How Much Do You Trust Me?

The Minnesota Daily: Survey: U.S. trust lowest for atheists

Atheists are America's least trusted group, according to a national survey conducted by University sociology researchers.

Based on a telephone survey of more than 2,000 households and in-depth interviews with more than 140 people, researchers found that Americans rate atheists below Muslims, recent immigrants, homosexuals and other groups as "sharing their vision of American society." Americans are also least willing to let their children marry atheists.

"It tells us about how Americans view religion," said Penny Edgell, an associate sociology professor and the study's lead researcher. "Many Americans seem to believe some kind of religious faith is central to being a good American and a good person."

I wonder how Americans I don't know would feel about me if someone described as as an atheist anarchist. A godless advocate of chaos!!!

I'd probably have a 10% approval rating on a good day.

Those surveyed tended to view people who don't believe in a god as the "ultimate self-interested actor who doesn't care about anyone but themselves," Edgell said.

© Copyright 2006 The Minnesota Daily

Man, the irony here is palpable. I'm convinced most American atheists are, like DailyKos diarist psalcido who brought this to my attention, "pinko commies" who value collectivism over individualism, altruism over egoism. I, on the other hand, am a self-interested actor who thinks human decisions ought to be based on self-interest. For that reason (among others), I am an atheist.

Posted by Drizzten at March 27, 2006 01:31 PM