Source: The Modesto Bee
http://www.modbee.com/1618/story/394942.html
It's difficult at times being a person of faith, but it can be even harder to be an atheist, someone who believes there is no God.
Some local atheists who replied to an invitation in The Bee were afraid of adverse reactions at their places of work. Others worried about being flooded "with unwanted attention from zealots," and two were protective of neighbors and spouses. One hesitated to talk on the record, but then said, "If I don't speak up, who will?"
According to a recent, large-scale Pew Forum report, 92 percent of U.S. residents believe in God or a universal spirit. The Pew report and 50 years of Gallup surveys found that atheism in the United States has remained stable over the years, coming in at about 4 percent of the population when lumped with agnostics, who believe it is impossible to know if God exists.
International studies, according to Gerald McDermott, professor of religion and philosophy at Roanoke College and author of "The Baker Pocket Guide to World Religions," show that atheists make up 2 percent of the world's population. He said that number is shrinking.
Whether stable or shrinking, it's clear that atheists are an overwhelming minority, and area atheists say there are several misconceptions about their beliefs. Several strongly make the point that they are not satanists, immoral or dumb. Those who spoke with The Bee range in age from 20s to 60s and from business owners to blue-collar workers. They'd like faith groups, especially Christians, to be more tolerant of their views.