A Pew survey released yesterday http://www.pewforu...s-on-the-rise.aspx finds that the number of people who identify themselves as religiously unaffiliated is now 20%, the highest it has ever been and a sharp rise from 15% just five years earlier.
Of course, this does not mean they are atheists or agnostics, whose numbers have shown a more modest rise from 3.7% in 2007 to 5.9% now. Most of the ‘nones’ say they are ‘spiritual’ in some way but interestingly about 88% of them say they are not looking for a church to join.
As usual, the young are leading the way, with 32% of those in the 18-29 age group saying they are unaffiliated.
Across the board, in almost all categories, the survey shows a steady decline in religious affiliation and participation in religious activities.
“We are not going to have the kind of cooperation we need if everyone insists on their own narrow version of reality. … the great divide in the world today … is between people who have the courage to listen and those who are convinced that they already know it all.”
Posted by splumer A Pew survey released yesterday http://www.pewforu...s-on-the-rise.aspx finds that the number of people who identify themselves as religiously unaffiliated is now 20%, the highest it has ever been and a sharp rise from 15% just five years earlier.
Of course, this does not mean they are atheists or agnostics, whose numbers have shown a more modest rise from 3.7% in 2007 to 5.9% now. Most of the ‘nones’ say they are ‘spiritual’ in some way but interestingly about 88% of them say they are not looking for a church to join.
As usual, the young are leading the way, with 32% of those in the 18-29 age group saying they are unaffiliated.
Across the board, in almost all categories, the survey shows a steady decline in religious affiliation and participation in religious activities.
there might be hope for the future after all...
McNulty This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.
location: MD/PA
| |
Re: Rise of the religiously unaffiliated <Reply # 2 on 10/12/2012 9:24 PM >
If everyone had enough food then people would stop dying.
Oh wait, no they wouldn't. People will just not be hungry and die from other things.
So fuck them.
mutantMandias may cause dizziness, sexual nightmares, and sleep crime. ++++ mutantMandias has to return some videotapes ++++ Do not taunt mutantMandias
mutantMandias is something more than human, more than a computer. mutantMandias is a murderously intelligent, sensually self-programmed, non-being
McNulty This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.
location: MD/PA
| |
Re: Rise of the religiously unaffiliated <Reply # 4 on 10/13/2012 4:06 PM >
Posted by MutantMandias If everyone had enough food then people would stop dying.
Oh wait, no they wouldn't. People will just not be hungry and die from other things.
So fuck them.
That is called a straw man fallacy. Also appeal to emotion. It is useless and an invalid argument.
I thought you radical atheist guys were all about logic and being pretentious about how you are smarter than all the stupid religious people? Arguing with reason and facts would be a place to start living up to that.
That is called a straw man fallacy. Also appeal to emotion. It is useless and an invalid argument.
Right, thanks for proving that I am smarter than you.
mutantMandias may cause dizziness, sexual nightmares, and sleep crime. ++++ mutantMandias has to return some videotapes ++++ Do not taunt mutantMandias
mutantMandias is something more than human, more than a computer. mutantMandias is a murderously intelligent, sensually self-programmed, non-being
That is called a straw man fallacy. Also appeal to emotion. It is useless and an invalid argument.
I thought you radical atheist guys were all about logic and being pretentious about how you are smarter than all the stupid religious people? Arguing with reason and facts would be a place to start living up to that.
...and what exactly was the argument in your previous post? That religion is not a) a cause of violence and hatred, or b) that religion is NOT THE ONLY cause of violence and hatred?
Would it be "all about logic and being pretentious" to point out that, either way, you did not include any reason or facts with your argument?
That might be a good place to start.
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so, and will follow it by suppressing opposition, subverting all education to seize early the minds of the young, and by killing, locking up, or driving underground all heretics. Robert A. Heinlen
I think both sides of the everlasting debate on religion need to step back from the extremes. Regardless if you believe in god or not, we can all agree that every person is different in their own way. So that means that some(not all) atheists may be "pretentious" but others simply don't believe in a god. It really is as simple as that. Most atheists probably don't think spiritual people are stupid any more than someone who likes Coke thinks a Pepsi drinker is stupid. It's just a different way of viewing their world and that is what makes humanity bearable, the diversity. At the same time, it's just as absurd to assume that everyone who believes in a higher power is a hate-mongering, xenophobic zealot who thinks everyone who believes differently is going to hell. The vast majority of people just live their lives and don't really care one way or another about what others believe(or don't). The issue is only the extremes on each side are outspoken, giving both sides a very bad name. Personally, I do believe in a higher power... A great mover I guess. Something making sure the universe is running as it should, but I don't think whatever is out there is bothered with our day-to-day or what we believe. So I think it is straight up idiotic to say or even think anyone's point of view is any more or less valid than mine. It's just different. Both vocal sides claim that they should be free to have their own beliefs without being belittled for it, yet neither side extends this very simple gesture. Irony much?
Exploring is like tattoos... They stopped being cool in 2005
Posted by maypost I think both sides of the everlasting debate on religion need to step back from the extremes. Regardless if you believe in god or not, we can all agree that every person is different in their own way. So that means that some(not all) atheists may be "pretentious" but others simply don't believe in a god. It really is as simple as that. Most atheists probably don't think spiritual people are stupid any more than someone who likes Coke thinks a Pepsi drinker is stupid. It's just a different way of viewing their world and that is what makes humanity bearable, the diversity. At the same time, it's just as absurd to assume that everyone who believes in a higher power is a hate-mongering, xenophobic zealot who thinks everyone who believes differently is going to hell. The vast majority of people just live their lives and don't really care one way or another about what others believe(or don't). The issue is only the extremes on each side are outspoken, giving both sides a very bad name. Personally, I do believe in a higher power... A great mover I guess. Something making sure the universe is running as it should, but I don't think whatever is out there is bothered with our day-to-day or what we believe. So I think it is straight up idiotic to say or even think anyone's point of view is any more or less valid than mine. It's just different. Both vocal sides claim that they should be free to have their own beliefs without being belittled for it, yet neither side extends this very simple gesture. Irony much?
dude, you just brought a rulebook to a fight among illiterates. Making sense is not allowed, being objective is not allowed, being reasonable and hoping for a mature discussion is not allowed. So I must attack everything you said and call you a bunch of names and bring up isolated incidents to prove my point. It doesn't matter that out of the nearly 3 billion Christian and Muslims, that only a couple thousand, at most, are whackjobs. we must demonize the other 99.9% of religious people and think every atheist is a condescending douche.
It doesn't matter that out of the nearly 3 billion Christian and Muslims, that only a couple thousand, at most, are whackjobs.
I believe its more accurate to say that only a couple thousand are dangerous whackjobs. There are definitely millions of whackjobs, from all over the religious and non-religious spectrum.
[last edit 10/13/2012 9:29 PM by MutantMandias - edited 1 times] mutantMandias may cause dizziness, sexual nightmares, and sleep crime. ++++ mutantMandias has to return some videotapes ++++ Do not taunt mutantMandias
mutantMandias is something more than human, more than a computer. mutantMandias is a murderously intelligent, sensually self-programmed, non-being
McNulty This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.
location: MD/PA
| |
Re: Rise of the religiously unaffiliated <Reply # 11 on 10/13/2012 10:55 PM >
...and what exactly was the argument in your previous post? That religion is not a) a cause of violence and hatred, or b) that religion is NOT THE ONLY cause of violence and hatred?
Would it be "all about logic and being pretentious" to point out that, either way, you did not include any reason or facts with your argument?
That might be a good place to start.
Posted by MutantMandias
Right, thanks for proving that I am smarter than you.
Lol, no.
I just find it terrifying that atheism for many has become some of twisted religion of it own. A non-belief in a higher power has for for many, including people on this board, become an undying conviction to show absolute intolerance to anybody of faith and to trash religion at all opportunities. It is as closed minded and hateful as any radical religious person.
The argument of my previous post is the myth that religion is some terrible scourge on Earth is false. If you radical atheists want to jerk yourselves off to the historically ignorant notion that religion is some massive cause of death and murder go ahead. Religion is just a tool of mobilization, one used often by people to achieve their goals. Think the Crusades were ever actually about God or religion? They were about what most wars are, money, power and resources.
EDIT: I also enjoy how whenever I defend religion I am immediately attacked as though I am a Christian extremest protesting outside of a abortion clinic. In reality I go to church twice a year with my family at Christmas and Easter, other than that the thought of attending church does not cross my mind. At best I could be described as "spiritual". I just also know history and I really hate intolerance, bigotry, and hypocrisy.
I just find it terrifying that atheism for many has become some of twisted religion of it own. A non-belief in a higher power has for for many, including people on this board, become an undying conviction to show absolute intolerance to anybody of faith and to trash religion at all opportunities. It is as closed minded and hateful as any radical religious person.
The argument of my previous post is the myth that religion is some terrible scourge on Earth is false. If you radical atheists want to jerk yourselves off to the historically ignorant notion that religion is some massive cause of death and murder go ahead. Religion is just a tool of mobilization, one used often by people to achieve their goals. Think the Crusades were ever actually about God or religion? They were about what most wars are, money, power and resources.
EDIT: I also enjoy how whenever I defend religion I am immediately attacked as though I am a Christian extremest protesting outside of a abortion clinic. In reality I go to church twice a year with my family at Christmas and Easter, other than that the thought of attending church does not cross my mind. At best I could be described as "spiritual". I just also know history and I really hate intolerance, bigotry, and hypocrisy.
Again, thanks for so effortlessly illustrating that I have greater worth and value than you regarding most things, including spirituality, logic, integrity, self perception, and reading comprehension.
mutantMandias may cause dizziness, sexual nightmares, and sleep crime. ++++ mutantMandias has to return some videotapes ++++ Do not taunt mutantMandias
mutantMandias is something more than human, more than a computer. mutantMandias is a murderously intelligent, sensually self-programmed, non-being
Again, thanks for so effortlessly illustrating that I have greater worth and value than you regarding most things, including spirituality, logic, integrity, self perception, and reading comprehension.
McNulty This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.
location: MD/PA
| |
Re: Rise of the religiously unaffiliated <Reply # 14 on 10/13/2012 11:54 PM >
Again, thanks for so effortlessly illustrating that I have greater worth and value than you regarding most things, including spirituality, logic, integrity, self perception, and reading comprehension.
El-oh-el
Its funny to see people with no retort grasp at a rebuttal.
dude, you just brought a rulebook to a fight among illiterates. Making sense is not allowed, being objective is not allowed, being reasonable and hoping for a mature discussion is not allowed.
sounds like every so-called religious person i know of.
Its funny to see people with no retort grasp at a rebuttal.
Yes, but I do find it refreshing that you are so honest about your failings.
mutantMandias may cause dizziness, sexual nightmares, and sleep crime. ++++ mutantMandias has to return some videotapes ++++ Do not taunt mutantMandias
mutantMandias is something more than human, more than a computer. mutantMandias is a murderously intelligent, sensually self-programmed, non-being
McNulty This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.
location: MD/PA
| |
Re: Rise of the religiously unaffiliated <Reply # 17 on 10/14/2012 12:35 AM >
Yes, but I do find it refreshing that you are so honest about your failings.
Damn, I guess we are just doing baseless personal attacks now? Okay then, you are big loser and have no friends and I am much smarter and more handsome than you.
Damn, I guess we are just doing baseless personal attacks now? Okay then, you are big loser and have no friends and I am much smarter and more handsome than you.
Do I win or we gonna keep this stupid shit going?
Q.E.D.
mutantMandias may cause dizziness, sexual nightmares, and sleep crime. ++++ mutantMandias has to return some videotapes ++++ Do not taunt mutantMandias
mutantMandias is something more than human, more than a computer. mutantMandias is a murderously intelligent, sensually self-programmed, non-being
McNulty This member has been banned. See the banlist for more information.
location: MD/PA
| |
Re: Rise of the religiously unaffiliated <Reply # 19 on 10/14/2012 1:14 AM >
Ethics
