Why are atheists so mistrusted (despised?) by those who believe?

[birdie1971]

I've often heard it said (mostly by Americans on TV) that they'd rather vote for someone who was religious, regardless of their religion, than they would an atheist.

So two questions:

Question A: Christians, who would you prefer to have as a neighbour - a muslim or an atheist?
Question B: Muslims, who would you prefer to have as a neighbour - a christian or an atheist?

[argorstran]

It is absolutely not true that atheists are despised by people who believe .

[sandyRoe]

Indeed. Poor lost souls more to be pitied than anything else.

[plautus]

The supreme irony is that God loves atheists. They cannot do any worse than when they nailed him to a cross.

[jomifl]

Pity away Sandy, I think I am ready for it.

[jomifl]

Did they do that Plautus? I thought it was Jesus that got nailed.

[plautus]

In which case, jomifl, you are sadly lacking in understanding the doctrine of the Holy Trinity.

[jomifl]

Fortunately Plautus I do understand some things that matter. I hope that I would never pretend to understand the doctrine of the holy trinity as I woud have to suspect my sanity :-)

[Infomaniac]

Plautus - I don't think it was atheists who nailed him to the cross. Neither the Romans nor the Jews were atheists - they all believed in some sort of God.

[craft1948]

Does this mean I shouldn't have let the atheist nex door borrow some crockery?

[jomifl]

Plautus, if jesus is the son of god he cannot be god. How simple is that?

[LazyGun]

You'll never get it back, Craft- pesky atheists cannot be trusted - they have no morals, and we know that because god gives morals, and they dont believe in god. :)

[craft1948]

I don't mind him being an atheist, it's more worrying that he's French........

[LazyGun]

well, you definitely canna trust the french :)

[keyplus90]

What is more arrogant than being under the illusion that even the Nobel Prize winner scientists are stupid if they are not atheist?

What is more arrogant than believing that you are only reasonable or knowledgeable if you are an atheist?

What is more arrogant than believing that you know better than the others?

What is more arrogant than blowing your own trumpet?

And finally what is more arrogant than having all of the above illusions and self-admiration in almost every single atheist, So obviously it is not a coincidence that all of you think the same way. But I reached a conclusion after reading few books of your saint Richard Dawkins that this illusion of self-praise is the core of your faith.

[sherrardk]

In for a penny, in for a pound. I don't believe in any sort of god, but couldn't care less if others do. I wouldn't be rude to a door knocker trying to convince me into their religion, etc. i attend the local church when their is a school funtion to suport my children, not for any religious bit. My children are free to believe what they like and I will support them as long as they can coherently explain to me why it is a good plan to follow a particular religious path. Does this make me an atheist? Am I a person to be despised? I am not take the p*** but religion is really not my thing but I am interested to know how the religious amongst you would view me if you actually met me.

[argorstran]

Sherrardk I would view you as a normal human being . The sweeping statement made in the headline (that atheists are despised/mistrusted by believers) is simply not true .

[LazyGun]

@Keyplus

What is more arrogant than trying to impose your will on others by terrorism and force?
What is more arrogant than declaring fatwa on the author of books you consider blasphemous?
What is more arrogant than trying to kill a Danish newspaper cartoonist for printing pictures of mohammed?
What is more arrogant (and despicable) than attempting to assassinate a young girl standing up for the right for an education?

What is more arrogant than declaring your religion the one and only true religion?

For thousands of years, humans have been blighted by various religions attempting to impose their particular brand of worship on others, resorting to murder and genocide if they dont get their way.

And you call those of us who point out that you have no evidence for your beliefs arrogant? Those of us who ask you to stop trying to impose your flavour of belief on the rest of us arrogant?

Look in the mirror keyplus.

[LazyGun]

Oh, and according to you, Malela, you know, the young brave pakistani girl who survived the attempted assassination by the taliban, and a bullet in the head - she is somewhat responsible for what happens to her because she hated men in beards, or some other garbage.

You didn't give us your valuable thoughts as to the poor young lass who died an agonising death following a vicious and vile acid attack - carried out by her parents? Her crime? Looking twice at a boy - How about giving us your wisdom about that Keyplus?

[seadogg]

You sound like most of the people I know sherrardk. In daily life we don't wear our beliefs on our sleeves. The one thing I know is that my fellow humans can be good and kind to each other whatever belief system they subscribe to.

[sherrardk]

Thanks for your replies argorstan and seadogg - just sounded from some posts as if non-believers are viewed as the devil incarnate.