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[razorhead]

ElephanTideis, on 21 February 2012 - 01:57 AM, said:

http://www.usatoday....eism/51777612/1





Kinda interesting. I can see where religous people would have questions about atheists because of a lack of religous convictions (meaning they do not fear the eternal consequences of their actions), but I am not sure atheists are more prone to do the things listed above than anyone else. I am aware we have athiests on this board and I'd be interested to hear what y'all have to say about this.

Let's try this with another question:

If you saw a woman walking down the street dressed like a slut would you assume she was of Christian faith or Muslim faith?

If most people answered Christian then I suppose we could all assume that most people find Christian women to be sluttier and less moral than Muslims?  Of course not, although it's probably true and for that matter who would want to do a stinky Muslim anyway.

Surveys for the most part are the most unscientific and biased means of proving a point.  The problem with this one is there was only one question which automatically makes the whole thing invalid other than to say of the people surveyed those people find atheists more likely to damage your car and walk away than rapists.  The only other assumption that could be made with a very high confidence interval is that the people surveyed are freakin idiots.

[Squealliam Fatner]

The problem with studies like this is the divisive nature of the main premise. Anytime someone asks a question like the one above, I think it says more about the motives and ideals of the one who poses the question than it does about the individuals or groups whom they label.

[eastcoastrazorback]

I high fived you just b/c the thread title is hilarious.

[The Doctor]

Seems to me that this survey is discriminatory to teachers.

[ForwardRebels]

Atheist checking in.

lulz @ this "study".

Observations:
1. Wtf kind of question is this, "was the driver more likely to be a teacher, an atheist teacher, or a rapist teacher?" ?
---> When I see a teacher, I don't think of any label other than teacher. Well, unless you are NYIH and you are a special ed teacher.

2. This is a prime example of a "poison the well" query. For the intent of the question, you might as well ask which religion has killed more people historically, Islam or Christianity? It's nothing but provocative.

3. The study is absolutely faulty because it did not list how many were religious and not religious or just plain not bothered. For instance, it listed 350 Americans surveyed. How many were religious, agnostic or atheist? Same for the Canadians.

4. Regarding Shariff's comments: What the hell does it matter if we don't believe in some invisible, supposedly omnipotent, omnipresent being? How does that make us any more suspect than the rest of society? If anything, I would assert that makes us all the more better for society. Voices in one's head generally gets one thrown into the nut house.....yet a massive exception is made for religion. *smh* I'll not lie, I've said it once and I'll say it again, I fail to see how the purposeful suspension of reason within one's mind is something to be celebrated.

5. Regarding ElephanTideis comment, "I can see where religous people would have questions about atheists because of a lack of religous convictions (meaning they do not fear the eternal consequences of their actions)" : I don't quite understand you here man. Are you saying it is a must in life to have a supervisor in your life all the time? You think it's weird that we don't believe in some invisible sky daddy always looking over our shoulder? If so, please consider it from the other point (Atheist) of view.

Edited by FCN!dawg, 21 February 2012 - 10:30 AM.

[AUskip07]

Damn Catholic preist.

[Benny]

Study: Way less atheists in jail than theists

Quote

Indeed, the data examined in this study demonstrates that only the more secular, pro-evolution democracies have, for the first time in history, come closest to achieving practical “cultures of life” that feature low rates of lethal crime, juvenile-adult mortality, sex related dysfunction, and even abortion. The least theistic secular developed democracies such as Japan, France, and Scandinavia have been most successful in these regards. The non-religious, pro-evolution democracies contradict the dictum that a society cannot enjoy good conditions unless most citizens ardently believe in a moral creator. The widely held fear that a Godless citizenry must experience societal disaster is therefore refuted. Contradicting these conclusions requires demonstrating a positive link between theism and societal conditions in the first world with a similarly large body of data – a doubtful possibility in view of the observable trends.

Response			  Number	  %
----------------------------  --------
Catholic			   29267   39.164% 
Protestant			 26162   35.008%
Muslim				  5435	7.273%
American Indian		 2408	3.222%
Nation				  1734	2.320%
Rasta				   1485	1.987%
Jewish				  1325	1.773%
Church of Christ		1303	1.744%
Pentecostal			 1093	1.463%
Moorish				 1066	1.426%
Buddhist				 882	1.180%
Jehovah Witness		  665	0.890%
Adventist				621	0.831%
Orthodox				 375	0.502%
Mormon				   298	0.399%
Scientology			  190	0.254%
Atheist				  156	0.209%   *****
Hindu					119	0.159%
Santeria				 117	0.157%
Sikh					  14	0.019%
Bahai					  9	0.012%
Krishna					7	0.009%
----------------------------  --------
Total Known Responses  74731  100.001% (rounding to 3 digits does this)
Unknown/No Answer	  18381
----------------------------
Total Convicted		93112  80.259% (74731) prisoners' religion is known.
Held in Custody		 3856  (not surveyed due to temporary custody)
----------------------------
Total In Prisons	   96968

Edited by Benny, 21 February 2012 - 10:48 AM.

[Benny]

Obviously, the conclusion here is that atheists are much better at not getting caught.

If admitted atheists are even 10% of the population, this study totally trumps the notion that you need religion to be moral which is absolutely ridiculous.

[TheRealBrave]

Wow, this is the most hilariously stupid and poorly thought out "study" I have ever read. The title of this thread is - remarkably - even dumber. The title of the study and topic should be "Christians find atheists as trustworthy as rapists". If you have to fear eternal damnation to have any moral value, you're a terrible human being.

Edited by TheRealBrave, 21 February 2012 - 11:15 AM.

[JoeGator]

Benny, on 21 February 2012 - 11:00 AM, said:

Obviously, the conclusion here is that atheists are much better at not getting caught.

If admitted atheists are even 10% of the population, this study totally trumps the notion that you need religion to be moral which is absolutely ridiculous.

Religion, conscience, and remorse are all intertwined.

I don't think the stats you posted really show me anything meaningful.
Maybe if there was a "believes there is a God, so I will put a check by Christian" option, it would be more telling.

[Haymaker]

Benny, on 21 February 2012 - 10:43 AM, said:

Study: Way less atheists in jail than theists

Response			  Number	  %
----------------------------  --------
Catholic			   29267   39.164%
Protestant			 26162   35.008%
Muslim				  5435	7.273%
American Indian		 2408	3.222%
Nation				  1734	2.320%
Rasta				   1485	1.987%
Jewish				  1325	1.773%
Church of Christ		1303	1.744%
Pentecostal			 1093	1.463%
Moorish				 1066	1.426%
Buddhist				 882	1.180%
Jehovah Witness		  665	0.890%
Adventist				621	0.831%
Orthodox				 375	0.502%
Mormon				   298	0.399%
Scientology			  190	0.254%
Atheist				  156	0.209%   *****
Hindu					119	0.159%
Santeria				 117	0.157%
Sikh					  14	0.019%
Bahai					  9	0.012%
Krishna					7	0.009%
----------------------------  --------
Total Known Responses  74731  100.001% (rounding to 3 digits does this)
Unknown/No Answer	  18381
----------------------------
Total Convicted		93112  80.259% (74731) prisoners' religion is known.
Held in Custody		 3856  (not surveyed due to temporary custody)
----------------------------
Total In Prisons	   96968

not a big deal but why is the text quoted from another post in such a light font?

[Haymaker]

of all the posts to quote with such a post, the one where the print isnt light in the quote lmao

[rwspear]

<---atheist.

i would contest that atheists are more aware of their actions and more deliberate with them on a day-to-day basis. for one, were not constantly focused on the future. the religious view their entire lives as a journey back to heaven. this life and their time on this earth is trivial compared to eternity. bc i dont believe i have an eternity of existence awaiting me, i appreciate every second of every day. im very aware of my actions and bc i cant use faith as a whitewash for all of my sins and transgressions, i try to be the best person i can.

you have two types of people in this world: what we consider 'good' and what we would consider 'bad'. people forget religious conviction has very little to do with this. a christian is just as likely to be a dick as an atheist is to be a humanitarian philanthropist.

entitled christians need to remember they dont have a monopoly on morality. i dont need some story about old dudes with beards on top of mountains to enjoy being a compassionate person, or to understand its importance.

[ForwardRebels]

Benny, on 21 February 2012 - 11:00 AM, said:

If admitted atheists are even 10% of the population, this study totally trumps the notion that you need religion to be moral which is absolutely ridiculous.

Last I checked, Atheists made up about 4-5% of the overall US population with the overwhelming majority in the 24-35 age group. Agnostics made up a significantly larger %, but I forget the actual figure that I read about a year ago.

Regardless, those without belief make up a much larger chunk of the US population than most think. Most in this area of the country don't openly admit to lack of religious faith. It's understandable why though; if you admit to such, you risk losing friendships (not that you need those dickheads anyway if they can't respect your stance on religious matters), I've heard of anecdotes about family members disowning other family members without religious faith,  people look at you strange when you opine on certain issues (Israel mostly) and from the couple of other Atheists I know in this state, even job opportunities have been lost/are lost to you.

Edited by FCN!dawg, 21 February 2012 - 01:06 PM.

[shamoan]

I don't believe in atheists.