# Poll for religious and non religious Dopers **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 25, 2005, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-religious-and-non-religious-dopers/309813 "2005-06-25T17:32:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-religious-and-non-religious-dopers/309813/1 "2005-06-25T17:32:38Z")
This is a poll on how much you either keep your religion or atheism to yourself, or how much you share. Do you fall under any of these categories? 1. I have my beliefs, other people have theirs. 2. I wish other people would believe the same as me. 3. Sometimes I feel like sharing my beliefs. 4. I feel compelled to share my beliefs. Or, if not, what describes you accurately? As for me, I go with number 2 (yeah yeah, I know, insert joke here :)). I wish people would believe like I do, but I never try to proselytize or convert anyone. Oh, and there’s no reason for this thread other than curiosity. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Cazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cazzle/32/75_2.png) [@Cazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cazzle)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-religious-and-non-religious-dopers/309813/2 "2005-06-25T17:38:58Z")
Atheist 1. I have my beliefs, other people have theirs. ---
**Author:** ![Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angel_of_the_lord/32/2949_2.png) [@Angel\_of\_the\_Lord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Angel_of_the_Lord)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-religious-and-non-religious-dopers/309813/3 "2005-06-25T17:55:19Z")
Wiccan 1.) I have my beliefs, other people have theirs. Of course, I also have the antithesis of 4.)…“I don’t want to share my beliefs.” ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-religious-and-non-religious-dopers/309813/4 "2005-06-25T18:02:57Z")
1. ---
**Author:** ![matt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a6a055/32.png) [@matt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-religious-and-non-religious-dopers/309813/5 "2005-06-25T18:22:39Z")
Atheist. Mostly 3) (Sometimes I feel like sharing my beliefs) with a touch of 2) (I wish other people would believe the same as me) I guess. ---
**Author:** ![SnakesCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4af34b/32.png) [@SnakesCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SnakesCatLady)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-religious-and-non-religious-dopers/309813/6 "2005-06-25T18:35:21Z")
Wiccan I share with those who want me to. People are entitled to other beliefs, just as I am entitled to mine. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-religious-and-non-religious-dopers/309813/7 "2005-06-25T18:37:43Z")
Atheist 1. I _don’t_ have beliefs. ---
**Author:** ![EarthStone777](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ab992/32.png) [@EarthStone777](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EarthStone777)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-religious-and-non-religious-dopers/309813/8 "2005-06-25T18:42:23Z")
1a - I have my beliefs, other people have theirs, and that’s OK as long as they’re not a ‘4’ (Compelled to share their beliefs with me) ---
**Author:** ![whiterabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/cab0a1/32.png) [@whiterabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whiterabbit)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-religious-and-non-religious-dopers/309813/9 "2005-06-25T20:00:56Z")
(1), with perhaps a hint of wishfully thinking (2). I admit I wouldn’t mind seeing far fewer (4)s out there, but I would never dream of bugging them about it. UU sorta-pagan here. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-religious-and-non-religious-dopers/309813/10 "2005-06-25T20:01:46Z")
Atheist. (2), provided atheism is considered a belief. ---
**Author:** ![Girl\_From\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3da27b/32.png) [@Girl\_From\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Girl_From_Mars)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-religious-and-non-religious-dopers/309813/11 "2005-06-25T20:03:03Z")
Atheist 1. I have my beliefs, other people have theirs - and we all get along just fine as long as no-one tries to impose their beliefs on me either personally or through legislation… ---
**Author:** ![AskNott](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asknott/32/5790_2.png) [@AskNott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AskNott)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-religious-and-non-religious-dopers/309813/12 "2005-06-25T20:15:52Z")
Recovering Presbyterian 1. I have my beliefs, and others have theirs. ---
**Author:** ![Orual](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/779978/32.png) [@Orual](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orual)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-religious-and-non-religious-dopers/309813/13 "2005-06-25T20:20:37Z")
1. I have my beliefs, other people have theirs. I’m a pagan. Among friends I’m more of a ‘3’, as I enjoy theological discussions. However, I have a great distate for proselytizing. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-religious-and-non-religious-dopers/309813/14 "2005-06-25T20:24:11Z")
1. I have my beliefs, other people have theirs. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-religious-and-non-religious-dopers/309813/15 "2005-06-25T20:31:45Z")
1. and sometimes 3. I don’t know what I am, but I do have beliefs. I was a Christian most of my life and I still want to be one, but I just don’t have the faith. ---
**Author:** ![toadspittle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c0e974/32.png) [@toadspittle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toadspittle)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-religious-and-non-religious-dopers/309813/16 "2005-06-25T20:36:44Z")
Atheist/agnostic. 1. And I really, really enjoy hearing about other people’s beliefs … so long as they don’t try to convert me. The people closest to me are all quite devout, though of all different faiths–pagan, Baptist, Buddhist, Catholic, Jewish. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-religious-and-non-religious-dopers/309813/17 "2005-06-25T20:41:10Z")
Atheist, 3) Sometimes I feel like sharing my beliefs Only with friends or family or when asked by others, though. ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-religious-and-non-religious-dopers/309813/18 "2005-06-25T20:50:04Z")
I go with #5 (I don’t have beliefs). Other than things like “I believe I’ll have another cookie.” I have ideas. I try to base those on the best facts I can acquire. They are subject to change based on new evidence. I do wish more people thought that way. I will try to convince others up to a point, but if someone else has a belief that gives them strength, or comfort, and does not infringe on my freedom to think and act as I see fit, I have no problem with that. ---
**Author:** ![Scott\_Plaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Scott\_Plaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scott_Plaid)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-religious-and-non-religious-dopers/309813/19 "2005-06-25T21:23:05Z")
> [@Master Control](#): > > 1. I feel compelled to share my beliefs. This doesn’t really describe as me well as “I feel the world would be a better place, as would the whole of human history, if people shared my beliefs. After all, look at the history books!” does. However, while I still feel this way, I am no longer as vocal about it, as, of all people, Liberal has noticed. > [@Liberal](#): > > For coolness, Scott, you’re the teacher, and I’m the student. You’ve come further in your short time here than I have in my nearly six years. I recall a bombastic and incorrigible proselytizing hard atheist, who hurled insults like Napalm. That character no longer exists, and in its place there has emerged a thoughtful, gregarious, and **reasonable hard atheist** who is willing to listen. I respect you. You’ve earned it. Bragging? Moi? No, I am just giving you a summery of my where I stand, Hard Atheist v. Soft Atheist. The **bolding** is mine, not Liberal’s. ---
**Author:** ![OldBroad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ed655f/32.png) [@OldBroad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldBroad)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2005, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-religious-and-non-religious-dopers/309813/20 "2005-06-25T22:41:20Z")
Catholic here. 1. I have my beliefs, other people have theirs. Won’t it be interesting to find out if any of us is correct. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poll-for-religious-and-non-religious-dopers/309813.md?page=2)