I don't mean to be funny, but here in godless Britain we keep hearing how 75% of all Americans call themselves devout Christians, and 35% believe the Earth is 6000 years old and atheists there all try to hide their beliefs, yet Yahoo Answers is awash with atheists with some brilliant questions! It is very encouraging. Do any of you have any atheist friends who do NOT use Y!A? It would be great to think this was actually just a tiny proportion of American atheists, partly to give the lie to the statistics about your country, and partly because the stats above reflect the spiritual makeup of Britain 150 years ago when it was the world superpower! (There will be some reading who didn't know that; yes, I know we're not now, and it's fine.)
I love the US and Americans, but what proportion of American atheists do you think are represented on Y!A? Have the American religious right (at last) got grounds to be nervous? Can we expect an epidemic of critical thinking to break out there soon?
2006-09-14 10:27:19 · 27 answers · asked by Bad Liberal 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I have no idea, and no time to think about it. It's time to leave work and go home for the day.
But I'll say this. I like your question, your statements, and I say Rule Brittania!
Tomorrow I think I'll research moving to England.
2006-09-14 10:31:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Too many assumptions in one question and they are not related. Yahoo answers are not necessarily representative statistics. Americans and Brits are not the only people in the world. Statistically they are a minority. Nations rise and fall for whatever the reason and not necessarily related to religion. Two countries on the verge to stardom are China and India - two of the most populous. One actually is atheist and the other Hindu. Both have sprinklings of christianity in their midst but what has that to do with your other assumptions?
2006-09-14 10:39:44 · answer #2 · answered by Tom Cat 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say most Americans question their faith,, but few are willing to put their necks on the social chopping block and say it out loud.
The beautiful thing about yahoo answers is the sense of anonymity. People can say what is in their heart without fear of reprisal.
In public I am very open about my atheist beliefs,, however I do live in a small very religious (Mormon) community and often find myself the subject of rumors, dirty looks, and whispers accompanied by subtle finger pointing and head gestures in my direction. The few who have had the guts to engage in open conversation with me have been "pleasantly surprised" and have become good friends.
Don't hold your breath,,but I do smell change in the wind.
2006-09-14 10:32:25 · answer #3 · answered by landerscott 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have two, myself. With a generous helping of agnostics and non-Christians.
I think the reason the stats are so far off is that they're taken from the census. Now what sort of person do you think is home all day on a weekday to even answer the door for the census taker, let alone have a half hour conversation with them, hmm?
2006-09-14 10:31:12 · answer #4 · answered by The Resurrectionist 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I doubt very plenty that seventy 5% of human beings are non secular Christians. they might lie for a survey, yet i may be stunned if even fifty 5% have been quite non secular Christians. i think of the kind of Atheists and different loose thinkers right here on Y/A represents a tiny fraction, not even 10%, of the non-theists in united statesa.. Have desire for us!
2016-10-15 00:17:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am an American and honestly, I was surprised at the amount of _Christians_ here on Yahoo answers. I am on the internet alot and the vast majority of the people I encounter are athiests, pagans, buddhist etc. (some brand of non-Christian)
I am also surprised at your assumption that critical thinking means you must be a non-Christian - don't you know that some of the greatest minds in history have been Christians?
http://forerunner.com/forerunner/X0557_Worlds_greatest_thin.html
Or do you think mankind has advanced so far we no longer have a need for our Creator?
2006-09-14 10:35:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think certain people get on Yahoo! Answers and they become Atheists but in public they are Christians. The anonymous nature of the internet can do things like that.
2006-09-14 10:31:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is about 2/3rds that call themselves Christians, but only about 1/3 consider themselves strong devout Christians. I think the problem here is that we have driven away all the Christians because we challenge their views with rational arguments.
2006-09-14 10:30:20 · answer #8 · answered by Alucard 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The only atheist who isn't here is Ralph. He's at work. He's a CEO of a major private space industry.
2006-09-14 10:33:12 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Based on the results of recent presidential elections in the US, I'd say that we've still got a long way to go.
2006-09-14 10:42:59 · answer #10 · answered by boukenger 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋