Calling all American Atheists. . .

[Aegrus]

I'm basically just curious to know how American atheists respond to claims that their country is literally the worst industrialized nation on the planet. I've heard it repeated a bit that Americans are stupid, and that our country is controlled by the right wing. Anyone have any opinions? I think it'd be good for Americans to give first-hand accounts of America.

Also, forum members not from America, what do you think of the country?

I'm American, btw. I tend to agree with the posts that state most Americans are stupid/ bigoted/ etc. I mean, it's a status symbol of how "manly" you are to state that you haven't read a book in years. It's socially acceptable to identify yourself as stupid. It's expected for men, and for women, it's often considered a term of cute endearment. However, there's a growing minority of people like myself who are actually quite intelligent, and who respect the rights of others.

Right wingers tend to be the loudest in arguments, and they group their side in with such terms as patriotism, honor, courage, and morality (even if they have none of those qualities). This gives them, I find, an unfair advantage as most people gravitate towards their side for those reasons, even if they don't agree with their goals or the means to their goals. Plus, left-wingers in my country tend to be more conscious of the opinions of others, so they may record themselves as conservative to avoid offending members of their family who are conservative.

A scary thing I've noticed, though: even liberals are getting dumber here. They no longer use many logical arguments where I live, but rather, appeal to morality just like the conservatives.

That's just my view, anyway. Does anyone care to share theirs?

[Minimalist]

I've heard it repeated a bit that Americans are stupid, and that our country is controlled by the right wing.

Largely true.

[maleficat]

i think one of the biggest problems that we have is the growing rejection of science and reason. as a nation, we are falling behind. i love America, but sometimes being an American is embarrassing.

[Mitja]

to bad that im not from america. In my country every second person beleaves in god ha

[Voltair]

I think there is a large problem with America and education. To give you an example I received almost no education in Evolution in K-12 in Florida. Of course because I ended up attending a conservative Christian school there was little to nothing said about it either besides some really bad attempt on trying to show evolution was wrong via some protein complexity/fungal complexity or some weird thing.

Our education is definitely a huge problem here and so is the huge push for theistic based laws. However, I think that the ultra conservative Christianity which is plaguing us may naturally get smaller and smaller. The "liberal" Christianity which focuses more on love and service is getting ever increasingly popular I think so perhaps Christianity will continue to evolve.

I don't think its the shit-hole that some people make it out to be though. There are a lot of cool people here still who try to mind their own business and just have a good time. I don't really have a problem with a lot of Christians because they honestly are good people who are just trying to make it. They don't force their beliefs down your throat and they may or may not discuss it with you.

I really hate the media here in several ways because it paints certain pictures which I am not sure are representing what is really going on -.-. I don't plan on hopping ship to Europe etc any time soon either. I think America still has great potential.

Back to the liberalizing of Christianity for a moment because I think it is relevant. I was a part of a very conservative Christian denomination and I remember hearing over and over how many people were flocking to these "liberal denominations" and all of these community churches etc. The more that happens, the more ultra conservatism will die out. So I am more curious than fearful about America's future.

[znk666]

America needs far greater social justice and equality.
Less conservative/religious bias.
Total separation of church and state and abolishment of tax exemptions from churches
And also needs to improve and provide healthcare and education for everyone equally.

[kılıç_mehmet]

America needs far greater social justice and equality.
Less conservative/religious bias.
Total separation of church and state and abolishment of tax exemptions from churches
And also needs to improve and provide healthcare and education for everyone equally.

That's great, but America's economic system just does not allow for some of these.
How do you propose that you solve them?

[reverendjeremiah]

I'm basically just curious to know how American atheists respond to claims that their country is literally the worst industrialized nation on the planet. I've heard it repeated a bit that Americans are stupid, and that our country is controlled by the right wing. Anyone have any opinions? I think it'd be good for Americans to give first-hand accounts of America.

Completely true....and its getting worse.

[Aegrus]

Well, I'll say right now that educational funding isn't the issue in America. We already spend the most on schools of almost any government in the world- it just doesn't work. There's a fundamental sociological problem with our people. We can fix education without spending even more money on it, but we need to teach the parents that their childrens' education actually matters, and we need to teach the students that idiocy will not be tolerated.
I've heard parents demand, when their student is failing a class, that the class needs to be made easier. Nevermind the half a dozen people who got A's in the same subject at the same time, nevermind the millions of European students who score high in even harder classes.

And, of course, our media is now too obssessed with sharing every view point. They bring in Christian leaders to speak on public policy, they let Oprah speak on vaccinations (and millions of people are stupid enough to listen to Oprah and not vaccinate their children). . . people need to learn again that just because everyone has an opinion, and can voice it as much as they want, doesn't mean that their opinion is equally true.

---

http://www.economist.com/blogs/dailychar...y-spending

Take a look at this link: it shows American military spending. It is completely insane. We could solve our healthcare crisis if only we cut the military. We could lead the world in scientific advancement.

But instead, our fear-mongering politicians call anyone who wants to cut some of the military a "traitor". No one has any idea how many wars a "good" country should get in to, and almost no one even knows how many wars we're in right now. (Or with who, for that matter.) Perhaps that's the root of the issue- people here seem to think that wars are normal, and that every country changes them as rapidly as socks. Industrialized nations don't, last I checked.

[houseofcantor]

Chemtrails and jewminati, man....

I figure this shithole is like every other shithole; all you can do is wade through and try not to get flushed. I do the "we stuff" sometimes, we should do this, that and the other thing; but I just got up and feel like crap so my thinking immediately defaults to AK-47...