atheists: most distrusted minority in US

[MomofKatie]

What I wonder, do people really even know the beliefs of the people around them to be able to use that as their determination of if they trust someone or not? Do they ask the co-worker at the next desk what their belief system is before they decide what their trust level of them is?

Some do, yes. I have lived in several southeastern states from the age of 9 to now- my family and I have been point-blank asked by neighbors, co-workers and classmates if we are Christians (especially if we have been Saved). Coming from the Midwest where IMO, people are a bit more reserved, we were a little shocked at first. DH and I have a (VERY born again Christian) neighbor who doesn't talk to us anymore because he found out we don't go to church, nor do we want to.

I consider myself an agnostic with atheist leanings, and I don't advertise that fact where I live. I just tell people I prefer not to discuss religion if they ask me about my beliefs.

I consider myself to be a moral person. More so than many "good Christian" folks who were in church twice a week.

 

[goofygirl]

I'd feel more comfortable around a group of athiests than a group of conservative Bible thumping Christians. I think the latter group would turn on me if I disagreed with them, wheras athiests would probably be ok with me if I had a different opinion than theirs. that's just the feeling I have, anyway.

 

[KristaTX]

The title of the article is "Atheists identified as America’s most distrusted minority, according to new U of M study".



Okay would someone here please make a list for me of every single minority group in America so that I can decide which one of them I distrust most ?

 

[chell]

That is rather interesting. Nope, sorry I haven't read any responses to this thread past the first two. My eyes are dry and burn and I don't feel like reading - not trying to be rude.

The atheists I know are trustworthy. It is the Christians (yes, I am one but I'm SO thankful I'm not like them) that you have to watch out for - seriously. They will stab you in the back and/or cut your throat all in the name of Jesus. I don't get how they can use Him like that.

If you go through some terrible times in your life look to see who is there and who turns their back the fastest? I learned the hard way this past year or so.

 

[Kitka]

I think that most people think of Madolyn Murry O'Hair when they hear the term atheist. Enough said.

Then "most people" are quite ignorant, aren't they!? Good thing for Christians that "most people" don't judge them on the actions of just one person who shares their beliefs.

 

[N.Bailey]

I know several atheists and honestly, I would trust them with my life. Granted that I do not agree with them on evolution, but for those that I know, they are no more or less trustworthy than many other people I know. I have several gay friends too and they're really the most trustworthy people I think I've ever met in my life. They just seem to accept everyone for who they are.

I know many Christians that are totally trustworthy too, so I'll not hop on the bash the Christian bandwagon either. My MIL's car broke down and she called AAA for reimbursement for towing expenses. They were members after all. Turns out, only my FIL was covered and they weren't aware of that. The woman at AAA told my MIL all you have to do is tell me he was in that car with you and it's covered. I don't need anymore particulars than that the woman told her. She was pretty much telling my MIL to lie. My MIL finally had to say, if that's your policy, I'm just going to have to pay it myself (actually not get reimbursed, but same thing) because I can't lie. The price was over $200 bucks.

What would you have done?

Most Christians I know are much like my in-laws. People are what they are and you'll find trustworthy people in all walks of life. The same can be said about the untrustworthy people. I don't think blanket statements are fair at all and I don't think this poll represents what most people really believe.

 

[jimmiej]

The atheists I know are trustworthy. It is the Christians (yes, I am one but I'm SO thankful I'm not like them) that you have to watch out for - seriously. They will stab you in the back and/or cut your throat all in the name of Jesus. I don't get how they can use Him like that.

If you go through some terrible times in your life look to see who is there and who turns their back the fastest? I learned the hard way this past year or so.

Well, my experience is quite different. While I do know some Christians like you describe, they are few & far between. In our church (3500 members), we love & care for each other with deep devotion. Example: one of our members died suddenly in the middle of the night a couple of years ago. Within the hour, their entire Bible study class was there to be with the husband and daughter. Still to this day, one of our ladies takes and picks up the daughter from school every day. Another member buys their groceries for them every week since the dad works out of town. I could give you countless other examples.

Maybe this kind of thing happens outside the church; I don't know. I DO know it's comforting to have so many people (outside my family) love and care for me.

 

[chell]

Well, my experience is quite different. While I do know some Christians like you describe, they are few & far between. In our church (3500 members), we love & care for each other with deep devotion. Example: one of our members died suddenly in the middle of the night a couple of years ago. Within the hour, their entire Bible study class was there to be with the husband and daughter. Still to this day, one of our ladies takes and picks up the daughter from school every day. Another member buys their groceries for them every week since the dad works out of town. I could give you countless other examples.

Maybe this kind of thing happens outside the church; I don't know. I DO know it's comforting to have so many people (outside my family) love and care for me.

THAT is wonderful and that is how it SHOULD be! They shouldn't turn their back on you when the love of your life dies then toss you out to the side because you are having trouble functioning.

If only there were more people like that.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

That is rather interesting. Nope, sorry I haven't read any responses to this thread past the first two. My eyes are dry and burn and I don't feel like reading - not trying to be rude.

The atheists I know are trustworthy. It is the Christians (yes, I am one but I'm SO thankful I'm not like them) that you have to watch out for - seriously. They will stab you in the back and/or cut your throat all in the name of Jesus. I don't get how they can use Him like that.

If you go through some terrible times in your life look to see who is there and who turns their back the fastest? I learned the hard way this past year or so.

soooo true. I had a lot line argument over a privacy fence with a baptist neighbor. we won, and she started telling people in her church I was a registered sex offender. jesus rules.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

jesus rules.

My work here is done.

 

[Buckalew11]

My work here is done.

 

[chell]

soooo true. I had a lot line argument over a privacy fence with a baptist neighbor. we won, and she started telling people in her church I was a registered sex offender. Jesus rules.

Yes, He does. It is the people who hide behind Him and try to get away with stupid crap that don't.

 

[MzDiz]

My work here is done.

You two...

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Thank you, thank you. I took a self-professed heathen and prayed and prayed for his soul, each and every night. All I was trying to do was save his soul, and look what happened!

I now have a quote from Sylvester that I will treasure always.

I accept this award humbly, in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus.

Amen.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

Thank you, thank you. I took a self-professed heathen and prayed and prayed for his soul, each and every night. All I was trying to do was save his soul, and look what happened!

I now have a quote from Sylvester that I will treasure always.

I accept this award humbly, in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus.

Amen.

I can't believe I walked into that.

 

[MouseWorshipin]

I can't believe I walked into that.

Total karma. I was on the community board, scrolling down, and there was your name as the last poster on the atheist board, so I decided to check out what you had to say...and there you were, renouncing your heathenism!

Dear Diary...

 

[Planogirl]

Frankly, I don't really know if most of you are atheist or Christian or what. I don't really pay any attention to that because it doesn't make any difference to me when I meet people. I only run the other way when I discover that people are fundamentalist. Otherwise, it doesn't matter at all.

 

[Buckalew11]

I can't believe I walked into that.

I can't believe you did either. She's only been working on you for a week. She's quick.
What hymns are you singing in that boat on Sunday??

 

[Sylvester McBean]

What hymns are you singing in that boat on Sunday??

"Push Mouse Out 30 Miles Offshore"

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Are you kidding?! I've been working on him for months!!!!! I think the first time may have been before Christmas, but could be wrong.

This was a tough job, you don't know the half of it!

I can rest easily tonight, without having to pray for or worry about Sylvester anymore!

I'm going to print this out and send it to the Pope. I may get cannonized! (For all you non-Catholics, that means turned into a Saint.)

Saint Mouse. I like the sound of that!

NN, Sylvester!

Goodnight all!



...and sweet dreams for me.