s/o Do people attend religious services for the religious aspects, or for community?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are some more interesting facts from that Pew survey.

The 81% number was from a question where respondents could choose multiple answers.

When respondents were asked to give the MOST important reason they attend religious services, 61% that was to get closer to God. Everything else was much lower, like the 8% who said it was to be a better person.

A tiny <1% said they attended "to meet new people/socialize." Hardly the "immense majority" claimed by some DCUM atheists.

I get that logic and facts must be tough for you, but that wasn’t what anyone claimed.

Here, verbatim, is what the "research scientist" claimed and which 2 of you plus-oned:

"I bet that the immense majority of people in the world are CULTURALLY affiliated with their religion, but don't actually think deeply about whether they truly believe or not." When asked to back this up with cites, nobody did (or could).

So this thread gives cites from Pew, no less, showing that only a small percentage (under 4% total) attend religious services for the cultural or social aspects.

Explain to us how Pew findings aren't responsive. TIA!

You do realize that many, many people who are “culturally affiliated”, as PP states, do not attend services. I can’t believe you need that explained to you.

Here's an idea: if you make an assertion, provide some stats to back it up. Don't petulantly demand that others prove your points for you.

Stats on attendance at houses of worship do exist, if you could be arsed to look for them.

But if you take a closer look, you'll still be disappointed. According to that very same Pew link, of those who do not attend services, only 28% say that's because they don't believe. 37% say they practice their faith in other ways, and another 37% say they haven't found a house of worship they like. 22% say it's because of logistical reasons like time or being in poor health.

Lesson learned: read the link before making claims you can't be bothered to prove.

Practicing your faith in other ways could be as simple as exchanging Christmas presents or taking your kid to get a picture with a malll Santa. It's not mutually exclusive with PP's read that these people could consider themselves Cultural Christians.

You're very upset but the stats you have provided are not painting the picture you think they are. Only 61% of people who actually attend church say it's to be closer to God, and then of the people who don't attend church who were asked why, 37% chose the multiple choice answer closest to "none of your business." I'm not sure why you're reading this as "everyone really deeply believes the same things I do!"

I'm going to be your best friend tonight. It seems you have no idea how poorly you come off with the misrepresentations, misunderstandings, and calling others names.

Please take a breather. Come back when you've given your ideas a good, serious, think-through. Gather some facts and sources of your own. Your ideas aren't bad, but your execution undermines what you're trying to say.

Who called anyone names?

A bunch of atheist haters on the other thread called posters “trolls” anytime they couldn’t answer a question.

You called pp “upset” and you know that’s a tactic used by bullies to undermine someone else

That wasn’t me. And that’s not name calling.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are some more interesting facts from that Pew survey.

The 81% number was from a question where respondents could choose multiple answers.

When respondents were asked to give the MOST important reason they attend religious services, 61% that was to get closer to God. Everything else was much lower, like the 8% who said it was to be a better person.

A tiny <1% said they attended "to meet new people/socialize." Hardly the "immense majority" claimed by some DCUM atheists.

I get that logic and facts must be tough for you, but that wasn’t what anyone claimed.

Here, verbatim, is what the "research scientist" claimed and which 2 of you plus-oned:

"I bet that the immense majority of people in the world are CULTURALLY affiliated with their religion, but don't actually think deeply about whether they truly believe or not." When asked to back this up with cites, nobody did (or could).

So this thread gives cites from Pew, no less, showing that only a small percentage (under 4% total) attend religious services for the cultural or social aspects.

Explain to us how Pew findings aren't responsive. TIA!

You do realize that many, many people who are “culturally affiliated”, as PP states, do not attend services. I can’t believe you need that explained to you.

Here's an idea: if you make an assertion, provide some stats to back it up. Don't petulantly demand that others prove your points for you.

Stats on attendance at houses of worship do exist, if you could be arsed to look for them.

But if you take a closer look, you'll still be disappointed. According to that very same Pew link, of those who do not attend services, only 28% say that's because they don't believe. 37% say they practice their faith in other ways, and another 37% say they haven't found a house of worship they like. 22% say it's because of logistical reasons like time or being in poor health.

Lesson learned: read the link before making claims you can't be bothered to prove.

Practicing your faith in other ways could be as simple as exchanging Christmas presents or taking your kid to get a picture with a malll Santa. It's not mutually exclusive with PP's read that these people could consider themselves Cultural Christians.

You're very upset but the stats you have provided are not painting the picture you think they are. Only 61% of people who actually attend church say it's to be closer to God, and then of the people who don't attend church who were asked why, 37% chose the multiple choice answer closest to "none of your business." I'm not sure why you're reading this as "everyone really deeply believes the same things I do!"

I'm going to be your best friend tonight. It seems you have no idea how poorly you come off with the misrepresentations, misunderstandings, and calling others names.

Please take a breather. Come back when you've given your ideas a good, serious, think-through. Gather some facts and sources of your own. Your ideas aren't bad, but your execution undermines what you're trying to say.

Who called anyone names?

A bunch of atheist haters on the other thread called posters “trolls” anytime they couldn’t answer a question.

You're referring to posters not wanting to answer your completely irrelevant questions about their news sources. I finally answered with my sources, The Guardian and NY Times, and then you wanted to know which reporters. Miss me with that trolling.

There’s the name calling.

You aren’t reading about Dawkins on the guardian or NYT. Total BS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are some more interesting facts from that Pew survey.

The 81% number was from a question where respondents could choose multiple answers.

When respondents were asked to give the MOST important reason they attend religious services, 61% that was to get closer to God. Everything else was much lower, like the 8% who said it was to be a better person.

A tiny <1% said they attended "to meet new people/socialize." Hardly the "immense majority" claimed by some DCUM atheists.

I get that logic and facts must be tough for you, but that wasn’t what anyone claimed.

Here, verbatim, is what the "research scientist" claimed and which 2 of you plus-oned:

"I bet that the immense majority of people in the world are CULTURALLY affiliated with their religion, but don't actually think deeply about whether they truly believe or not." When asked to back this up with cites, nobody did (or could).

So this thread gives cites from Pew, no less, showing that only a small percentage (under 4% total) attend religious services for the cultural or social aspects.

Explain to us how Pew findings aren't responsive. TIA!

You do realize that many, many people who are “culturally affiliated”, as PP states, do not attend services. I can’t believe you need that explained to you.

Here's an idea: if you make an assertion, provide some stats to back it up. Don't petulantly demand that others prove your points for you.

Stats on attendance at houses of worship do exist, if you could be arsed to look for them.

But if you take a closer look, you'll still be disappointed. According to that very same Pew link, of those who do not attend services, only 28% say that's because they don't believe. 37% say they practice their faith in other ways, and another 37% say they haven't found a house of worship they like. 22% say it's because of logistical reasons like time or being in poor health.

Lesson learned: read the link before making claims you can't be bothered to prove.

Practicing your faith in other ways could be as simple as exchanging Christmas presents or taking your kid to get a picture with a malll Santa. It's not mutually exclusive with PP's read that these people could consider themselves Cultural Christians.

You're very upset but the stats you have provided are not painting the picture you think they are. Only 61% of people who actually attend church say it's to be closer to God, and then of the people who don't attend church who were asked why, 37% chose the multiple choice answer closest to "none of your business." I'm not sure why you're reading this as "everyone really deeply believes the same things I do!"

I'm going to be your best friend tonight. It seems you have no idea how poorly you come off with the misrepresentations, misunderstandings, and calling others names.

Please take a breather. Come back when you've given your ideas a good, serious, think-through. Gather some facts and sources of your own. Your ideas aren't bad, but your execution undermines what you're trying to say.

Who called anyone names?

A bunch of atheist haters on the other thread called posters “trolls” anytime they couldn’t answer a question.

You're referring to posters not wanting to answer your completely irrelevant questions about their news sources. I finally answered with my sources, The Guardian and NY Times, and then you wanted to know which reporters. Miss me with that trolling.

There’s the name calling.

You aren’t reading about Dawkins on the guardian or NYT. Total BS.

Wut? The Guardian loves Dawkins.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are some more interesting facts from that Pew survey.

The 81% number was from a question where respondents could choose multiple answers.

When respondents were asked to give the MOST important reason they attend religious services, 61% that was to get closer to God. Everything else was much lower, like the 8% who said it was to be a better person.

A tiny <1% said they attended "to meet new people/socialize." Hardly the "immense majority" claimed by some DCUM atheists.

I get that logic and facts must be tough for you, but that wasn’t what anyone claimed.

Here, verbatim, is what the "research scientist" claimed and which 2 of you plus-oned:

"I bet that the immense majority of people in the world are CULTURALLY affiliated with their religion, but don't actually think deeply about whether they truly believe or not." When asked to back this up with cites, nobody did (or could).

So this thread gives cites from Pew, no less, showing that only a small percentage (under 4% total) attend religious services for the cultural or social aspects.

Explain to us how Pew findings aren't responsive. TIA!

You do realize that many, many people who are “culturally affiliated”, as PP states, do not attend services. I can’t believe you need that explained to you.

Here's an idea: if you make an assertion, provide some stats to back it up. Don't petulantly demand that others prove your points for you.

Stats on attendance at houses of worship do exist, if you could be arsed to look for them.

But if you take a closer look, you'll still be disappointed. According to that very same Pew link, of those who do not attend services, only 28% say that's because they don't believe. 37% say they practice their faith in other ways, and another 37% say they haven't found a house of worship they like. 22% say it's because of logistical reasons like time or being in poor health.

Lesson learned: read the link before making claims you can't be bothered to prove.

Practicing your faith in other ways could be as simple as exchanging Christmas presents or taking your kid to get a picture with a malll Santa. It's not mutually exclusive with PP's read that these people could consider themselves Cultural Christians.

You're very upset but the stats you have provided are not painting the picture you think they are. Only 61% of people who actually attend church say it's to be closer to God, and then of the people who don't attend church who were asked why, 37% chose the multiple choice answer closest to "none of your business." I'm not sure why you're reading this as "everyone really deeply believes the same things I do!"

I'm going to be your best friend tonight. It seems you have no idea how poorly you come off with the misrepresentations, misunderstandings, and calling others names.

Please take a breather. Come back when you've given your ideas a good, serious, think-through. Gather some facts and sources of your own. Your ideas aren't bad, but your execution undermines what you're trying to say.

Who called anyone names?

A bunch of atheist haters on the other thread called posters “trolls” anytime they couldn’t answer a question.

You called pp “upset” and you know that’s a tactic used by bullies to undermine someone else

That wasn’t me. And that’s not name calling.

It's up there with "I'm sorry you're angry." Passive-aggressive nastiness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are some more interesting facts from that Pew survey.

The 81% number was from a question where respondents could choose multiple answers.

When respondents were asked to give the MOST important reason they attend religious services, 61% that was to get closer to God. Everything else was much lower, like the 8% who said it was to be a better person.

A tiny <1% said they attended "to meet new people/socialize." Hardly the "immense majority" claimed by some DCUM atheists.

I get that logic and facts must be tough for you, but that wasn’t what anyone claimed.

Here, verbatim, is what the "research scientist" claimed and which 2 of you plus-oned:

"I bet that the immense majority of people in the world are CULTURALLY affiliated with their religion, but don't actually think deeply about whether they truly believe or not." When asked to back this up with cites, nobody did (or could).

So this thread gives cites from Pew, no less, showing that only a small percentage (under 4% total) attend religious services for the cultural or social aspects.

Explain to us how Pew findings aren't responsive. TIA!

You do realize that many, many people who are “culturally affiliated”, as PP states, do not attend services. I can’t believe you need that explained to you.

Here's an idea: if you make an assertion, provide some stats to back it up. Don't petulantly demand that others prove your points for you.

Stats on attendance at houses of worship do exist, if you could be arsed to look for them.

But if you take a closer look, you'll still be disappointed. According to that very same Pew link, of those who do not attend services, only 28% say that's because they don't believe. 37% say they practice their faith in other ways, and another 37% say they haven't found a house of worship they like. 22% say it's because of logistical reasons like time or being in poor health.

Lesson learned: read the link before making claims you can't be bothered to prove.

Practicing your faith in other ways could be as simple as exchanging Christmas presents or taking your kid to get a picture with a malll Santa. It's not mutually exclusive with PP's read that these people could consider themselves Cultural Christians.

You're very upset but the stats you have provided are not painting the picture you think they are. Only 61% of people who actually attend church say it's to be closer to God, and then of the people who don't attend church who were asked why, 37% chose the multiple choice answer closest to "none of your business." I'm not sure why you're reading this as "everyone really deeply believes the same things I do!"

I'm going to be your best friend tonight. It seems you have no idea how poorly you come off with the misrepresentations, misunderstandings, and calling others names.

Please take a breather. Come back when you've given your ideas a good, serious, think-through. Gather some facts and sources of your own. Your ideas aren't bad, but your execution undermines what you're trying to say.

Who called anyone names?

A bunch of atheist haters on the other thread called posters “trolls” anytime they couldn’t answer a question.

You called pp “upset” and you know that’s a tactic used by bullies to undermine someone else

That wasn’t me. And that’s not name calling.

It's up there with "I'm sorry you're angry." Passive-aggressive nastiness.

So to recap, the only name calling was from believers calling others trolls and bullies?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are some more interesting facts from that Pew survey.

The 81% number was from a question where respondents could choose multiple answers.

When respondents were asked to give the MOST important reason they attend religious services, 61% that was to get closer to God. Everything else was much lower, like the 8% who said it was to be a better person.

A tiny <1% said they attended "to meet new people/socialize." Hardly the "immense majority" claimed by some DCUM atheists.

I get that logic and facts must be tough for you, but that wasn’t what anyone claimed.

Here, verbatim, is what the "research scientist" claimed and which 2 of you plus-oned:

"I bet that the immense majority of people in the world are CULTURALLY affiliated with their religion, but don't actually think deeply about whether they truly believe or not." When asked to back this up with cites, nobody did (or could).

So this thread gives cites from Pew, no less, showing that only a small percentage (under 4% total) attend religious services for the cultural or social aspects.

Explain to us how Pew findings aren't responsive. TIA!

You do realize that many, many people who are “culturally affiliated”, as PP states, do not attend services. I can’t believe you need that explained to you.

Here's an idea: if you make an assertion, provide some stats to back it up. Don't petulantly demand that others prove your points for you.

Stats on attendance at houses of worship do exist, if you could be arsed to look for them.

But if you take a closer look, you'll still be disappointed. According to that very same Pew link, of those who do not attend services, only 28% say that's because they don't believe. 37% say they practice their faith in other ways, and another 37% say they haven't found a house of worship they like. 22% say it's because of logistical reasons like time or being in poor health.

Lesson learned: read the link before making claims you can't be bothered to prove.

Practicing your faith in other ways could be as simple as exchanging Christmas presents or taking your kid to get a picture with a malll Santa. It's not mutually exclusive with PP's read that these people could consider themselves Cultural Christians.

You're very upset but the stats you have provided are not painting the picture you think they are. Only 61% of people who actually attend church say it's to be closer to God, and then of the people who don't attend church who were asked why, 37% chose the multiple choice answer closest to "none of your business." I'm not sure why you're reading this as "everyone really deeply believes the same things I do!"

I'm going to be your best friend tonight. It seems you have no idea how poorly you come off with the misrepresentations, misunderstandings, and calling others names.

Please take a breather. Come back when you've given your ideas a good, serious, think-through. Gather some facts and sources of your own. Your ideas aren't bad, but your execution undermines what you're trying to say.

Who called anyone names?

A bunch of atheist haters on the other thread called posters “trolls” anytime they couldn’t answer a question.

You're referring to posters not wanting to answer your completely irrelevant questions about their news sources. I finally answered with my sources, The Guardian and NY Times, and then you wanted to know which reporters. Miss me with that trolling.

There’s the name calling.

You aren’t reading about Dawkins on the guardian or NYT. Total BS.

Wut? The Guardian loves Dawkins.

Last article was 3 years ago…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are some more interesting facts from that Pew survey.

The 81% number was from a question where respondents could choose multiple answers.

When respondents were asked to give the MOST important reason they attend religious services, 61% that was to get closer to God. Everything else was much lower, like the 8% who said it was to be a better person.

A tiny <1% said they attended "to meet new people/socialize." Hardly the "immense majority" claimed by some DCUM atheists.

I get that logic and facts must be tough for you, but that wasn’t what anyone claimed.

Here, verbatim, is what the "research scientist" claimed and which 2 of you plus-oned:

"I bet that the immense majority of people in the world are CULTURALLY affiliated with their religion, but don't actually think deeply about whether they truly believe or not." When asked to back this up with cites, nobody did (or could).

So this thread gives cites from Pew, no less, showing that only a small percentage (under 4% total) attend religious services for the cultural or social aspects.

Explain to us how Pew findings aren't responsive. TIA!

You do realize that many, many people who are “culturally affiliated”, as PP states, do not attend services. I can’t believe you need that explained to you.

Here's an idea: if you make an assertion, provide some stats to back it up. Don't petulantly demand that others prove your points for you.

Stats on attendance at houses of worship do exist, if you could be arsed to look for them.

But if you take a closer look, you'll still be disappointed. According to that very same Pew link, of those who do not attend services, only 28% say that's because they don't believe. 37% say they practice their faith in other ways, and another 37% say they haven't found a house of worship they like. 22% say it's because of logistical reasons like time or being in poor health.

Lesson learned: read the link before making claims you can't be bothered to prove.

Practicing your faith in other ways could be as simple as exchanging Christmas presents or taking your kid to get a picture with a malll Santa. It's not mutually exclusive with PP's read that these people could consider themselves Cultural Christians.

You're very upset but the stats you have provided are not painting the picture you think they are. Only 61% of people who actually attend church say it's to be closer to God, and then of the people who don't attend church who were asked why, 37% chose the multiple choice answer closest to "none of your business." I'm not sure why you're reading this as "everyone really deeply believes the same things I do!"

I'm going to be your best friend tonight. It seems you have no idea how poorly you come off with the misrepresentations, misunderstandings, and calling others names.

Please take a breather. Come back when you've given your ideas a good, serious, think-through. Gather some facts and sources of your own. Your ideas aren't bad, but your execution undermines what you're trying to say.

Who called anyone names?

A bunch of atheist haters on the other thread called posters “trolls” anytime they couldn’t answer a question.

You're referring to posters not wanting to answer your completely irrelevant questions about their news sources. I finally answered with my sources, The Guardian and NY Times, and then you wanted to know which reporters. Miss me with that trolling.

There’s the name calling.

You aren’t reading about Dawkins on the guardian or NYT. Total BS.

Wut? The Guardian loves Dawkins.

Last article was 3 years ago…

And that was just them calling him out for being a bigot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are some more interesting facts from that Pew survey.

The 81% number was from a question where respondents could choose multiple answers.

When respondents were asked to give the MOST important reason they attend religious services, 61% that was to get closer to God. Everything else was much lower, like the 8% who said it was to be a better person.

A tiny <1% said they attended "to meet new people/socialize." Hardly the "immense majority" claimed by some DCUM atheists.

I get that logic and facts must be tough for you, but that wasn’t what anyone claimed.

Here, verbatim, is what the "research scientist" claimed and which 2 of you plus-oned:

"I bet that the immense majority of people in the world are CULTURALLY affiliated with their religion, but don't actually think deeply about whether they truly believe or not." When asked to back this up with cites, nobody did (or could).

So this thread gives cites from Pew, no less, showing that only a small percentage (under 4% total) attend religious services for the cultural or social aspects.

Explain to us how Pew findings aren't responsive. TIA!

You do realize that many, many people who are “culturally affiliated”, as PP states, do not attend services. I can’t believe you need that explained to you.

Here's an idea: if you make an assertion, provide some stats to back it up. Don't petulantly demand that others prove your points for you.

Stats on attendance at houses of worship do exist, if you could be arsed to look for them.

But if you take a closer look, you'll still be disappointed. According to that very same Pew link, of those who do not attend services, only 28% say that's because they don't believe. 37% say they practice their faith in other ways, and another 37% say they haven't found a house of worship they like. 22% say it's because of logistical reasons like time or being in poor health.

Lesson learned: read the link before making claims you can't be bothered to prove.

Practicing your faith in other ways could be as simple as exchanging Christmas presents or taking your kid to get a picture with a malll Santa. It's not mutually exclusive with PP's read that these people could consider themselves Cultural Christians.

You're very upset but the stats you have provided are not painting the picture you think they are. Only 61% of people who actually attend church say it's to be closer to God, and then of the people who don't attend church who were asked why, 37% chose the multiple choice answer closest to "none of your business." I'm not sure why you're reading this as "everyone really deeply believes the same things I do!"

I'm going to be your best friend tonight. It seems you have no idea how poorly you come off with the misrepresentations, misunderstandings, and calling others names.

Please take a breather. Come back when you've given your ideas a good, serious, think-through. Gather some facts and sources of your own. Your ideas aren't bad, but your execution undermines what you're trying to say.

Who called anyone names?

A bunch of atheist haters on the other thread called posters “trolls” anytime they couldn’t answer a question.

You called pp “upset” and you know that’s a tactic used by bullies to undermine someone else

That wasn’t me. And that’s not name calling.

It's up there with "I'm sorry you're angry." Passive-aggressive nastiness.

So to recap, the only name calling was from believers calling others trolls and bullies?

That’s not what pp said. At all. No distortions, please.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are some more interesting facts from that Pew survey.

The 81% number was from a question where respondents could choose multiple answers.

When respondents were asked to give the MOST important reason they attend religious services, 61% that was to get closer to God. Everything else was much lower, like the 8% who said it was to be a better person.

A tiny <1% said they attended "to meet new people/socialize." Hardly the "immense majority" claimed by some DCUM atheists.

I get that logic and facts must be tough for you, but that wasn’t what anyone claimed.

Here, verbatim, is what the "research scientist" claimed and which 2 of you plus-oned:

"I bet that the immense majority of people in the world are CULTURALLY affiliated with their religion, but don't actually think deeply about whether they truly believe or not." When asked to back this up with cites, nobody did (or could).

So this thread gives cites from Pew, no less, showing that only a small percentage (under 4% total) attend religious services for the cultural or social aspects.

Explain to us how Pew findings aren't responsive. TIA!

You do realize that many, many people who are “culturally affiliated”, as PP states, do not attend services. I can’t believe you need that explained to you.

Here's an idea: if you make an assertion, provide some stats to back it up. Don't petulantly demand that others prove your points for you.

Stats on attendance at houses of worship do exist, if you could be arsed to look for them.

But if you take a closer look, you'll still be disappointed. According to that very same Pew link, of those who do not attend services, only 28% say that's because they don't believe. 37% say they practice their faith in other ways, and another 37% say they haven't found a house of worship they like. 22% say it's because of logistical reasons like time or being in poor health.

Lesson learned: read the link before making claims you can't be bothered to prove.

Practicing your faith in other ways could be as simple as exchanging Christmas presents or taking your kid to get a picture with a malll Santa. It's not mutually exclusive with PP's read that these people could consider themselves Cultural Christians.

You're very upset but the stats you have provided are not painting the picture you think they are. Only 61% of people who actually attend church say it's to be closer to God, and then of the people who don't attend church who were asked why, 37% chose the multiple choice answer closest to "none of your business." I'm not sure why you're reading this as "everyone really deeply believes the same things I do!"

I'm going to be your best friend tonight. It seems you have no idea how poorly you come off with the misrepresentations, misunderstandings, and calling others names.

Please take a breather. Come back when you've given your ideas a good, serious, think-through. Gather some facts and sources of your own. Your ideas aren't bad, but your execution undermines what you're trying to say.

Who called anyone names?

A bunch of atheist haters on the other thread called posters “trolls” anytime they couldn’t answer a question.

You're referring to posters not wanting to answer your completely irrelevant questions about their news sources. I finally answered with my sources, The Guardian and NY Times, and then you wanted to know which reporters. Miss me with that trolling.

There’s the name calling.

You aren’t reading about Dawkins on the guardian or NYT. Total BS.

Wut? The Guardian loves Dawkins.

Last article was 3 years ago…

And that was just them calling him out for being a bigot.

What exactly is your point? OP posted a few-days-old article quoting Dawkins. We’re discussing that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are some more interesting facts from that Pew survey.

The 81% number was from a question where respondents could choose multiple answers.

When respondents were asked to give the MOST important reason they attend religious services, 61% that was to get closer to God. Everything else was much lower, like the 8% who said it was to be a better person.

A tiny <1% said they attended "to meet new people/socialize." Hardly the "immense majority" claimed by some DCUM atheists.

I get that logic and facts must be tough for you, but that wasn’t what anyone claimed.

Here, verbatim, is what the "research scientist" claimed and which 2 of you plus-oned:

"I bet that the immense majority of people in the world are CULTURALLY affiliated with their religion, but don't actually think deeply about whether they truly believe or not." When asked to back this up with cites, nobody did (or could).

So this thread gives cites from Pew, no less, showing that only a small percentage (under 4% total) attend religious services for the cultural or social aspects.

Explain to us how Pew findings aren't responsive. TIA!

You do realize that many, many people who are “culturally affiliated”, as PP states, do not attend services. I can’t believe you need that explained to you.

Here's an idea: if you make an assertion, provide some stats to back it up. Don't petulantly demand that others prove your points for you.

Stats on attendance at houses of worship do exist, if you could be arsed to look for them.

But if you take a closer look, you'll still be disappointed. According to that very same Pew link, of those who do not attend services, only 28% say that's because they don't believe. 37% say they practice their faith in other ways, and another 37% say they haven't found a house of worship they like. 22% say it's because of logistical reasons like time or being in poor health.

Lesson learned: read the link before making claims you can't be bothered to prove.

Practicing your faith in other ways could be as simple as exchanging Christmas presents or taking your kid to get a picture with a malll Santa. It's not mutually exclusive with PP's read that these people could consider themselves Cultural Christians.

You're very upset but the stats you have provided are not painting the picture you think they are. Only 61% of people who actually attend church say it's to be closer to God, and then of the people who don't attend church who were asked why, 37% chose the multiple choice answer closest to "none of your business." I'm not sure why you're reading this as "everyone really deeply believes the same things I do!"

I'm going to be your best friend tonight. It seems you have no idea how poorly you come off with the misrepresentations, misunderstandings, and calling others names.

Please take a breather. Come back when you've given your ideas a good, serious, think-through. Gather some facts and sources of your own. Your ideas aren't bad, but your execution undermines what you're trying to say.

Who called anyone names?

A bunch of atheist haters on the other thread called posters “trolls” anytime they couldn’t answer a question.

You're referring to posters not wanting to answer your completely irrelevant questions about their news sources. I finally answered with my sources, The Guardian and NY Times, and then you wanted to know which reporters. Miss me with that trolling.

There’s the name calling.

You aren’t reading about Dawkins on the guardian or NYT. Total BS.

Wut? The Guardian loves Dawkins.

Last article was 3 years ago…

Good Lord. This thread is about whether DCUM’s atheists are correct to assert that most people attend religious services “for the community.” And the very first OP links to a Pew survey that shows that’s massively false.

If you want to discuss coverage of Dawkins, that’s the other thread. And the only relevant coverage for that thread is the article OP linked to, about Dawkins’ relationship to cultural Christianity.

Your obsessive interest in where people read about Dawkins is both boring and irrelevant to both these threads.

Focus, people. This thread is about DCUM’s atheists constantly asserting that people only go to church for the socializing. Pew says no, was it 80% say they go to be closer to God.

Care to comment on the thread topic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are some more interesting facts from that Pew survey.

The 81% number was from a question where respondents could choose multiple answers.

When respondents were asked to give the MOST important reason they attend religious services, 61% that was to get closer to God. Everything else was much lower, like the 8% who said it was to be a better person.

A tiny <1% said they attended "to meet new people/socialize." Hardly the "immense majority" claimed by some DCUM atheists.

I get that logic and facts must be tough for you, but that wasn’t what anyone claimed.

Here, verbatim, is what the "research scientist" claimed and which 2 of you plus-oned:

"I bet that the immense majority of people in the world are CULTURALLY affiliated with their religion, but don't actually think deeply about whether they truly believe or not." When asked to back this up with cites, nobody did (or could).

So this thread gives cites from Pew, no less, showing that only a small percentage (under 4% total) attend religious services for the cultural or social aspects.

Explain to us how Pew findings aren't responsive. TIA!

You do realize that many, many people who are “culturally affiliated”, as PP states, do not attend services. I can’t believe you need that explained to you.

Here's an idea: if you make an assertion, provide some stats to back it up. Don't petulantly demand that others prove your points for you.

Stats on attendance at houses of worship do exist, if you could be arsed to look for them.

But if you take a closer look, you'll still be disappointed. According to that very same Pew link, of those who do not attend services, only 28% say that's because they don't believe. 37% say they practice their faith in other ways, and another 37% say they haven't found a house of worship they like. 22% say it's because of logistical reasons like time or being in poor health.

Lesson learned: read the link before making claims you can't be bothered to prove.

Practicing your faith in other ways could be as simple as exchanging Christmas presents or taking your kid to get a picture with a malll Santa. It's not mutually exclusive with PP's read that these people could consider themselves Cultural Christians.

You're very upset but the stats you have provided are not painting the picture you think they are. Only 61% of people who actually attend church say it's to be closer to God, and then of the people who don't attend church who were asked why, 37% chose the multiple choice answer closest to "none of your business." I'm not sure why you're reading this as "everyone really deeply believes the same things I do!"

I'm going to be your best friend tonight. It seems you have no idea how poorly you come off with the misrepresentations, misunderstandings, and calling others names.

Please take a breather. Come back when you've given your ideas a good, serious, think-through. Gather some facts and sources of your own. Your ideas aren't bad, but your execution undermines what you're trying to say.

Who called anyone names?

A bunch of atheist haters on the other thread called posters “trolls” anytime they couldn’t answer a question.

You called pp “upset” and you know that’s a tactic used by bullies to undermine someone else

That wasn’t me. And that’s not name calling.

It's up there with "I'm sorry you're angry." Passive-aggressive nastiness.

So to recap, the only name calling was from believers calling others trolls and bullies?

That’s not what pp said. At all. No distortions, please.

Again, the only “name calling” was from believers calling others trolls and bullies. Seems like some of these accusations are confessions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are some more interesting facts from that Pew survey.

The 81% number was from a question where respondents could choose multiple answers.

When respondents were asked to give the MOST important reason they attend religious services, 61% that was to get closer to God. Everything else was much lower, like the 8% who said it was to be a better person.

A tiny <1% said they attended "to meet new people/socialize." Hardly the "immense majority" claimed by some DCUM atheists.

I get that logic and facts must be tough for you, but that wasn’t what anyone claimed.

Here, verbatim, is what the "research scientist" claimed and which 2 of you plus-oned:

"I bet that the immense majority of people in the world are CULTURALLY affiliated with their religion, but don't actually think deeply about whether they truly believe or not." When asked to back this up with cites, nobody did (or could).

So this thread gives cites from Pew, no less, showing that only a small percentage (under 4% total) attend religious services for the cultural or social aspects.

Explain to us how Pew findings aren't responsive. TIA!

You do realize that many, many people who are “culturally affiliated”, as PP states, do not attend services. I can’t believe you need that explained to you.

Here's an idea: if you make an assertion, provide some stats to back it up. Don't petulantly demand that others prove your points for you.

Stats on attendance at houses of worship do exist, if you could be arsed to look for them.

But if you take a closer look, you'll still be disappointed. According to that very same Pew link, of those who do not attend services, only 28% say that's because they don't believe. 37% say they practice their faith in other ways, and another 37% say they haven't found a house of worship they like. 22% say it's because of logistical reasons like time or being in poor health.

Lesson learned: read the link before making claims you can't be bothered to prove.

Practicing your faith in other ways could be as simple as exchanging Christmas presents or taking your kid to get a picture with a malll Santa. It's not mutually exclusive with PP's read that these people could consider themselves Cultural Christians.

You're very upset but the stats you have provided are not painting the picture you think they are. Only 61% of people who actually attend church say it's to be closer to God, and then of the people who don't attend church who were asked why, 37% chose the multiple choice answer closest to "none of your business." I'm not sure why you're reading this as "everyone really deeply believes the same things I do!"

I'm going to be your best friend tonight. It seems you have no idea how poorly you come off with the misrepresentations, misunderstandings, and calling others names.

Please take a breather. Come back when you've given your ideas a good, serious, think-through. Gather some facts and sources of your own. Your ideas aren't bad, but your execution undermines what you're trying to say.

Who called anyone names?

A bunch of atheist haters on the other thread called posters “trolls” anytime they couldn’t answer a question.

You're referring to posters not wanting to answer your completely irrelevant questions about their news sources. I finally answered with my sources, The Guardian and NY Times, and then you wanted to know which reporters. Miss me with that trolling.

There’s the name calling.

You aren’t reading about Dawkins on the guardian or NYT. Total BS.

Wut? The Guardian loves Dawkins.

Last article was 3 years ago…

Good Lord. This thread is about whether DCUM’s atheists are correct to assert that most people attend religious services “for the community.” And the very first OP links to a Pew survey that shows that’s massively false.

If you want to discuss coverage of Dawkins, that’s the other thread. And the only relevant coverage for that thread is the article OP linked to, about Dawkins’ relationship to cultural Christianity.

Your obsessive interest in where people read about Dawkins is both boring and irrelevant to both these threads.

Focus, people. This thread is about DCUM’s atheists constantly asserting that people only go to church for the socializing. Pew says no, was it 80% say they go to be closer to God.

Care to comment on the thread topic?

I’m just curious why religious people obsess over him and I haven’t received a legit answer yet. Just some BS.

I’m also curious why you have misrepresented the comment from the other thread. Here was the quote:
“ I bet that the immense majority of people in the world are CULTURALLY affiliated with their religion, but don't actually think deeply about whether they truly believe or not.”

Nothing about why people go to church.

Interesting how people “of faith” can’t have a good faith discussion. Just lots of misrepresentation and projection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are some more interesting facts from that Pew survey.

The 81% number was from a question where respondents could choose multiple answers.

When respondents were asked to give the MOST important reason they attend religious services, 61% that was to get closer to God. Everything else was much lower, like the 8% who said it was to be a better person.

A tiny <1% said they attended "to meet new people/socialize." Hardly the "immense majority" claimed by some DCUM atheists.

I get that logic and facts must be tough for you, but that wasn’t what anyone claimed.

Here, verbatim, is what the "research scientist" claimed and which 2 of you plus-oned:

"I bet that the immense majority of people in the world are CULTURALLY affiliated with their religion, but don't actually think deeply about whether they truly believe or not." When asked to back this up with cites, nobody did (or could).

So this thread gives cites from Pew, no less, showing that only a small percentage (under 4% total) attend religious services for the cultural or social aspects.

Explain to us how Pew findings aren't responsive. TIA!

You do realize that many, many people who are “culturally affiliated”, as PP states, do not attend services. I can’t believe you need that explained to you.

Here's an idea: if you make an assertion, provide some stats to back it up. Don't petulantly demand that others prove your points for you.

Stats on attendance at houses of worship do exist, if you could be arsed to look for them.

But if you take a closer look, you'll still be disappointed. According to that very same Pew link, of those who do not attend services, only 28% say that's because they don't believe. 37% say they practice their faith in other ways, and another 37% say they haven't found a house of worship they like. 22% say it's because of logistical reasons like time or being in poor health.

Lesson learned: read the link before making claims you can't be bothered to prove.

Practicing your faith in other ways could be as simple as exchanging Christmas presents or taking your kid to get a picture with a malll Santa. It's not mutually exclusive with PP's read that these people could consider themselves Cultural Christians.

You're very upset but the stats you have provided are not painting the picture you think they are. Only 61% of people who actually attend church say it's to be closer to God, and then of the people who don't attend church who were asked why, 37% chose the multiple choice answer closest to "none of your business." I'm not sure why you're reading this as "everyone really deeply believes the same things I do!"

I'm going to be your best friend tonight. It seems you have no idea how poorly you come off with the misrepresentations, misunderstandings, and calling others names.

Please take a breather. Come back when you've given your ideas a good, serious, think-through. Gather some facts and sources of your own. Your ideas aren't bad, but your execution undermines what you're trying to say.

Who called anyone names?

A bunch of atheist haters on the other thread called posters “trolls” anytime they couldn’t answer a question.

You called pp “upset” and you know that’s a tactic used by bullies to undermine someone else

That wasn’t me. And that’s not name calling.

It's up there with "I'm sorry you're angry." Passive-aggressive nastiness.

So to recap, the only name calling was from believers calling others trolls and bullies?

That’s not what pp said. At all. No distortions, please.

Again, the only “name calling” was from believers calling others trolls and bullies. Seems like some of these accusations are confessions.

Anybody can read the atheists calling others liars, accusing them of paraphrasing or whatever the heck that atheist was going on about, passive-aggressive calling believers upset, derailing the thread with OT nonsense, and more.

To get back to the thread topic: OP won and you lost. The vast majority go to religious services to be closer to God, not to socialize as atheists here are constantly claiming. The rest is irrelevant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are some more interesting facts from that Pew survey.

The 81% number was from a question where respondents could choose multiple answers.

When respondents were asked to give the MOST important reason they attend religious services, 61% that was to get closer to God. Everything else was much lower, like the 8% who said it was to be a better person.

A tiny <1% said they attended "to meet new people/socialize." Hardly the "immense majority" claimed by some DCUM atheists.

I get that logic and facts must be tough for you, but that wasn’t what anyone claimed.

Here, verbatim, is what the "research scientist" claimed and which 2 of you plus-oned:

"I bet that the immense majority of people in the world are CULTURALLY affiliated with their religion, but don't actually think deeply about whether they truly believe or not." When asked to back this up with cites, nobody did (or could).

So this thread gives cites from Pew, no less, showing that only a small percentage (under 4% total) attend religious services for the cultural or social aspects.

Explain to us how Pew findings aren't responsive. TIA!

You do realize that many, many people who are “culturally affiliated”, as PP states, do not attend services. I can’t believe you need that explained to you.

Here's an idea: if you make an assertion, provide some stats to back it up. Don't petulantly demand that others prove your points for you.

Stats on attendance at houses of worship do exist, if you could be arsed to look for them.

But if you take a closer look, you'll still be disappointed. According to that very same Pew link, of those who do not attend services, only 28% say that's because they don't believe. 37% say they practice their faith in other ways, and another 37% say they haven't found a house of worship they like. 22% say it's because of logistical reasons like time or being in poor health.

Lesson learned: read the link before making claims you can't be bothered to prove.

Practicing your faith in other ways could be as simple as exchanging Christmas presents or taking your kid to get a picture with a malll Santa. It's not mutually exclusive with PP's read that these people could consider themselves Cultural Christians.

You're very upset but the stats you have provided are not painting the picture you think they are. Only 61% of people who actually attend church say it's to be closer to God, and then of the people who don't attend church who were asked why, 37% chose the multiple choice answer closest to "none of your business." I'm not sure why you're reading this as "everyone really deeply believes the same things I do!"

I'm going to be your best friend tonight. It seems you have no idea how poorly you come off with the misrepresentations, misunderstandings, and calling others names.

Please take a breather. Come back when you've given your ideas a good, serious, think-through. Gather some facts and sources of your own. Your ideas aren't bad, but your execution undermines what you're trying to say.

Who called anyone names?

A bunch of atheist haters on the other thread called posters “trolls” anytime they couldn’t answer a question.

You're referring to posters not wanting to answer your completely irrelevant questions about their news sources. I finally answered with my sources, The Guardian and NY Times, and then you wanted to know which reporters. Miss me with that trolling.

There’s the name calling.

You aren’t reading about Dawkins on the guardian or NYT. Total BS.

Wut? The Guardian loves Dawkins.

Last article was 3 years ago…

And that was just them calling him out for being a bigot.

What exactly is your point? OP posted a few-days-old article quoting Dawkins. We’re discussing that.

Because I find it odd the religious people are obsessing over what this random dude says.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here are some more interesting facts from that Pew survey.

The 81% number was from a question where respondents could choose multiple answers.

When respondents were asked to give the MOST important reason they attend religious services, 61% that was to get closer to God. Everything else was much lower, like the 8% who said it was to be a better person.

A tiny <1% said they attended "to meet new people/socialize." Hardly the "immense majority" claimed by some DCUM atheists.

I get that logic and facts must be tough for you, but that wasn’t what anyone claimed.

Here, verbatim, is what the "research scientist" claimed and which 2 of you plus-oned:

"I bet that the immense majority of people in the world are CULTURALLY affiliated with their religion, but don't actually think deeply about whether they truly believe or not." When asked to back this up with cites, nobody did (or could).

So this thread gives cites from Pew, no less, showing that only a small percentage (under 4% total) attend religious services for the cultural or social aspects.

Explain to us how Pew findings aren't responsive. TIA!

You do realize that many, many people who are “culturally affiliated”, as PP states, do not attend services. I can’t believe you need that explained to you.

Here's an idea: if you make an assertion, provide some stats to back it up. Don't petulantly demand that others prove your points for you.

Stats on attendance at houses of worship do exist, if you could be arsed to look for them.

But if you take a closer look, you'll still be disappointed. According to that very same Pew link, of those who do not attend services, only 28% say that's because they don't believe. 37% say they practice their faith in other ways, and another 37% say they haven't found a house of worship they like. 22% say it's because of logistical reasons like time or being in poor health.

Lesson learned: read the link before making claims you can't be bothered to prove.

Practicing your faith in other ways could be as simple as exchanging Christmas presents or taking your kid to get a picture with a malll Santa. It's not mutually exclusive with PP's read that these people could consider themselves Cultural Christians.

You're very upset but the stats you have provided are not painting the picture you think they are. Only 61% of people who actually attend church say it's to be closer to God, and then of the people who don't attend church who were asked why, 37% chose the multiple choice answer closest to "none of your business." I'm not sure why you're reading this as "everyone really deeply believes the same things I do!"

I'm going to be your best friend tonight. It seems you have no idea how poorly you come off with the misrepresentations, misunderstandings, and calling others names.

Please take a breather. Come back when you've given your ideas a good, serious, think-through. Gather some facts and sources of your own. Your ideas aren't bad, but your execution undermines what you're trying to say.

Who called anyone names?

A bunch of atheist haters on the other thread called posters “trolls” anytime they couldn’t answer a question.

You called pp “upset” and you know that’s a tactic used by bullies to undermine someone else

That wasn’t me. And that’s not name calling.

It's up there with "I'm sorry you're angry." Passive-aggressive nastiness.

So to recap, the only name calling was from believers calling others trolls and bullies?

That’s not what pp said. At all. No distortions, please.

Again, the only “name calling” was from believers calling others trolls and bullies. Seems like some of these accusations are confessions.

Anybody can read the atheists calling others liars, accusing them of paraphrasing or whatever the heck that atheist was going on about, passive-aggressive calling believers upset, derailing the thread with OT nonsense, and more.

To get back to the thread topic: OP won and you lost. The vast majority go to religious services to be closer to God, not to socialize as atheists here are constantly claiming. The rest is irrelevant.

STRAWMAN. THE COMMENT DIDN’T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT WHY PEOPLE GO TO SERVICES.