality of a given religion.

3. Atheists are aggressive and rude. Really? Which people are pushier: (1) an Atheist who says “I don’t believe in God,” then goes on to discuss her/his feelings, or (2) Believers who knock on doors to proselytize, or force your children to recite religious language in school. Atheists get an unfair reputation for rudeness, especially when they are outspoken or unapologetic about their feelings.

4 Atheism is a white dude thing. People dismiss Atheism as a belief of a tiny minority of egotistical men. However, many famous women also rely on science rather than faith. These women include Elizabeth Cady-Stanton, Gloria Steinem, Jodie Foster, Janeane Garofalo, and Katharine Hepburn, to name only a few.

5. Atheism is just a faith like any other. Agnostics often present arguments that the belief—or lack thereof—in a God or god(s) are equally valid. Atheists are skeptical: they require concrete proof. Religious people automatically disbelieve all spiritual claims except their own, even though their beliefs are rooted in the same faith as others, such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.

Atheism faith science

6. Atheists don’t have a moral code. People often ask how Atheists will know not to rape, murder, or harm others without a religion that backs up these precepts with threats of hell. On average, Atheism often equates to a better behaved society. Religious nations tend to have higher rates of violent crime, teen pregnancy, early adult mortality and even abortion. Even religious people condemn people who commit acts of evil in the name of religion. If morality is measured by religion, terrorists who murder in the name of God are more moral than atheists who pay taxes, help others, and donate to charity. There are religious people in all faiths who feel a murderous terrorist who invokes God is a better person than a nonviolent atheist. This conviction belies believers’ claims that morality doesn’t come solely from religion.

7. Atheists’ lives are bleak and lack meaning. Most Atheists find this myth ridiculous. Happiness and fulfillment does not necessarily come from a supernatural force. If so, believers would not need fulfilling work, loving families, friends, and hobbies: their spiritual beliefs would suffice. Atheists do not believe in an afterlife, so they find fulfillment in life and make the most of the time they have instead of waiting for an afterlife.

8. Atheists are hedonists who don’t understand the true meaning of love. Only someone who doesn’t understand Atheism believes Atheists do not feel love and indulge their sexuality at will . Atheists believe that sexual fulfillment and real love are mutually exclusive, but also experience deep love. Many Christians’ lofty claims about their capacity of love more; however, more than a few studies indicate higher divorce rates in more religious states. A Pew survey shows that Atheists and Agnostics know more about religion than the average Protestant.

9. Atheists have no way to cope after losing loved ones without a belief in an afterlife. This misconception often causes deep pain for grieving atheists as some may use a loved death to adopt religion. Some believers are openly predatory; others are act out of compassion. Many religions teach that the dead person could be burning forever in hell, which can cause an Atheist more anxiety than relief.

10. Atheists are out to destroy Christmas. Every year after Halloween, Fox News, starts proclaiming Atheists and other “heathens” are engaged in a “war on Christmas.” Most American Atheists are well aware that Christmas came from an ancient pagan ceremony. With a few minor tweaks, Winter Solstice became Christmas. Atheists don’t wage war on Christmas; they simply request the government adhere to the First Amendment and not promote Christianity above Atheism—or any other beliefs.

Atheist billboard in Utah

This list of Atheist includes over 500 people. There are doubtlessly many more people who do not subscribe to a specific faith and contributed much to the world. Perhaps they have yet to come out of the confessional.

The only people frightened of Atheists tend to be insecure in their own beliefs. Targeting Atheists or any other faith system that differs from one’s own is based on fear and bigotry.


Mad Mike’s America thanks Alternet for their contributions. This article is edited from the original published on September 17, 2011.

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About Post Author

Professor Mike

Professor Mike is a left-leaning, dog loving, political junkie. He has written dozens of articles for Substack, Medium, Simily, and Tribel. Professor Mike has been published at Smerconish.com, among others. He is a strong proponent of the environment, and a passionate protector of animals. In addition he is a fierce anti-Trumper. Take a moment and share his work.
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Jess
11 years ago

There are a few people in my husband’s extended family have an issue with him having married an out atheist. We’ve heard about it at events where the family has gathered for one thing or another. I know they get more than a little tweaky, when I don’t do grace or bend at the knee for Jesus at weddings or other events. Don’t care, it should be enough I have walked into the church for whatever function we may be celebrating, given they know where my mind and heart are already.

Joe Hagstrom
11 years ago

I’ve tried to get my kids to record my stuff but they just make smart ass remarks. Kids have no respect these days. Come to think of it, did they ever?

Reply to  Joe Hagstrom
11 years ago

I don’t know about you, but I never did. 😉

I record these with an inexpensive digital camera. I then load them onto my computer and sometimes edit them with my video editor, Final Cut Express. Windows Movie maker does a decent job for a free editor as does iMovie. FCE was only $150 and is amazing.

11 years ago

I do a little better. I get to play every day, even though I shut the door and it’s an acoustic guitar and doesn’t have an amplifier. I made a couple if videos of my progress. They’re at http://www.minus.com./slrman along with a lip sync to a recording I did maybe 40 years ago.

Speaking of all of that, I’m off to buy new strings.

Joe Hagstrom
11 years ago

Join the club. I talked my wife into letting me buy my boy a guitar. She knew I really wanted it for myself but bless her heart for playing along.

She only allows me to play it when nobody is home.

Joe Hagstrom
11 years ago

I’m neither proud or ashamed James. I just am. I don’t act, at least I don’t think I act, like I know something or am entitled to something others don’t or aren’t.

I have no problem with you or any other athiest if you have no problem with me. Fact is I have a problem with the self rigtheous ultra religious kooks who think they know who is going to hell. Those assholes wear me out.

Reply to  Joe Hagstrom
11 years ago

Nor do I have any problem with any theist as long as they do not demand that I live by their ideas or try to make them the law of the land. We all have delusions. Like I think I can play the guitar almost as well as I did 25 years ago. 🙂

Joe Hagstrom
11 years ago

As a Catholic and hedonist I must take issue with your take on us not being hedonists.

I got no problem with athiests as long as they don’t act stuck up about it like too many of the Jesus freaks.

Reply to  Joe Hagstrom
11 years ago

Does this mean you are a “Cultural Catholic?” 😉

I don’t know about being “stuck up” about being atheist, but I am proud of it. After all, it is ‘t easy to be a minority, even when you know you’re right. It’s much easier to “go along to get along.” I suspect that’s what a lot of people do, they go along for social, political, and professional (financial) reasons but don’t let it actually affect their lives more than necessary.

11 years ago

Thanks for adding this. It should be required reading this Sunday in every house of worship in the world. It should also posted in courthouses, government offices, and public buildings instead of the religious BS that theists insist are fine as they are “only part of the tradition”

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