Why? I think its because with other religions, the only difference is they believe in another god, prophet, spirit, etc. They don't agree, but can accept belief in different gods because the concept is the same.
They oppose atheists because atheists have a different concept of life and creation. Not only do they not believe in your god. they reject the concept of ANY god.
And while we're on the subject of differences... why do many just take as gospel (pun intended) that people that don't agree with other peoples beliefs or statuses automatically hate and/or fear them? In the mainsteam media, if you disagree with anything the Homosexual lobby wants, you are a homophobe. If you reject what atheists stand for, you hate them.
I have Jehovah witnesses, atheists, and homosexuals in my own family. I may disagree with what they believe, but I certainly don't hate or fear them.
Which was the point of my post. Mormons in the study are viewed neutral, while atheists are feared/hated.
They try to explain why religious hate/fear atheists, yet tolerate other religions. An atheist believes in one less god than Christians, yet Christians reject hundreds of other gods.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
This Group Does Not At All Agree with My Vision of American Society —Atheists 39.6% —Muslims 26.3% —Homosexuals 22.6% —Conservative Christians 13.5% —Recent Immigrants 12.5% —Hispanics 7.6% —Jews 7.4% —Asian Americans 7.0% —African Americans 4.6% —White Americans 2.2%
I Would Disapprove if My Child Wanted to Marry a Member of This Group —Atheist 47.6% —Muslim 33.5% —African American 27.2% —Asian American 18.5% —Hispanic 18.5% —Jew 11.8% —Conservative Christian 6.9% —White 2.3% (Source: American Mosaic Project Survey, 2003.)
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
Which was the point of my post. Mormons in the study are viewed neutral, while atheists are feared/hated.
They try to explain why religious hate/fear atheists, yet tolerate other religions. An atheist believes in one less god than Christians, yet Christians reject hundreds of other gods.
A baseball fan usually has one favorite team, it rejects 31 others. They usually respect the right of another fan to like another team and can socialize with them because of their common interest in the game. They may not associate with a non-fan, a non-fan who has one less favorite team than they do, but they usually don't hate/fear them.
I never said that the religious fear/hate atheists, my point is they disagree with them more strongly because their life concept is totally different.
There's almost a default connection portrayed between a disagreement/rejection of a groups beliefs and fear and/or hate of that group. I may be cynical, but I suspect that connection is made to instill sympathy and a sense being wronged of/to that group.
"Arguing with liberals is like playing chess with a pigeon; no matter how good I am at chess, the pigeon is just going to knock out the pieces, crap on the board, and strut around like it is victorious." - Author Unknown
This Group Does Not At All Agree with My Vision of American Society —Atheists 39.6% —Muslims 26.3% —Homosexuals 22.6% —Conservative Christians 13.5% —Recent Immigrants 12.5% —Hispanics 7.6% —Jews 7.4% —Asian Americans 7.0% —African Americans 4.6% —White Americans 2.2%
I Would Disapprove if My Child Wanted to Marry a Member of This Group —Atheist 47.6% —Muslim 33.5% —African American 27.2% —Asian American 18.5% —Hispanic 18.5% —Jew 11.8% —Conservative Christian 6.9% —White 2.3% (Source: American Mosaic Project Survey, 2003.)
But does disapproval of such also mean fear/hate of them?
To listen to the media it does...
"Arguing with liberals is like playing chess with a pigeon; no matter how good I am at chess, the pigeon is just going to knock out the pieces, crap on the board, and strut around like it is victorious." - Author Unknown
I have Jehovah witnesses, atheists, and homosexuals in my own family. I may disagree with what they believe, but I certainly don't hate or fear them.
me 2!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
A baseball fan usually has one favorite team, it rejects 31 others. They usually respect the right of another fan to like another team and can socialize with them because of their common interest in the game. They may not associate with a non-fan, a non-fan who has one less favorite team than they do, but they usually don't hate/fear them.
I never said that the religious fear/hate atheists, my point is they disagree with them more strongly because their life concept is totally different.
There's almost a default connection portrayed between a disagreement/rejection of a groups beliefs and fear and/or hate of that group. I may be cynical, but I suspect that connection is made to instill sympathy and a sense being wronged of/to that group.
After the 911 killings, Muslims seemed to be the most hated group. I'm surprised to find that with all the hatred of Islam, that a non believer appears to be more of a threat.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. John Kenneth Galbraith
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