Atheists in the US: A turning tide?

The Cartoon made me think of this:

http://atheistforums.org/thread-448.html

Maybe I am living in bizarro world; the only people I know that still believe in God are my mom and grandparents. Everyone else is either a stout atheist or they do not care in the least about religion.

That's what it's like in my world too, humanpasta, but apparently not the majority of the united states!

Athesits are outnumbered, but it does not mean we should be against them, and neither should them, its the ignorant people behind it who just does not like other people opposing their religion, thus, starts wars, crimes, and inciting hate wherever they go....The religous should be singled out, just like Atheists, to show that we are not bad and that we can get along, the book of Christinanity, which is the bible states that whoever do not believe in God, will be damned to this place called Hell, directly pointing out anyone who worships another religion, but mainly Atheists....it can only be stopped if people who are religious will stop assuming we need help from them by doing so, and to not take their religion too seriously, like all Beliefs, even Atheists, one can too seriously about the belief one has, and then tries to atempt to spread the belief, beliefs need to personal, to only that one specific person and no one else. If someone actually WANTS to have that same beilef, then let it be so....but seriously, why so serious?

The first Christians we called Atheists...

Kinda Ironic

atheists... like non-astrologers... stop this us and them farce.

I think the tide is turning...actually, I believe it is inevitable...but the fact that Barack used the term "non-believer" in stead of "atheist" says a lot about the current state of our standing in this country.

Why does my existence (as an atheist) bother so many of my fellow Americans?

I think the majority have serious doubts...but are afraid to admit it for fear of estrangement from family and friends. By the way what ever happened to Zeus, Apollo, and all those others? There is as much evidence of their existence as the current God, Allah or whatever.

I am Christian. In my belief if anyone believes that they are saved by the Grace of God through the Faith that they have in Him, then they shall enter the gates of Heaven. Believe that Jesus died on the Cross for your sins, then you will go to Heaven. We call all of that collectively, Saved by Grace through Faith. Note that, not all Christians believe this (e.g. Catholics, Lutherans, Protestant, etc.) This is why i now attend a non-denominational church, while I originally attended a Baptist church (they call themselves 'non-denominational' because they do not affiliate nor answer to any denomination)

Think of it this way. If all of the atheists are correct and when we die, we just fade in nothingness. If those atheists are correct, then what have I to fear?

Look at it another way. Say that I am correct, that when we die, you either go to Heaven or Hell. Then i still have nothing to fear as a saved Christian, but the outcome for those atheists will be much more harsh.

So any way you look at it, a saved Christian will have nothing to fear. Any atheists will be very disappointed with the outcome of their afterlife, eh?

Evolutionists hate questions such as "Which came first, the chicken, or the egg?" Symbiosis is another subject they hate. For, if all life gradually evolved from simple to complex, how can they explain TWO life forms, living together, in a "symbiotic relationship"; each one unable to survive without the other?

Did you and I come from lovesick amoeba? Did your intelligent mind gradually evolve from single-celled animals into sponges and sea anemones? Did your more recent ancestors shed their fins and gills, climb ashore, and begin dragging their knuckles along the ground as they searched for food? For if evolution is to be believed, then just such a scenario would have taken place! Astonishing? Yes. And as untrue as any of Grimms Fairy Tales.

"The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool." - William Shakespeare

I agree with the first comment. I'll take it a step further. We live in a world of many faiths and beliefs. With so many, we will tear our selves apart as a species if we are so high-strung about religion and those that are different. Everybody should just practice what there religions say to, or what the golden rule is. Treat people the way that you want to be treated, or as the respected religions say (in different words) love your enemy, be at peace with yourself.

"Look at it another way. Say that I am correct, that when we die, you either go to Heaven or Hell. Then i still have nothing to fear as a saved Christian, but the outcome for those atheists will be much more harsh."

This begs many questions for me, I hope you will tell me what your line of thought is. Do you believe that all non-christians go to hell? What IS hell to you, is it really a place? A separation from god? A concept?

Also, you are describing a kind of "hedge your bets" mentality that I can't fall in line with. I can't trick myself into believing in god, and if god does exist, i certainly couldn't trick them either, right?

I actually didn't like the use of the term "non-believer". I wish he would have said atheist and agnostic (and a few other major religious affiliations he didn't mentioned). The term "non-believer" connotes that atheism is a negative backlash to traditional religion. This is often untrue. As an atheist, I am a spiritual person, I just don't base my spirituality on the words of any "holy" book or organization. I am a believer and an atheist.

cool post delia

from the article: "The main thing that's going to help atheists gain more acceptance is for us to keep coming out, keep speaking out, and keep organizing. That's what it takes. That's what it always takes."

I think atheists are making progress, and the internet has played a big part in that progress. What surprises me is how many atheists get uncomfortable with strident, evangelical atheism.

I think being obnoxious and loud is sometimes appropriate.

Be strong, be brave, be an atheist!

or be whatever you feel is the best thing, and be proud.

enjoy being atheist, and i'll love God.

Athiest make me uncomfortable.

And I consider myself a half-baked christian, so I usually only believe in god when I want something or I'm really scared.

Religion is the skeleton of this country. Its the foundation for so much here. It gives peoples lives meaning.

I don't think people have a problem with atheist. The Problem is when you try to convince people that the one thing that makes their life matter is illogical. And its worse when you do it in a manner thats forceful and makes someone feel dumb.

I don't like those cocky atheists that go around and tell people they are dumb for believing a fictional character actually created the universe.

Jenkins, you made my point for me.

How can you ask the someone to accept your beliefs or non-beliefs when you don't respect theirs?

"Is atheism becoming more acceptable in the United States, or is it a hopeless cause in such a religious country?"

I think people regardless of their beliefs get easily annoyed with any group that tries to push their belief or non-beleif around.

True christianity is not like that guy in the story. It's the fake characters that make the religion look bad. Such as "conservatives", etc. People who are out to further their own agenda's, not of God.

Atheists definitely are becoming more accepted.

It's only tribalistic idiots who really care what religion you are or are not attached to, and they're that way about everything, not just religion.

It really depends on where are you are, but more and more people accept atheism or AT LEAST tolerate it.

There is still a great deal of oppression, but we're reaching the point where even very religious people don't consider that acceptable.

Just like gay marriage is a big social battle right now, I think 8-12 years from now it'll be getting rid of "in God we trust" off our money and "under God" out of the pledge.

Then we can finally return to our founding days, when people didn't need their religion branded on their currency to feel better about themselves.

It honestly doesn't bother me that it's on there, but it definitely will feel good to have a government that doesn't spit on my philosophy.

I agree

Nope , I changed my mind I disagree.... hehe

anything should make you happy.

Atheists don't necessarily believe when we die we fade into nothingness as The Empire Guy said. There are other options than heaven and hell. Reincarnation being one. I'm from an older generation and what I see is more and more of those from the younger generation are choosing atheistism over theism. I think one reason for this is the increase in scientific thinking. I think the atheist percentage is rising and will continue rising.

For some reason, this article made me think of a joke in my philosophy joke book. :P

'A man arrives at the gates of heaven. St. Peter asks," Religion?"

The man says, "Methodist." St. Peter looks down his list, and says, "Go to room twenty-eight, but be very quiet as you pass room eight."

Another man arrives at the gates of heaven. "Religion?" "Baptists."
"Go to room eighteen, but be very quiet as you pass room eight."

A third man arrives at the gates. "Religion?" "Jewish." "Go to room eleven, but be very quiet as you pass room eight."
The man says, " I understand there being different rooms for different religions, but why must I be quiet when I pass room eight?"
St. Peters says, " The Jehovah's Witnesses are in room eight, and they think they're the only ones here." '
- Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar....
By Thomas Cathcart and Daniel Klein