CDZ Atheism minority?

[Donald Polish]

It's quite intresting how different the world is depending on where you are.
In Poland were I live around 95 percent are probably atheists. Yes of course officially most of us are Protestans and get baptised e.t.c but it's mostly for tradition not because we believe.
I always thought this was the case in most modern western countries nowadays (except southern european catholic countries). But now I am surprised to see how the atheists are the minority in the US and how it's hard to "come out" as an atheist.
Of course it's different depending on the state but is this really the case or have I just gotten a miss informed view?
Atheists a minority in the US/most US states?
[INFLAMMATORY IMAGE REMOVED]

 

[Disir]

In Poland the majority are Catholic.

Catholic 87.2% (includes Roman Catholic 86.9% and Greek Catholic, Armenian Catholic, and Byzantine-Slavic Catholic .3%), Orthodox 1.3% (almost all are Polish Autocephalous Orthodox), Protestant 0.4% (mainly Augsburg Evangelical and Pentacostal), other 0.4% (includes Jehovah's Witness, Buddhist, Hare Krishna, Gaudiya Vaishnavism, Muslim, Jewish, Mormon), unspecified 10.8% (2012 est.)
The World Factbook

 

[koshergrl]

Atheists in this country (the US) are extremely vocal, and our schools project their agenda, despite the fact they are a minority.

The fact that you thought there were so many more than there are gives credence...you think there are more, because they spend a lot of energy proclaiming themselves as such, and riding our schools to make sure that our "non-religious" agenda is in fact "anti-religious". But in reality, atheists are not a majority here. But it isn't hard for them to *come out*. I don't know where that information comes from, but while it is always open season to jeer at, ridicule and attack Christians....atheists and homosexuals are considered "untouchable". If you dare to employ the same tactics against them that they use against everybody else, you will find yourself expelled, fined, arrested, your business destroyed, your licenses revoked, and prosecuted as well.

 

[quorthon]

Atheists are a minority in the US and almost in all Christian countries but I do not think they feel slighted.

 

[TheOldSchool]

in America you can't win an election if your an atheist and a significant portion of our population wants to ban evolution from schools and teach from the bible. So yes I would say atheists are a minority.

 

[jwoodie]

in America you can't win an election if your an atheist and a significant portion of our population wants to ban evolution from schools and teach from the bible. So yes I would say atheists are a minority.

Few people oppose teaching the theory of evolution, but many people oppose teaching the law of evolution.

 

[Teddy Pollins]

in America you can't win an election if your an atheist and a significant portion of our population wants to ban evolution from schools and teach from the bible. So yes I would say atheists are a minority.

I follow the following rules: 1. Not live in the Bible Belt, 2. Don't talk about religion, and 3. Accept the fact that other people are entitled to their own beliefs. I never had a problem and statistics shouldn't bother me.

 

[WorriedDad]

Atheists in this country (the US) are extremely vocal, and our schools project their agenda, despite the fact they are a minority.

The fact that you thought there were so many more than there are gives credence...you think there are more, because they spend a lot of energy proclaiming themselves as such, and riding our schools to make sure that our "non-religious" agenda is in fact "anti-religious". But in reality, atheists are not a majority here. But it isn't hard for them to *come out*. I don't know where that information comes from, but while it is always open season to jeer at, ridicule and attack Christians....atheists and homosexuals are considered "untouchable". If you dare to employ the same tactics against them that they use against everybody else, you will find yourself expelled, fined, arrested, your business destroyed, your licenses revoked, and prosecuted as well.

This mind set bothers me a lot for a few reasons. First athiests are only expending as much energy proclaiming thier ideals as most Christians do. I also don't see where on earth the idea that there is any kind of anti relgious agenda in schools. I get you may not like the fact they don't teach the bible in school, and that schools focus on scientific and proven information vs. myth and story telling, but that doesn't mean there is an anti religious agenda any more than there is a pro christian agenda. In fact chances are that you wouldn't bat an eye at a class teaching the bible or class time devoted to religious worship. Now I do agree that athiests spend far to much time attacking believers of all religions and I find that kind of intolerance distastful, but I see just as much come from those who call themselves Christian in regards to insulting and attacking muslims, gays, and many other people.

 

[koshergrl]

Atheists in this country (the US) are extremely vocal, and our schools project their agenda, despite the fact they are a minority.

The fact that you thought there were so many more than there are gives credence...you think there are more, because they spend a lot of energy proclaiming themselves as such, and riding our schools to make sure that our "non-religious" agenda is in fact "anti-religious". But in reality, atheists are not a majority here. But it isn't hard for them to *come out*. I don't know where that information comes from, but while it is always open season to jeer at, ridicule and attack Christians....atheists and homosexuals are considered "untouchable". If you dare to employ the same tactics against them that they use against everybody else, you will find yourself expelled, fined, arrested, your business destroyed, your licenses revoked, and prosecuted as well.

This mind set bothers me a lot for a few reasons. First athiests are only expending as much energy proclaiming thier ideals as most Christians do. I also don't see where on earth the idea that there is any kind of anti relgious agenda in schools. I get you may not like the fact they don't teach the bible in school, and that schools focus on scientific and proven information vs. myth and story telling, but that doesn't mean there is an anti religious agenda any more than there is a pro christian agenda. In fact chances are that you wouldn't bat an eye at a class teaching the bible or class time devoted to religious worship. Now I do agree that athiests spend far to much time attacking believers of all religions and I find that kind of intolerance distastful, but I see just as much come from those who call themselves Christian in regards to insulting and attacking muslims, gays, and many other people.

What I see is a bunch of fanatic atheists making stuff up in order to justify persecution, present and future, of Christians.

 

[WorriedDad]

What I see is a bunch of fanatic atheists making stuff up in order to justify persecution, present and future, of Christians.

Making stuff up? What are you referring to in that regard. Also, the whole "we are persecuted" thing is kind of a bit of a lie when there are far more Christians in the US than any other denomination. I think you tend to feel persecuted when someone dares to have a different view than you. If you want to stop being attacked (and again I KNOW it happens) maybe start by lowering the evangelical activity and howling about victimization because schools won't teach Christian ideals. We have a natural right to worship how we choose, but that right does not, and never will include the right to force your form of worship on anyone.

 

[Correll]

It's quite intresting how different the world is depending on where you are.
In Poland were I live around 95 percent are probably atheists. Yes of course officially most of us are Protestans and get baptised e.t.c but it's mostly for tradition not because we believe.
I always thought this was the case in most modern western countries nowadays (except southern european catholic countries). But now I am surprised to see how the atheists are the minority in the US and how it's hard to "come out" as an atheist.
Of course it's different depending on the state but is this really the case or have I just gotten a miss informed view?
Atheists a minority in the US/most US states?

Interesting.

You ask why it is hard for atheists to "come out" in the US, in the same post where you have a large meme calling every religious person stupid.


Can you think of ANY possible reason why a religious person might be offended by that?

 

[koshergrl]

What I see is a bunch of fanatic atheists making stuff up in order to justify persecution, present and future, of Christians.

Making stuff up? What are you referring to in that regard. Also, the whole "we are persecuted" thing is kind of a bit of a lie when there are far more Christians in the US than any other denomination. I think you tend to feel persecuted when someone dares to have a different view than you. If you want to stop being attacked (and again I KNOW it happens) maybe start by lowering the evangelical activity and howling about victimization because schools won't teach Christian ideals. We have a natural right to worship how we choose, but that right does not, and never will include the right to force your form of worship on anyone.

Yes, I understand that the anti-Chrisitians think that Christians should be penalized and forced to observe their faith only in private.

That's rather the point I was making. Thanks for helping out with that.

 

[WorriedDad]

Yes, I understand that the anti-Chrisitians think that Christians should be penalized and forced to observe their faith only in private.

That's rather the point I was making. Thanks for helping out with that.

How on earth are you penalized by having your faith? How on earth do you claim to be victimized when every single day Christians (who worship a kind forgiving non judgemental christ) spout out hate and abuse on anyone that dares not agree with them? My guess is your so focused on how horribly you are treated that you have never looked inside yourself and worked on bettering yourself.

 

[koshergrl]

Yes, I understand that the anti-Chrisitians think that Christians should be penalized and forced to observe their faith only in private.

That's rather the point I was making. Thanks for helping out with that.

How on earth are you penalized by having your faith? How on earth do you claim to be victimized when every single day Christians (who worship a kind forgiving non judgemental christ) spout out hate and abuse on anyone that dares not agree with them? My guess is your so focused on how horribly you are treated that you have never looked inside yourself and worked on bettering yourself.

Telling people that they need to be less obvious about their faith or risk attack is *penalizing*.

So is threatening them with fines or jail if they refuse to recant their faith, and participate in and endorse what they consider sacrilegious activities.

 

[WorriedDad]

Telling people that they need to be less obvious about their faith is *penalizing*.

So is threatening them with fines or jail if they refuse to recant their faith, and participate in and endorse what they consider sacrilegious activities.

How is asking you to keep your faith to yourself penalizing you for having faith? Why is it such an onerous burden to just let people live as they will instead of throwing self righteous rheteroic at them? If you believe in the Christian faith, then that means you accept the idea of free agency... yet very few Christians seem to remember that part of things.

Name one time in recent history a Christian has been jailed for refusing to recant their faith, hell name one time in recent hisotry in the United States that anyone has been put in jail because of their religion.

As far as being forced to participate and endorse "sacrilegious activities" why is it okay for you to scream about intollerance and persecution but when you are told you can't do that to other people it's a big time no no? Why do you get to hide your discrimination behind faith while attacking others for discrimination? It's such a hypocritical stance that I can't seem to wrap my head around it.

 

[koshergrl]

Telling people that they need to be less obvious about their faith is *penalizing*.

So is threatening them with fines or jail if they refuse to recant their faith, and participate in and endorse what they consider sacrilegious activities.

How is asking you to keep your faith to yourself penalizing you for having faith? Why is it such an onerous burden to just let people live as they will instead of throwing self righteous rheteroic at them? If you believe in the Christian faith, then that means you accept the idea of free agency... yet very few Christians seem to remember that part of things.

Name one time in recent history a Christian has been jailed for refusing to recant their faith, hell name one time in recent hisotry in the United States that anyone has been put in jail because of their religion.

As far as being forced to participate and endorse "sacrilegious activities" why is it okay for you to scream about intollerance and persecution but when you are told you can't do that to other people it's a big time no no? Why do you get to hide your discrimination behind faith while attacking others for discrimination? It's such a hypocritical stance that I can't seem to wrap my head around it.

I don't hide discrimination behind faith. Your hatred and intolerance for Christians is apparent in your hysterical insistence that attacking them for being too obviously faithful or religion is justified.

It isn't justified and the fact that you think it is shows you have no concept of human rights or liberty. On this site daily we have lunatics crying for the imprisonment of Christians, and criminalization of people who dare to publicly avow their Christian faith. FINING PEOPLE and threatening them with criminal (or civil) prosecution is a basic violation of the principle of separation of state and church that the anti-Christian fanatics screech about continually. The state has no authority over religion in this country. We have the right to beat our chests and pray publicly if we so desire, as long as we aren't harming others by doing it.

The Puritans came to this country and settled it because they were being arrested for publicly adhering to their faith (and evangelizing). Thomas Jefferson wanted to declare Christianity the state religion, and the BAPTISTS talked him out of it, because we KNOW that if the state dictates your religion, there can be no freedom. The state has no authority, and we should not have to be fearful of attack in AMERICA if we choose to publicly adhere to our faith.

I know from reading your hysterical and bigoted posts that there is no way to reason with you on this matter. But for the record, your stance regarding religion is backwards, wrong, and bigoted, and has no place in a free country. What you state as your ideal is the same ideal shared by the disgusting murderers in China and Russia, who have killed untold millions of their own people, many of those killed for daring to adhere to their faith. And it ALWAYS starts with a reasonable "Oh they can still be X religion...but they need to hide it."

 

[WorriedDad]

I don't hide discrimination behind faith. Your hatred and intolerance for Christians is apparent in your hysterical insistence that attacking them for being too obviously faithful or religion is justified.

It isn't justified and the fact that you think it is shows you have no concept of human rights or liberty.

No where did I say attacking Christians is okay and again WHERE is the information this actually happens? You didn't show me any proof of being jailed or anything of the like yet. You obviously are not paying attention to anything I say if you think I don't understand the concept of human rights or liberty. IN fact I am starting to wonder if you even understand this conversation other than unfounded claims of persecution from the horrible athiests. This is my last response to what is turning out to be a "you are wrong because I say your wrong" kind of conversation unless you start actually providing some kind of real identifiable argument.

 

[koshergrl]

I don't hide discrimination behind faith. Your hatred and intolerance for Christians is apparent in your hysterical insistence that attacking them for being too obviously faithful or religion is justified.

It isn't justified and the fact that you think it is shows you have no concept of human rights or liberty.

No where did I say attacking Christians is okay and again WHERE is the information this actually happens? You didn't show me any proof of being jailed or anything of the like yet. You obviously are not paying attention to anything I say if you think I don't understand the concept of human rights or liberty. IN fact I am starting to wonder if you even understand this conversation other than unfounded claims of persecution from the horrible athiests. This is my last response to what is turning out to be a "you are wrong because I say your wrong" kind of conversation unless you start actually providing some kind of real identifiable argument.

Yes, you did say it was okay, when you offered up the ridiculous suggestion that if Christians want to stop the attacks on them, they should just "evangelicize less".

Tell me which of the claims I've made is *unfounded*, please. I know you can't find one that I've made...so let's extend it. Please give me a specific "unfounded claim" and link the source.

 

[koshergrl]

Fining small businesses and forcing them out of business and subjecting business owners (and their families) to death threats because they state their religion and their intent not to participate in sacrilegious activities..those are definitely attacks.

Unless you think death threats aren't attacks?

"Fund Raises $840,000 for Memories Pizza After Attacks Over Gay Marriage Views"

Fund Raises 840 000 for Memories Pizza After Attacks Over Gay Marriage Views - NBC News

Are you going to continue to pretend the claim that Christians are under attack "unfounded"?

I imagine you are.

"Standing up for what you believe. What does it cost you? What do you gain?"

"Who's going to Walkerton with me to burn down Memories Pizza?" Jessica Dooley of Goshen tweeted, according to the Walkerton Police Department. The account has been deleted since the tweet was posted.
"Detectives who investigated have recommended charges of harassment, intimidation and threats, according to Charles Kulp, assistant police chief."

Memories Pizza part of religious freedom debate - CNN.com

 

[WorriedDad]

Yes, you did say it was okay, when you offered up the ridiculous suggestion that if Christians want to stop the attacks on them, they should just "evangelicize less".

.

No where did I even suggest it was okay for people to attack Christians for their belief. You are taking the fact I said maybe if you toned down your obnoxious rhetoric you wouldn't get attacked as often. It's like this: If I constantly get in peoples faces and tell them how horrible they are because they don't agree with me, then eventually people are going to get upset and start telling me the same thing. Ignoring the fact that Christians are just as responsible for the anger toward them as athiests is foolish. I will state this again because obviously you keep missing it, I DON"T AGREE WITH ATTACKING CHRISTIANS FOR THEIR FAITH. I FIND SUCH A THING AS BAD AS THE CHRISTIANS WHO ATTACK PEOPLE FOR BEING DIFFERENT. WRONG IS WRONG NO MATTER WHO IS DOING THE WRONG. now I even all capped that so I hope you see it.... stop insisting I said it's okay for people to attack Christians when I didn't.

With that said, I also think that Christians forcing their views on people who don't want to hear them is just as insulting and bad. You have a right to believe what you want BUT SO DO I AND SO DOES EVERYONE ELSE you can't demand that people respect your right to believe what you want then go out and try to force other people to feel the same way, that is an intrustion on human rights and liberty far more than anything I have suggested.

Fining small businesses and forcing them out of business and subjecting business owners (and their families) to death threats because they state their religion and their intent not to participate in sacrilegious activities..those are definitely attacks.

Unless you think death threats aren't attacks?

"Fund Raises $840,000 for Memories Pizza After Attacks Over Gay Marriage Views"

Fund Raises 840 000 for Memories Pizza After Attacks Over Gay Marriage Views - NBC News

Are you going to continue to pretend the claim that Christians are under attack "unfounded"?

I imagine you are.

"Standing up for what you believe. What does it cost you? What do you gain?"

"Who's going to Walkerton with me to burn down Memories Pizza?" Jessica Dooley of Goshen tweeted, according to the Walkerton Police Department. The account has been deleted since the tweet was posted.
"Detectives who investigated have recommended charges of harassment, intimidation and threats, according to Charles Kulp, assistant police chief."

Memories Pizza part of religious freedom debate - CNN.com

Now see, that's what I wanted was you to bring in some kind of actual discussion about what is going on. thank you.

I don't agree with death threats and do agree those are attacks, but what about Christians making the same threats to homosexuals and other people. Hell Westborrow (SP?) Baptist protests the funerals of US soldiers and spews out nothing but gay hate. Why is that tollerable, and why doesn't that count as an attack, but when it comes to attacking a Christian it's suddenly evil and wrong? PLease explain that to me.

As far as fining small business... I bet if a small business got fined for refusing to serve a Christian you would be okay wiith that... sorry but until you show me in some way your applying your sense of outrage across the full spectrum, I am not going to be able to take your argument seriously. In my personal view, I think the whole damn thing is a mess and the idea that the government can force someone to act in contrary to their religious view is wrong BUT forcing people to be subjected to discrimination is also wrong. This is a rare case where two different natrual rights are at odds with each other. I happen to believe that being gay is NOT a choice and for that reason it is just as protected under the law as being black, white, male, female etc. On the other hand religions IS a choice, and if you choose to believe in something that's fine but you can't hide behind that belief and expect to be immune to the same laws everyone else has to follow. There are religions that believe in all kinds of weird things (including some sects of Christianity) but they are not allowed to break the laws just because they have a belief contrary to that law.