New Study: atheists are less open-minded than theists

[A Theist]

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 thought the study was flawed. I don't think it proves in any way that atheists are less open minded than theists. I think how open minded people are has more to do with their political / socio views. Or, it could be just as simple as an individual's personality trait. For example, Brian displays classic leftwing 'Obsessive Trump Disorder'. A flaw in his personality. He eats, sleeps, and breathes Trump. He sees Trump everywhere. Bird shits on his head. He blames Trump. Dog pisses in his Cheerios, it's Trump's fault. You identify yourself as a conservative democrat, and all of a sudden, Brian connects you to Trump, even though you probably didn't vote for him. It's a Trump conspiracy as far as Brian is concerned.

To me, Liberals would be people like Bill Clinton. Leftist would be Bernie Sanders. The far left would be those like BAMN and ANTIFA.

Yup. I'm a Republican, but still pro union.

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Go back and read my post again. I don't identify as a conservative democrat. Democrats only give lip service to the unions for votes. They haven't done jack shit. Otherwise there would be more legislation to help workers get organized a lot easier in the work place. David Coat, former CEO of left leaning Honeywell, and an ally and advisor to Barack Obama, is an ardent opposer of unions and was in the process breaking unions at two of their other facilities. If democrats were so much for the working people then we would have more than just two states with, "for just cause protection" laws. Democrats are all bluster and bullshit.

Really done nothing accept oppose "Right to work "laws ' and as Brian said it's not the party it's the Republicans who block any attempt to help unions . And Republicans are infinitely worst in fact the worst union busters there are. Icluding your orange god .

https://www.thenation.com/article/no-sur...own-hotel/

http://www.ilwu.org/trump-backs-attack-o...n-members/

No. Republicans aren't the worse. Democrats can be pretty underhanded when dealing with unions. On the surface they give lip service to labor unions to get their votes. Behind the scenes they work to undermine the unions, as in this example...

The third section, on Government Relations (GR), reveals Honeywell's hopes that its influence with the Obama administration can be leveraged to help combat union activity. Slide 18 of the confidential document states that Honeywell (HON) should “continue to grow positive relationships with elected officials, with federal agencies, focusing on local branches." These relationships, the document explains, "can be directed at union activity, if needed.” The plan suggests that Honeywell's Government Relations division can be used to “break up union cohesion across the country.” A picture of President Obama speaking at a Honeywell plant is included (see above), with a caption reading “HON has great relationships with Federal officials, focus is needed at the State and local levels."
Indeed, President Obama and Honeywell CEO Dave E. Cote have a very close relationship. Cote visited with Obama at the White House this past Wednesday to push him to cut budget spending. Cote is considered one of Obama’s closest allies in the business community. In January of 2009, Cote introduced Obama’s stimulus package in a White House speech. Cote was subsequently appointed by Obama to serve on the Deficit Commission. President Obama even flew with Cote to India while a lockout at Honeywell's Metropolis, Ill. uranium plant was ongoing. Cote returned the favor by giving heavily to the Democratic Party. In the 2010 election cycle when the Met, Honeywell was the top corporate PAC contributor to the Democratic Party.
Union activists believe that Honeywell’s federal ties have already enabled the company to call in government help when suppressing unions. In 2009, Honeywell threatened to use Marines to replace 500 United Steelworkers members in Blount Island, Fla. if the military contractors went out on strike. Honeywell had the military security clearances pulled on several of the union leaders, leading them to lose their jobs. In 2010, I exposed evidence that Honeywell cheated on qualification tests for scab replacement workers during the lockout at its Metropolis uranium facility; during the lag between my report and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission taking action, the scab replacement workers caused a number of accidents. In 2011, International Association of Machinists Lodge 778, employed as nuclear weapons workers at Honeywell’s Kansas City, accused the Department of Energy of abandoning its legal mandate by not stepping into to stop a concessionary contract Honeywell was pushing on the union. (Note: I have written over two dozen articles on this issue since 2009; for more details on the federal government enabling Honeywell anti-union strategy, see my November 2011 piece, “Is the Federal Government Helping to Bust Unions?”)
The recent leaked documents raises serious questions about whether Honeywell benefited from its relationships with the Obama administration as part of its anti-union maneuvers. The White House did not respond to request for comment.

http://inthesetimes.com/working/entry/14...onnections

Way to go, Obama!