(August 14, 2012 at 10:04 pm)Epimethean Wrote: http://www.newser.com/story/152103/athei...ium=united
Not necessarily new atheists, but people out from the cloud of religious oppression.
Brilliant story ! I wouldn't be surprised if the USA undergoes a sea change in attitude as has happened in France and Spain in recent years. These 2 countries used to be considered very religiously observant and devout and now are regarded like most (west) european countries as secular. There is also indication that the Catholic church is losing its' grip on Poland. I think the turning point in USA will be when a major politician is elected openly as an atheist. Watch the floodgates open then.
My interpretation of these poll findings is that there is a vast reservoir of people - perhaps the majority - who don't care one way or another about religion, but just want to get on with their lives. A few will identify themselves as atheist, but most are no more interested in theism/atheism than they are in stamp collecting. No amount of street corner preaching and outreach can resist this overwhelming tide of human indifference to the whole issue.
Regards
Grimesy
Religion is regarded by the common people as true, by the wise as false, and by the rulers as useful. — Edward Gibbon