Define “non-believers” (atheists, agnostics, secular people) as an often-misunderstood minority. Note that surveys regularly find atheists among the least trusted or liked groups. For example, Americans rank atheists first when asked which group “does not at all agree with my vision of American society.”
Emphasize media’s influence: news and entertainment often shape public attitudes toward faith groups. Explain that the outline will examine how media have historically portrayed atheists, common tropes, cultural differences, research findings, illustrative examples, and effects on society.
Historical context of portrayals
Cold War anti-atheism: Mid-20th century U.S. media often equated atheism with communism. Soviet villains were routinely depicted as “godless” and ruthless. For example, 1960s TV and film warned audiences about the “godless communist” enemy. In 1950s comics (“Is This Tomorrow?”) and films like My Son John (1951), characters who rejected religion (or became communist) were labeled “un-American.”
Religious framing: Point out how mid-century U.S. popular culture reinforced the idea that morality and patriotism depended on religion (e.g. “under God” in the Pledge added 1954). Media valorized faith as “the singular source of morality,” implicitly marginalizing non-belief.
Other eras: (Briefly) Note that before the 20th century, mass media were limited and usually under church influence, so overt atheist characters were rare or absent.
Common stereotypes and tropes
Immorality: The most widespread stereotype is that atheists lack morals. Secular humanist Phil Zuckerman observes that the first insult many throw is “How can you be moral if you don’t believe in God?” Psychological studies show people automatically perceive evil acts as more likely committed by atheists. This stereotype (‘atheists are amoral’) underpins much anti-atheist bias.
“Angry Atheist”: A common trope in fiction and media is the angry, bitter atheist.
A review of popular characters explicitly calls House M.D. (Dr. Gregory House) “an ardent and angry atheist” who has “zero patience” for believers. Social-psychology experiments confirm that people believe atheists are angrier than others – even though studies find atheists are no more irritable in reality. This stereotype is often played for drama or comedy in TV/film.
Arrogance and elitism: Atheists are often written as smug, condescending rationalists. For example, Family Guy’s atheist dog Brian delivers pompous quips and once declares “I’m an atheist” while being scolded. Although harder to cite, this trope persists.
Unpatriotic or anti-establishment: Media sometimes portray atheists as un-American or radical. In Cold War films, refusal to join church could mark a character as “strange” or disloyal. Today, atheists may be depicted as anti-national (e.g. opposing prayer in schools) or as cultural outsiders.
Cold, antisocial, aggressive: A Canadian media study notes that when atheists appear at all, they’re often stereotyped as aggressive, fanatic and cold. This echoes portrayals of atheists as socially alien or intolerant. “Sexually immoral” (gendered stereotype): Among women, atheists report being labeled “sexually immoral” by others. This shows stereotypes can be gendered (non-believing women are painted as “loose”).
Cultural and media-system differences
U.S. vs. Europe: In highly religious countries like the U.S., media imagery of atheists is often negative. By contrast, more secular European countries (Scandinavia, France, etc.) may treat non-belief as commonplace. In secular-majority Europe, outright demonization is rarer, but subtle bias can remain.
Religious-majority societies: In countries where one religion dominates (e.g. some Middle Eastern or South Asian countries), atheism is often taboo. For example, Lebanese TV talk shows (almost all run by religious–political groups) exhibit overwhelming negative bias toward atheists. In Pakistan and similar states, blasphemy laws effectively silence atheist voices and often treat atheists as “liberals and seculars” to be censured.
Media systems: News outlets’ ideology matters. Consumption of conservative news in the U.S. strongly correlates with negative attitudes toward atheists, whereas entertainment media with sympathetic atheist characters can improve attitudes. Public broadcasters or more liberal outlets may show fewer hostile stereotypes, whereas tabloids may sensationalize atheist ‘scandals’.
Rural vs urban media: In more religious, rural regions, even local media may cast atheists as outsiders. A U.S. study noted rural atheists report a “heightened sense of danger” and fear of violence over disclosing non-belief, reflecting how local news can reinforce that climate. In major cities, anonymous audiences and diverse outlets can allow more nuanced coverage.
Research and academic findings
Text-analysis of news: Sentiment analysis of U.S. and UK newspaper articles concluded that atheism is portrayed negatively by the print media. Negativity was stronger toward the abstract concept of “atheism” than toward individual atheists. This suggests media often critique ideas more than people.
Cultivation/priming studies: Studies found that those who consumed conservative news media had more negative views of atheists, whereas watching films sympathetic to atheists led to more positive attitudes. In contrast, exposure to TV shows with atheist characters showed no clear effect. This aligns with media theories that repeated portrayals can prime certain attitudes.
“Angry atheist” myth: Research tested the stereotype that atheists are angry. They found people believe atheists are angrier than others, but empirical data showed no real anger difference. This work confirms the stereotype is a social construction rather than reality.
Moral distrust: Extensive social-psychology research finds most people intuitively see atheists as lacking a moral compass. These perceptions drive prejudice: for example, many Americans say they would refuse to vote for an atheist candidate or oppose their child marrying one. One study even found patients viewed atheist kidney-transplant candidates as less deserving.
Stigma and well-being: Counseling studies highlight that social stigma associated with atheism harms psychological well-being. Participants in one U.S. study reported discomfort disclosing non-belief. Particularly, rural and minority-group atheists reported discrimination and a need to hide their identity to avoid hostility.
Research summary: Overall, scholars note a dearth of study on secular media representation, but emerging work consistently finds bias against non-believers. The studies above paint a picture of media as a likely source of prejudice, calling for more investigation.
Perspectives from secular activists and critics
Academic voices: Secular researchers emphasize that anti-atheist prejudice is anchored in moral concern. For example, sociologist Penny Edgell found Americans rank atheists above even Muslims or immigrants when asked who doesn’t fit their vision of society. This highlights that the media’s moral framing has real effects.
Counseling psychologist: One noted that many atheists hide their worldview due to fear of backlash. She explains that even if overt discrimination is rare, the expectation to conform to religious norms causes stress. Atheists living in small towns reported a heightened sense of danger because of their non-belief. Her work underscores that media-driven stereotypes contribute to social anxiety among secular people.
Secular writers: Observers in atheist communities frequently decry media bias. One journalist argues mainstream entertainment depicts atheists as one of a tiny handful of hateful and inaccurate stereotypes. Organizations like the AHA or FFRF have published guidelines for fair coverage, urging inclusion of rational, moral atheists when covering ethical debates.
Examples in media (entertainment & journalism)
Film/TV examples (negative):
- House M.D. – Dr. Gregory House is explicitly an atheist who openly and relentlessly mocks religion. He epitomizes the angry, misanthropic atheist trope.
- Family Guy/American Dad! – Animated shows with atheist characters (e.g. Brian the dog, Roger the alien) often use their non-belief for jokes or conflict.
- The Big Bang Theory – Sheldon Cooper expresses scorn for supernatural beliefs and insists on a scientific worldview.
Film/TV examples (positive):
- Contact (1997) – Jodie Foster’s character Ellie Arroway is a professional scientist and self-declared atheist. The film treats her faith-science conflict seriously and sympathetically.
- Star Trek: The Next Generation – Jean-Luc Picard exemplifies enlightened secularism. When ordered to pose as a god, he lambastes the idea of superstition.
Popular drama: In Glee, a gay character (Kurt) deals with loss without religion and proudly says “I don’t believe in God, but I do believe in you”. Community features Britta Perry as an outspoken atheist student.
News media: Coverage of atheists often appears in stories on politics or education. Major outlets have pointed out that Americans fear voting for atheists. News magazines occasionally profile unbelievers. However, headline writing still tends to use cautious language (“self-described atheist”, “nonbeliever”) which some see as othering.
Social and psychological Impact
Discrimination and fear: Negative media portrayals reinforce real-world stigma. In one study, rural atheists described facing harassment and even threats. These pressures lead many secular people to conceal their beliefs.
Mistrust and social exclusion: Because atheists are often depicted as immoral, many people trust them less. Social surveys find that many Americans would be uncomfortable with atheists in leadership or as neighbors. A psychological experiment showed people automatically associate crime with atheism. Such attitudes contribute to workplace and political bias.
Personal well-being: The Nebraska study notes that stigma can harm mental health: nonbelievers reported vulnerability to isolation and psychological distress. Because faith communities often provide social support, atheists can feel cut off. Lack of representation in media denies them positive role models.
Civic effects: Widespread stereotyping may discourage atheists from civic engagement. If public discourse continually paints them as untrustworthy, fewer may come out or run for office. This marginalizes atheists in politics and reduces their visibility.
Recent trends in representation
Increased visibility: Over the past decade, the growing “nones” demographic has prompted more media attention. Social media and podcasts allow atheist voices to reach audiences without gatekeepers. Niche channels sometimes feature non-believers positively.
Streaming and diversity: Some streaming shows include atheist or agnostic characters as part of diverse casts. Audiences are seeing more secular roles in popular shows. However, religious themes still dominate many TV dramas, and Western streaming shows often default to religious framing.
Mixed signals in media: On the other hand, culture wars have sometimes intensified negative coverage. Reactions to politically outspoken atheists can trigger scorn headlines. Yet research suggests overall bias is not clearly improving: recent analyses still find more negative tones than positive.
Generational shifts: Younger journalists and creators may increasingly resist stereotypes, but older norms persist. The long-term trend is ambiguous: secularism is rising in surveys, which might pressure media to adapt, but entrenched stereotypes die hard.
Recommendations for media practices
Use fair framing: Treat non-belief like any other belief system. Avoid implying they are immoral or excluded from society. Focus stories on individual perspectives rather than making sweeping statements about all atheists.
Avoid value judgments: Reporters should not assume morality comes from religion. When stories involve ethics, include secular ethical arguments. Highlight research that secular people can be as altruistic as religious ones.
Balanced language: Use respectful terms like “non-religious” or “secular”; avoid loaded words like “godless.”
Mention that a significant percentage of Americans identify as atheist/agnostic (“nones”), so secular viewpoints are common.
Positive representation: Feature positive atheist/agnostic characters and real people in entertainment and news. Viewing a sympathetic atheist character can improve attitudes toward atheists. Create complex nonbelieving characters who demonstrate moral values.
Include secular voices: When covering religion-related topics, invite atheists or secular experts as commentators. Diversify editorial boards and staff with secular personnel.
Fact-check stereotypes: Journalists can consult social science on anti-atheist prejudice. Knowing that most people wrongly perceive atheists as angered by religion should make a writer cautious about writing angry atheist narratives without nuance.
Educate audiences: Media literacy pieces can call out common myths about atheists. Outlets could reference studies to explain how prejudice forms.
Ongoing monitoring: News organizations should track their own coverage. Analyze sentiment in religion coverage. Newsrooms might set diversity goals that include secular identities.
Conclusion
Media portrayals of non-believers remain shaped by deep-rooted cultural assumptions, historical baggage, and lingering stereotypes. From Cold War caricatures of godless communists to contemporary depictions of atheists as bitter, immoral, or elitist, these narratives have contributed to real-world stigma and social exclusion. Although progress has been made in diversifying secular representation — especially through streaming platforms and independent media — negative framing still dominates mainstream news and entertainment.
This misrepresentation matters. When entire worldviews are reduced to tropes, society loses the chance for genuine dialogue. Atheists and secular individuals deserve the same narrative complexity and moral depth afforded to religious characters. Fair, balanced, and empathetic media coverage is not only a matter of equity — it is essential for a pluralistic society that honors freedom of thought and belief. As secular voices grow more visible, it is time for the media to rise to the occasion and tell their stories with honesty, respect, and nuance.
If you still don’t understand why people don’t believe, get the free book 250 Arguments for Atheism (Jan Bryxí, 2025).
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