Atheist Acceptability on the Rise in America

[웃 910]

Atheist Acceptability on the Rise in America

More than half would now vote for a nonbeliever.Published on June 28, 2012 by David Niose in Our Humanity, NaturallyThe good news for nonbelievers is that, for the first time ever, more than half the American population would vote for a qualified, open atheist for president. A recent Gallup pollshows that 54 percent of Americans would not consider a candidate’s atheism to be a disqualification for holding the nation's highest office.

This shows remarkable progress, a nine-point increase from 2007 and 36 points higher than the 18 percent acceptability figure that nonbelievers received when the question was first asked in 1958. Clearly, seculars are making huge strides in gaining acceptance. If the trend continues, we can expect that other open nonbelievers may soon join Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) as elected lawmakers in the nation's capital.

The bad news, however, is that atheists still rank lowest among the groups listed. Muslims (58 percent), gays and lesbians (68 percent) and Mormons (80 percent) all ranked higher. While no fair and rational observer would suggest that membership in any of those groups should disqualify a candidate for office, to secular activists it is nevertheless troubling that nonbelievers still occupy the cellar of American public opinion.

Obviously, atheists and humanists have a long way to go to remove the stigma that the public and media irrationally attach to religious skepticism. But since secularity is quite prevalent among young Americans, whererecent numbers show that religious affiliation and belief are very low among those under 30, it is reasonable to believe that the vilification of the atheism will diminish over time.

Having climbed from 18 percent to 54 percent, seculars have tripled their approval ratings in about half a century, and such gains are unmatched by any other group. This progress is especially remarkable when we bear in mind that it took place despite the impressive organization and massive wealth of the Religious Right, which has for over thirty years been flexing its political muscle and trying to dominate the political arena. If secularity can gain acceptance in this hostile environment, one would have difficulty imagining any scenario - aside from perhaps the Second Coming - that would reverse its momentum.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/our-humanity-naturally/201206/atheist-acceptability-the-rise-in-america

[Elora & Rob 15]

I have always found athiests care more about pushing there point of view than people of faith.

[웃 910]

I have always found athiests care more about pushing there point of view than people of faith.

In real life or on the internet?

[Danno 1,228]

Atheist Acceptability on the Rise in America

More than half would now vote for a nonbeliever.Published on June 28, 2012 by David Niose in Our Humanity, NaturallyThe good news for nonbelievers is that, for the first time ever, more than half the American population would vote for a qualified, open atheist for president. A recent Gallup pollshows that 54 percent of Americans would not consider a candidate’s atheism to be a disqualification for holding the nation's highest office.

This shows remarkable progress, a nine-point increase from 2007 and 36 points higher than the 18 percent acceptability figure that nonbelievers received when the question was first asked in 1958. Clearly, seculars are making huge strides in gaining acceptance. If the trend continues, we can expect that other open nonbelievers may soon join Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) as elected lawmakers in the nation's capital.

The bad news, however, is that atheists still rank lowest among the groups listed. Muslims (58 percent), gays and lesbians (68 percent) and Mormons (80 percent) all ranked higher. While no fair and rational observer would suggest that membership in any of those groups should disqualify a candidate for office, to secular activists it is nevertheless troubling that nonbelievers still occupy the cellar of American public opinion.

Obviously, atheists and humanists have a long way to go to remove the stigma that the public and media irrationally attach to religious skepticism. But since secularity is quite prevalent among young Americans, whererecent numbers show that religious affiliation and belief are very low among those under 30, it is reasonable to believe that the vilification of the atheism will diminish over time.

Having climbed from 18 percent to 54 percent, seculars have tripled their approval ratings in about half a century, and such gains are unmatched by any other group. This progress is especially remarkable when we bear in mind that it took place despite the impressive organization and massive wealth of the Religious Right, which has for over thirty years been flexing its political muscle and trying to dominate the political arena. If secularity can gain acceptance in this hostile environment, one would have difficulty imagining any scenario - aside from perhaps the Second Coming - that would reverse its momentum.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/our-humanity-naturally/201206/atheist-acceptability-the-rise-in-america

Hate to burst your bubble but as the culture continues to change you will find people of all lifestyles and reputation will be more "acceptable" to voters and society, because

being "non-judgemental" is now seen as a higher character trait than being able to make judgements.

It wasn't that long ago they said Reagan would never be elected because he had been divorced decades before.

EX-CON Marian Barry got re-elected.

Bill Clinton had damage control to do when he admitted trying pot (without inhaling) Obamer admits to regular use of cocaine, and it was hardly even a mention.

It wasn't that long ago a school teacher could not cohabitant with someone if not married nor be seen in certain places.

So people of all unconventional habit and lifestyle, be it sexual, religious, political and other wise are all more acceptable to the public at large and this trajectory will continue.

[rocks 494]

I have always found athiests care more about pushing there point of view than people of faith.

Untrue. Do you have evidence of this? Have you been cornered and yelled at by an atheist? I have been by a Christian. I was unable to leave. Do atheists knock on your door and insist on converting you?

Edited June 29, 2012 by rocks

[Elora & Rob 15]

In real life or on the internet?

both.

[rocks 494]

both.

Do you have evidence of this? Have you been cornered and yelled at by an atheist? I have been by a Christian. I was unable to leave. Do atheists knock on your door and insist on converting you?

[Elora & Rob 15]

Do you have evidence of this? Have you been cornered and yelled at by an atheist? I have been by a Christian. I was unable to leave. Do atheists knock on your door and insist on converting you?

i am private about my faith and so is anybody i know who has a faith. on many occasions my faith has been mocked by atheists. i have never been critical of an atheist or anybody else's faith. i have my feelings but i keep them to myself.

i would say you were unable to leave is your own issue. i wouldn't have got into that position.

[rocks 494]

i am private about my faith and so is anybody i know who has a faith. on many occasions my faith has been mocked by atheists. i have never been critical of an atheist or anybody else's faith. i have my feelings but i keep them to myself.

i would say you were unable to leave is your own issue. i wouldn't have got into that position.

What does that have to do with anything? I was cornered by a christian, he was extremely critical and yelled at me and wouldn't let me leave. My husband had to come and argue with him to get me free. He didn't keep his feelings to himself so your argument is void. Christians are very aggressive with voicing their opinions and this is why atheists assert their dislike of religion.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

I am a non-believer. I do not foist this on anyone. I respect the rights of others to believe or not believe whatever they want, as long as their religious beliefs do not impinge upon my life. I've been chastised by people of many faiths for choosing not to believe, and if it has been Christians who have more frequently taken issue with my lack of faith (as they have), it's only because I come into contact more frequently with Christians.

I'm offended by showy, shouty atheists. It's totally embarrassing and disrespectful to those of faith and those without.

[rocks 494]

I am a non-believer. I do not foist this on anyone. I respect the rights of others to believe or not believe whatever they want, as long as their religious beliefs do not impinge upon my life. I've been chastised by people of many faiths for choosing not to believe, and if it has been Christians who have more frequently taken issue with my lack of faith (as they have), it's only because I come into contact more frequently with Christians.

I'm offended by showy, shouty atheists. It's totally embarrassing and disrespectful to those of faith and those without.

Same here, I never bring up that I'm an atheist. People constantly bring up their religion though. I've had spam phone calls from Christians telling me to come to their church, never had an atheist do that to me, have you?

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Same here, I never bring up that I'm an atheist. People constantly bring up their religion though. I've had spam phone calls from Christians telling me to come to their church, never had an atheist do that to me, have you?

No, never. But I have told ardent atheists to STFU and leave me alone for not cleaving to their brand of non-belief. I had one once tell me I was as "bad as an agnostic" for refusing to call myself an atheist. I call myself a non-believer because I don't care enough about religion to warrant that description. I find atheists who talk about Dawkins non-stop and somehow manage to bring the discussion around to religion all the time as irritating as those believers who tell me I'm going to hell for engaging in lots and lots of pre-marital sex. Seriously, it begins to look like those homophobes who are suspiciously up on the varieties of gay porn out there.

Edit: clarity.

Edited June 30, 2012 by Honey Crumpet

[웃 910]

I know this is hard to believe but I have only discussed religion in public one time among strangers and probably will be the last time. Was within a year ago. We were talking for about 25 minutes and towards the end of the discussion religion was brought up. Not sure if it was a coincidence but within 5 minutes of me saying I was an Atheist they said they had to go.

But imo it is a lot more common for religious people to evangelize than Atheists. Been to church a million times and 90% of the time they either had you raise your hand if you were going to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior for the first time or they had you come to the front towards the end of the service.

There is literally a church every couple miles. And roughly 3 out of 4 people identify as a Christian.

I see posts all day long thanking God on Facebook. And how church service was great and bible study is going to be awesome! I just ignore those posts and would never write a comment.

There is practically nothing you can do to bring someone into Atheism. However you are born that way but told otherwise growing up. And it is a personal decision to explore the opposing viewpoints or consider that your religion is wrong. Or if it ever gets to that stage (which by then you are pretty much crossing the point of no return) to have so much doubt you buy a Hitchens/Dawkins/Barker/etc book.

My uncle is a preacher and he thoroughly enjoys doing deathbed conversions. He absolutely loves to do hospital visits and pray with a person and do the whole "do you accept Jesus H. Christ into your heart" thing!

You really have to be brainwashed to believe that that little yes/no question answered with a "yes" 5 minutes before you die is all it takes to get into heaven. But he clearly does. Any day of the week if you are Jewish your going to burn in hell. But if my uncle catches you 5 minutes before you die you are saved!

You don't have Atheist gatherings. Atheist churches, atheists visiting people in the hospital. None of that. That is why atheists are a little more aggressive on the internets (which can be embarrassing and I am guilty of it a lot!) Reason they are so loud online is they are practically mute in real life.

Edited June 30, 2012 by ☠

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

I have always found athiests care more about pushing there point of view than people of faith.

I agree. A large percentage of atheists I know are militant unhappy control freaks that are worse than a bunch of bible thumping fundies, when it comes to pushing their view point down your throat..

Of course most far right Evangelical Christians are militant unhappy mean spirited control freaks that want to push their view down your throat.

Just keep the church and state far apart and respect everyone else right to determine their own path in life, and we will all be fine

Basically your rights stop where mine start, and as long as I don't have to witness it, condone it or fund it, what you do is your business.

[Glyn and Kathy 288]

I would have to say that it wouldn't bother me in the slightest. I have always considered myself "faithful" but not religious. If someone was an atheist, I would care more about the kind of person they were....not who or what they chose to believe in, or who or what they chose NOT to believe in. Being a religious person doesn't make you a "good" person, that's for DAMN SURE!