Comment

Comment by Rose B. on July 15, 2010 at 2:02pm

I wonder about those Canadian statistics, too. I'm 53, now, and most of the people I grew up with just consider themselves "spiritual". They generally believe that there is a deity out there, god or goddess, who runs a place called heaven. Heaven is just a nice place where you hang out with your friends when you die. They think maybe there is a hell, but no one is bad enough to be there forever. (Maybe like a short jail sentence?)They pray when they need to talk to someone, or need a helping hand.
My friends don't get all wound up in dogma like original sin, or who's bumping naughty bits. They feel that as long as they don't screw anyone over, and lend a hand to the other fellow, they've done their bit.
When it comes to statistics, they will just generally tick the box of the religion they were born into,even though they haven't seen the inside of a church for many years.
Of course, none of this is a scientific poll, and just includes the people I know personally.But then, I don't hang around many fundies.

Comment by Earther on July 7, 2010 at 5:18pm

I have thought about what our statistics are as well. It is important when you are still single and looking for a life partner that you could possibly have raise children with. I looked briefly at the American statistics and found in 2008 there were approximately 8 percent of those people who call themselves atheist or secular unaffiliated. That number probably drops dramatically when you take into account how many of those are single and female (specifically). I would like some information on what people do to find a life partner in these conditions.

Comment by Dale on July 6, 2010 at 3:49pm

Good question. I would guess somethingists would fall under the "other" category. As for Dawkins... that is a tough call. Dawkins from my understanding is a combination of a non-confrontational and militant atheist. I know a lot of people who highly like his works and his take on things, but they are all in the university crowds (not surprising). Who knows. Either way, I will do my job to help raise the numbers in my "little" country.

Comment by Dale on July 5, 2010 at 7:41pm

Somethingism sounds like something I would have joked about in high school. As for the stats for Canada I used these two links.
http://www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/demo30a-eng.htm
http://www.religioustolerance.org/can_rel0.htm

Comment by Sophie Francoeur on July 5, 2010 at 6:24pm

Can you put a link to the stats for Canada? Thanks.

Comment by Dave Rogers on July 5, 2010 at 12:22pm

I've in a part of the US that's quite non-religious. It's the rare exception when anyone brings the subject up compared to what sounds like the rule in some parts of the south. I really can't get outraged locally because no one is trying to put prayer in my kid's schools or teach them abstinence-only programs.

Comment by Dale on July 5, 2010 at 7:23am

Excellent, let the examinations begin!