why do atheists think they're more open minded than everyone else?
362425
Atheism is itself a religion, people who practice it accept on faith that there is no God. As such, they can be just as intolerant as members of any religion. Agnostics are wishy-washy theological bums that can't be bothered to have an opinion. The only way to truly practice principled secularism, is through Deism.
634990
it seems to me that people who live in more populated areas interact with more people and hear and discuss more different ideas than people who live in less crowded areas.  I think seeing that there are people in other religions and from other cultures AND that they are good people leads one to be more open-minded and tolerant --- and less convinced that there is only one right way to believe.
1165711
because some are very close minded.
1014145
religion is a touchy topic for people as they always believe that they are right. As for the atheist part, I'd say it has no correlation rather that most of them are probably just young immature kids, the ones who go on to post about how jesus did drugs and god sucked whatever. I believe that we don't have the ability to judge whether deity/s exsist, but I believe in the morality of being polite.
967165
Because people cannot think for themselves. They need to have a set of "guidelines" made to follow. Other people can't believe in themselves because they see believing in gods as a bigger cause, so to speak.
266894
Human nature. Also, atheists might enjoy talking about religion more, even if they don't beleive in any.
318450
Most people don't simply believe theories.........they just acknowledge them as a possible reason or explanation.\n\nIt's called having an open mind.
486495
It makes them think there is hope and keeps uncontrollable idiots from causing havoc to the world...the more scared they are(believing in consequences for actions by god & what not)...the more behaved people will be.I don't need religion or anybodies beliefs to guide my way of life.\nAlso,Atheists are idiots...they argue with religious people and try to sway people into their beliefs...\nJust trust your heart and be your own man!!!!!Let everyone else believe what they want!!!!!!\nIf ya want to say "god bless you" to a religious lady after she sneezes then be my guest...just try to stay neutral...it's less stressful & less complicated!
1035495
This is very true.  I know quite a few atheists and agnostics who are very good people.  Those who judge them otherwise are ignorant and should not be payed attention to.
595694
Because there are many ignorant people out there who let one incident decide their judgement about a religion.  There are also some narrow minded people who feel that their religion is what everyone should be.
163286
For the same reason that so many Christians try to convert not only atheists, but followers of other faiths. \n\nIf one is so convinced that one is correct, there will be that tendency to spread one's beliefs.\n\nAlso, I'd question your use of the term "always".
625245
Having read your question and the answers given thus far, I for one find it poor logic to infer that  atheist or any one else, for that matter, are free thinkers. Everyone has a predisposition in their thinking, in one form or another. Most people will not or can not look at both side of an issue objectively.
943908
You are enlightened, don't let them pull you back down.\n\nI always love how we are closed-minded after we examine various world religions, philosophies, etc... but they have one book that they have read and they are open-minded.
1121002
Atheists often say they have no faith, yet they put all of their faith in science, which has been later proven wrong at times.  In addition, aren't they just putting their faith in what somebody else says.  Have they seen the evidence for themselves?  Again, some of this "evidence" has even later proven to be wrong.\nWhat is especially puzzling is that many discoveries in science also backs up the possibility of creation.  I'm not suggesting that they have to become believers, but you'd think they would stop accusing us of being closed minded when their minds are already made up too.
858665
It seems that some people from all different faiths feel that if they belong to that faith (even loosely) it gives them the right to jump on a soapbox and tell the world that what they believe is the only way to go and if you don't believe it you'll go to an undesirable place.  \n\nI understand and appreciate what you're saying and you're free to believe as you wish.  It's the "others" that try to force their beliefs on you that drive most people crazy.  We're free to believe what we'd like to too.  You're right, you can't save anyone's soul.....wish other people would get that and worry about their own souls.
853358
God has given to all of us a measure of faith. Atheist chooses to believe there is no God, yet deep inside they knows better. That is one reason they are so concerned about christianity. Again all Atheist will not stay that way and some will be converted. Someday they will  see that a Holy God is nothing to play with.
872705
Hmm, interesting question, but I sense the premisse (and I could be wrong), that atheists do not care about other people, or are worried about the happiness of people.\nI do not believe in god, but I do believe in people, and I made it my job (I'm a teacher) to teach people to think for themselves. Not blindly following words, but testing them for their truth. I don't like to put all christians on a great big heap, I know there are smart christians and dumb christians, and I admire the christians (some of them are my friend) who not only believe in god, but put their faith to the test on a daily basis, just as I try to do with my ideas and convictions. When people parrot other people, there's a great danger, because a lot of things said are said beautifully or convincing, rather than true. And it is my believe to encourage *everyone* including atheists, christians, muslims or anyone else, to make up their own mind about things.\n\nSo in a way I do care if you don't believe in evolution and do believe in god, because I want to make sure you are truly convinced of this, and actually live your life the way you chose. Not because some book or some church or some philosopher or some politician told you so, but because *you* are convinced that it is right, and have checked all the options to make this choice.