Changes

''See also:'' [[Distrust of atheists]] and [[Atheism and rape]] and [[Atheism and social outcasts]]

''See also:'' [[Distrust of atheists]] and [[Atheism and rape]] and [[Atheism and social outcasts]]

[[File:Women.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|Studies and web traffic data appear to indicate that women in the Western World tend to be more religious than men.<ref>Multiple references:

[[File:Women.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|Studies and web traffic data appear to indicate that women in the Western World tend to be more religious than men.<ref>Multiple references:

*Kosmin, Barry A., et al. (2008).  [http://web.archive.org/web/20110904110346/http://www.americanreligionsurvey-aris.org/reports/NONES_08.pdf "American nones:  Profile of the no religion population"].  American Religion Survey website [Trinity College, Hartford, CT].  Retrieved from Internet Archive.

*Kosmin, Barry A., et al. (2008).  [https://web.archive.org/web/20110904110346/http://www.americanreligionsurvey-aris.org/reports/NONES_08.pdf "American nones:  Profile of the no religion population"].  American Religion Survey website [Trinity College, Hartford, CT].  Retrieved from Internet Archive.

*Britt, Robert Roy (February 28, 2009).  [http://www.livescience.com/7689-women-religious-men.html "Women more religious than men"].  Live Science website.</ref> See: [[Atheism and women]] ]]  

*Britt, Robert Roy (February 28, 2009).  [http://www.livescience.com/7689-women-religious-men.html "Women more religious than men"].  Live Science website.</ref> See: [[Atheism and women]] ]]  

On December 10, 2011, ''USA Today'' reported in a story entitled ''Study: Atheists distrusted as much as rapists'':

On December 10, 2011, ''USA Today'' reported in a story entitled ''Study: Atheists distrusted as much as rapists'':

Pew Forum reported about various religious groups in America and their views on atheists:

Pew Forum reported about various religious groups in America and their views on atheists:

{{Cquote|We asked Americans to rate eight religious groups on a “feeling thermometer” from 0 to 100, with higher numbers indicating warmer, more positive feelings and lower numbers indicating colder, more negative feelings. On average, [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholics]] give atheists a rating of 38, and [[Protestantism|Protestants]] give them a frosty 32 – lower than either group’s ratings for Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Mormons or Muslims. White [[Evangelical Christians|evangelical Protestants]] express particularly cold feelings toward atheists, with an average thermometer reading of 25.<ref>[http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/07/16/u-s-evangelical-christians-are-chilly-toward-atheists-and-the-feeling-is-mutual/ U.S. evangelical Christians are chilly toward atheists – and the feeling is mutual]</ref>}}

{{Cquote|We asked Americans to rate eight religious groups on a “feeling thermometer” from 0 to 100, with higher numbers indicating warmer, more positive feelings and lower numbers indicating colder, more negative feelings. On average, [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholics]] give atheists a rating of 38, and [[Protestantism|Protestants]] give them a frosty 32 – lower than either group’s ratings for Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Mormons or Muslims. White [[Evangelical Christians|evangelical Protestants]] express particularly cold feelings toward atheists, with an average thermometer reading of 25.<ref>[https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/07/16/u-s-evangelical-christians-are-chilly-toward-atheists-and-the-feeling-is-mutual/ U.S. evangelical Christians are chilly toward atheists – and the feeling is mutual]</ref>}}

== Hate crimes in the United States against atheists/agnostics are very low in number ==

== Hate crimes in the United States against atheists/agnostics are very low in number ==

*[http://www.newrepublic.com/article/119596/appetite-wonder-review-closed-mind-richard-dawkins ''The Closed Mind of Richard Dawkins''], New Republic by John Gray

*[http://www.newrepublic.com/article/119596/appetite-wonder-review-closed-mind-richard-dawkins ''The Closed Mind of Richard Dawkins''], New Republic by John Gray

*[https://twitter.com/jennifurret/status/405391218273554433 Jennifer McCreight on the Twitter about the Elevatorgate scandal]

*[https://twitter.com/jennifurret/status/405391218273554433 Jennifer McCreight on the Twitter about the Elevatorgate scandal]

*[http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/downs-syndrome-girl-passes-six-4095031 Down's Syndrome girl passes six GCSEs as dad calls Richard Dawkins 'an ignorant idiot'], Mirror by By Grace Macaskill, Aug 23, 2014 15:41

*[https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/downs-syndrome-girl-passes-six-4095031 Down's Syndrome girl passes six GCSEs as dad calls Richard Dawkins 'an ignorant idiot'], Mirror by By Grace Macaskill, Aug 23, 2014 15:41

*[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/08/21/the-12-stages-of-a-richard-dawkins-twitter-scandal_n_5698443.html The 12-Stage 'Evolution' Of A Richard Dawkins Twitter Scandal] by Paul Vale, The Huffington Post UK, Posted: 22/08/2014 02:06 BST</ref> ]]

*[http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/08/21/the-12-stages-of-a-richard-dawkins-twitter-scandal_n_5698443.html The 12-Stage 'Evolution' Of A Richard Dawkins Twitter Scandal] by Paul Vale, The Huffington Post UK, Posted: 22/08/2014 02:06 BST</ref> ]]

The biggest challenge facing [[atheism|atheist]] public relations efforts is that most theists do not think about atheism and would prefer not to as they it is an [[Atheism and irrationality|unreasonable]], [[Atheism and arrogance|arrogant]] and [[Unattractiveness of atheism|unattractive worldview]]. As a result, many atheist campaigns, particularly one's by [[militant atheism|militant atheists]], are designed to be provocative which has the effect of further lowering the public's view of atheism/atheists (see: [[Atheism and public relations]]).  

The biggest challenge facing [[atheism|atheist]] public relations efforts is that most theists do not think about atheism and would prefer not to as they it is an [[Atheism and irrationality|unreasonable]], [[Atheism and arrogance|arrogant]] and [[Unattractiveness of atheism|unattractive worldview]]. As a result, many atheist campaigns, particularly one's by [[militant atheism|militant atheists]], are designed to be provocative which has the effect of further lowering the public's view of atheism/atheists (see: [[Atheism and public relations]]).  

In areas of the [[Western World]] where theists are in the majority, atheists on the [[Secular left|left end of the political spectrum]], using the strategy of [[identity politics]], have made various attempts to portray atheists as an oppressed minority, but this has not much lessoned the low opinion and/or antipathy many theists hold towards atheists for multiple reasons.<ref>[http://www.latimes.com/opinion/la-oew-thornton18apr18-story.html Disliked, not oppressed] By Paul Thornton, ''LA Times'', April 7, 2007</ref>  

In areas of the [[Western World]] where theists are in the majority, atheists on the [[Secular left|left end of the political spectrum]], using the strategy of [[identity politics]], have made various attempts to portray atheists as an oppressed minority, but this has not much lessoned the low opinion and/or antipathy many theists hold towards atheists for multiple reasons.<ref>[https://www.latimes.com/opinion/la-oew-thornton18apr18-story.html Disliked, not oppressed] By Paul Thornton, ''LA Times'', April 7, 2007</ref>  

For example, the atheist population in the United States is skewed towards white, atheist men in both adherents and positions of influence within the atheist community (see: [[Western atheism and race]] and [[Atheism and women]]). So it is difficult for atheists to portray themselves as an oppressed minority.  

For example, the atheist population in the United States is skewed towards white, atheist men in both adherents and positions of influence within the atheist community (see: [[Western atheism and race]] and [[Atheism and women]]). So it is difficult for atheists to portray themselves as an oppressed minority.  

== Study shows that thinking about atheism increases Americans thoughts about death ==

== Study shows that thinking about atheism increases Americans thoughts about death ==

[[File:Atheism and death.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|According to a study performed in the United States by researchers Wink and Scott, very religious people fear death the least.<ref>[http://www.world-science.net/exclusives/050628_deathfearfrm.htm Fear of death: worst if you’re a little religious?], World of Science]

[[File:Atheism and death.jpg|thumbnail|200px|right|According to a study performed in the United States by researchers Wink and Scott, very religious people fear death the least.<ref>[http://www.world-science.net/exclusives/050628_deathfearfrm.htm Fear of death: worst if you’re a little religious?], World of Science]

*J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2005, Jul;60(4):P207-14. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15980288 Does religiousness buffer against the fear of death and dying in late adulthood? Findings from a longitudinal study]. Wink P1, Scott J.</ref> See: [[Atheism and death]] ]]

*J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2005, Jul;60(4):P207-14. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15980288 Does religiousness buffer against the fear of death and dying in late adulthood? Findings from a longitudinal study]. Wink P1, Scott J.</ref> See: [[Atheism and death]] ]]

''See also:'' [[Atheism and death]]

''See also:'' [[Atheism and death]]

''See also:'' [[Christian patience, forgiveness and long-suffering towards atheists]]

''See also:'' [[Christian patience, forgiveness and long-suffering towards atheists]]

Although it is not reported in the press often, due the press preferring to focus on controversy and conflict, as it garners more viewership/readers, many Christians quietly pray for atheists/[[agnosticism|agnostics]] - even those of the [[militant atheism|militant variety]] such as [[Richard Dawkins]].<ref>[http://creation.com/dawkins-upset Richard Dawkins upset that public doesn’t like him] by Warren Nunn, Published by [[Creation Ministries International]] 13 May 2014 (GMT+10)</ref> The late atheist [[Christopher Hitchens]] had many Christians praying for him before he passed away and they were saddened when he died.<ref>[http://www.christianpost.com/news/christians-grieve-death-of-christopher-hitchens-share-hopes-for-deathbed-conversion-65035/ Christians Grieve Death of Christopher Hitchens; Share Hopes for Deathbed Conversion] by Eryn Sun, ''Christian Post'' Reporter, December 16, 2011</ref>

Although it is not reported in the press often, due the press preferring to focus on controversy and conflict, as it garners more viewership/readers, many Christians quietly pray for atheists/[[agnosticism|agnostics]] - even those of the [[militant atheism|militant variety]] such as [[Richard Dawkins]].<ref>[https://creation.com/dawkins-upset Richard Dawkins upset that public doesn’t like him] by Warren Nunn, Published by [[Creation Ministries International]] 13 May 2014 (GMT+10)</ref> The late atheist [[Christopher Hitchens]] had many Christians praying for him before he passed away and they were saddened when he died.<ref>[http://www.christianpost.com/news/christians-grieve-death-of-christopher-hitchens-share-hopes-for-deathbed-conversion-65035/ Christians Grieve Death of Christopher Hitchens; Share Hopes for Deathbed Conversion] by Eryn Sun, ''Christian Post'' Reporter, December 16, 2011</ref>

Richard Wurmbrand, who endured years of torture by an atheistic [[communism|communist]] government and wrote the wrote the book ''Tortured for Christ'', indicated that he had a compassion even for those who tortured him by "looking at men .. not as they are, but as they will be ... I could also see in our persecutors ... a future [[Saint Paul|Apostle Paul]] ... (and) the jailer in Philippi who became a convert."<ref>[[DC Talk|dc Talk]] and The Voice of the Martyrs. ''Jesus Freaks: Stories of those who stood for Jesus: the ultimate Jesus Freaks.'' Bethany House Publishers, 1999, p. 67</ref>  

Richard Wurmbrand, who endured years of torture by an atheistic [[communism|communist]] government and wrote the wrote the book ''Tortured for Christ'', indicated that he had a compassion even for those who tortured him by "looking at men .. not as they are, but as they will be ... I could also see in our persecutors ... a future [[Saint Paul|Apostle Paul]] ... (and) the jailer in Philippi who became a convert."<ref>[[DC Talk|dc Talk]] and The Voice of the Martyrs. ''Jesus Freaks: Stories of those who stood for Jesus: the ultimate Jesus Freaks.'' Bethany House Publishers, 1999, p. 67</ref>