# Why is this site overwhelmingly atheist? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 30, 2014, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-site-overwhelmingly-atheist/696938 "2014-08-30T04:04:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Twoflower](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/twoflower/32/22_2.png) [@Twoflower](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Twoflower)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-site-overwhelmingly-atheist/696938/201 "2014-09-08T01:21:04Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > That last sentence sounds like something right out of \* Pravda. \* Wow. So Tommy Jefferson was a commie pinko… ---
**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 8, 2014, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-site-overwhelmingly-atheist/696938/202 "2014-09-08T01:23:48Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > Perhaps a believer can believe in most of the Bible? > [@dougie\_monty](#): > > You mean pick and choose? That’s what all of them do; the Bible is contradictory and a fair amount of the practices demanded in it are barbaric or self-destructive and would get you imprisoned or killed if you actually tried to carry them out. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-site-overwhelmingly-atheist/696938/203 "2014-09-08T01:23:53Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > Well, I suggest to do it like an enlightened person did 200 years ago: > > [Jefferson Bible - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_Bible) Jefferson was a politician, not a minister or a theologian. I would not engage a dentist to remove my gall bladder. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-site-overwhelmingly-atheist/696938/204 "2014-09-08T01:25:27Z")
> [@Twoflower](#): > > Wow. So Tommy Jefferson was a commie pinko… Thank you, Joe McCarthy. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-site-overwhelmingly-atheist/696938/205 "2014-09-08T01:26:42Z")
\*\*dougie\_monty \*\* you are really unaware that the founding fathers had to go against the very biblical idea of god appointing our kings. No wonder many were not as keen to put that kind of god as the basis of our laws. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-site-overwhelmingly-atheist/696938/206 "2014-09-08T01:38:34Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > \*\*dougie\_monty \*\* you are really unaware that the founding fathers had to go against the very biblical idea of god appointing our kings. No wonder many were not as keen to put that kind of god as the basis of our laws. Take a look at Article VII of the Constitution (the original document from 1787). ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-site-overwhelmingly-atheist/696938/207 "2014-09-08T01:43:11Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > Take a look at Article VII of the Constitution (the original document from 1787). This one? [QUOTE=[America's Founding Documents | National Archives](http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html)] The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same. [/QUOTE] [http://memory.loc.gov/service/rbc/bdsdcc/c0801/0002.jpg](http://memory.loc.gov/service/rbc/bdsdcc/c0801/0002.jpg) ---
**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:** [September 8, 2014, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-site-overwhelmingly-atheist/696938/208 "2014-09-08T01:45:59Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > Take a look at Article VII of the Constitution (the original document from 1787). “The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.” So? ---
**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:** [September 8, 2014, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-site-overwhelmingly-atheist/696938/209 "2014-09-08T02:14:42Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > You mean pick and choose? You are kind of stuck with doing that. For example, the old testament, in the laws part, says _An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth_ Jesus says _turn the other cheek_ and _let he who is without sin cast the first stone_ These are more than slightly at odds with each other, so you really do have to choose. Either you select the definitive edict, or you apply the one that fits the situation at hand (upon whatever basis you happen to be using). One way or the other, you have to pick and choose. And there is no deficit of conflict. IIUC, there is a fair bit of counseling celibacy in Paul’s various letters, as compared to the _Song of Solomon_, which advocates sexual celebration. It was far easier around the time the bible was written, because no one had their own copy. There was one in the church in town, that the deacon just might let you peruse, but mostly people relied on the religious leaders to do the picking-and-choosing (and loophole finding). ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-site-overwhelmingly-atheist/696938/210 "2014-09-08T02:20:21Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > “The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.” > So? No, man - looook at it! Really _looook_! ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-site-overwhelmingly-atheist/696938/211 "2014-09-08T02:21:00Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > “The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same.” > So? I think he is referring to the very end: “Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven” But no sooner that concession to politics (really **dougie\_monty** , your point about them doing the political thing goes both ways) was made immediately the point of who is driving this was: “ **and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth** In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names.” ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-site-overwhelmingly-atheist/696938/212 "2014-09-08T02:22:57Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > It was far easier around the time the bible was written, because no one had their own copy. There was one in the church in town, that the deacon just might let you peruse, but mostly people relied on the religious leaders to do the picking-and-choosing (and loophole finding). The idea that the Bible is the be-all and end-all of Christianity is post-Gutenberg development. Before that the community of believers was emphasized more. And biblical literalism is a US fundamentalist invention anyway. While certain Christian thinkers espoused the Bible’s literal truth, they made it clear that literal could mean in a spiritual, historic or moral sense. (Also others.) ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-site-overwhelmingly-atheist/696938/213 "2014-09-08T02:50:04Z")
I won’t believe a woman is a Fundamentalist until she camps out back during her periods. Ditto for folks wearing mixed fabrics, etc. Jesus followed the rules explicitly. It was that damned St Paul the Marketer who made up the whole thing about how we don’t have to follow the Law anymore to make it easier to sell Christianity to the goyim. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-site-overwhelmingly-atheist/696938/214 "2014-09-08T02:50:38Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > No, man - looook at it! Really _looook_! Is this one of those 3-d picture things? I never _could_ see those! ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-site-overwhelmingly-atheist/696938/215 "2014-09-08T03:03:33Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > I think he is referring to the very end: > > “Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven” > > But no sooner that concession to politics (really **dougie\_monty** , your point about them doing the political thing goes both ways) was made immediately the point of who is driving this was: > > “ **and of the Independence of the United States of America the Twelfth** In witness whereof We have hereunto subscribed our Names.” Yes, GIGOBuster. Your second paragraph is correct. That’s what I meant. ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-site-overwhelmingly-atheist/696938/216 "2014-09-08T03:06:36Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > You are kind of stuck with doing that. > > For example, the old testament, in the laws part, says _An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth_ > > Jesus says _turn the other cheek_ and _let he who is without sin cast the first stone_ > > These are more than slightly at odds with each other, so you really do have to choose. Either you select the definitive edict, or you apply the one that fits the situation at hand (upon whatever basis you happen to be using). > > One way or the other, you have to pick and choose. And there is no deficit of conflict. IIUC, there is a fair bit of counseling celibacy in Paul’s various letters, as compared to the _Song of Solomon_, which advocates sexual celebration. > > It was far easier around the time the bible was written, because no one had their own copy. There was one in the church in town, that the deacon just might let you peruse, but mostly people relied on the religious leaders to do the picking-and-choosing (and loophole finding). Jesus told the apostles that he was the fulfillment of the Law. I think this was mentioned in Romans 10:4; I’m not sure that’s the correct verse… ---
**Author:** ![dougie\_monty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@dougie\_monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougie_monty)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-site-overwhelmingly-atheist/696938/217 "2014-09-08T03:10:09Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > I won’t believe a woman is a Fundamentalist until she camps out back during her periods. Ditto for folks wearing mixed fabrics, etc. Jesus followed the rules explicitly. It was that damned St Paul the Marketer who made up the whole thing about how we don’t have to follow the Law anymore to make it easier to sell Christianity to the goyim. Ask Peter, who saw the vision of the un-kosher animals and heard a voice commanding him to eat; this, of course, an allegory for the Christian congregation, all Jewish up to that time, to begin reaching out to gentiles. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-site-overwhelmingly-atheist/696938/218 "2014-09-08T03:40:17Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > Jesus told the apostles that he was the fulfillment of the Law. I think this was mentioned in Romans 10:4; I’m not sure that’s the correct verse… Not entirely accurate (as usual) - Paul sent this letter to the Romans, “explaining” that Christ was the fulfillment of the law - so, this is a follower already picking and choosing and teaching “others” that its ok to pick and choose. Convenient, that. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-site-overwhelmingly-atheist/696938/219 "2014-09-08T03:42:17Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > Ask Peter, who saw the vision of the un-kosher animals and heard a voice commanding him to eat; this, of course, an allegory for the Christian congregation, all Jewish up to that time, to begin reaching out to gentiles. So, the rules/laws of GOD - its ok to change those to get more followers? Damn, why didn’t God think of that himself and just fix the law to begin with? Or are you saying that God just changes his mind about what it really means to be “faithful” ? ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2014, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-site-overwhelmingly-atheist/696938/220 "2014-09-08T03:45:11Z")
> [@dougie\_monty](#): > > Yes, GIGOBuster. Your second paragraph is correct. That’s what I meant. You’re hanging your hat on “in the yeah of our lord” ? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-site-overwhelmingly-atheist/696938.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-this-site-overwhelmingly-atheist/696938.md?page=12)