Nope, I don’t think that is so. At least, not any more than any other segment of society. As long there are cruel and ignorant people, there will be stereotyping, prejudice, racialism and all source of intolerances. True Christian does not "know" the meaning of the word “hate", or at least shouldn't...

I wouldn't say they are. Not widely. Being an atheist certainly isn't a good thing to a lot of people, but only a few really go to the point of hating them.

We only get that from the brainwashed sheep that are scared to actually think for themselves.

I think alot of it has to do with misconceptions about us. Many Christians believe that as atheists we are AGAINST all of the values they hold dear. This isn't true. I don't believe in God, but I still think it is great to honor your mother and your father and bad to kill anyone.

Mostly by self-described fundamentalists, is my impression, from watching AOL Chat. Also I note that in this very forum, statements challenging Christian beliefs, or not complimentary to Christianity, are often downrated. I haven't seen any other questions or answers downrated. I think it goes back to the time when Europe was converted to Christianity. The message pounded into everybody's heads was that anybody who doesn't get with the program is destined for Hell™, and is of course evil and bad and to be opposed. There may also be a certain element of "here's a competing group who, if they increase in numbers and influence, will undermine the power of our group"

It is a sad testament of the state of the world today that first of all hate exists and, more importantly, those who have a religion and considered close to God are generally the ones who judge and spew that negativity toward those who don't believe. I would hope that this country will one day begin to put emphasis on the good values that people live by as opposed to the 'god' or 'icon' they worship.

After mulling this over for a while now, I would have to say that the USA has slowly been hijacked by Christianity. The core founding fathers were all either Atheists(ex. Jefferson, Paine, Madison, Adams) or Agnostics(ex. Franklin, Washington). The rest of those associated with the founding of this country were either in the same boat as the founding fathers or Christians that believed in a strictly secular government. In fact, not one of the first six Presidents was a Christian. Slowly the message has been lost and forgotten. People have forgotten the damage religion, mainly the Christian religion, can do. Even with clear evidence throughout history and current events of the harm religion can do, people have become detached from the truth in this country. The masses have bought into the notion that Christianity is about peace and love and good deeds and morals and can do no wrong. And it is different then violent radical Islam or oppressive Hinduism. They somehow feel that those religions are different then theirs and there is no possible way it could lead to such things. What they do not realize is that the core beginning point for violent religious oppression begins with faith. Faith is key in the dehumanization of people. When a person sincerely believe that their actions are justified by a power higher then anything or anyone, they are planting the seed of religious intolerance and ultimately violent oppression within themselves. It allows one to substantiate the transcending of basic human rights that we should all share. Ending in discrimination, oppression, killing, and even genocide. Anyone who doubts this, denies history. People have been fooled en mass into believing that Faith is a virtue in the USA, and that America is the country of the Judeo-Christian god. The vast majority of people in the US take their religion seriously, and any affront to it personally. They all seem to forget that noone has the right to not be offended in this country. People do however have the right to not be oppressed or discriminated on the basis of their religious beliefs or lack thereof. But, just as the religious majority have forgotten about our secular founding, they have forgotten about the Constitution. Atheists are being dehumanized in the United States as the Christians let their religious faith blind them from history and the basis that this nation was founded upon. It's an unsettling truth to us Atheists that live here. Frankly I'm not afraid of proudly proclaiming my Atheism whenever it applies. I'm not afraid to get into a discussion or debate if confronted about it. I have received everything from dirty looks to threats on my well-being before for speaking about my non-belief and the history of Christianity. Some people are so hopelessly caught up in their superstitions that they just cannot deal with the idea of living without them.

You reap what you sew? Hahahhahaha, no seriously, I see what you are talking about...For instance: The bestmen at my wedding was an atheist and respected the fact that it was a traditional christian wedding. He had NO problem w/ it nor the people around him (christian/catholics), but some had a HUGE problem w/ him. As soon as my mom in law (a pentacostal beiever) found out that night, she screamed at him, "Why are you here? If you don't plan on repenting to Christ for your satanic sins and getting saved, get out!" Yes, I'm serious. I seriously think because they don't have a "religous" religion, people believe they are un-responible, ruthless, abusive, satanic, heart-less, and stupid. By they are like everyone else.

only in America!!...I don't despise atheists..I admire them...I admire anyone who stands up for his/her beliefs.

What a though provoking question! It obviously has a lot to do with the US moving closer and closer to a theocracy. The question as I see it, then, is why would a Christian be so opposed to athiesm. I think it stems from the nature of religion. The highest tenet of Christianity isn't love, or kindness, or charity- it's belief in God. And they don't arrive at this belief by logic, or reason- they simply have faith. What they believe is beyond the scope of earthly ventures, like science or mathematics- what they have is the Truth with a capital T. An atheist doesn't know the Truth. An atheist doesn't even possess the tools you need to arrive at the Truth. And in a value system that values faith and belief over *everything* else, the atheist is left morally bankrupt. Christians, jugded by Christian values, are morally superior. You don't need to look to far back in history to see the dangers of one group feeling superior to another.

because the religious zealots control most of america

Let me make a comparason, I as a christian am hated, despised and ignored somedtimes even insulted for being primitive or stupid. I actully hear it every single day, people just telling me that I am wrong with no consideration whatsoever. Why would an athiest be hated, many people myself included seek contraversy and speak up at times when they know they will be the centre of negativity quite frankly athiests are easy to hate in concept. I have come to the simple conculsion that everybody wants to be right, and that is why religion and politics have become social taboos it is a deathtrap. Dont spend so much time feeling sorry for yourself either, Islamic people are so much more than hated in (some parts of)america that people are willing to jump to violence and assume they are the enemy all beacuse of a small group of radicals. Maybe you should not blame the people for hating you but the media for portraying you all as a group of nialists with no hope for themselves or care for others. People tend to believe what the media says otherwise Joe Islam wouldnt be almost murdered on his daily trip to the mailbox twice a week. How about the misconception that christians want to control your minds and turn you into the zombie nation of christ where everything is necular and correct in the eyes of our holy lord Jesus Christ. America is far from being taken over by christianity, if america was being taken over by practicing christians instead of theiving politicians who claim to be religious to get the votes of the sheep, and those who go to church on sunday to be posh, get their get out of hell free cards and check for brusies on the neighbors kids, is that religion? If I point a finger I have 3 pointing back at me, but I have seen the majority of you stand up for your beliefs in some fashion on this website, how does that benifit your athiesm? Look around how long would it take you to find an answer that simply denounced the beliefs of others and exalted the beliefs of the poster, what does that acheive I believe that there are alot of sheep out there but a personal religious revalation beacuse of some athiests sentence that boarders on insult? You know why your hated, and misery loves company thats why this exists, and that is why I am writing this beacuse I feel the same way.

Many preachers and the bible teach that we are immoral and can do no good.

A simple answer would be ignorance.Ignoance of US history, of atheism, of science and of their own religion, for example.