Overall, the country is growing more tolerant of religious diversity. But atheists are still last on the list. Only 30 percent of Americans have a "warm" view of nonbelievers. And women atheists bear even more scorn. Atheists are more likely to be male and younger than the overall population, and female atheists face misogyny even among other atheists.

What does it mean to be a woman and an atheist in this culture? We talked with two female atheists about why they moved away from religion and how they are claiming their place in a group that's majority white and male.

This conversation is part of a new series on MPR News with Kerri Miller, "Women of Faith." As women's voices in faith communities become louder, we're speaking with women who are energized by their faith to face the most urgent policy, spiritual and philosophical questions of the day.

Guests:

Rebecca Watson, creator of the SkepChick Network, a collection of blogs focused on science, critical thinking and sarcasm

Sikivu Hutchinson, an American feminist, novelist, playwright and director, and the author of "Moral Combat: Black Atheists, Gender Politics, and the Values Wars," the first book on atheism to be published by an African-American woman