I'm currently in the process of applying at a college in Tennessee . . . I'm wondering if I should indicate that my official religion is Buddhism as Atheists (Which I technically am as I do not fully accept the existence of any religious deities) are considered even lower then Muslims:
Quote:
University of Minnesota researchers conducted a telephone survey of over 2,000 households in early 2006. 7 They found that:
"...Americans rate atheists below Muslims, recent immigrants, gays and lesbians and other minority groups in 'sharing their vision of American society.' Atheists are also the minority group most Americans are least willing to allow their children to marry."
Lead researcher, Penny Edgell, noted that Atheists:
"...offer a glaring exception to the rule of increasing social tolerance over the last 30 years....It seems most Americans believe that diversity is fine, as long as every one shares a common 'core' of values that make them trustworthy—and in America, that 'core' has historically been religious....Americans believe they share more than rules and procedures with their fellow citizens—they share an understanding of right and wrong. Our findings seem to rest on a view of atheists as self-interested individuals who are not concerned with the common good'." 6,7
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