New Study: atheists are less open-minded than theists

[Brian37]

Thank you Rhondazvous. Much appreciated.

I raised the issue of politics because I believe the study mentioned in the OP is flawed. Like theists, atheists can't be pinned down to all believing the same way. Even in their views toward God they're different. Gnostic Atheists, Agnostic Atheists, Passive Atheists, Friendly Atheists, Indifferent Atheists,....even the well known atheist Richard Dawkins identifies himself as a "Cultural Christian". 





I think it's also falsely assumed that all atheists are left leaning. Like theists, atheists are all over the political map. For example, Capn Awesome seems to lean more toward the conservative side. Tiberius and Thump seem to be more Libertarian, while Mr. McGoofass Minimalist seems to be more of the old guard establishment liberal Democrat, and then there's the more far left members here, the Bernie Bros, and one who was posting here recently who seemed to be in line with the BAMN group. I don't know if you were around on AF at the time, but there was even a well known atheist Nazi sympathizer and holocaust denier who posted on here for a short time. Can't remember who it was, but a member recognized him and called him out. That guy didn't last long. So, I think a person's political / social beliefs are a better indicator to how open minded they are. Or, it could all be as simple as the individual's own personality trait whether they're fair minded or closed minded.

Actually, I do make a distinction between liberal and left, though. You seem to be fair minded enough to me. If you label yourself a conservative Democrat that's good enough for me as far as I'm concerned. Conservative Democrat does makes sense to me, actually. My Step Father identified himself as a conservative democrat.

As far as me, I identify with conservatives. But, my strong pro union stance would put me at odds with most Republicans.

Then I need to go back and reread the op more carefully because I was under the impression that you were in agreement with the study. I was, in fact, responding to the study, not to you personally.

What is the difference you're making between liberals and leftists?

I really don't like labels. If you're a conservative then you have to be a republican, so you have to be anti union or get out of the club. I call myself a conservative and my boy Brian puts me in a class with Trump and Reagan. I can't breathe.

"Cultural Christian?" I guess I understand that. Like the other day when the doctors damn near killed me. As I  fought for consciousness, that old gospel song "Got On My Traveling Shoes" kept running through my head like a swan song. We're surrounded by the tropes of Christianity, but it means different things to different people and so does atheism.

I see nothing good about the GOP, nothing.

If you value tax breaks for billionaires who don't need them.
If you value giving Wall Street a free for all.
If you vote for a party that discriminates against minorities such as Hispanics, Muslims and even atheists, what do you want me to say?

Yes even atheist can be conservative but that does not make voting libertarian or GOP good. I don't value Ayn Rand anymore than I value Trump or Jerry Falwell.

Right now both economic an religious conservatives vote for the party of Trump.