I read that 96% of Americans believe in a higher power, Why do so many people here not believe?

Question

First of all, I am not religiously affiliated. I believe in a higher power, just a very inactive higher power. And yet whenever I see a question about religion, 2/3rds are athiests. I love answering the religious enthusiats questions because they're so full of crap. So are there more athiests here than average or do they all jump at the religious questions?

Answer 1

i think even if people believe in a higher power that they will jump all over these questions, just for the sole purpose of pissin people off.

Answer 2

Well first of all, where did you read that 96% of Americans believe in a higher power?

The truth is not always in the numbers.

Statistics are usually inaccurate, because you can't possibly have EVERY single American's opinion on record.

I know that I've never told any statistics person, survey, or census whether or not I believe in a higher power.

I honestly think there are more people out there that simply don't consider the question of a higher power... But that's my opinion. I have no basis for that opinion. Just a thought.

And I do believe the "Atheists" like to jump on the religious question. It's right up their alley, it amuses them to use their brains and try to dispell the darkness of "organised religion". Very similar to how "Christians" like to jump on the opportunity to proseletyze (sp?)... It's what they do.

Answer 3

Because this is the religion section. The people who are interested in questions here are the ones who have strong opinions or great interest in religion. Generally, that means either those with a very strong faith or those who have no faith at all. Most Americans who believe in a higher power do so apathetically, so you're unlikely to see them here; instead, they'll be hanging out in other sections. As a result, you get a disproportionately high number of atheists.

Answer 4

We love the religious questions. Also, most people are afraid to admit they don't believe in a 'higher power' because they don't want to explain themselves in public or to some stranger taking a poll. There are a lot more people who also say they are Agnostic only because it is unseemly in society to stand up and tell the majority that they are full of crap. It's O.K. to do so on the internet, though, because the intelligence level is just a little above the snail world average.
Oh yeah, not to mention the badgering that comes about from the 'believers' who want to 'save' you.

Answer 5

That's a nice number, but where did you read it? Readers digest? The Christian digest? If you want to look at something a little more accurate the last census says 10% are Atheist. Another 10% are other including agnostics.

Ask yourself how many times someone has asked you your religion and you answered the question with your parents religion, even though you haven't seen the inside of a church in years.

Answer 6

I think maybe 96% of the Americans believe in a higher power, I think that the answers you are seeing are people much like myself that prefer not to be labeled Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, etc. I know I get my kicks answering religious based questions mostly to poke the bible thumpers and show that you don't have to subscribe to everyone elses way of thinking to be spiritual. I think it's better to believe and have faith, but most of the answers (and questions) I've responded to are people trying to cram scripture and nonsence down my throat.
The truth of the matter is that 96% of Americans believe, simply because they are conditioned to believe. Much like Sex Surveys, people answer with what's appropriate instead of what they really want to say. In addition, where did the survey originate? You really have to look at the source. Because I've found that most of the statistics (especially when it comes to religion) are spawning from religious organizations. So if you ask 100 Christians if they believe, you're going to get a whole lot of yes'. Take into account the people that don't want to rock the boat simply answering what they've been trained to say, and you get a high percentage.
As for believing in a higher power. Most people like to believe that there is something greater than ourselves. Gods and Goddesses alike are ingrained into our humanity that it's become somewhat second nature. What I would like to see is a survey of educated people - people that have read the bible, Quran, Torah, etc. and see what they think. You'll find that the people that have actually taken the time to explore their own spirituality believe in something beyond the scripture.
As for me, I'll continue to poke the bible thumpers and get them in a tizzy with my Athiest comments and my furvent belief that everything they believe is false, simply because one day they might take a chance to read something out of the norm and educate themselves.

Answer 7

I consider you, and had difficulty dealing with an severe feminist (male) professor in school. As a woman, i do not want particular treatment even as making use of for a job!! How is that equivalent treatment? If i'm getting the pastime because i'm a woman even as a guy changed into more effective qualified, it would not seem to have resolved some thing. each and every thing you reported I consider, as a woman.

Answer 8

Really, if the other 4% (or probably more!) don't believe, out of the population that is quite a few people! So it's very possible that many have internet and know of this site. ; )

Also, the internet has become an outlet for the majority who may not actually speak much about their non belief in real life (like me), so online people have become more outspoken.

Answer 9

Alot of religious people think that the internet is from the devil, hence the representation is far lower than the reported numbers. Another thing to keep in mind is that the survey you cited probably includes all religions from Hindu to Wicca.

Answer 10

Maybe the flies (atheists) are drawn to the honey (questions on religion).

It irks them so that they must respond and state their disgust in religion. Quite a few school are doing their best to push the idea that religion is the cause of all societies problems (a fairly socialist and communist view pointpoint).

Others just don't want to be responisible to anyone and God is on the top of the list for them.