Why do you think atheists pay so much attention to religion?

[Judas BentHer]

The OP was pretty much a frickin' herp derp of a question wasn't it.

And yet that herp derp was evident in the subject line and it still attracted your time to come in, pay it attention and comment.Indicating that what is deemed moronic is able to attract the moron who self-identifies with imbicilic delusions.

[Violet]

And yet that herp derp was evident in the subject line and it still attracted your time to come in, pay it attention and comment.Indicating that what is deemed moronic is able to attract the moron who self-identifies with imbicilic delusions.

Or rather... just enough for napoleon to get a laugh out of it

[BethK]

There are several reasons to pay attention to religion.

The first is to watch what the more politicized fundy-whacks are trying to make law or make public policy. For instance, in a US State where I formerly lived, it was in the State Constitution that a wedding could only be performed in that state by a judge, retired judge, minister of the gospel or (evidently as an afterthought) a rabbi. No other religions need apply. To be married by a judge meant no formal wedding ceremony, but rather be married in the judge's chambers between a drunk driving case and a vandalism case. There aren't many retired judges actively advertising that fact, and the ones there are tend to want to only officiate at a wedding they approve of - or often, none.

Or, the city in that State I recently left made it public policy for the city to give tax money to a Christian-religious-run "community center". It was done under the guise that everyone in town could use that center at no charge regardless of religious affiliation. Guess what? Nothing doing. To join it, you had to pay money and sign a statement of Christian faith. It was on an American Indian reservation too, so the people following their tribal religion were prevented from using things which they'd paid for on their own reservation. The amazing thing was that nobody flt that they could or should do anything about it - the atheists at the freethinkers group thought it was "a good thing" and could somehow in good conscience sign that paper of Christian faith. Orhers thought it was pointless to try to fight city hall. A few people picketed, but were quickly ignored by the silent majority - or outright attacked. It would have been far better to watch this and get it nipped in the bud before it became entrenched. I'm as guilty as anyone of being in the silent majority until it was too late, and believed their "all inclusive" statements at the beginning thus lulled into complacency. Live and learn.

Other places legislate teaching "intelligent design" in schools in lieu of actual biology classes. This leads to students, even bright students, needing a good deal of remedial biology before they can go into specialized fields such as physician, veterinarian, biosciece researcher. In the longer run, that pushes the US down with other overly-religious theocracies which are by their nature backwards. You're less able to fight anything from a natural biological pandemic to bio-weapons to having the lowest life expectancy and the highest infant mortality rate of any industrialized country. Ranking of infant mortality rates worldwide and Ranking of life expectancy in nations worldwide

On the other side of it, being an atheist simply means that you do not believe in any god. That doesn't mean that you are a scientist or even follow science. You can be an atheist and believe any sort of nonsense or pseudoscience, or not care or be able to understand rationality or science at all.

Religion is everywhere in the US. There are people who will try to convert you - and even people you know socially or in a work setting have no problems talking about it. It's not considered impolite by most. Even in the work setting, if you complain to management or even file suit, it's viewed as you (the nonreligious or nonchristian) oppressing the poor Christians. As they are everywhere, it is well worth the while of anyone nonchristian (atheist, pagan, tribal religion, Buddhist, etc) to really KNOW their Bible so you have comebacks when "friends", neighbors, coworkers, or even people coming door-to-door try to save your soul. In fact, many or most of them have not read the whole thing - just the sweetness and light parts they are taught in Sunday schools and churches. They actively violate what their own holy book says about belief, prayer, ethics, morals, and on and on.

Christianity is the most popular religion on the planet, with about 1/3 of the world's population identified as "Christian". World demographics - religion about 3/4 of the way down the page However, you've got to look at what that means. It counts the number who were ever baptized as Christian. It ignores those who are baptized but are members of or believers in other religions and no longer believe in Christianity. It ignores people who are baptized but no longer follow any religion. Once a Christian, they always consider you a Christian, even if a "backslidden" one.

Beth

[Judas BentHer]

And yet that herp derp was evident in the subject line and it still attracted your time to come in, pay it attention and comment.Indicating that what is deemed moronic is able to attract the moron who self-identifies with imbicilic delusions.

Or rather... just enough for napoleon to get a laugh out of it

And as one of the side effects of the aforementioned condition, I expect.

[Violet]

And as one of the side effects of the aforementioned condition, I expect.

And that's why the USA doesn't contract you out for their defense

[Judas BentHer]

There are several reasons to pay attention to religion.

The first is to watch what the more politicized fundy-whacks are trying to make law or make public policy...

I appreciate the respectful consideration of the question and your well thought out reply. Sadly, the Reservation matter isn't surprising and is rather typical of the Christian double standard and hypocrisy. Basically, they'll lie just to gain an upper hand over all others not Christian.

In the States it's as if there's this unspoken presumption that whenever "god" is mentioned one must be referring to the Christian version. As if standing in majority as the foremost populace faith in America allots an unspoken blanket dominion over all rights and entitlements to pervasiveness in the secular realm as well as inference of supremacy in anything having to do with religion generally.

I once had someone ask me in a conversation where it wasn't off topic to posit the question however it was presumptive, and as if they were trying to be PC, if I believed in a higher power. I answered no. To which they responded with wide eyes as they suddenly turned quite pale, but you do believe in god right?

I loved the moment for what it provided as a lesson in their personal insecurity on such matters. They became shocked and afraid that in my personal life choice I chose not to accept that god or any nonsense myth, fable, superstition related to that fictional character was true or rational and as a consequence did not live my life so as to hold faith in it.

Christianity, as all faiths are at their core, is a elitist tradition. Certainly everyone who holds faith believes it to be absolute and true for them and their life. However, Christianity seems to inspire a tendency in certain of it's faithful to believe it is the only true faith and as a consequence it's tenets have an entitlement to claim right over all the world and all people in it.

So while people are entitled in the States to practice their personal religion freely, certain Christians demonstrate people are not entitled to be free of their religion.

Thus, atheists are deemed sinners. As are agnostics, pagans, any member of any other faith tradition. The secular community is besieged by Christian faithful who make a concerted push to have Christian morality govern in a legislative capacity. As we see when the Bible is put forth as the foundation for moral righteousness when a bill is put forth containing language that would deny gay's their Constitutional rights and protections to be free and equal to straights. And women are prohibited from exercising their personal dominion regarding their reproductive system, etc...

And as you outlined, subterfuge is not beyond certain Christians efforts in promoting their exclusivist agenda that seeks to make everyone compliant to Christian religious values.

So thank you again for your well thought out reply. The point of this poll, and in the hopes of generating thoughtful discourse on the subject, was to solicit serious people's thoughts on matters of presumptive religious entitlement and atheists thoughts, concerns and responses to it.

Well done, BethK. Thank you for taking the time to participate in this poll.

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__Image___

Imagine how disappointed you're to be thinking I shall be your answer to your excited anticipation, when you realize I'm a guy.
Now, I'd appreciate it very much if you'd stop hijacking my thread with further nonsense.
Thank you.

[Violet]

Imagine how disappointed you're to be thinking I shall be your answer to your excited anticipation, when you realize I'm a guy.

I was under no illusions to the contrary

Now, I'd appreciate it very much if you'd stop hijacking my thread with further nonsense.
Thank you.

Nonsense thread... to respond to this is to respond with nonsense. Responding to this thread cannot be anything but nonsensical

[Autumnlicious]

Calm down. Remember,

[Napoléon]

And yet that herp derp was evident in the subject line and it still attracted your time to come in, pay it attention and comment.

Oh yes, I had to clear it up. Helping out the less fortunate (or in this case less intelligent) is something I pride myself on

Indicating that what is deemed moronic is able to attract the moron who self-identifies with imbicilic delusions.

Non Sequitur

[Judas BentHer]

Oh yes, I had to clear it up. Helping out the less fortunate (or in this case less intelligent) is something I pride myself on ]

Really? Then you'd do much better if you started helping yourself out first as you are that what appears less fortunate and in this case less intelligent, for your trouble.

Indicating that what is deemed moronic is able to attract the moron who self-identifies with imbecilic delusions.

Non Sequitur

A perfect example.

And thank you for your example . Now stop shitting in my thread.