are Christians and only about 5 % atheists. I know other countries post on here but I think most are americans. Also why do atheists post of a religious forum?
2006-10-26 03:19:58 · 29 answers · asked by lucy02 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Okay Deep Breath, I am pretty well educated and I am a Christian.
2006-10-26 03:37:38 · update #1
Okay, I see the difference. I didn't think about atheism being a religion, i guess.
2006-10-26 04:28:55 · update #2
I know that not all non Christians are atheists. I never said that. I only mentioned that because that was the religion the Times article mentioned.
2006-10-26 04:42:11 · update #3
They call it fun to be disrespectful. Or, they are searching for a reason to believe. I'd say 90% of the posts here are from atheists. There are a few that are good debaters and I've learned from.
2006-10-26 03:29:05 · answer #1 · answered by Cogito Sum 4 · 1⤊ 4⤋
As this question specificly asks about atheists, which by definition is someone who does not believe in a god, I will direct my answer at that question. I understand that not all non-Christians are atheist. By far the majority of atheists believe in evolution and that is where my answer is directed. If the hat doesn't fit, don't try and wear it!
I can understand that some may come here to 'set the record straight' with the 'unbelievers', but the more I think about it atheism is just another religion.
They have a set of beliefs and they defend them almost fanatically. It appears that some feel that they have received a comission to preach and convert the 'unbelievers' as some of them are nothing short of evangelical.
I believe that there is a healthy place in this forum for atheists as it adds another dimension to the religious discussion, but it is rather annoying when they are just abusive and make snide comments with no content to serious questions.
I find it interesting how so many of them complain about evangelical Christians and then seek out Christians in a discussion forum on religion to preach atheism to them.
But I feel that the real answer to your question whether they like to accept it or not is that they are here because atheism is just a religion without a god. (Not taking the scientists into account of course! Darwin in particular.)
2006-10-26 11:07:01 · answer #2 · answered by Longbow 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I love religions, but I happen to be atheist. I studed them in college and so I feel tha tI have adequate answers for people who have valid questions about different religions.
Plus, my job is boring, I have internet access and nothing else better to do that's not blocked.
Maybe all atheists are in the same boat. Or maybe we're just more outspoken. *shrug*
Oh that's also a good point! There are a lot of closet atheists, hell I don't feel that I could even tell a good portion of the people I work with/my family that I'm an atheist without some sort of backlash. But it's easy to say stuff on the internet like this since, generally, I'm anonymous here.
2006-10-26 10:23:48 · answer #3 · answered by Kristy 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Most of the non-believers on here are not atheists. Believers (Christians) seem to think that anyone who doesn't believe in Jesus is an atheist.
Most Americans call themselves Christians because that is the majority religion in the U.S. They call themselves Christians because they've grown up in a Christian family, but don't really practice or believe in any religion at all. Religion just isn't an issue with many people. We do seem to have more than our fair share of fanatics though.
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2006-10-26 10:37:46 · answer #4 · answered by Hatikvah 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have no idea if there are that many atheists on here, but they sure know how to make themselves heard :-).
This is not a religious forum, but a forum about religion and spirituality. I really hope you can see the difference. Personally I think it's nice to exchange opinions with other people, that's why I come to this section even though I don't believe in a god myself.
Personally I find it fascinating that people who don't believe in a god are being called atheists. It's like people can only be defined on base of their religion (or lack of it). Why this need for labels?
Where I live (I'm in North Western Europe) people who are not religious just say that they are not part of any religion, or that they don't believe in a god. We do know the word atheist, it's just hardly ever used over here. I guess it's just not such a big deal to us. Each to their own, I'd say.
2006-10-26 10:37:34 · answer #5 · answered by Judith 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Deep breath.... this is not a religious forum, its about religion, spot the difference?
And also, another deep breath, atheists tend to be more educated than believers and might therefore rather enjoy the sort of challanging banter that goes on here.
To answer the new question (comment), you may well be educated and of course there are many educated Christians but it is still the case that on average there is a negative correlation between education, intelligence and religious belief.
2006-10-26 10:29:05 · answer #6 · answered by fourmorebeers 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I would think that this is because many atheists tend to be thinkers, so this site would attract their opinions. I also agree that there are many more atheists than Time has reported. As science moves ahead, the Christian theory moves back. Atheism is not a religion, but it is a stance on religion, so therefore, this forum would be a source for opinions and thoughts on both sides of questions.
2006-10-26 10:30:58 · answer #7 · answered by catywhumpass 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Was that a current Time or from 1950? Surveys can be wrong, and there are some things you need to take into consideration. How did they do the survey? Was it of just Time readers? Was it over the phone? How many people don't have land lines, and just use cell phones, so they would not have been reached? Did they go to college campuses? So many factors influence the outcome of a survey. For example, if I wanted to see how many people enjoy drinking alcohol, and I did my survey at a bar, the outcomes would not really be reliable. And those numbers sound off.
In addition, it says "spirituality" as well, and you don't have to be in a religion or even believe in god to believe in centering your spirituality to be a better person.
2006-10-26 10:27:21 · answer #8 · answered by Allison L 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I didn't think there was that many here. Looks like majority is Christian and Muslim, leaving us Pagans, Atheists and other assorted Heathens in the minority.
BTW, Atheism is not a religion.
2006-10-26 11:41:00 · answer #9 · answered by riverstorm13 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most Christians are only so in name.
They do not go to church, read the Bible or pray (at least most of the time they do not).
It is most likely that under 50% of Americans are now Christian (how much under is open to debate. God knows).
Atheists have a religion. By definition a religion is what a person uses as their set of principles. Most atheists have as a basis the idea that there is no God.
And they are more vocal in there beliefs than Christians are.
2006-10-26 10:31:18 · answer #10 · answered by tim 6 · 3⤊ 2⤋
If it's about Atheism,then it's religious-sort of.I mean,if you're talking about not believing in God,then God is mentioned,therefore it's somewhat religious in nature.I really don't know.I'm an atheist,but I would only post here because that's where everyone else does.I see no harm in it and don't know why it bothers some people.The lack of religion can be a religion,and often is.
2006-10-26 10:25:29 · answer #11 · answered by kimberli 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋