# Am I the only person on the Internet who believes in God? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 24, 2010, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-person-on-the-internet-who-believes-in-god/554944 "2010-09-24T23:41:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-person-on-the-internet-who-believes-in-god/554944/21 "2010-09-25T01:00:22Z")
Well, good, because on a one-to-ten scale of persecution, your situation rates a zero. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-person-on-the-internet-who-believes-in-god/554944/22 "2010-09-25T01:05:39Z")
Generally I would say it’s just that there are a lot more assholes on the internet. In real life, most people wouldn’t feel comfortable barging into a conversation and making remark on people’s beliefs, but on the internet it’s pretty common. And on the other hand, anonymity also means people are more willing to talk about their beliefs. Largely I would not be surprised if there were a higher proportion of atheists/agnostics online. But really I would say the populations we’re talking about are in the millions if not billions; any difference is likely to be small enough that personal experience isn’t a very good measure. ---
**Author:** ![Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/f04885/32.png) [@Qin\_Shi\_Huangdi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qin_Shi_Huangdi)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-person-on-the-internet-who-believes-in-god/554944/23 "2010-09-25T01:13:08Z")
Hey, I’m a five-point Calvinist hardline Presbyterian yet I’m here! :D;) ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-person-on-the-internet-who-believes-in-god/554944/24 "2010-09-25T01:35:27Z")
I think it really depends where you look on the Internet. If you go to pregnancy/parenting message boards, even ones that are nominally secular, you’ll see a lot of posts with religious undertones. Such as, if someone is having a difficult pregnancy, others will say that they are praying for her. ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-person-on-the-internet-who-believes-in-god/554944/25 "2010-09-25T01:38:10Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > I think it really depends where you look on the Internet. If you go to pregnancy/parenting message boards, even ones that are nominally secular, you’ll see a lot of posts with religious undertones. Such as, if someone is having a difficult pregnancy, others will say that they are praying for her. You get that a lot _here_ even. ---
**Author:** ![Mozart1220](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@Mozart1220](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mozart1220)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-person-on-the-internet-who-believes-in-god/554944/26 "2010-09-25T01:41:40Z")
What is prayer really except a strong sincere HOPE that a good outcome will occur? ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-person-on-the-internet-who-believes-in-god/554944/27 "2010-09-25T01:47:14Z")
> [@Mozart1220](#): > > What is prayer really except a strong sincere HOPE that a good outcome will occur? When you pray for something you’re asking God to make it so. ---
**Author:** ![Uber\_the\_Goober](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/58956e/32.png) [@Uber\_the\_Goober](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uber_the_Goober)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-person-on-the-internet-who-believes-in-god/554944/28 "2010-09-25T01:58:17Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > No, just those who claim there are no God are very noisy. A very true statement…🆒 ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-person-on-the-internet-who-believes-in-god/554944/29 "2010-09-25T01:58:59Z")
> [@kanicbird](#): > > No, just those who claim there are no God are very noisy. > [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > > [@Mozart1220](#): > > > > Are you saying that an Atheist will lie in a real life encounter so as not to get beaten up or something? > > Or have their car trashed or lose their job or be disowned by their family or any number of other unpleasant consequences. Atheists are one of the most hated and distrusted groups in America. **kanicbird** and **Der Trihs** have both made valid points in the same thread, on the first page, and seem on the surface to be in agreement on this point. I just thought that should be pointed out. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-person-on-the-internet-who-believes-in-god/554944/30 "2010-09-25T02:01:27Z")
> [@echo6160](#): > > > [@kanicbird](#): > > > > No, just those who claim there are no God are very noisy. > > A very true statement…🆒 No, it really isn’t. You are just so used to society catering to you that you don’t understand how constant and everpresent references to religion are. Religious people are CONSTANTLY chattering about something religious and usually being judgemental too. You’re so used to being catered to that when someone doesn’t treat your belief as sacred and unquestionable, you freak out. You (collectively) tend to notice it more to, because I think deep down inside you know how silly and precarious your beliefs are and that they’ll come crumbling down upon any sort of critical opposition, so you lash out against it pretty harshly. ---
**Author:** ![ExTank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/35a633/32.png) [@ExTank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExTank)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-person-on-the-internet-who-believes-in-god/554944/31 "2010-09-25T02:26:37Z")
Sorry, nothing of substance to contribute, but I read the thread title, and couldn’t resist thinking, _Why yes, yes you are. And now we know where you live. Please remain seated, and in plain view; our agents will be along shortly to take you into custody._ Please continue. ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-person-on-the-internet-who-believes-in-god/554944/32 "2010-09-25T02:37:22Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Atheists are one of the most hated and distrusted groups in America. So, I wonder if the numbers on the internet actually do reflect society, if that society was actually free to make their opinions known. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-person-on-the-internet-who-believes-in-god/554944/33 "2010-09-25T02:44:28Z")
> [@Uzi](#): > > > [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > > > Atheists are one of the most hated and distrusted groups in America. > > So, I wonder if the numbers on the internet actually do reflect society, if that society was actually free to make their opinions known. I doubt it. The poorest and worst educated tend to be the most religious, and are less likely to have internet access in the first place. And the most intolerant people (not just religious ones) tend to be the sorts who isolate themselves in their own little internet/media bubble, and carefully avoid dissenting opinions; while they might _technically_ be “on the internet”, you aren’t likely to encounter them unless you go looking for them. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-person-on-the-internet-who-believes-in-god/554944/34 "2010-09-25T03:29:56Z")
There are quite a few theists in this thread: [Dad, is there a God ?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=579272) ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-person-on-the-internet-who-believes-in-god/554944/35 "2010-09-25T03:34:50Z")
If it helps, I believe in gods, plural, so I’m picking up the slack. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-person-on-the-internet-who-believes-in-god/554944/36 "2010-09-25T04:16:48Z")
> [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > > [@etv78](#): > > > > You guys pretty much confirmed what I thought. Namely, there are more athiests/agnostics in cyberspace than in real life. > > You’re on a board dedicated to fighting ignorance and you’re surprised to find that religious posters are in the minority here? It IS taking longer than we thought! So we are ignorant because we don;t agree with you? Gee, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Anduril](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c0e974/32.png) [@Anduril](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anduril)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-person-on-the-internet-who-believes-in-god/554944/37 "2010-09-25T04:24:18Z")
Pretty much, yeah. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![AClockworkMelon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aclockworkmelon/32/10803_2.png) [@AClockworkMelon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AClockworkMelon)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-person-on-the-internet-who-believes-in-god/554944/38 "2010-09-25T04:26:01Z")
> [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](#): > > > [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > > > You’re on a board dedicated to fighting ignorance and you’re surprised to find that religious posters are in the minority here? It IS taking longer than we thought! > > So we are ignorant because we don;t agree with you? Gee, thanks. No, you’re ignorant because you believe in superstitious nonsense. Sorry to be the one to break it to you. Edit: What **Anduril** said. I was considering responding with “Yup.” but decided against it. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-person-on-the-internet-who-believes-in-god/554944/39 "2010-09-25T04:57:46Z")
> [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](#): > > > [@AClockworkMelon](#): > > > > You’re on a board dedicated to fighting ignorance and you’re surprised to find that religious posters are in the minority here? It IS taking longer than we thought! > > So we are ignorant because we don;t agree with you? Gee, thanks. Yes, when the issue is a matter of evidence, why not? I’d call people who disagree with me on the issue of heliocentrism and evolution ignorant too. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2010, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-person-on-the-internet-who-believes-in-god/554944/40 "2010-09-25T05:02:21Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Yes, when the issue is a matter of evidence, why not? I’d call people who disagree with me on the issue of heliocentrism and evolution ignorant too. Oh, the issue of the existence of God has been scientifically settled, like heliocentrism and evolution? I must have missed that issue of _Nature._ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-person-on-the-internet-who-believes-in-god/554944.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/am-i-the-only-person-on-the-internet-who-believes-in-god/554944.md?page=3)