Maybe more atheists watch Larry King
.. or maybe people watch Larry King and say, "There is no God!"
I am a live-and-let-live kind of gal when it comes to religion. Religion is a very private and personal matter .. who you worship and how you worship is none of my dang business, it's one of the greatest freedoms of our beautiful America.
But, when your religion enters the public sector -- like abortion, etc.-- it is very much my business. If I don't believe in your religion, it should not invade my privacy. The courts decided long ago that a Hindu child shouldn't be made to recite Christian Bible verses in school.
Everyone claims that Christians vastly outnumber atheists in this country .. that's why I was surprised by this....
Yes, it's another silly Internet poll, and it's badly phrased .. but I voted anyway. Larry King wants to know "which religion do you associate with?" .. and atheism is one of the choices.
Too bad they list atheism as a religion .. the correct answer for atheists is 'none'.
Atheists .. don't be shocked to find out that you are not the only one in town.
The poll is currently registering 71 percent of the voters as atheists. I always thought there were more atheists than you'd think -- in public atheists laugh nervously and change the subject, not wanting to be ostracized -- but I had no idea. 71 percent -- some would call that a mandate.
And they say you can't herd cats ..
Christianity 15% 2180
Judaism 5% 706
Islam 2% 251
Buddhism 0% 73
Hinduism 0% 45
Jehovah's Witnesses 1% 150
Atheism 71% 10546
Agnostic 2% 337
I am spiritual, but of no religion 3% 441
Mine's not listed 1% 163
Total Votes: 14892
Judaism 5% 706
Islam 2% 251
Buddhism 0% 73
Hinduism 0% 45
Jehovah's Witnesses 1% 150
Atheism 71% 10546
Agnostic 2% 337
I am spiritual, but of no religion 3% 441
Mine's not listed 1% 163
Total Votes: 14892
I remember what the curmudgeonly atheist Dr. House said in an episode of the Fox program "House"....
“You know, I get it that people are just looking for a way to fill the holes. But they want the holes. They want to live in the holes. And they go nuts when someone else pours dirt in their holes. Climb out of your holes, people!”
People tend to dislike atheists in general rather than in particular .. they know House, they like him and don't care if he's an atheist. If fictional atheists like House could be joined by more outspoken atheists in real life -- like Richard Dawkins -- maybe the public impression of nonbelievers could move up a notch toward something more realistic.
Atheists are good law abiding, caring people .. they aren't all lurking in the dark, waiting to pounce on the faithful.
They've just been more successful in outgrowing the imaginary friends of childhood.
