On the subject of atheists.

[Macalester]

Where are you all?

In the "Do atheists celebrate christmas" over 50 % of people said they weren't atheist, which really surprised me as I know a whole lot more atheists than believers.

Or maybe there are a lot of agnostics, which I suppose makes sense.

[PLAYER57832]

It could also just mean that folks who are not athiest are more likely to respond. This is hardly a representative group or a scientific/representative method of enquiry.

That said, a recent global survey showed that roughly 76% of the US population considers themselves people of faith. Regardinr your experience .. remember people tend to associate with folks like themselves. My personal experience (in a diverse range of small towns USA), is that maybe 5-10% of folks or less decline to show a faith.

[Neoteny]

I'd say the poll is fairly representative of the CC population. Maybe this is just the number of atheists who play online world domination-style games.

[Macalester]

Well, I'm from London and the vast majority of my friends are atheist.

In fact, out of my closest friends, only one of them shows some kind of faith (out of 6). It seems to be that way for a lot of people from England.

[Neoteny]

Well, I'm from London and the vast majority of my friends are atheist.

In fact, out of my closest friends, only one of them shows some kind of faith (out of 6). It seems to be that way for a lot of people from England.

I've met very few atheists here in the US. So maybe we balance everyone else out.

[muy_thaiguy]

I have a few friends that are Athiest, a few more slant towards agnostic, the rest range from Mormons to Catholics to Baptists and many in between.

[btownmeggy]

I'd say the poll is fairly representative of the CC population. Maybe this is just the number of atheists who play online world domination-style games.

[sam_levi_11]

im an atheist

most(read: all but one) of my freinds are atheist, the other is christian, maybe england is just a very less religeous country, which i already knew as usa is religeon mad in some parts.

[steve monkey]

I'm an atheist too. Sam's right, England is a very irreligious country. Out of my circle of friends only one is religious (Catholic).

[btownmeggy]

When I was growing up I didn't know ANYONE who was openly atheist.

Today, I only know (in a non-superficial way) two people who are at all religious. They're Congregationalists. They both like Star Trek, though.

Oh, wait. Two of my sisters are religious, too. I guess I don't really know them in a non-superficial way.

Anyway, the point is... I don't know very many people who adhere to any religion. I think it's an issue, even in the grand old godfearing US of A, of your culture. My culture tends to be atheist.

A few months ago, I met a girl who's currently a freshman (1st year) at my old college--a notoriously leftist, godless school. She's suuuuuper conservative Muslim. She asked me what religion I was. "Ermm, I'm atheist." She was shocked, "I definitely thought you would have been religious. You just seem like it." I guess it's because I'm such a traditionalist.

[Neoteny]

Your use of "culture" confuses me...

[Rocketry]

Where are you all?

In the "Do atheists celebrate christmas" over 50 % of people said they weren't atheist, which really surprised me as I know a whole lot more atheists than believers.

Or maybe there are a lot of agnostics, which I suppose makes sense.

Many great scientists are also religious which suprises some people. Naming no names...

[Neoteny]

Where are you all?

In the "Do atheists celebrate christmas" over 50 % of people said they weren't atheist, which really surprised me as I know a whole lot more atheists than believers.

Or maybe there are a lot of agnostics, which I suppose makes sense.

Many great scientists are also religious which suprises some people. Naming no names...

Most great scientists are dead.

[sam_levi_11]

ad the other 90% realise the global warming is a natural thing. yet they arent heard about almost ever.

[btownmeggy]

Your use of "culture" confuses me...

I use culture, in this sense, along the lines of 'birds of a feather flock together'.

Most of the people that I surround myself with, intentionally and unintentionally, through the course of my everyday life are like me in very many respects. We have similar (definitely not identical, but let's say... mutually palatable) political beliefs, ways of dressing, educational backgrounds, tastes in music, entertainment preferences, and religious perspectives. It's not true in every one of my friendships, but it's largely true. The majority of my acquaintances and I belong to the same culture. And I could go, and on occasion have gone, to practically any other city in the world and somehow find people who also adhere to this culture. And maybe we'd become friends. I think this is the case for practically everybody.

[muy_thaiguy]

Your use of "culture" confuses me...

I use culture, in this sense, along the lines of 'birds of a feather flock together'.

Most of the people that I surround myself with, intentionally and unintentionally, through the course of my everyday life are like me in very many respects. We have similar (definitely not identical, but let's say... mutually palatable) political beliefs, ways of dressing, educational backgrounds, tastes in music, entertainment preferences, and religious perspectives. It's not true in every one of my friendships, but it's largely true. The majority of my acquaintances and I belong to the same culture. And I could go, and on occasion have gone, to practically any other city in the world and somehow find people who also adhere to this culture. And maybe we'd become friends. I think this is the case for practically everybody.

That's generally how people become friends in the first place.

[Neoteny]

Your use of "culture" confuses me...

I use culture, in this sense, along the lines of 'birds of a feather flock together'.

Most of the people that I surround myself with, intentionally and unintentionally, through the course of my everyday life are like me in very many respects. We have similar (definitely not identical, but let's say... mutually palatable) political beliefs, ways of dressing, educational backgrounds, tastes in music, entertainment preferences, and religious perspectives. It's not true in every one of my friendships, but it's largely true. The majority of my acquaintances and I belong to the same culture. And I could go, and on occasion have gone, to practically any other city in the world and somehow find people who also adhere to this culture. And maybe we'd become friends. I think this is the case for practically everybody.

I suppose that's true, as I've found more atheists and agnostics than I originally expected in life, but I also have quite a few religious, republican, etc. friends as well. I tend to associate with all types, from the Campus Nerds to the frat guys to artists (I'm like an artist magnet... I can't figure it out, though I'm starting to build up my own personal gallery, which is nice) to science majors. I find that my closest friends are members from a few different groups, though I've only dated agnostics, if that means anything.

[btownmeggy]

That's generally how people become friends in the first place.

Yep.

[Neoteny]

Also, I've met people who I agree entirely with on just about everything, and that can get boring after a while...

Fortunately those people are rare.

[btownmeggy]

Your use of "culture" confuses me...

I use culture, in this sense, along the lines of 'birds of a feather flock together'.

Most of the people that I surround myself with, intentionally and unintentionally, through the course of my everyday life are like me in very many respects. We have similar (definitely not identical, but let's say... mutually palatable) political beliefs, ways of dressing, educational backgrounds, tastes in music, entertainment preferences, and religious perspectives. It's not true in every one of my friendships, but it's largely true. The majority of my acquaintances and I belong to the same culture. And I could go, and on occasion have gone, to practically any other city in the world and somehow find people who also adhere to this culture. And maybe we'd become friends. I think this is the case for practically everybody.

I suppose that's true, as I've found more atheists and agnostics than I originally expected in life, but I also have quite a few religious, republican, etc. friends as well. I tend to associate with all types, from the Campus Nerds to the frat guys to artists (I'm like an artist magnet... I can't figure it out, though I'm starting to build up my own personal gallery, which is nice) to science majors. I find that my closest friends are members from a few different groups, though I've only dated agnostics, if that means anything.

I definitely don't think that this idea of "culture" I've utilized and explained is the only explanation for why some people know a lot of atheists and some people don't. Geographical locations have their own kinds of cultures, or supercultures, and so their own religious breakdowns. Also, an individual's personality and social goals definitely make a difference in what sort of people they meet. In extreme circumstances, political climates can alter access to religion or confessions of religiosity.

[Neoteny]

Fair enough. I just can't imagine hitting anywhere near the fifty percent mark where I live. Possible, I'm sure, but unlikely, and leaving out quite a few cool people.