Are religious polls biased?

Question

I was brought up in a Jewish home. All my relatives and ancestors were Jewish. I took all my kids to Hebrew pre-schools. My mother is Jewish, so by Jewish Law, which makes me a Jew. I look Jewish and enjoy salted matza with butter... yum.

The kicker is, I'm an atheist. So if a pollster asked me what religion I was, I'd probably (and probably have said) "I am Jewish"... In actuality, I AM JEWISH, but I don't believe in Judaism (the religion)

So, if there are others like me in America (and I know there are many), then that poll would seriously under-count atheists such as me.

Why don't I say my religion is atheist? Well, for one thing, atheism isn't a religion! So, instead of having an argument with the pollster about "what a religion means to me", I just say Jewish. After all, I AM Jewish... got a problem with that?

Answer 1

yes.. it's all in how the questions are phrased.

All you gotta say is that you are Jewish by heratige, but have no religion.

I'm Irish by heratige... christian by faith.

Answer 2

All polls are biased.

Edit: Your kind took me a while to figure out when I was young (early 20's). Being "Jewish" is both a heritage and a religion. I agree with you that if someone asks if you are Jewish, and you reply yes, they infer you believe in Judaism. You would be lumped into polls that say, "80% of americans believe in god." Take heart though, there are lots of people just like you. My friend Ira, for one. He's a Jew by birth, but has never practiced the religion and never will...as he's an atheist.

Answer 3

Why would you give your religion as Jewish if you don't believe?

I can understand you calling yourself Jewish as an ethnicity. If someone asked your racial background. But, as you indicated, there is a difference between teh ethnic background and the religion. You can be ethnically Jewish but religiously an Atheist.

If someone asks your racial background, you are a Jew. If someone asks your RELIGION, you are an Atheist

ADD: As for your original question, there are plenty of people who identify themselves with a religion "just to go along" (similar to what you were doing). My brother and I went to a Catholic school even though we were no Catholic. He did, however, identify himself as Catholic on college applications and such since that was the only real religious exposure he had (I, on the other hand, always identified myself as Atheist).

I am sure that there are plenty of Atheists unaccounted for. Mostly because we either choose not to identify ourselves to others, some because they have yet to admit it to themselves.

Answer 4

of course they are, all polls are biased.
If you want to know the real deal on something check out the vegas odds. They are far more accurate than any polls, because thats what people are putting thier money on.

Answer 5

Polls are skewed in many aspects...and in this case they are truly biased. To include atheism, they should ask what belief system or philosophy do you follow. We probably will never know the accurate count of atheists in this country because of this.

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Answer 6

Polls appear biased when you LIE.

Answer 7

Most polls show that there are more people who don't believe in God than there are people who self-identify as an atheist.

Answer 8

is this poll biased?

Answer 9

Why would you say your Jewish when you said you're an Atheist. Tell it this way..."I was raised Jewish but I'm now an Atheist"....easy...yes?

Answer 10

I was raised as a Catholic, forced to go to catholic school, and church school ... etc.
but I do not consider myself to be Catholic, either ...
So what the hell does that make me now ....?

OH NO!!! I am having an identity crisis ....!!
Someone PLEASE HELP ME NOW !!!
: )
I guess it just means we are OPEN MINDED ...??
:)