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It's kinda funny, the difference between the internet and reality. Whenever I get on the internet, there's always a bunch of atheists that host their beliefs (or lack thereof) and wear them on their sleeves like badges of honor or something. And I think "hmm, I guess more people are atheist than I thought", then I go out in the real world and I hear about religion all the time and people and on the news and everywhere, even in my school.

Just today in my English class, we watched a Christian movie that was solely based on a man whose belief in God changed his life. Then I realize, "hey, no one's complaining, no one's whining about this being religious, people are actually paying attention." Then a stunning revelation came about me: People in the real world are like, 95% religious and really don't mind being exposed to it. It's amazing, yet shouldn't be, and I realize I spend way too much time on the internet.

I know this is an uninteresting and somewhat quirky observation but I just think it's funny, slightly.

I don't know, maybe it's just me being Texan, just another thing to love about my state I guess.

p.s. This isn't a thread to argue over religion or not, this is simply my outlandish and odd observation and nothing more. For the love of God, if you have nothing productive to say, get the fuck out. Thanks.

I live in Texas as well.

Some people that I know don't have any experience with people that are openly atheist or agnostic. I seriously had to clarify what an atheist was to a few people (DO YOU HAS WORSHIP DARWIN?).

I'm not saying that's the usual case, but that's my experience. I have to brace for people that will hate me for it and deal with eye rolls whenever I bring it up in real life, so the internet is just a more secure place to discuss the ideas in a mature manner.

At 1 minute ago, HollowedPumkinz wrote: I don't know, maybe it's just me being Texan, just another thing to love about my state I guess.

i'm a texan too, but i don't really remember anybody being very religious at high school

we made fun of the one kid who decided to not attend the evolution lesson because it was against his beliefs

I'm a texan too.

naw I'm jus playin

This is just from observation but a lot of my friends that are deep into religion, don't really into the internet beyond FB, Youtube, Yahoo, twitter etc. They don't really get into the depths of the internet like my Anti-theistic friends do. So it could be that a lot of deeply religious people don't really spend as much of their time internet. One thing to note is that true internet goers (regular NG'rs, Regular /b/'rs, active forumers, basically internet geeks) only make up a minuscule portion of the world (U.S.).

Also, since the more common religion in the U.S. is Christianity, a lot of people will just go with flow and pretend that they're Christians even though the truth might be otherwise. Where I live, if you proudly choose not to believe in God, people think of you like you are some type barbaric idiot destined to go to Hell, and for the most part don't want anything to do with you. If you're not like everyone else, usually things like religious beliefs are kept private.

So to answer your thread O.P., a lot of people on your class watching the Christian movie, may not actually be christian but only say they are only to get accepted into the religious stigma.

At 2 hours ago, HollowedPumkinz wrote: there's always a bunch of atheists that host their beliefs (or lack thereof) and wear them on their sleeves like badges of honor or something.

I've seen a few people do that before, and I don't really find it annoying, it's no worse than Christians pushing their beliefs onto people.

Most of the kids at my school are atheist, I think, so I can't really relate with you on this one.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/151760/Christianity-Remains-Domin ant-Religion-United-States.aspx

There's the numbers. Most of the country is, indeed, Christian. Funny that people forget that, from time to time.

At 1 hour ago, AnonymousOfCali wrote: I'm agnostic, but I like christians because of the badass history and sweet bdsm cosplay possibilities.

Catholic school girl skirts have been sexy for years.

Come to Europe, especially Scandinavia, and you'll find that the roles are reversed. Almost nobody believes in god here. To draw conclusions based upon an experience where your classmates are watching a movie is maybe to be a bit too quick.

At 6 hours ago, HollowedPumkinz wrote: Just today in my English class, we watched a Christian movie that was solely based on a man whose belief in God changed his life. Then I realize, "hey, no one's complaining, no one's whining about this being religious, people are actually paying attention."

You mean people were viewing the material objectively, as they're supposed to in the classroom?

Most people in my country are irreligious (not Atheists), followed by Roman Catholics, then Protestants, then Muslims (dunno which sects are the largest, but hey, Protestantism is very vague too).

Anywhoo, I only know a couple of religious people, they aren't even sincere about it. I have never met a Roman Catholic who believes the Pope is infallible (if you ask me, these people are therefore NOT Roman Catholics) or who can tell me what the different sacraments that they perform are about.

There is a large presumption in this country that you are a Roman Catholic. Twice in the couple of months I have been asked questions about whether or not I've attended this or that rite and more hilariously if I had went to the local chapel after the refurbishment. Upon hearing that I do not attend chapel, I was greeted with "Oh, a lapsed Catholic", as opposed to simply not being a Roman Catholic. The idea also that one who is Greecian Orthodox Catholic, as opposed to Roman Catholic might somehow be a lapsed Catholic is bemusing.

Someone in my work got transfered to another song for singing an anti-Protestant song though. Amazing that he wasn't jailed or fined and that the work was so lenient on him - especially considering they don't even give sick pay unless you start legal proceedings.

This is me whenever I say someone recite an old meme in real life. Except pretty much the reverse course of action.

Instead of being dissonant with the internet, I'm finding that so many of those who attend High School only just recently began prodding into the depths of the culture transcending in-jokes - only now overhearing them discuss their contempt for Two-Girls-One-Cup, only now realizing that someone whispered rage face as he was scolded by a teacher, and just recently noticing that some dunce drew "Smell Ya Later, Homes" on one of the school's bathroom mirrors in permanent candy apple red marker.

These are the exact same people who post terrible comments on Youtube videos and claim Beats headphones are the epitome of quality. The deja vu and simmering urge to bark in their faces as means of bringing them up to date is phenomenal.

At 4 hours ago, StationToStation wrote: I have never met a Roman Catholic who believes the Pope is infallible (if you ask me, these people are therefore NOT Roman Catholics) or who can tell me what the different sacraments that they perform are about.

But the Pope isn't infallible, save for the case of a dogmatic proclamation on faith directly influenced by the Holy Spirit; it even says that he isn't in the Catholic Catechism. It's kind of hard to postulate that believers of this fact aren't Catholic when this fact is in fact a part of Catholic teaching.

Us christians do not use the internet, as it is the embodiment of Satan!

REPENT, SINNERS!

At 7 hours ago, HolyKonni wrote: Come to Europe, especially Scandinavia, and you'll find that the roles are reversed. Almost nobody believes in god here. To draw conclusions based upon an experience where your classmates are watching a movie is maybe to be a bit too quick.

true. i find that Germany, Norway and Austria are belonged to the highest rate of non-believer countries in Europe. Finland, Poland, Sweden are also has more than 50% non-believer populations. UK alone has over 30% of non believer and is the fastest atheistic growing country.

At 10 hours ago, Gario wrote: http://www.gallup.com/poll/151760/Christianity-Remains-Domin ant-Religion-United-States.aspx

There's the numbers. Most of the country is, indeed, Christian. Funny that people forget that, from time to time.

If that was true then there wouldn't be enough Churches to hold all the deeply religious Christians in America.

Conclusion: the people on their house phones want their family to hear them and think of them as Christians, but in reality most are secularists who would vote against prayers in schools, etc.

Also only steers and queers come from Texas.

At 1 hour ago, Rapacity wrote:

At 10 hours ago, Gario wrote: http://www.gallup.com/poll/151760/Christianity-Remains-Domin ant-Religion-United-States.aspx

There's the numbers. Most of the country is, indeed, Christian. Funny that people forget that, from time to time.

If that was true then there wouldn't be enough Churches to hold all the deeply religious Christians in America.

Conclusion: the people on their house phones want their family to hear them and think of them as Christians, but in reality most are secularists who would vote against prayers in schools, etc.

Is it that people that don't fit your preconceived notions of Christianity aren't really Christians, then? I sense this going into 'No True Scotsman' territory, if that's what you think - believe it or not, people can be Christian and not fit into your mold as to what a Christian is. Also, Christianity and Secularism are not mutually exclusive beliefs, as one is a religion and the other is a philosophy (seeing that America is founded on Secularism, I would even hope that most Christians are Secularists). You can be both, if you so chose.

A lot of American Atheists use the internet as a safe haven for their views. In public you can upset a lot of people by simply stating that you're Atheist or Agnostic. The internet offers anonymity.

A class in Texas hardly serves as a good example of any ideologies views. It's like saying there was a Muslim boy in the classroom today, and he didn't commit any terrorist attacks. You're relying on negative stereotypes, and saying that because someone is an Atheist that they are also an Anti-Theist; there is a difference I'll have you know.

At 12 minutes ago, Gario wrote:

At 1 hour ago, Rapacity wrote:

At 10 hours ago, Gario wrote: http://www.gallup.com/poll/151760/Christianity-Remains-Domin ant-Religion-United-States.aspx

There's the numbers. Most of the country is, indeed, Christian. Funny that people forget that, from time to time.

If that was true then there wouldn't be enough Churches to hold all the deeply religious Christians in America.

Conclusion: the people on their house phones want their family to hear them and think of them as Christians, but in reality most are secularists who would vote against prayers in schools, etc.

Is it that people that don't fit your preconceived notions of Christianity aren't really Christians, then?

Well Christianity really only implies that you believe that Jesus was the Son of God; God humanized, so to speak. Some branches of Christianity put a lot of emphasis on Christ needing people to pray to Him on a Sunday, indeed, Catholics are supposed to confess and take the body of Jesus and the blood of Jesus once a week.

If we assume that most Americans are Christians, it's safe to say that maybe a third are Catholics of some kind, which would mean that the Churches wouldn't hold even that number of practicing Christians.

Also, Christianity and Secularism are not mutually exclusive beliefs, as one is a religion and the other is a philosophy (seeing that America is founded on Secularism, I would even hope that most Christians are Secularists). You can be both, if you so chose.

Maybe, but Christians state that only those who believe in their leader are accepted into heaven, whereas others are tortured in Hell. If you're a Christian policy maker, your belief in eternal torment would probably shape your policy, thus making you as non-secular as possible.

Of course, some Christians don't do this, but a large amount of Christians do proselytize because of being taught about the Second Coming, the idea that politics should reflect "Christian values", their use of missionaries, etc, all show that whilst secularism and Christianity may not contradict each other, they often do in one way or another.

I don't live in the south

At 10 minutes ago, Rapacity wrote:
Well Christianity really only implies that you believe that Jesus was the Son of God; God humanized, so to speak. Some branches of Christianity put a lot of emphasis on Christ needing people to pray to Him on a Sunday, indeed, Catholics are supposed to confess and take the body of Jesus and the blood of Jesus once a week.

Yeah, they're supposed to (Confess once a month, Eucharist on Sunday). Doesn't mean that they do. Also, I don't know if you know this, but churches have something between 4-6 masses every Sunday (as well as 3-4 on Saturday, which one can attend as an alternative). Doing the math, a church can often handle thousands of Catholics a week per church. I believe the Churches that are already established are more that capable of handling the country's Catholics.

If we assume that most Americans are Christians, it's safe to say that maybe a third are Catholics of some kind, which would mean that the Churches wouldn't hold even that number of practicing Christians.

I would make fun of you and point out that the list already separates Christians and Catholics, but your estimation was accurate enough for me to actually respect that answer. Nice work.

Maybe, but Christians state that only those who believe in their leader are accepted into heaven, whereas others are tortured in Hell. If you're a Christian policy maker, your belief in eternal torment would probably shape your policy, thus making you as non-secular as possible.

Um, no it doesn't. I don't know where you're making this leap in logic. Wait, yes I do.

If you're a Christian policy maker, your belief in eternal torment would PROBABLY shape your policy...

Alright, let me correct this - no, someone's belief that another person could be going to hell does not affect their policy making because they also understand that it's a God-given right for these people to make this decision. Believe it or not, Christians that try to coerce others into their beliefs are not very good Christians, because of this.

Of course, some Christians don't do this, but a large amount of Christians do proselytize because of being taught about the Second Coming, the idea that politics should reflect "Christian values", their use of missionaries, etc, all show that whilst secularism and Christianity may not contradict each other, they often do in one way or another.

Well, yeah, I mean Rick Perry and Santorum should be enough to evidence that. That's not 'most Christians', that's 'some Christians'. Most Christians are actually not very vocal about their beliefs and have a 'live and let live' policy, as shown by the fact that the Gallup polls show nearly 80% of the country is Christian and yet the anti-secular subgroup is far smaller than this. Rather than claiming that a statistic is simply wrong because it doesn't fit your worldview, perhaps you should adjust your views on life based on what the statistics claim? Your claims make no sense in the context of what most statistics have verified for years, so there's a very good chance that you're simply wrong.

At 11 hours ago, yurgenburgen wrote:

At 6 hours ago, HollowedPumkinz wrote: Just today in my English class, we watched a Christian movie that was solely based on a man whose belief in God changed his life. Then I realize, "hey, no one's complaining, no one's whining about this being religious, people are actually paying attention."

You mean people were viewing the material objectively, as they're supposed to in the classroom?

Well you know, it's not like they were entirely engrossed by it but I thought some one might say something at some point. No one did though, anyways, this thread was just a mindless observation about something obvious. You ever get those times were you make a thread just to make a thread?

It's not like this is a shitty thread, but it's not one of the ones I like to admit starting. Although I enjoy that some people are maturely discussing the topic at hand.

Did that disclaimer at the bottom really work? Holy shit...

People who attack religion think they are doing the world a favor. While I understand where they're coming from they use misleading "facts" to spread their propaganda. They think that most of the wars ever fought were fought for religious reasons and harp that all the time. Most wars have been fought over resources, more specifically water or border disputes. Most wars don't make it into the history books, and most wars were not the Crusades, but a lot of militant atheists seem to believe otherwise.

It's sad how our history is constantly bastardized in order to fit the agenda of others.

It's not just atheism, it's really any differing opinion. It seems to me that the internet is just that one place where the minorities can complain about everyone not being like them.

At 17 hours ago, HollowedPumkinz wrote: It's kinda funny, the difference between the internet and reality. Whenever I get on the internet, there's always a bunch of atheists that host their beliefs (or lack thereof) and wear them on their sleeves like badges of honor or something. And I think "hmm, I guess more people are atheist than I thought", then I go out in the real world and I hear about religion all the time and people and on the news and everywhere, even in my school.

Maybe in America, but here in the UK most people arent very religious and no one really talks about it unless theyre really old or the kind of person who goes there everyday, which is a pretty small minority.

People in the real world

Correction: People in America

At 1 minute ago, BumFodder wrote:

At 17 hours ago, HollowedPumkinz wrote: It's kinda funny, the difference between the internet and reality. Whenever I get on the internet, there's always a bunch of atheists that host their beliefs (or lack thereof) and wear them on their sleeves like badges of honor or something. And I think "hmm, I guess more people are atheist than I thought", then I go out in the real world and I hear about religion all the time and people and on the news and everywhere, even in my school.

Maybe in America, but here in the UK most people arent very religious and no one really talks about it unless theyre really old or the kind of person who goes there everyday, which is a pretty small minority.

People in the real world

Correction: People in America

Hate to argue this, but in rural areas in the UK people still tend to be very religious. Also, religious=/= Christian and Islam is on the rise in the UK significantly. Just stating facts.

At 27 seconds ago, vannila-guerilla wrote: Hate to argue this, but in rural areas in the UK people still tend to be very religious. Also, religious=/= Christian and Islam is on the rise in the UK significantly. Just stating facts.

Thats true for villages, but not as much for towns. Islam isnt rising anywhere near enough to make too much of an impact, its just that its being overreported like hell by certain worthless newspapers and then people cry about it like children being spoonfed food.

Honestly I think the presence of religion on the internet is a lot more dominant then the presence of atheists

I mean just read the comments on news articles, all you hear is people "praying to God" or how people should find Jesus in their life. I think they are pretty equal about it, even more so because there are always those bad seeds that seems to plant a stereotype in the minds of others when it comes to those with similar views.

Personally I have no problems with religion, to each his own, but I do get tired of people judging me, or anyone else, because some jackass with similar beliefs left them with a bad impression.

There are assholes on both sides and I accept that fact, whenever I talk about the religious people that annoy me, I always make sure to add something along the lines of "some religious people, not all". I mean I've had religious people tell me I'm going to burn if I don't repent or follow what they believe...how the fuck is that any better then someone telling religious people that what they believe is false?

Fuck I'm rambling. Not everything is black and white, I'm not religious but enjoy a lot of things revolving around religion. I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Not all atheists are like that. It's just the ones that are vocally anti-religious that give the rest of us a bad name.

At 30 minutes ago, Dawnslayer wrote: Not all atheists are like that. It's just the ones that are vocally anti-religious that give the rest of us a bad name.

We know that, but you know stereotypers. They base everyone with like opinions on the most annoying ones.
Maybe we who calmly express our beliefs (or lack thereof) should join forces and beat up the extremists.

The UK brand of Christianity tends to be a vague, non-specific, private sort. Where I came from most people only went church at Easter/Christmas.
I like our way of doing things, religion doesn't really get in the way, certainly an atheist and a Christian would have the same chance at becoming Prime Minister.
I remember telling this Indian guy at my old work that I was an atheist and he just couldn't wrap his head around it
"but who do you pray?" He kept asking me, I laughed and told him I didn't pray, he just looked confused.