I would say a combination of two things:

Xenophobia (people fearing what they don't understand) - this would apply to the majority of "the followers" (as opposed to the clergy / officials). This is pretty typical of most American lay-persons, so it's a fair shake that it would apply here as well.

The other thing is a bit more speculative: I would venture that the clergy / officials / vocal proponents of Deism probably realize that an atheistic belief directly threatens the livelihood of their way of life. Now, the pessimist in me wants to believe that this is solely an issue of money -- after all, a clergyman's paycheck is directly related to the size of his/her parish.

Another part of me wants to think that it's because there are some people in the clergy who realize that we're RIGHT, that they HAVE just been pulling wool over people's eyes, and they are fighting to keep from being outed. There might even be some pride in there too "I can't admit that I'm wrong," sort of things.

Those of us who fight to support science are going through a similar thing right now, but on the other side of the tracks. Religious groups are aggressively attacking science to debase it's authority in the natural realm -- but they're using conniving lies to do it. I'm very bothered by the fact that this particular group mainstays its existence by continuous deception of its people. 

strick09?

Are you a theist?

I never thought of that.  

This is really confusing.

strick09 says here:  'Another part of me wants to think that it's because there are some people in the clergy who realize that we're RIGHT, that they HAVE just been pulling wool over people's eyes, and they are fighting to keep from being outed.'

And here says:  'Those of us who fight to support science are going through a similar thing right now, but on the other side of the tracks. Religious groups are aggressively attacking science to debase it's authority in the natural realm -- but they're using conniving lies to do it. I'm very bothered by the fact that this particular group mainstays its existence by continuous deception of its people.'

Are you, strick09 a theist or an atheist?  I'm confused because you seem to be contradicting yourself.  You say 'we're RIGHT' and 'they HAVE just been pulling...' but it follows there that you're speaking from an Atheist perpsective.  Later it seems like you're upset about the existence of the RRS, which would contradict what you said earlier if you were talking from an Atheist perspective.

 As to the OP, I believe the particular problem for Atheists in America is that it's not a very enlightened country.  I believe figures show America to be one of the most religious countries in the world, if it's not the most.  It is unsurprising that in a country where the vast majority of people believe in god, attend church regularly and where a significant portion believe the bible to be literal and/or the word of god and that the rapture will happen within their own lifetime that there would be such hostility to Atheists and other advocates of reason and enlightenment.  Compared to particular nations in Europe and even with it's closest neighbour (Canada) the United States leaves much to be desired in the way of, so-to-speak, leaving the church behind

America is far and away the most religious post-industrial nation in the world.  There are countries that have a higher percentage of religious adherence, and definitely countries who have religious governments, but among the supposed advanced nations, we are singularly religious -- and also singularly plagued with societal ills.

strick09 is an atheist and seems to be very sympathetic to theists.  normally i would wait and let him speak for himself but from personal experience talking with him off-forums i don't think he means to be contradictory in his posts - it seems like he just types things too fast and/or without full explanation.

I'm 2 out of 4 does that make me a good atheist or an evil atheist?

I think theists fear us because people they know that are atheists are not afraid to ask questions and offer rational arguments (since if an atheist didn't they wouldn't know that person was an atheist). Most theists were raised in their religion and taught to believe and have faith without asking questions. They are told by their parents, religious leaders and friends to just believe and have faith. When someone starts questioning that faith it becomes uncomfortable because in many cases THEY have not questioned their own beliefs. I would argue the majority of theists have not really questioned their beliefs. Those that have and remain theists are far more likely to debate an atheist without fear.

I think many theists fear atheists because they believe that morality comes from god and, if someone doesn't believe in god, there's no telling what they might do, so they must be totally untrustworthy.

-Triften

EDIT: Sorry, crazytheist. I realized after I responded that the post was a question for your fellow theists.