re: #79 Patricia Kayden

I’m surprised that 51% don’t know even one atheist.

I’m not. Despite what people tell you about religious freedom in the USA, it is potentially dangerous to be an open atheist. Media figures on both the right and left demonise atheists in the press and television.

I’ve noted here before that Eric Swalwell won his seat by demonising Pete Stark in primary adverts over his atheism. State Senator Megan Hunt here in a candidate survey came out as an atheist when she first ran for office to stave off Democratic opposition by positioning those who would attack her as bigots over that issue, not Republicans.

Lots of people don’t even know one atheist because so many atheists are afraid of discrimination or worse.