Athiests vs. Christians: How split are we?

[rucky]

Have these religious threads just been for recreation, or is there a real schism here? It's hard to tell.

Which one best fits your feelings?

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. I'm pagan, and Lord Odin is going to whup ALL your asses!

[rucky]

2. I'll sound the Horn of Asswhuppa

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

8. Oh you won't have time to

Lord Odin brings the THUNDER and LIGHTNING before you can even bow down to him in your worthlessness!

[yardwork]

34. Count me as another Pagan. I don't care what the rest of you believe

as long as you leave me alone. And leave each other alone too while you're at it. Let's stop fighting about religion or I'll send you all to your rooms!

-- the Goddess

[patrice]

3. You should have included agnostic.

It is so meaningless to "say" anything at all about "god" that even this statement is futile.

[rucky]

4. sounds like "Switzerland" to me

:)

[Vladimir]

5. Agnostic

not Atheist because I consider the question of god's existence a meaningless one. I am a fundamentalist secularist, though what people do in their own homes is up to them, obviously.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

6. What about people who follow a religion other than Christianity?

[rucky]

9. Dude, there's only 10 slots

I'm Jewish & i didn't make one for myself.

so just pick "Other" or "Switzerland"

[FleshCartoon]

7. Atheist-Whatever Floats Your Boat...

...so long as you don't try to tie it into my constitution or convert me to your point of view.

I find that's quite impossible, unfortunately, for many fundamentalists Christians.

[SheepyMcSheepster]

10. i am agnostic/atheist who doesn't care what you believe.

believe what you want as long as you leave me out of it. personally i don't care what floats your boat. I do however think that totally subscribing to a belief system penned by men thousands of years ago is a bit dangerous and counterproductive.

again, i don't care what you believe in as long as it doesn't effect me.

[Bombtrack]

11. Um, so apparently Christians are the only people that believe in God

According to the choices you give

I am fervently, unabashadly anti-religion. But I do have faith in god or a higher power.

I haven't stumbled apon a really good word for that. But secular humanist is probably the closest known belief that would fit mine. If you could edit secular humanist in that would be great because I think atheism is just as rigid and unfounded as Christianity.

[rucky]

12. Sorry, but Christians are the only people who can believe in God

eom

[Bombtrack]

18. what does eom mean?

Can you just say whether you're being sarcastic or what?

And for that matter what does n/t mean

[rucky]

25. I was being a smartass

eom = end of message
n/t = no text

:sarcasm: = don't hurt me for saying this...

I always found that last one to be unnecessary.

[supernova]

13. Christian and whatever floats your boat

It doesn't matter to me what non/spiritual paths people take in life as long as they find some sense and fulfillment in that.

I'm also strict separation of church and state.

[PragMantisT]

14. Atheist - I despise all religions equally

I see them as refuges for weaklings and excuses for ALL evil works.

Mind you, there are many religious folks who are by no means evil, but they haven't exploited their religion and piety to the breaking point.

[joeybee12]

15. Don't consider myself a Christian, but don't consider myself an atheist

I have a problem with ALL organized religion, but not against the people who apparently belong to them.

[wryter2000]

16. Other

Atheist with deep regard and respect for people who follow the teachings of Jesus. Despising Jerry Falwell, Roy Moore, and their ilk.

[demnan]

17. I'm a true atheist boat floater

I have one friend who is a religious Mormon. We're still great friends I just don't discuss religion with her. I have friends who are Hindus, Buddists, Protestant Christians and Catholics and one really good friend who is Jewish.

I just don't fight with my friends about religion, and they've learned not to push their religion on me.

[Az]

19. Mixed feelings regarding Christians because Christians are not one sort

The same is true of course of atheists. You can have jerks on either side. There can be derivations of either set that believe it is their duty to rid the world of the other position. So atheist with mixed feelings towards Christians because I don't think they can be summed up with one word.

[rucky]

23. so is it the belief or the personality you have a beef with?

i know they're kind of inseperable at a certain point, but alternatively there are bona-fide fundies who respect the beliefs of others (my in-laws, for one). they pray for me alot.

[Az]

43. A bit of both

There are some extreme forms of beliefs that creative a destructive path for it's adherents. Christian Identity, Fred Phelps Church, and a few others are extreme examples.

Suffice to say that when a belief system forces an individual into a socially confrontational mode I take issue with the belief system.

That being said there can also be adherents of much more open minded religious institutions that are just jerks themself without any assitance from their religion. In the end each person is their own representation of their beliefs. Its really best to deal with the individual rather than see them as just a drone in their religion.

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

35. Would have been an interesting poll choice

"Christian -- Mixed Feelings About Christians"

I'm a Christian, but I'll be damned if I want to spend all eternity with some of the knee-dragging troglodytes who claim to be worshipping the same God as me. I swear if I get to heaven and the Rev. Fred Phelps is there, I'll ask for a transfer!

[NeonLX]

20. Low key Christian boat-floater here.

I'm nominally Christian but I have a strong agnostic streak running through me. Unlike the fundies, I can't & don't claim that "my" religion is 100% correct and everything else is 100% wrong. No way we puny humans can even come close to comprehending God--and we sure as heck can't cram God into some little man-made book. Anyone who says we can is nuts (in my view).

My daughter's Godfather is Sikh. We have many Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist and Jewish friends. Heck, we even have a bunch of atheist friends!

[hlthe2b]

21. I'm not sure any of the above apply... I do sense

a real tension between those who perceive that Christianity is consistent with the rhetoric of the RW fundies and assume that there is an underlying disdain for other religions, and more to the point towards agnostics and atheists. I think it truly distresses many here to find that these biggoted and hypocritical RW groups and the mandates and misdeeds of "organized" religions have become the standard by which those with acknowledged religious beliefs are "judged."

As a result, I do see a schism developing by ordinarily tolerant progressives and those they increasingly discount as "brain-washed believers." This is a poisonous trend, IMO, which needs to be addressed beyond this board. We stand a good chance of antagonizing a large segment of the population, who would agree with progressive ideals, simply because we assume as a result of their church membership to be luny RW-leaning religious "nuts."

That's why I feel like such a broken record when I repeatedly try to point out that there is a difference between "religious belief" and use of "religion" as justification for ones action or to exploit and manipulate others often malevolent feelings and objectives.

[dand]

22. Atheist raised Catholic,

I feel that religion is an opiate. I stopped believing when I was around eight years old. I have no problem with Christians, Jews or any other Religion as long as they leave me alone.

[ret5hd]

39. ha...me too...

i didn't totally realize it at the time, i just remember thinking "this just doesn't make sense..."

[beyurslf]

24. Athiest-Anti-Christian.

I don't group all Christians together but I have little respect for the Christian faith as used by most today. I know some good Christians but I know many more who I wouldn't trust with a quarter.

[hlthe2b]

33. you "don't group all Christians together," but define yourself as

anti-Christian?

Do you not see some paradox there? Most mainstream (as opposed to "lying hypocritical in- name- only Fundie) Christians don't define themself as "anti-alternate religion" nor "anti-atheist."

Christianity teaches tolerance and respect for others. It seems to me that these tenets certainly seem to be consistent with those most progressives would strive for (at least philosophically), no matter their belief in God, spirituality, or lack thereof. Are you really anti-Christian?

[Peak_Oil]

26. Atheist, anti-christian. Anti-muslim and anti-hindu, too!

Going out on a limb here, but I actively dislike the hypocrisy of Christians. I've been around all kinds of spiritual groups, and I've seen the underbelly. It's not pretty.

I think the United States would be better off if we had a rigid wall of separation between church and state. A rigid, inflexible wall between all churches and the State.

I can't understand how priests have gotten away with molesting children, and how bishops have not been prosecuted under RICO statutes. I don't understand how churches are not responsible to their parishoners with strict accounting standards and regular financial reporting. I don't like the idea that the armed forces have chaplains (which somehow adds legitimacy to mass murder).

Religion should be regulated and taxed just like any other opiate.

[hlthe2b]

37. I believe too in an absolute strict separation between church and state...

But the broad strokes by which you paint Christians and other religions is unfair and untrue in the larger context. Your frustrations with the misdeeds of some in the name of religion is shared and I agree that there are some who do rely on others to think for them in the name of religion. THese are sad, pathetic individuals, but they are not representative of either the religion nor the intent of those originators of relgions (Christ, Buddha, Mohammed, etc.) that they profess to "follow." That they are susceptible to the charletans who manipulate them in the name of "religion," speaks to individual failings rather than those of all who maintain a belief system based on a given religion.

[kimchi]

27. Other; cause I'm Pagan.

I think that "my Goddess gave birth to your God": but I'm cool with you believing in Jesus if you are cool enough not to call the cops when I'm having a naked ritual in the back yard. :o

You can roll your eyes in disgust and talk about me behind my back if you want. Just don't meddle in my business-personally or politically.

The schism isn't between the believers and atheists; it is really more between fundamentalist Christianity and the rest of us. If we didn't already understand that we'd probably be at FR.

I hate being told that I'm "illogical" for believing in something I can't see just as much as being told I'm a "sinner" bound for blazing hellfire. I am the first to point out obvious flaws in Christianity, and also the first to defend its beneficial aspects. So I'm other; whatever floats your boat.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

36. I hear ya

I don't know why having more than one invisible man or woman in the sky is any more illogical or irrational than having only one. No one can prove a damn thing either way, so why do they get all high and mighty? :shrug:

[genius]

28. The right-wing Christian Churches are giving Christianity a bad name

As a Christian, I find the anti-Christian attitudes of "fundamentalists" to be nothing more than out and out slander against Jesus. Jesus was a liberal and his memory deserves better than to be defamed by those creeps.

[AG78]

29. Atheist

You can believe anything you want, as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else.

Organized religion is just a business. Like everything else these days.

I dislike religion quite a bit. At one time, I can see why it was needed. But 2000 years later, it's time for a new story.

I'm always game for a good religion conversation though. I talk about it a lot with friends. I could never sit in the same room as a Robertson or Falwell though. They profit from religion. I can't stand that. They take advantage of people. I'm still not sure if they actually believe it, or just like the power.

[livinginphotographs]

30. Other

Atheist-leaning agnostic (don't discount the possibility of god, but find his existence highly unlikely) who has no problem with the followers of Christianity personally, but has a serious problem with organized religion in general.

[Spirochete]

31. I'm an Eggnog

and I have no problem with REAL Christians. Some members of my family are devout Christians, and very good people. They are all very secure in their faith, and see no need whatsoever to worry about anyone else's.

[arwalden]

32. Atheist... LEAVE ME ALONE AND QUIT RINGING MY DOORBELL!

[Beacho]

38. Why no choice for agnostic?

just asking

[rucky]

40. there's no conflict between agnostics and - well, anyone but themselves.

at least I haven't really seen it.

[Waverley_Hills_Hiker]

41. Agnostic, mixed feelings about Christians.

I belive in God or some sort of higher power, but am ambivilant about Christians since they say/preach that gays and lesbians are immoral.

[kaitykaity]

42. Agnostic here.

Only have a problem with "Christians in name only." You know,
those people who pray in public, who are wealthy but who do
not help their fellow human beings.

[TN al]

44. Why are Christian and atheist the only choices?

I don't think your poll measures what you think it measures.