This article is probably going to get a lot of backlash, but I don't care. Please take into account that this article is to promote acceptance and not to bash other religions, even if it might sound that way. I really have no intentions of making religion sound like a bad thing, and if you are religious in whatever manner, that's AWESOME; you do you! Just please take what I'm going to say as an acceptance piece and not a bashing one.
1. They have little or no morals.
This one makes me really mad because I am a non-religious person with tons of friends who are non-religious, and we all really care about humans and animals. Just because we don't subscribe to religion doesn't mean we don't know right from wrong; religion doesn't dictate universal morals, and in fact, most religions don't allow allpeople to be treated equally (even if they might have you believe that).
2. They are just in denial.
A HUGE N-O to that one. I was raised in the Christian faith, and I just don't agree with it. I have done research on other religions and haven't found one that I can put my heart into, so I'm just not religious. I've given everything I have to be a religious person, but it just didn't work out for me. I'm not the only person with this experience either; we've been down the road of religion, and it just isn't our thing, and there's nothing wrong with that.
3. They hate all religions.
The exact opposite actually. Most people I know who are non-religious completely support those who practice religion. They don't bash them for being religious, but they may say something about things not making sense or being contradictory sometimes, just in conversation about it if it's brought up. There's nothing wrong with being religious, just like there's nothing wrong with not.
4. They have no purpose in life.
How wrong this is is just beyond my understanding. Why someone ever came up with the idea that a human has no purpose simply based on them not subscribing to religion baffles me. We have similar purposes. Family and love, knowledge, being successful and trying to live the fullest life possible. I would argue that since non-religious people may not think anything happens after you die, they have more purpose to have a good life.
5. They are more likely to commit crimes or do other bad things.
This ties back to the morals thing; just because someone isn't religious doesn't make them a bad person. Also, there are people with bad morals in all religions (or lack of), just as there are people in all religions (or lack of) with good morals.
I hope this clears up a few misconceptions about non-religious people and makes it easier for people to just be kind to one another. Regardless of what religion you hold, your current life is the only life like this that you get. Make it count by treating others as you would like to be treated.