The reason for the distrust is obvious: it is taught from the pulpit. Religion is a business, a BIG tax-free business in the US with absolutely no regulations or quality control. Atheism or secular humanism threatens that business greatly, exposing it as fraudulent. To keep the sheep in the fold, religionists must make sure the sheep are fearful of what lies beyond the confines of their system. Hence the demonization and stigmatization of unbelievers. That is why nonbelievers are speaking out more and more and the religious war is escalating.