Poll: do you believe in God?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And "double standard"? Ha - you do all of the same crap you complain they are doing. Go back and read your own posts, you hypocritical jerk.

Yet you attack me not them, hmmm.

I don't and never have;
- make up generalizations about "all atheists"
- ridicule atheists
- until two weeks ago, treated their threads the way you guys treat religion threads
I also don't see anybody else doing this with the exception of a single fundie.

The atheist hate-trolling has been going on as long as I've been on DCUM, which is several years now. I just started giving you guys a taste of your own medicine a week or two ago. If the moderator had done anything about those two long-standing bad actors, this wouldn't be necessary. My only goal is to make it possible for religious people to have actual conversations here.

I have to say, your whining about being "victims" is hysterical and puts the "h" in "hypocrite."

Grow up. I will say this: you lack a funny bone,

I am not the keeper of the Religion forum. I don't read every thread trying to police others. I can only control me and I was enjoying this thread until you started your hysterical rants. So please just STFU.

Go start another Stalin thread since you seem to enjoy that type of thread so much. I'm sure you'll spin up more atheists who you can blame for the actions of others. Seems like a really good use of everyone's time.

You're policing me right now, but where your fellow atheists are concerned you don't want to police. Got it. Can you spell "hypocrite"?

I didn't start the "Staln" thread. Clearly, though, somebody else is fed up with atheist trolling and is also doing something about it!

Yes, because I'm on this thread right now. You expect me to read every post on every thread here?

Should I go start a Stalin thread for you? You obviously need some place to rage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And "double standard"? Ha - you do all of the same crap you complain they are doing. Go back and read your own posts, you hypocritical jerk.

Yet you attack me not them, hmmm.

I don't and never have;
- make up generalizations about "all atheists"
- ridicule atheists
- until two weeks ago, treated their threads the way you guys treat religion threads
I also don't see anybody else doing this with the exception of a single fundie.

The atheist hate-trolling has been going on as long as I've been on DCUM, which is several years now. I just started giving you guys a taste of your own medicine a week or two ago. If the moderator had done anything about those two long-standing bad actors, this wouldn't be necessary. My only goal is to make it possible for religious people to have actual conversations here.

I have to say, your whining about being "victims" is hysterical and puts the "h" in "hypocrite."

Grow up. I will say this: you lack a funny bone,

I am not the keeper of the Religion forum. I don't read every thread trying to police others. I can only control me and I was enjoying this thread until you started your hysterical rants. So please just STFU.

Go start another Stalin thread since you seem to enjoy that type of thread so much. I'm sure you'll spin up more atheists who you can blame for the actions of others. Seems like a really good use of everyone's time.

Hey PP, did you jump on the "Organized religion is a net negative" thread to criticize that OP? Nah, didn't think so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And "double standard"? Ha - you do all of the same crap you complain they are doing. Go back and read your own posts, you hypocritical jerk.

Yet you attack me not them, hmmm.

I don't and never have;
- make up generalizations about "all atheists"
- ridicule atheists
- until two weeks ago, treated their threads the way you guys treat religion threads
I also don't see anybody else doing this with the exception of a single fundie.

The atheist hate-trolling has been going on as long as I've been on DCUM, which is several years now. I just started giving you guys a taste of your own medicine a week or two ago. If the moderator had done anything about those two long-standing bad actors, this wouldn't be necessary. My only goal is to make it possible for religious people to have actual conversations here.

I have to say, your whining about being "victims" is hysterical and puts the "h" in "hypocrite."

Grow up. I will say this: you lack a funny bone,

I am not the keeper of the Religion forum. I don't read every thread trying to police others. I can only control me and I was enjoying this thread until you started your hysterical rants. So please just STFU.

Go start another Stalin thread since you seem to enjoy that type of thread so much. I'm sure you'll spin up more atheists who you can blame for the actions of others. Seems like a really good use of everyone's time.

You're policing me right now, but where your fellow atheists are concerned you don't want to police. Got it. Can you spell "hypocrite"?

I didn't start the "Staln" thread. Clearly, though, somebody else is fed up with atheist trolling and is also doing something about it!

Yes, because I'm on this thread right now. You expect me to read every post on every thread here?

Should I go start a Stalin thread for you? You obviously need some place to rage.

I didn't participate much on that thread. The point is giving you a taste of your own medicine on your own threads.

Stop with the projecting. If there's rage here, it's you not me. I just realized long ago that "policing" isn't effective and the moderator doesn't care, so I'm trying something new.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And "double standard"? Ha - you do all of the same crap you complain they are doing. Go back and read your own posts, you hypocritical jerk.

Yet you attack me not them, hmmm.

I don't and never have;
- make up generalizations about "all atheists"
- ridicule atheists
- until two weeks ago, treated their threads the way you guys treat religion threads
I also don't see anybody else doing this with the exception of a single fundie.

The atheist hate-trolling has been going on as long as I've been on DCUM, which is several years now. I just started giving you guys a taste of your own medicine a week or two ago. If the moderator had done anything about those two long-standing bad actors, this wouldn't be necessary. My only goal is to make it possible for religious people to have actual conversations here.

I have to say, your whining about being "victims" is hysterical and puts the "h" in "hypocrite."

Grow up. I will say this: you lack a funny bone,

I am not the keeper of the Religion forum. I don't read every thread trying to police others. I can only control me and I was enjoying this thread until you started your hysterical rants. So please just STFU.

Go start another Stalin thread since you seem to enjoy that type of thread so much. I'm sure you'll spin up more atheists who you can blame for the actions of others. Seems like a really good use of everyone's time.

Hey PP, did you jump on the "Organized religion is a net negative" thread to criticize that OP? Nah, didn't think so.

You think the OP of that was an atheist troll? Sounded like someone who just didn't like organized religion - specifically fundamental? I dunno. I didn't see that thread until it was already a rage train going full-steam ahead.

I've said it a million times - take religion off of Recent Topics.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And "double standard"? Ha - you do all of the same crap you complain they are doing. Go back and read your own posts, you hypocritical jerk.

Yet you attack me not them, hmmm.

I don't and never have;
- make up generalizations about "all atheists"
- ridicule atheists
- until two weeks ago, treated their threads the way you guys treat religion threads
I also don't see anybody else doing this with the exception of a single fundie.

The atheist hate-trolling has been going on as long as I've been on DCUM, which is several years now. I just started giving you guys a taste of your own medicine a week or two ago. If the moderator had done anything about those two long-standing bad actors, this wouldn't be necessary. My only goal is to make it possible for religious people to have actual conversations here.

I have to say, your whining about being "victims" is hysterical and puts the "h" in "hypocrite."

Grow up. I will say this: you lack a funny bone,

I am not the keeper of the Religion forum. I don't read every thread trying to police others. I can only control me and I was enjoying this thread until you started your hysterical rants. So please just STFU.

Go start another Stalin thread since you seem to enjoy that type of thread so much. I'm sure you'll spin up more atheists who you can blame for the actions of others. Seems like a really good use of everyone's time.

Hey PP, did you jump on the "Organized religion is a net negative" thread to criticize that OP? Nah, didn't think so.

You think the OP of that was an atheist troll? Sounded like someone who just didn't like organized religion - specifically fundamental? I dunno. I didn't see that thread until it was already a rage train going full-steam ahead.

I've said it a million times - take religion off of Recent Topics.

Huh? Stop making stuff up. Show us where said OP was an a atheist troll. I think this poll is unrepresentative and generally ridiculous, but I never called her a troll.

Why not answer my posts at 6:53 and 7:17 about the conclusions, if any, we should be drawing from this "poll." That's a thought. Or do you just want to "police" other posters?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And "double standard"? Ha - you do all of the same crap you complain they are doing. Go back and read your own posts, you hypocritical jerk.

Yet you attack me not them, hmmm.

I don't and never have;
- make up generalizations about "all atheists"
- ridicule atheists
- until two weeks ago, treated their threads the way you guys treat religion threads
I also don't see anybody else doing this with the exception of a single fundie.

The atheist hate-trolling has been going on as long as I've been on DCUM, which is several years now. I just started giving you guys a taste of your own medicine a week or two ago. If the moderator had done anything about those two long-standing bad actors, this wouldn't be necessary. My only goal is to make it possible for religious people to have actual conversations here.

I have to say, your whining about being "victims" is hysterical and puts the "h" in "hypocrite."

Grow up. I will say this: you lack a funny bone,

I am not the keeper of the Religion forum. I don't read every thread trying to police others. I can only control me and I was enjoying this thread until you started your hysterical rants. So please just STFU.

Go start another Stalin thread since you seem to enjoy that type of thread so much. I'm sure you'll spin up more atheists who you can blame for the actions of others. Seems like a really good use of everyone's time.

You're policing me right now, but where your fellow atheists are concerned you don't want to police. Got it. Can you spell "hypocrite"?

I didn't start the "Staln" thread. Clearly, though, somebody else is fed up with atheist trolling and is also doing something about it!

Yes, because I'm on this thread right now. You expect me to read every post on every thread here?

Should I go start a Stalin thread for you? You obviously need some place to rage.

I didn't participate much on that thread. The point is giving you a taste of your own medicine on your own threads.

Stop with the projecting. If there's rage here, it's you not me. I just realized long ago that "policing" isn't effective and the moderator doesn't care, so I'm trying something new.

"Taste of my own medicine?" WTF? Why can't get you the concept that there are many different posters on here over a long period of time? Why do you think it's somehow ok to call me names and blame me for all of that?

People were calmly sharing their story on this thread until you completely derailed it with your rants. That is 100% on you.

I made you a new rage thread. Go take your baggage over there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And "double standard"? Ha - you do all of the same crap you complain they are doing. Go back and read your own posts, you hypocritical jerk.

Yet you attack me not them, hmmm.

I don't and never have;
- make up generalizations about "all atheists"
- ridicule atheists
- until two weeks ago, treated their threads the way you guys treat religion threads
I also don't see anybody else doing this with the exception of a single fundie.

The atheist hate-trolling has been going on as long as I've been on DCUM, which is several years now. I just started giving you guys a taste of your own medicine a week or two ago. If the moderator had done anything about those two long-standing bad actors, this wouldn't be necessary. My only goal is to make it possible for religious people to have actual conversations here.

I have to say, your whining about being "victims" is hysterical and puts the "h" in "hypocrite."

Grow up. I will say this: you lack a funny bone,

I am not the keeper of the Religion forum. I don't read every thread trying to police others. I can only control me and I was enjoying this thread until you started your hysterical rants. So please just STFU.

Go start another Stalin thread since you seem to enjoy that type of thread so much. I'm sure you'll spin up more atheists who you can blame for the actions of others. Seems like a really good use of everyone's time.

Hey PP, did you jump on the "Organized religion is a net negative" thread to criticize that OP? Nah, didn't think so.

You think the OP of that was an atheist troll? Sounded like someone who just didn't like organized religion - specifically fundamental? I dunno. I didn't see that thread until it was already a rage train going full-steam ahead.

I've said it a million times - take religion off of Recent Topics.

Huh? Stop making stuff up. Show us where said OP was an a atheist troll. I think this poll is unrepresentative and generally ridiculous, but I never called her a troll.

Why not answer my posts at 6:53 and 7:17 about the conclusions, if any, we should be drawing from this "poll." That's a thought. Or do you just want to "police" other posters?

Sorry, weren't you asking me earlier to police the atheist trolls? Now you want me to police anyone on Religion who doesn't agree with you? WTF?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Interesting. The posts seem almost exactly evenly split between people of faith and atheists. By contrast, national polls like the Pew poll find 6-7% atheists and another 13% who are spiritual/religious but aren't affiliated with a religious institution.

OP, do you conclude that other polls are flawed? Why? At the start you hypothesized that it's because people are uncomfortable talking about religion over the phone. I don't see that here, and certainly not among the atheists here. Do you disagree?

Do we conclude, alternatively, that this forum is unrepresentative? What accounts for the higher representation of atheists than in the general population? Some here claim this forum is hostile to belief, do you agree or disagree?

As I've said a few times I wasn't trying to draw any scientific conclusions.

There is plenty of hostility on this forum. Maybe it was from atheists in the past but now it's from atheist haters.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting. The posts seem almost exactly evenly split between people of faith and atheists. By contrast, national polls like the Pew poll find 6-7% atheists and another 13% who are spiritual/religious but aren't affiliated with a religious institution.

OP, do you conclude that other polls are flawed? Why? At the start you hypothesized that it's because people are uncomfortable talking about religion over the phone. I don't see that here, and certainly not among the atheists here. Do you disagree?

Do we conclude, alternatively, that this forum is unrepresentative? What accounts for the higher representation of atheists than in the general population? Some here claim this forum is hostile to belief, do you agree or disagree?

Let's get back on topic. Thoughts?

To me, this forum is dominated by atheists in a way that seems inconsistent with other high-profile national polls. Why do we think that is?

Maybe people are more willing to share freely given the anonymous nature of DCUM.

[Anonymous]

This poll may be an unbiased sample of who's on DCUM's religion forum. It's impossible to say that with certainty because maybe some religious people saw it was posted by an atheist and didn't bother. Second, probably many religious people don't bother with the religion forum to begin with. But it could be valid for DCUM's religion forum only.

There is no evidence whatsoever that it's an unbiased sample of the larger population.

In particular, Op's theory that people are more willing to be open online than over the phone doesn't seem born out by the answers to OP's specific question about this. Some people (atheist and religious) said they don't answer the phone, but nobody said they would hesitate to share their belief or non-belief.

So unless someone has a better theory about why these results are so different from other polls, it seems clear that the DCUM religion forum is not typical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And "double standard"? Ha - you do all of the same crap you complain they are doing. Go back and read your own posts, you hypocritical jerk.

Yet you attack me not them, hmmm.

I don't and never have;
- make up generalizations about "all atheists"
- ridicule atheists
- until two weeks ago, treated their threads the way you guys treat religion threads
I also don't see anybody else doing this with the exception of a single fundie.

The atheist hate-trolling has been going on as long as I've been on DCUM, which is several years now. I just started giving you guys a taste of your own medicine a week or two ago. If the moderator had done anything about those two long-standing bad actors, this wouldn't be necessary. My only goal is to make it possible for religious people to have actual conversations here.

I have to say, your whining about being "victims" is hysterical and puts the "h" in "hypocrite."

Grow up. I will say this: you lack a funny bone,

I am not the keeper of the Religion forum. I don't read every thread trying to police others. I can only control me and I was enjoying this thread until you started your hysterical rants. So please just STFU.

Go start another Stalin thread since you seem to enjoy that type of thread so much. I'm sure you'll spin up more atheists who you can blame for the actions of others. Seems like a really good use of everyone's time.

Hey PP, did you jump on the "Organized religion is a net negative" thread to criticize that OP? Nah, didn't think so.

You think the OP of that was an atheist troll? Sounded like someone who just didn't like organized religion - specifically fundamental? I dunno. I didn't see that thread until it was already a rage train going full-steam ahead.

I've said it a million times - take religion off of Recent Topics.

Huh? Stop making stuff up. Show us where said OP was an a atheist troll. I think this poll is unrepresentative and generally ridiculous, but I never called her a troll.

Why not answer my posts at 6:53 and 7:17 about the conclusions, if any, we should be drawing from this "poll." That's a thought. Or do you just want to "police" other posters?

Sorry, weren't you asking me earlier to police the atheist trolls? Now you want me to police anyone on Religion who doesn't agree with you? WTF?

Also: stop twisting everything I say. TIA!

What the heck is so offensive about asking you to share your views on the "poll"? It's the thread topic, after all,. You just want to take offense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting. The posts seem almost exactly evenly split between people of faith and atheists. By contrast, national polls like the Pew poll find 6-7% atheists and another 13% who are spiritual/religious but aren't affiliated with a religious institution.

OP, do you conclude that other polls are flawed? Why? At the start you hypothesized that it's because people are uncomfortable talking about religion over the phone. I don't see that here, and certainly not among the atheists here. Do you disagree?

Do we conclude, alternatively, that this forum is unrepresentative? What accounts for the higher representation of atheists than in the general population? Some here claim this forum is hostile to belief, do you agree or disagree?

As I've said a few times I wasn't trying to draw any scientific conclusions.

There is plenty of hostility on this forum. Maybe it was from atheists in the past but now it's from atheist haters.

Stop with the "atheist haters" charade. We correct our children but we love them. All this whiny victimhood about people "hating" atheists because...um...some of you troll constantly and/or are incredibly disrespectful, makes you look ridiculous.

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for the atheist bad behavior.

Sorry for the caps, but it seems necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This poll may be an unbiased sample of who's on DCUM's religion forum. It's impossible to say that with certainty because maybe some religious people saw it was posted by an atheist and didn't bother. Second, probably many religious people don't bother with the religion forum to begin with. But it could be valid for DCUM's religion forum only.

There is no evidence whatsoever that it's an unbiased sample of the larger population.

In particular, Op's theory that people are more willing to be open online than over the phone doesn't seem born out by the answers to OP's specific question about this. Some people (atheist and religious) said they don't answer the phone, but nobody said they would hesitate to share their belief or non-belief.

So unless someone has a better theory about why these results are so different from other polls, it seems clear that the DCUM religion forum is not typical.

What % of religious people answer a phone call from an unknown number? What % of atheists? Perhaps atheists are more skeptical in general and less likely to pick up the phone. Even if they did it's not quite as "anonymous" as DCUM. Maybe saying something out loud, even to a stranger, is more daunting than DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This poll may be an unbiased sample of who's on DCUM's religion forum. It's impossible to say that with certainty because maybe some religious people saw it was posted by an atheist and didn't bother. Second, probably many religious people don't bother with the religion forum to begin with. But it could be valid for DCUM's religion forum only.

There is no evidence whatsoever that it's an unbiased sample of the larger population.

In particular, Op's theory that people are more willing to be open online than over the phone doesn't seem born out by the answers to OP's specific question about this. Some people (atheist and religious) said they don't answer the phone, but nobody said they would hesitate to share their belief or non-belief.

So unless someone has a better theory about why these results are so different from other polls, it seems clear that the DCUM religion forum is not typical.

What % of religious people answer a phone call from an unknown number? What % of atheists? Perhaps atheists are more skeptical in general and less likely to pick up the phone. Even if they did it's not quite as "anonymous" as DCUM. Maybe saying something out loud, even to a stranger, is more daunting than DCUM.

But nobody here said they were afraid to share their atheism. So this poll doesn't help one way or another.

Given Congress' recent action on internet privacy, I'd worry more about posting on DCUM than over the telephone where some poll company robo-dialed me. So I don't buy the theory that atheists are reluctant over the phone but not over the Internet.

Any theory that atheists are less likely to pick up the phone AND less likely to tell the truth when on the phone seems purely speculative to me. It also seems a tad self-serving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Interesting. The posts seem almost exactly evenly split between people of faith and atheists. By contrast, national polls like the Pew poll find 6-7% atheists and another 13% who are spiritual/religious but aren't affiliated with a religious institution.

OP, do you conclude that other polls are flawed? Why? At the start you hypothesized that it's because people are uncomfortable talking about religion over the phone. I don't see that here, and certainly not among the atheists here. Do you disagree?

Do we conclude, alternatively, that this forum is unrepresentative? What accounts for the higher representation of atheists than in the general population? Some here claim this forum is hostile to belief, do you agree or disagree?

As I've said a few times I wasn't trying to draw any scientific conclusions.

There is plenty of hostility on this forum. Maybe it was from atheists in the past but now it's from atheist haters.

Stop with the "atheist haters" charade. We correct our children but we love them. All this whiny victimhood about people "hating" atheists because...um...some of you troll constantly and/or are incredibly disrespectful, makes you look ridiculous.

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for the atheist bad behavior.

Sorry for the caps, but it seems necessary.

I'm sorry, but if you are going to indiscriminately hate on every atheist you come across on DCUM then you are a hater.