Atheism - Misnomers

It turns our atheists are not well liked by the general public. In a recent poll we were found to rank below Muslims, recent immigrants, gays and lesbians and other minority groups in “sharing their vision of American society.” I'm at a loss as to why this would be the case. Atheists have never harmed another person in the name of atheism. There are not atheist terrorists. We've never killed in the name of atheism. We've never invaded or even judged people in the name of atheism. Atheists would never commit genocide in the name of atheism. So, what is everyone's beef with us?

So, what is it we do that makes us so distrustful? I've heard some ridiculous claims such as, "atheists are unhappy, depraved people who only reject God so they might commit sin. "Why would rejecting God allow us to commit sin? Aren't we all sinners already? Don't Christians sin? Also, am I doing my atheistic world view an injustice when I fail to sin? Finally, is it not completely foolish to claim that a rationalist would avoid something that is actually, so he doesn't have to face the consequences of its existence? What sense is that?

"Hey, that piano is going to land on your head!" "Well, I'd rather it didn't, so I refuse to accept it's existence so I'll survive when it lands on me."

No, these are nonsensical arguments. Personally, I don't drink, smoke, do drugs, commit adultery or steal. I give money and time to charitable organizations and am a lowly paid teacher who spent several years teaching in an inner city school district. Should my atheist friends reject me? What am I doing wrong? I don't seek to commit lewd sexual acts or harm others. I work not to hate or judge others and try to fight for the rights of all people. I'm not sexist, racist or generally grumpy. I suppose I'm an embarrassment to my calling. If I'm so hated, shouldn't I be more hate-able? I'm sure there are those who are not too terribly fond of me, but I commit only one sin repeatedly and without remorse. I reject the holy spirit. Actually, that's not accurate, I fail to recognize the holy spirit. I've never seen, felt, heard or witnessed his/her/its existence.

Now, I cannot address this topic without pointing out one key part of this whole poll. Atheists are specifically accused of not sharing the vision of American society. Let's take a look at what one George Herbert Walker Bush had to say about the issue of Atheists and patriotism, shall we? Please, remember as you read this that this man presided over this beloved country, with the sworn duty to uphold our constitution.

"I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots."

Now, it just so happens that the First Amendment to our founding document happens to say that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof", Justice David Souter along with the majority of the court in the Board of Education of Kiryas Joel Village School District v. Grumet (1994), stated in his opinion that "government should not prefer one religion to another, or religion to irreligion." Did you catch that last part? The part about "irreligion." That part would include atheists. Granting Bush that this decision came seven years following his quote, I still see no reason why someone's citizenship or patriotism should be called into question. However by allowing the former president the chance to finish, we might get some insight as to his reasoning. His very next sentence stated:

"This is one nation under God."

Hmmm. Is it? Is it, really? Oddly, our founding fathers failed to include God in any part of our founding document. Perhaps the President wasn't aware that his personal opinions don't supercede this document. Or perhaps he was unaware that the phrase 'under God' was not even added to the Pledge of Allegience until 167 years after our Constitution was adopted and more than a half century after the United States began reciting the pledge in public schools. Perhaps he was simply not a history buff. Or perhaps he wasn't quite clear on the fact that he swore on his creator's book to uphold the document. Which begs the question, was his statement a defiance of his God, his country, his oath or all three? And to return to the original point, are we as a society to hold a vision of this country that is in contrast to this most glorious and patriotic of all documents? Who exactly is it that is failing to hold the correct 'vision of American society'?

Okay, so if you'll accept for the short term that I'm an okay fellow who wouldn't harm anyone and at the very least, strives to live by the golden rule, then I see only one reason why I might not be liked.
If we're right, then 1 of 3 things is true:

1. There is no heaven and people must face their mortality.
   
2. The religious are wrong.
3. The religious would feel quite foolish -- and lost as they'd have lost their presumed reason for existence.

These may seem simple to some at the outset, but they are huge. This is a lot bigger than simply learning the truth about Santa (to which some are deeply hurt). This is the definition of the meaning of life. Its answer puts to rest questions so great and fundamental as to shake a person to their foundation. So, I ask you, who wants to face that and what would people think of someone who's views could force you to face that?