# Atheists in America **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 6, 2020, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-in-america/853246 "2020-05-06T02:07:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-in-america/853246/61 "2020-05-08T10:34:19Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > I remember when we had a add that phrase. It was like adding an 11th Commandment. It was bad enough that black children in the south had to say “justice for alll”. ---
**Author:** ![Sean\_the\_Dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Sean\_the\_Dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sean_the_Dog)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 10:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-in-america/853246/62 "2020-05-08T10:42:40Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > Whoever said it was mistaken. > > There is precisely zero faith required to be an atheist. It is a \*lack \*of faith, not a positive claim about the existence of gods. > > Is your lack of belief in Santa Claus a religion? Nessie? Leprechauns? unicorns? fairies? How many religions do you have? Santa Claus, leprechauns, unicorns, et al, are stories dispelled by the people who pass them on in the first place (parents, friends, etc.). Nessie is still a bit of a question mark, I think. The nature of God that most people refer to (in Christianity anyway) means that you don’t truly know anything about Him/Her/It in this life, only in the afterlife, if there is one. In other words, despite what you believe now, you don’t actually KNOW anything, and won’t until you die. You could be wrong. Atheism is a positive claim about the non-existence of gods. Or a negative claim about the existence of gods. It is faith based in logic and science, but it is still faith. * * * “Stay the blazes home” - Stephen McNeil, Premier of Nova Scotia ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-in-america/853246/63 "2020-05-08T10:58:56Z")
Make a falsifiable claim about the god you are referring to, then we can discuss which side is relying on faith. ---
**Author:** ![DrForrester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@DrForrester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrForrester)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-in-america/853246/64 "2020-05-08T11:35:59Z")
> [@Sean\_the\_Dog](#): > > Atheism is a positive claim about the non-existence of gods. Or a negative claim about the existence of gods. It is faith based in logic and science, but it is still faith. If you want to posit that any claim, somehow by definition, is also a statement of faith, I think you’ll find yourself out of agreement with most people. Proof denies faith. In other words, the two are mutually exclusive. If the facts are on your side, you don’t need faith and vice versa. If you want to make an extraordinary claim, it is up to you to provide the extraordinary proof. This isn’t my burden. It’s not my claim. If I tell you that I do not believe that the entire world, and everything in it, is colored an identical shade of pink, this is not a statement of “faith”. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-in-america/853246/65 "2020-05-08T13:19:16Z")
> [@Sean\_the\_Dog](#): > > Santa Claus, leprechauns, unicorns, et al, are stories dispelled by the people who pass them on in the first place (parents, friends, etc.). Not always, not for everyone, not for all such entities and not everywhere. For example, In Iceland there is a very serious belief in trolls. Is your presumed non-belief in trolls a religion? > [@](#): > > Nessie is still a bit of a question mark, I think. So your non-belief in nessie is a religion or a faith is it? > [@](#): > > The nature of God that most people refer to (in Christianity anyway) means that you don’t truly know anything about Him/Her/It in this life, only in the afterlife, if there is one. and yet I hear tell of a book that does indeed allow people to know about the nature of this alleged “being”, reporting what they do, what they think and what they want. There are supposed prophets who have proclaimed on exactly that. Are those that think so wrong? No skin off my nose of course but I suspect that’ll come as a shock to them and you would appear to have a much bigger potential disagreement with them. > [@](#): > > In other words, despite what you believe now, you don’t actually KNOW anything, and won’t until you die. You could be wrong. Correct, which is why I do not claim to know that gods _don’t_ exist. The evidence for that proposition is dismal to non-existant so I continue my life without that belief. > [@](#): > > Atheism is a positive claim about the non-existence of gods. Or a negative claim about the existence of gods. It is faith based in logic and science, but it is still faith. You are wrong, and it gets tiresome pointing this out to people. It is massively arrogant of you to presume to know, better than I myself, what I actually mean by the description I use. My “atheism”, such as it is, is merely an _absence_ of belief. Not a positive or negative claim at all and no “faith” required. I don’t say that theists are “wrong” just that I don’t accept they are “right”. It is a subtle but massively important distinction. ---
**Author:** ![9dahle2izlgj\_opayq.com](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/9/ebca7d/32.png) [@9dahle2izlgj\_opayq.com](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/9dahle2izlgj_opayq.com)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-in-america/853246/66 "2020-05-08T17:08:02Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > A recall a decade or more ago, hearing of a poll saying more people were less likely to vote for an atheist candidate than just about any other designation. Wonder how reliable that was, and whether it still holds. In some places voting for an atheist isn’t even an option. Per the North Carolina constitution: > [@](#): > > Sec. 8. Disqualifications for office. > > The following persons shall be disqualified for office: > > **First, any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God.** > > Second, with respect to any office that is filled by election by the people, any person who is not qualified to vote in an election for that office. > > Third, any person who has been adjudged guilty of treason or any other felony against this State or the United States, or any person who has been adjudged guilty of a felony in another state that also would be a felony if it had been committed in this State, or any person who has been adjudged guilty of corruption or malpractice in any office, or any person who has been removed by impeachment from any office, and who has not been restored to the rights of citizenship in the manner prescribed by law. (emphasis mine) I have no idea how that is allowed under the 1st Amendment. Or maybe it isn’t and can’t be enforced. Nonetheless, there it is… ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-in-america/853246/67 "2020-05-08T17:11:16Z")
> [@9dahle2izlgj\_opayq.com](#): > > In some places voting for an atheist isn’t even an option. Per the North Carolina constitution: > (emphasis mine) > > I have no idea how that is allowed under the 1st Amendment. Or maybe it isn’t and can’t be enforced. Nonetheless, there it is… Yeah, I’m surprised that hasn’t faced Constitutional challenge in court yet. ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-in-america/853246/68 "2020-05-08T17:30:37Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > You are wrong, and it gets tiresome pointing this out to people. One almost begins to wonder if that’s the point. Suddenly the discussion isn’t about the evidence (or the lack of it) for a particular god claim, but rather an unending rehash of what exactly an atheist is. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-in-america/853246/69 "2020-05-08T17:46:05Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > I was very surprised to learn that the Pledge of Allegiance did not include the phrase “under God” until the 1950s. I’ve also seen video of children at Muslim parochial schools saying it as “one nation, under Allah.” Catholic group Knights of Columbus takes credit for getting “under God” added. They made a big push for the change. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-in-america/853246/70 "2020-05-08T18:00:34Z")
> [@ASL\_v2.0](#): > > One almost begins to wonder if that’s the point. Suddenly the discussion isn’t about the evidence (or the lack of it) for a particular god claim, but rather an unending rehash of what exactly an atheist is. Perhaps, and good luck actually getting a defintion of a god that actually amounts to a claim in the first place. You’ll note in the post that I was replying to it was said > [@](#): > > The nature of God that most people refer to (in Christianity anyway) means that you don’t truly know anything about Him/Her/It in this life, only in the afterlife, if there is one. Which is pretty much a _non_-definition. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-in-america/853246/71 "2020-05-08T18:07:56Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > Perhaps, and good luck actually getting a defintion of a god that actually amounts to a claim in the first place. > > You’ll note in the post that I was replying to it was said > > Which is pretty much a _non_-definition. It is like being told to disprove the existence of a Bleeblenit. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-in-america/853246/72 "2020-05-08T18:12:21Z")
> [@Sean\_the\_Dog](#): > > Atheism is a positive claim about the non-existence of gods. Or a negative claim about the existence of gods. It is faith based in logic and science, but it is still faith. The preacher said, “_ **Nothing** is greater than God!_” So I asked, “Why, then, do you promote belief in the lesser thing?" ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-in-america/853246/73 "2020-05-08T18:21:11Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > It is like being told to disprove the existence of a Bleeblenit. Dammit! that’s another entity I now have to have no belief in. You’ve saddled me with another religion you swine. I’ve only got so much apathy to go round you know! ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-in-america/853246/74 "2020-05-08T18:47:27Z")
Bleeblenit (also known as “Blee ie it” in some sources) only exists if you don’t believe in Him. She is a contrarian god and desires anonymity above all else, but ambiguity first and foremost. Their kingdom is a truly glorious realm known as the Duchy of Heavenly Heresy. ETA: This post has not been edited. It is the unadultered, slightly modified word of the one true Gods. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-in-america/853246/75 "2020-05-08T19:07:35Z")
> [@ASL\_v2.0](#): > > She is a contrarian god no she’s not! ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-in-america/853246/76 "2020-05-08T19:19:57Z")
> [@Novelty\_Bobble](#): > > no she’s not! You mean, no _He’s_ not. ---
**Author:** ![DrForrester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@DrForrester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrForrester)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-in-america/853246/77 "2020-05-08T19:37:38Z")
I, for one, welcome Bleeblenit, our most recent deity. I wonder what sort of sacrifices will be required? Will there be cake? ---
**Author:** ![ASL\_v2.0](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asl_v2.0/32/3525_2.png) [@ASL\_v2.0](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASL_v2.0)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-in-america/853246/78 "2020-05-08T19:48:33Z")
> [@DrForrester](#): > > I, for one, welcome Bleeblenit, our most recent deity. > > I wonder what sort of sacrifices will be required? Will there be cake? Yes, but the cake must be given up as sacrifice, both provided and received by Her Majesty, the Queen of the Duchy of Heretical Heaven. ETA: And before anyone comes in and accuses me of making this all up… why would I lie? What would I have to gain? Certainly not cake… ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-in-america/853246/79 "2020-05-08T20:12:14Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > 1. We identify as “nonreligious” and “atheist” far more than “agnostic.” > 2. We hide our non-theistic identities from different people. > 3. Most of us grew up in religious — specifically Christian — households. > 4. We put up with a lot of crap because we’re not religious. Sometimes, it gets violent. > 5. We care about general religious equality more than atheist-specific legal battles. > 6. We vote. “Nones” don’t always vote, but atheists definitely vote. > > [ For me: 1. True 2. Not really, but I live in a bubble of weirdos. I may know nearly as many Tarot readers as actual Christians. I work in the school system and don’t bring it up there as many students will come from Christian homes. But I can’t imagine it ever coming up. “No you can’t combine these terms because they’re not like terms. Also, there’s no God.” 3. Nope, Dad was Jewish, Mom Lutheran, but both nominally. My Dad finally admitted he was an Atheist about 10 years ago. My Mom still identifies as Lutheran but she never prays or goes to church or reads the Bible, and she doesn’t believe in the resurrection or an afterlife. 4. No, not really. I certainly can’t imagine violence. How would it happen? But again I live in a bubble. 5. I guess. Not quite sure what this means. I do believe in freedom of religion, including the freedom not to have one. For specific cases, it depends on the case. 6. I usually vote even though my vote is pointless. The Greens sometimes out poll Republicans here. and I have no real congressional representation. But the Mayoral primary is important, and there’s usually a ballot initiative or two that motivates me to go to the polls. While I’m there, why not cast a vote for president? ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2020, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-in-america/853246/80 "2020-05-08T20:20:00Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > It is like being told to disprove the existence of a Bleeblenit. Not just that, all possible definitions of Bleeblenit. You can disprove the purple one, but how about the shocking pink one? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-in-america/853246.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/atheists-in-america/853246.md?page=5)