# Religious Poll **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 22, 2009, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-poll/511137 "2009-09-22T20:54:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-poll/511137/41 "2009-09-23T15:49:10Z")
I don’t want any gefilte fish! Sorry. But what will the services consist of? ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-poll/511137/42 "2009-09-23T17:18:15Z")
Secular neo-pagan here. (Translation: I like neo-paganism from an artistic viewpoint, and it aligns with what I’m trying to do in my life, but I don’t actually believe in any deities.) ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-poll/511137/43 "2009-09-23T18:05:36Z")
I wouldn’t have guessed that atheists were the largest group on the SDMB. I especially wouldn’t have guessed that we would be more numerous than the Christians and agnostics combined. (Of course, the numbers might change as polling continues.) ---
**Author:** ![thirdwarning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecccb3/32.png) [@thirdwarning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdwarning)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-poll/511137/44 "2009-09-23T20:32:31Z")
[quote=“Tranquilis, post:34, topic:511137”] Non-aligned, born-again, moderately liberal, Christian. Figure _that_ one out, folks! 😛 😃 Actually, I associate with the UUA a lot, but sit to the right of most of their political positions. I sit to the left of the Baptists and Evangelists… Which is why I remain unaligned with any established church. Not that I need anyone to stand between Christ, God, and myself anyway.[/QUOTE Sounds like you and I might have a few things in common. Is there a church out there for us? ---
**Author:** ![Redwing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/dfb087/32.png) [@Redwing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Redwing)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-poll/511137/45 "2009-09-23T20:43:52Z")
[quote=“thirdwarning, post:44, topic:511137”] [quote=“Tranquilis, post:34, topic:511137”] Non-aligned, born-again, moderately liberal, Christian. Figure _that_ one out, folks! 😛 😃 Actually, I associate with the UUA a lot, but sit to the right of most of their political positions. I sit to the left of the Baptists and Evangelists… Which is why I remain unaligned with any established church. Not that I need anyone to stand between Christ, God, and myself anyway. [/QUOTE Sounds like you and I might have a few things in common. Is there a church out there for us?[/QUOTE] Depending greatly on how the churches have changed over the years, and noting that there is a large variation between pastors even within a single church, either the [ELCA](http://www.elca.org/) or the [LCMS](http://www.lcms.org/) may fit your needs. Lutherans generally believe that there isn’t any one between you and God, and a Pastor is simply someone who has studied issues of faith more than other people. That’s massively simplified, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-poll/511137/46 "2009-09-23T21:15:08Z")
> [@Redwing](#): > > Depending greatly on how the churches have changed over the years, and noting that there is a large variation between pastors even within a single church, either the [ELCA](http://www.elca.org/) or the [LCMS](http://www.lcms.org/) may fit your needs. Lutherans generally believe that there isn’t any one between you and God, and a Pastor is simply someone who has studied issues of faith more than other people. That’s massively simplified, of course. Hmmmm… Interesting. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-poll/511137/47 "2009-09-23T21:47:31Z")
> [@Sage\_Rat](#): > > I wouldn’t have guessed that atheists were the largest group on the SDMB. I especially wouldn’t have guessed that we would be more numerous than the Christians and agnostics combined. (Of course, the numbers might change as polling continues.) Are you kidding? Seriously? You’re here fairly regularly, right? ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-poll/511137/48 "2009-09-23T21:50:03Z")
[quote=“Redwing, post:45, topic:511137”] > [@thirdwarning](#): > > Depending greatly on how the churches have changed over the years, and noting that there is a large variation between pastors even within a single church, either the [ELCA](http://www.elca.org/) or the [LCMS](http://www.lcms.org/) may fit your needs. Lutherans generally believe that there isn’t any one between you and God, and a Pastor is simply someone who has studied issues of faith more than other people. That’s massively simplified, of course. When I’m in the mood for liturgical services (which is rarely), I like the LCMS. Down here, the doors on all their churches are painted blood red. Somethine about Martin Luther and the door nailing. ---
**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 23, 2009, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-poll/511137/49 "2009-09-23T22:01:11Z")
Atheist of course. > [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > Aaaand… suprise, suprise, the biggest group on the Dope is the athiests. Actually, I WAS surprised. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-poll/511137/50 "2009-09-23T22:07:33Z")
Color me surprised as well. I would have expected many more agnostics/undecided. Also surprised that so far there is very low pagan/Wiccan representation here. I put agnostic, although I think it’s just my lack of commitment that keeps me from self-identifying as atheist. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-poll/511137/51 "2009-09-23T22:10:56Z")
Talk about over-represented… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-poll/511137/52 "2009-09-23T22:35:32Z")
> [@Tranquilis](#): > > Non-aligned, born-again, moderately liberal, Christian. > Figure _that_ one out, folks! > 😛 > 😃 > Actually, I associate with the UUA a lot, but sit to the right of most of their political positions. I sit to the left of the Baptists and Evangelists… Which is why I remain unaligned with any established church. Not that I need anyone to stand between Christ, God, and myself anyway. I doubt you do but just in case we’re wrong, have you tried any ELCA congregations? Try one registered as “Reconciled in Christ” - it could be a good fit for you. As you can tell, I am an aligned christian. I’m also fairly liberal for society but fairly conservative with myself. The “born again” thing I never quite figured out in terms of my life; some friends say I am but I don’t like the fit. I went through some years where I rejected everything pretty much - but I still knew it existed. To me that doesn’t quite fit the standard of death and rebirth. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2009, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-poll/511137/53 "2009-09-23T22:37:02Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > I need a Jewish/Atheist choice. There are a lot of us out there! Ditto on this! Or a “Jewish/Atheist-but-really-doesn’t-care-apathetic” ---
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2009, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-poll/511137/54 "2009-09-24T00:20:02Z")
I’m waiting for another Muslim guy to come along and vote. There can be only one!\* \*Referring of course to the 1:1 Tie between Hinduism and Islam, and not wishing any animosity to them of course. I just want to be alone in my oneness- Which would amuse me greatly. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2009, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-poll/511137/55 "2009-09-24T00:35:27Z")
> [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](#): > > Aaaand… suprise, suprise, the biggest group on the Dope is the athiests. > > I was actually thinking about the religious makeup of theist Dopers, today. I don’t suppose we have any Zoroastrionists? I vaguely remember former member and mod **xash** was a Parsee (Indian Zoroastrian), but I don’t remember why I vaguely remember that, so don’t quote me. > [@](#): > > \*Referring of course to the 1:1 Tie between Hinduism and Islam, and not wishing any animosity to them of course. I just want to be alone in my oneness- Which would amuse me greatly. There are a bunch of us no-longer-Hindus around, but only two or three practicing Hindu Dopers, AFAIK. ETA: I also did not guess that there were so many atheists on here, especially considering that there are 3 1/2 groups for nonbelievers, which splits the vote a bit more than, say, a Rasmussen poll would. ---
**Author:** ![Apollyon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/apollyon/32/4238_2.png) [@Apollyon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apollyon)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2009, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-poll/511137/56 "2009-09-24T00:44:30Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Atheist of course. > … > Actually, I WAS surprised. WAG, but the Agnostic/Atheist line is rather blurry, with self-identification vs. definition being all over the shop. Heck, I identified as Atheist until I “met” you and some of the other Doper \*hard \*Atheists. 😉 These days I’ll settle for Agnostic (or Ignostic – though I think that word sounds daft). 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![thirdwarning](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecccb3/32.png) [@thirdwarning](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thirdwarning)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2009, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-poll/511137/57 "2009-09-24T01:12:28Z")
> [@Redwing](#): > > Depending greatly on how the churches have changed over the years, and noting that there is a large variation between pastors even within a single church, either the [ELCA](http://www.elca.org/) or the [LCMS](http://www.lcms.org/) may fit your needs. Lutherans generally believe that there isn’t any one between you and God, and a Pastor is simply someone who has studied issues of faith more than other people. That’s massively simplified, of course. See, but Lutherans do believe in the real presence. Consubstantiation and all that. And I can’t get there. Other than that, I’ve looked at them, but I’m a bit too far left of one and too far right of the other. Oh, I know I’m never going to find a perfect fit, and I don’t really want to, but the important stuff should match, pretty much. As it is, the LCMS won’t let me take communion. And I wouldn’t try to do so there. (11 years of kids in Lutheran grade school) But thank you for the suggestion. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2009, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-poll/511137/58 "2009-09-24T01:24:53Z")
What the heck is _ignostic_? ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2009, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-poll/511137/59 "2009-09-24T01:24:57Z")
> [@Apollyon](#): > > WAG, but the Agnostic/Atheist line is rather blurry, with self-identification vs. definition being all over the shop. Heck, I identified as Atheist until I “met” you and some of the other Doper \*hard \*Atheists. 😉 > > These days I’ll settle for Agnostic (or Ignostic – though I think that word sounds daft). 🙂 Agnosticism officially overlaps into atheism, though most people use the two as mutually exclusive, which gets a bit confusing. Essentially, unless you believe that there is some sort of sentient or binding spirit through the Universe, you’re an atheist (but might also be an agnostic.) ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2009, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-poll/511137/60 "2009-09-24T02:03:02Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > Atheist of course. > > Actually, I WAS surprised. You simply cannot be serious. There are atheists who ridicule believers. There are athiests who respect people of faith. There are even Bible thumping atheists here. I don’t get how people can be surprised that most people here are atheists, and most are modern American liberals. Just look at the pile-ons when people of faith post their witnessing, or when a conservative posts his/her political opinion. I mean Jesus. It’s like being in a bar and failing to notice that most people there are drinking. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-poll/511137.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/religious-poll/511137.md?page=4)