Discussions
How many atheists are there in the USA?
Posted by Margie2007 • 3/26/09 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: atheism, Church, God, religion
Atheism seems to be a shameless "belief", I wonder how many American citizens are out of the church (cult) and how many are non-believers. Does anyone know?
User Comments
-
How many atheists are there in the USA? Not enough. -
In my country (Poland) about 7% of the population
-
God knows!-
There are actual statistics for this type of thing...I'll see if I can find them.
-
-
I think the current polls showed that about 14% showed no religious affiliation, and it was like 7% that said they were athiest, or something like that. I would have to find the info again. The numbers are slowly growing.
www.examiner.com/x-4275-DC-Secularism-Examiner~y2009m3d10-The-Nones-have-it...-
That makes sense. A good portion of my friends believe in some sort of higher being but hated church. I won't mention why. Someone will debate it.
-
-
Thanks for information. Can you imagine such a situation the atheist chosen for the President of the USA?
-
According to polls, atheists are the least liked out of all groups, they would choose a Muslim President before they would choose an atheist. Apparently, people think that people can't have moral values without a belief in god.
-
-
Are you starting a cult of Atheists?-
No, I think he is trying to figure out how many of us are going to burn in the fires after the Rapture takes all the good Christians away. -
she.
-
Oh, my bad. Sorry Margie.
-
No, I'm not. Don't be afraid ;-))
-
The cult comment is just ignorant.
-
The 'cult' question was tongue in cheek. Next time I'll s-p-e-l-l that out...
-
sorry, I'm not sure how I was supposed to tell.
-
Damn thee, Poe's law!
-
-
The atheists are also disliked in Poland and treated as the worst category of citizens. The atheists can't be a serious poolitician (President or Prime Minister)for the same reason.
-
For me deeds speak louder than religion. I will vote for a politician who can go to a poverty stricken school as opposed to a president who says but never does. BTW I'm not an atheist and I have no claim on religion.
-
-
And I'm not going to start a cult, I'm simply asking a simple question. The reason - I studied so called American studies at the University of Cracow, that's why I'm keen on sociology, political and religious issues. Thanks Morgantj for noticing that I'm the woman :-)
-
Shiley is right saying that deeds speak louder than words, concepts, religion. I would also vote for a wise politician (his/her denomination wouldn't matter).
-
In America, A politian or potential to be president that says they are an atheist is career suicide.
-
Has nothing to w/ religion or belief in God I would vote for an atheist if he/ she could show me they believe in community. www.atheistalliance.org/family/essay-mcgowan7.php
I have seen the church scene and it ain't pretty. -
I don't doubt you would Shirley, but unfortunately currently a majority of America would not vote for an atheist, it would even damage the politions career.
-
@morgantj I know that's true. See, my uncle is an atheist and I love him to death. His character for me, speaks much louder than anything else and the fact that he is never enters any conversation or thought. With the exception of belif he is just like me. I know why he believes what he believes and the same for me.
-
-
Unfortunately, it is the majority who decides even if they are mistaken as far as the choice of the first politician is concerned....that's the power of democracy. A few percent of the population won't change anything in a global sense.
-
Shiley, you know that your point of view is exceptional, not typical of the American society, don't you?
-
Gee, gimmie warm fuzzies.
-
-
Thanks for discussing this controversial issue. I hope yo agree that what matters in our everyday life, in our societies, in politics is tolerance. I'd like believers to respect non-believers...and vice versa. I'd like to live in the world deprived of prejudices, hatred, religious wars etc. I hope all of you share my wish!
-
I totally agree! Believer or non believer, I believe that no one detain the truth, and that self respect beguins by the respect of others beliefs. I think that the people ( believers or non believers) that are so rude with one who does not share their idea might not be so confident about their own beliefs.
-
-
A couple of Wikipedia articles place the percentage of atheists in the US at between 4-8%.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_the_United_States#Belief_in_God -
"How many atheists are there in the USA?"
According to the theists, one too many! -
They don't included religion on the census here so it is hard to say but a lot of universities have studies which can be looked up, admitted agnostics run from 14 to 20 percent, admitted atheists 4 to 5 percent from the ones I have seen. -
I just hung out with atheists and wrote about it. I consider myself more of a passive non-believer.
passiveandaggressive.blogspot.com/ -
There is a big difference between agnostics and atheists, so we shouldn't put them into one bag. There are also so called deists, who don't belog to a church, but they are believers (not connected with the official churches or cults). Atheists are as morgantj said "one too many" :-))). We live in secular societies, but the power of churches, religions is sometimes overwhelming (in my country). Atheists are regarded as the worse category of beings, deprived of moral values. Can a person be good even if they are not believers?
-
Of course a person can be "good" even if they are not believers. Another question is, are believers actions actually "good" if they are only acting like so for the reward of heaven or because the fear the punishment of hell?
-
Morgan the bible says that none are good and that true righteousness is only found in Christ. Good works don't make a person good because, as you said, motives aren't always right. (aren't you proud of me, M? You taught me to use the reply button ) -
What an ignorant statement to make about atheists. Morality, deities and religion do not all go hand in hand, the vast majority of crimes are comitted by people that believe in "God" and believe in 'religion". -
@jflower
but in the case of the non believer, his/her good deeds are not driven by the motivation to get into GOD's good books. The good deeds define the good person in this case.
It is much easier to be a good person as a non eliever than as a believer. So shed your beliefs today.
-
-
Let's not forget that faith is not believing in a First being (ie God), which pagan human intelligence can reach, with some effort, but in what the First being is all about. -
I share your opinion, as for another question no doubt that actions are objectively good if they are done not for the reward or because of the fear. I think that we should live according to moral values, standards. They needn't have so called religious source. Non-believers find the source of their ethics in ethical views (philosophy of Kant or some other thinkers). Ten commandments can be replaced by ethical standards. But can philosophy replace religion?
-
Can philosophy replace religion? That's a very good question!
As for Kant's categorical moral imperative (basically "do unto others as"...) that boils dowm to might makes right.
Im my view, the important divide lays between an idealistic mindset and a realistic one, and 99 per cent of people are idealistic, religious or areligious alike. -
How does that boil down to might makes right? If you're going to make a claim, could you at least try to support it with logic?
-
Think for a second, and stop reducing reality to the idea you make of it...
If each has his own transcendental subjectivty, how can a rule be set on grounds objective to all? The intelligence of modern day man is completely lacking of a metaphysical touch and afflicted by the primacy of the idea or the impression/feeling over reality relative to what reality really is. Our impression/feeling has been turned into a transcendental subjectiviy of sorts... and since there are as many decreed transcendental subjectivities as individuals, a few billion at least, we negate what is true... and we resort to an artistic invention - mathematics - which are well and truly subjective, but which we elevate to the status of divinity under the pretext that logic is something that everyone can "accept"... reducing intelligence to logic and the sole capacity of deduction... Oh, the blockheads!! lol
-
-
I wonder why people keep falling for this ...-
Thinking about the sense of our lives, the condition of our minds will help you see the point...this discussion is not useless, it should make you open your mind and understand that in this world there is so much room for all of us. It shouldn't matter if we are Christians, Muslims, Atheists, what matters is our heart, our mind, the truth. We needn't fight (who is right), we can cooperate, can't we?
-
-
+1-
Brings back, "Why can't we be friends? Why can't we be friends?" I agree with you. I believe in a higher power, but my belief is very complex - but without words, it's so simple you could fit it in a pin-sized box.
Well, atheists might not be so repressed for long. The (non)belief is on the rise. I don't have a problem with it.
-
-
Me!
-
Not enough, but Washington state has the highest Atheists per capita so I usually don't notice our low populations. Now visiting the South really drives me nuts, I don't know how they possibly could support so many churches.
-
Actually New Hampshire has you beat.
-
well poo on them!
-
-
The problem with polling for religion is that there are a lot of people who have never really thought about it but identify as a believer because that's a social norm. A lot of people claim to be of a religion despite the fact that they don't practice the religion and don't really believe most of it.
For example...the UK apparently has 42 million Christians (2001 census)...except that only 4 million Brits go to church on a regular basis (ie. more than just Christmas) ...and I imagine that most of those 38 million haven't read the bible and don't know much more about Christianity than what they've learned from nativity plays. I had a friend who called himself a Christian...but didn't believe Christ was the son of god, he just though he was a cool guy with good ideas. I think there are a lot more atheists than we think.-
My country (Poland) is really religious. We, Poles, had the Pope John Paul II, who is regarded as the saint, not only by Poles. Moreover, Poland has been Christian since 10th century, its traditional faith coming from the nation's roots. Finally,after the II World War when Poland was the part of the communist world, Poles were made to behave like atheists (being religious meant to be against the communist, secular state). Atheism even now is still connected with communist ideas (of Lenin, Stalin, Marx). That's why it is not easy to say: "I'm an atheist", it's not patriotic, in a sense.
-
patriotism is overrated...I think it's better for a person to challenge their country than to blindly accept the way it is...that's the only way to improve it.
-
It's like that in America, tons of people claim they are Christian but that is about as deep as there religion goes.
-
-
I do not think "no religious affiliation" and "atheism" are the same thing. Someone might have the general belief in a higher power/presence but not be connected w/ one particular religion. There is a section of the population that is described as "believers, not belongers." Until there is an actual "atheist" box to check, we can't be sure of the statistics. -
I would like to comment on your stating that atheism is a "shameless belief." Your wording appears to attempt to insult atheists but actually what you say applies to everyone of all religions. Theyare all shameless beliefs...
Atheists do not feel "shame" regarding their "beliefs."
Christians do not feel "shame" regarding their "beliefs"
Jews do not feel "shame" regarding their "beliefs"
Hindus do not feel "shame" regarding their "beliefs"
and so on
I think it was rude of you to post a thread where you are out to insult people's beliefs. This shows you are not tolerant of other's beliefs.
(rans away before being stoned...)-
An I think your comment is deprived of tolerance. First of all you have no right to evaluate me as a person, as you have no idea who and what I am. My question was asked to make people express their views, I didn't mean to insult anyone (apart from arrogant ignorants). If you knew anything about my country and the history of my nation, you wouldn't have expressed such insulting opinions. Poland has been one of the most tolerant countries in Europe (and I'm a typical Pole). It's Catholic, but we (Poles) are taught respect for other religions. Atheism is regarded as a shameless belief because of its connection with communist ideas. My country was a communist one after the IIWW, as you must know. I strongly advise you to learn some history and cultural aspects of life in other countries, before you start talking about things, wwhich you can't understand.
-
Only cowards run away...because they do not have arguments. By the way, an idea of "shameless belief" was introduced by the author of "God delusion", not by me.
-
Thank you very much for your further insults and rudeness
-
@Lizzy
Where is Margie showing intolerance? -
And I thank you for your disrespect and ignorance. Feel sorry for you.
-
@SiuilARuin. I would be grateful if also someone else (not only Lizzy) showed me where and in which words I insulted believers or non-believers in the question starting the discussion.If you think I did it, I'll say sorry. I was brought up as a Catholic girl, now I feel agnostic. But I really respect people regardless their beliefs, even if I don't understand their religions. With one exception - dangerous cults.
-
The issue here is you using the words "shameless belief"..
now shameless can be one of two things IMO.
one being that you are not ashamed of your belief and that you are proud of what you believe in. This is a positive understanding.
It could also be that atheism is a shameful belief and those who practice are remorseless in this regard.
Now, how are we to know from your opening statement, what you meant?
A black man can call another black man his Nigga/Nigger and all's well in the world. They are the best of friends and no offense is taken.
But does a man of other race calling a black person Nigger mean the same thing. There is a huge cry raised on this *insult*
Busylizzy had a valid point raised. I wanted to ask you the same until I read your comment about you not caring about person's faith while voting and realised you meant the positive meaning of the phrase "shameless belief"
@siuilaruin.. this was the intolerance that busylizzy meant(if I am correct)
But apart from that, @margie.. there was no reason to take it personal. It is immaterial if you are polish/czech, catholic/muslim..
your opening post was vague, busylizzy misunderstood and gave her opinion. you could have set your point straight without taking her remark as a personal attack against you/your country -
@dsrihasha. I'm not ashamed of my belief and I respect others' beliefs. As I mentioned I quoted the phrase "shameless belief", it was invented by R. Dawkins (British writer and philosopher, who is an atheist).I used it to create a discussion, as you can see, there are many comments. Only one person didn't understand the question. If I have doubts, if I don't understand, I ask for explanation. I never behave in the way busylizzy did. It was an attack, which made me to protect myself. If anyone feels offended by this phrase they should read "God delusion" by R.Dawkins and find the proper answer for their doubts in the book. Finally, I didn't want to offend anyone by my vague phrase borrowed from the writer.
-
Margie - if you truly believe that the word "shameless" is a good thing then I apologize for a big misunderstanding.
Where I grew up "shameless" is used as a negative word. It meant that someone did or was something morally bad (to be ashamed of) but they had no shame about it.
I pulled out my dictionary and it defines "shameless" as being "insensible to disgrace" and "indecent." As you can see by my dictionary's text, that the phrase "shameless belief" implies that aetheism is a digraceful or indecent thing. That is why I misunderstood your words to be an insult to aetheists.
I am sorry that I took "shameless berlief" to be an insult to aethism. I did not know that in your part of the world "shameless" is a good thing. -
I understand your point now. You're right thinking that I didn't use the word "shameless" to offend anyone. Richard Dawkins, who is a very good writer and atheist, used it talking about atheists.No doubt he didn't want to offend himself :-). Why did he use this phrase? To tell us that in this way atheists can be perceived by others. That's why I borrowed this concept from him to create a discussion and check what people in the USA, UK, France, Canada and some other countries think about this problem. I noticed that no atheists have felt offended by me and my discussion. Look at morgantj's comments or the comments by timethief. Sorry that you felt badly because of it, I really didn't mean anything wrong. Take care.
-
-
Not there are atheist in this world, just only they don't know yet, reality of life are to god, we are from god and back to god!
But why we aren't understand this life to aim at,,?
Are this life only eat,sleep,etc. ?-
MyKrsta. I suppose not only religious people have the purpose in their lives. If someone is a humanist filled with tolerance, wisdom and moral values, his/her life makes sense, too. Their aim is to be as good as possible for people, animals etc.Don't you think such a purpose is great and simple?
-
@ MyKristaa, I am not atheist, but an atheist could answer you in the same way: Realty of life is life, and you are an atheist who does not know it yet. I think that you are trying to make a personal experience and belief a generality
-
"We are all atheists about most of the gods humanity has ever believed in. Some of us just go one god further." - Richard Dawkins
-
-
Atheism seems to be a shameless "belief" ...
I'm not an American. I'm a Canadian and I feel no shame whatsoever for not believing in the Judeo/Christian construct of God. The 2001 Canadian Census states that 16.2% of the population holds no religious affiliation, though exact statistics on atheism are not recorded. Statistics on atheism are often difficult to represent accurately for a variety of reasons. Atheism is a position compatible with other forms of identity. Some atheists also consider themselves Agnostic, Buddhist, Jains, Unitarian, Jedi or hold other related philosophical beliefs. Therefore, given limited poll options, some may use other terms to describe their identity. Some politically motivated organizations that report or gather population statistics may, intentionally or unintentionally, misrepresent atheists. There is a great deal of room for debate as to the accuracy of any method of estimation, as the opportunity for misreporting (intentionally or not) a category of people without an organizational structure is high. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_atheism
Atheists and Agnostics
Here's a list of various countries with the percentage of atheists + agnostics. In most cases the total comes from the number who self-identify as people who do not believe in God. The number who feel comfortable labeling themselves as atheists is usually about 1/4 of the total.
sandwalk.blogspot.com/2007/03/atheists-and-agnostics.html-
Thanks for the comment and the links. I'll check them and learn a bit.
Take care ;-) -
the UK seems like a cool place to live in.. this stat coupled with other things
-
-
my guess 10%
maybe more that are scared to admit it -
It seems to be a growing trend in the USA today and my feeling is it seems like the In Thing to be and Atheist.
I find myself more between a Nontheist and an Agnostic. -
This a quest for information that has no meaning. Are we going to have a vote on this question? Yes, let's put propositions on the ballot in all 50 states and vote on the existence of god. Of course, that's ridiculous because it doesn't matter what we think. Only god knows, and god is not telling. We'll all find it eventually, so why worry about it now?-
I don't agree that such a discussion is pointless. We are not talking about the existence of God or the lack of it. Nobody is going to vote for or against God. What we discussing here is the fact that atheism is a social problem. It becomes popular in some countries (like France) and unpopular in many others (like Poland). Atheists can feel disregarded in certain societies and that's what we are talking about. Tolerance, respect are the issues which appear in the discussion. And it matters what people think, because they are reasonable, thinking human beings.
-
-
For he's a jolly good athiest...for he's a jolly good athiest...for he's a jolly good athiest, which nobody can deny.
How would this tune fit into 99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall?-
Ninety nine crazed religions on the wall... Ninety nine crazed religions. Take one down, bash it around, ninety eight crazed religions?
-
Add Your Comment
Login to leave a message.
