We don’t cotton much to them durn homersapiens 'round here.
There are few cultural divides between Canada and the US, but religion is a huge one.
I would agree with you, but here’s the thing… in the USA, atheists are the most mistrusted and most discriminated group/demographic. In the USA, if you don’t believe in some type of deity, you get a lot of hate piled up on you, so in this case, it is a thing to discuss.
Did you believe in God before this, or were you always just going through the motions?
I agree. The USA is one of the most religious countries in the world, which I find ironic as there is nothing in the Constitution that says it is a Christian nation.
Before that moment I would say that I believed, but I was doing a lot of questioning.
No worries, G0sp3l. I would enjoy other atheists’ stories and perspectives.
Non stamp collectors have never been barred from holding public office. The 1961 supreme court ruling in Torcaso v. Watkins makes it moot, but the constitutions of these eight states still forbid atheists from holding office: Arkansas, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. Even though they are unenforceable, it would be nice to have these amended…can’t happen in today’s theistic political climate.
Until recently atheism has polled as the highest rated deal breaker for electability. Since they didn’t ask, the non-collection of stamps might be similarly unpopular, but I’d give the pollsters the benefit of the doubt on not thinking it worth asking. I have a standing bet with a queer catholic friend that we will have a gay or lesbian president before we elect an out atheist. We both consider that if either of us has to pay up, it will be a win.Article with links to poll data.
Stamp collecting is never considered when awarding child custody, nor the suitability of potential adoptive parents.
I’ve never had a girlfriend or her parents throw a conniption fit because I don’t collect stamps, nor has a potential online dating partner made stamp collection a condition of meeting me.
Furthermore, stamp collectors are not conducting organized campaigns to have their beliefs taught in science classes, nor to control the ability of non stamp collectors to marry or adopt children.
When stamp collecting is discussed around the water cooler at work, I don’t feel pressured to nod my head and smile as if I’m a collector too.
I don’t have a penny black. I also don’t have an inverted jenny. Which of these feats of non-stamp collecting impress you more?
(I’m also working on not owining a penny red)
I have a question for you. If a vegan, a crossfitter, and an atheist walk into a bar at the same time, which one announces what they are first?
None of them? Unless others are striking up a conversation about those topics, of course.
Your post is interesting; adds further context to the thread, thanks.
Again - I can’t imagine. But I see how it is an anchor part of one’s identity. I know many Jews who appreciate the ritual of their faith but don’t consider themselves active believers.
Which one would be most likely? I would say the vegan, just because food is the most likely subject to come up.
The atheist would be last by a long shot, in my experiences.
A crossfitter won’t be in a bar unless wheat grass is offered.
Listen to a couple of episodes. I think you’ll enjoy it. Cecil and Tom are intelligent atheists with extremely good senses of humor (humour crost the pond).
Tom is the author of The Skeptic’s Creed: (spoiler for space)
[spoiler]Skeptic’s Creed
Credulity is not a virtue
its fortune
cookie
cutter
mommy issue
hypno
babylon bullshit
couched in scientician
double bubble toil and
trouble
pseudo quasi alternative
accu punctuating pressurized stereogram
pyramidal free energy healing
watered downward spiral brain deadpan sales pitch late night
infodocutainment
Leo Pisces cancer-cures detox reflex foot massage
death and towers tarot cards
psychic healing crystals balls
bigfoot yeti aliens
churches mosques and synagogues
temples
dragons
giant worms
atlantis dolphins
truthers birthers
witches wizards
vaccine-nuts
shaman healers
evangelists
conspiracy doublespeak stigmata nonsense
expose your sides
thrust your hands
bloody
evidential
conclusive
doubt even this.[/spoiler]
Dragwyr, a majority percentage of Dopers, I’d wager, are atheist or agnostic. Flaming on organized religions is a well-worked muscle here on the SDMB. With your OP, what are you looking to discuss? How you came to your decision? How you have presented yourself IRL? Compare notes with other nonbelievers?
I’ve noticed the same thing, but extensive searching did not reveal a specific thread that talked about atheism specifically. I guess I’m looking to discuss all of it. How we came to our non-belief, how we live our lives, etc.
This poll is from 2009. Is there a more recent poll available?