Atheists are perhaps the most reviled minority in society - even an openly homosexual candidate has a better chance of being elected to public office than an admitted atheist. Accompanying the revulsion are many myths and stereotypes about atheists and atheism.

Lisa Guttentag writes in the Harvard Independent about some of these stereotypes, concluding:

So as far as I'm concerned, people can believe whatever metaphysical principles they want. They can believe that the dining hall's potato leek soup created the universe and, each time it is served, the soup must be placed in a golden bowl on top of a microfridge and bowed to, Austin Powers-style, as the worshipper chants, "owah tagu siam."

However, if the potato leek soup spills all over my floor and stinks up my room, I will no longer approve of this ritual. Similarly, in the future, if someone demands that my child be taught religious doctrine in science class, I will not approve of this. However, I strongly believe that kids in school should be taught about world religions in social studies or history classes (though they often are not.) Religion is a huge part of human history and current events, and it is a disgrace that it is hardly mentioned in elementary, middle, or even high school textbooks.

Atheists are seen by some people as sniveling, conniving, self-centered brutes. And some are. But so are some Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindus … a lot more than we'd like to think. So if it satisfies your metaphysical urges, chant "owah tagu siam" to a bowl of potato leek soup. But don't say nasty things about atheists.

That's a pretty good philosophy to adopt - live and let live. I've hardly ever encountered an atheist who didn't believe in liberty and freedom for religious believers, but I've encountered quite a lot of religious believers who have no respect for those who don't believe or who believe differently. This is unfortunate, but perhaps some interaction with atheists will cause more religious believers to be tolerant.

Read More:

• Atheism 101
• Agnosticism 101
• Defining Atheism
• Questions About Atheism
• Myths About Atheism
• Atheism in Society
• News About Atheism and Atheists
• Rebuttals to Attacks on Atheism