Church attendance continues to plummet

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“None of it is needed if you don’t go to church?”

What? So society stops needing the trillions of dollars of support religious institutions give yearly because someone decides not to go to church? How does that make sense? Need never goes away, and the government can’t do it all. Religious institutions are an extremely important in society’s safety net.

I don’t get where you think I am implying anyone should become religious for any reason whatsoever. There is nothing I or anyone else can do to make people religious. People choose their beliefs and lives.

I have never seen anyone here try to convert anyone to their religion. I have seen atheists argue and debate and try convince people day after day that God doesn’t exist, though. They aren’t successful because their personalities and attitudes are so off putting and obnoxious that nobody wants to be like them or associate with them irl. I guess they come here to feel like they have some meaning in life.

?? That article showed they rake in $1.2 trillion - not that they "give" "trillions of dollars yearly." I could go back and look at how much the religious charities give, but it ain't trillions. On the other hand they rake in good money through their schools and hospitals and the collection plate. That's the way I read it.

Title: The Socio-economic Contribution of Religion to American Society: An Empirical Analysis

"Contribution" doesn't mean the amount they contribute, i.e. give. It's about their slice of the economy, and clearly was about the amount they take in.
Microsoft sells software, Apple sells computers, the religious institutions are selling something people believe they need I guess, so they give their hard earned money to these organizations. Most of it was money paid to religious schools, hospitals and the collection plate.

Atheists are substantially less likely than Protestants and Catholics to report volunteering their time to charitable organizations.

85% of atheists say they have not volunteered with a religious charity in the past 12 months.

I'm only surprised that 15% of atheists do volunteer with a religious charity; I'd expect it to be even lower than that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“None of it is needed if you don’t go to church?”

What? So society stops needing the trillions of dollars of support religious institutions give yearly because someone decides not to go to church? How does that make sense? Need never goes away, and the government can’t do it all. Religious institutions are an extremely important in society’s safety net.

I don’t get where you think I am implying anyone should become religious for any reason whatsoever. There is nothing I or anyone else can do to make people religious. People choose their beliefs and lives.

I have never seen anyone here try to convert anyone to their religion. I have seen atheists argue and debate and try convince people day after day that God doesn’t exist, though. They aren’t successful because their personalities and attitudes are so off putting and obnoxious that nobody wants to be like them or associate with them irl. I guess they come here to feel like they have some meaning in life.

?? That article showed they rake in $1.2 trillion - not that they "give" "trillions of dollars yearly." I could go back and look at how much the religious charities give, but it ain't trillions. On the other hand they rake in good money through their schools and hospitals and the collection plate. That's the way I read it.

Title: The Socio-economic Contribution of Religion to American Society: An Empirical Analysis

"Contribution" doesn't mean the amount they contribute, i.e. give. It's about their slice of the economy, and clearly was about the amount they take in.
Microsoft sells software, Apple sells computers, the religious institutions are selling something people believe they need I guess, so they give their hard earned money to these organizations. Most of it was money paid to religious schools, hospitals and the collection plate.

Atheists are substantially less likely than Protestants and Catholics to report volunteering their time to charitable organizations.

85% of atheists say they have not volunteered with a religious charity in the past 12 months.

These are two different metrics. Which one are you trying to cite? Atheists volunteering at any charitable organization? Or atheists volunteering at a religious charity?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“None of it is needed if you don’t go to church?”

What? So society stops needing the trillions of dollars of support religious institutions give yearly because someone decides not to go to church? How does that make sense? Need never goes away, and the government can’t do it all. Religious institutions are an extremely important in society’s safety net.

I don’t get where you think I am implying anyone should become religious for any reason whatsoever. There is nothing I or anyone else can do to make people religious. People choose their beliefs and lives.

I have never seen anyone here try to convert anyone to their religion. I have seen atheists argue and debate and try convince people day after day that God doesn’t exist, though. They aren’t successful because their personalities and attitudes are so off putting and obnoxious that nobody wants to be like them or associate with them irl. I guess they come here to feel like they have some meaning in life.

?? That article showed they rake in $1.2 trillion - not that they "give" "trillions of dollars yearly." I could go back and look at how much the religious charities give, but it ain't trillions. On the other hand they rake in good money through their schools and hospitals and the collection plate. That's the way I read it.

Title: The Socio-economic Contribution of Religion to American Society: An Empirical Analysis

"Contribution" doesn't mean the amount they contribute, i.e. give. It's about their slice of the economy, and clearly was about the amount they take in.
Microsoft sells software, Apple sells computers, the religious institutions are selling something people believe they need I guess, so they give their hard earned money to these organizations. Most of it was money paid to religious schools, hospitals and the collection plate.

Atheists are substantially less likely than Protestants and Catholics to report volunteering their time to charitable organizations.

85% of atheists say they have not volunteered with a religious charity in the past 12 months.

What about non-religious charities?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“None of it is needed if you don’t go to church?”

What? So society stops needing the trillions of dollars of support religious institutions give yearly because someone decides not to go to church? How does that make sense? Need never goes away, and the government can’t do it all. Religious institutions are an extremely important in society’s safety net.

I don’t get where you think I am implying anyone should become religious for any reason whatsoever. There is nothing I or anyone else can do to make people religious. People choose their beliefs and lives.

I have never seen anyone here try to convert anyone to their religion. I have seen atheists argue and debate and try convince people day after day that God doesn’t exist, though. They aren’t successful because their personalities and attitudes are so off putting and obnoxious that nobody wants to be like them or associate with them irl. I guess they come here to feel like they have some meaning in life.

?? That article showed they rake in $1.2 trillion - not that they "give" "trillions of dollars yearly." I could go back and look at how much the religious charities give, but it ain't trillions. On the other hand they rake in good money through their schools and hospitals and the collection plate. That's the way I read it.

Title: The Socio-economic Contribution of Religion to American Society: An Empirical Analysis

"Contribution" doesn't mean the amount they contribute, i.e. give. It's about their slice of the economy, and clearly was about the amount they take in.
Microsoft sells software, Apple sells computers, the religious institutions are selling something people believe they need I guess, so they give their hard earned money to these organizations. Most of it was money paid to religious schools, hospitals and the collection plate.

Atheists are substantially less likely than Protestants and Catholics to report volunteering their time to charitable organizations.

85% of atheists say they have not volunteered with a religious charity in the past 12 months.

I'm only surprised that 15% of atheists do volunteer with a religious charity; I'd expect it to be even lower than that.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“None of it is needed if you don’t go to church?”

What? So society stops needing the trillions of dollars of support religious institutions give yearly because someone decides not to go to church? How does that make sense? Need never goes away, and the government can’t do it all. Religious institutions are an extremely important in society’s safety net.

I don’t get where you think I am implying anyone should become religious for any reason whatsoever. There is nothing I or anyone else can do to make people religious. People choose their beliefs and lives.

I have never seen anyone here try to convert anyone to their religion. I have seen atheists argue and debate and try convince people day after day that God doesn’t exist, though. They aren’t successful because their personalities and attitudes are so off putting and obnoxious that nobody wants to be like them or associate with them irl. I guess they come here to feel like they have some meaning in life.

?? That article showed they rake in $1.2 trillion - not that they "give" "trillions of dollars yearly." I could go back and look at how much the religious charities give, but it ain't trillions. On the other hand they rake in good money through their schools and hospitals and the collection plate. That's the way I read it.

Title: The Socio-economic Contribution of Religion to American Society: An Empirical Analysis

"Contribution" doesn't mean the amount they contribute, i.e. give. It's about their slice of the economy, and clearly was about the amount they take in.
Microsoft sells software, Apple sells computers, the religious institutions are selling something people believe they need I guess, so they give their hard earned money to these organizations. Most of it was money paid to religious schools, hospitals and the collection plate.

Atheists are substantially less likely than Protestants and Catholics to report volunteering their time to charitable organizations.

85% of atheists say they have not volunteered with a religious charity in the past 12 months.

What about non-religious charities?

also, we need a citation for the statistic about atheists not giving/volunteering to a religious charity. Not that I doubt it. Why give to a religious organization when there are so many worthy secular causes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“None of it is needed if you don’t go to church?”

What? So society stops needing the trillions of dollars of support religious institutions give yearly because someone decides not to go to church? How does that make sense? Need never goes away, and the government can’t do it all. Religious institutions are an extremely important in society’s safety net.

I don’t get where you think I am implying anyone should become religious for any reason whatsoever. There is nothing I or anyone else can do to make people religious. People choose their beliefs and lives.

I have never seen anyone here try to convert anyone to their religion. I have seen atheists argue and debate and try convince people day after day that God doesn’t exist, though. They aren’t successful because their personalities and attitudes are so off putting and obnoxious that nobody wants to be like them or associate with them irl. I guess they come here to feel like they have some meaning in life.

?? That article showed they rake in $1.2 trillion - not that they "give" "trillions of dollars yearly." I could go back and look at how much the religious charities give, but it ain't trillions. On the other hand they rake in good money through their schools and hospitals and the collection plate. That's the way I read it.

Title: The Socio-economic Contribution of Religion to American Society: An Empirical Analysis

"Contribution" doesn't mean the amount they contribute, i.e. give. It's about their slice of the economy, and clearly was about the amount they take in.
Microsoft sells software, Apple sells computers, the religious institutions are selling something people believe they need I guess, so they give their hard earned money to these organizations. Most of it was money paid to religious schools, hospitals and the collection plate.

Atheists are substantially less likely than Protestants and Catholics to report volunteering their time to charitable organizations.

85% of atheists say they have not volunteered with a religious charity in the past 12 months.

What about non-religious charities?

also, we need a citation for the statistic about atheists not giving/volunteering to a religious charity. Not that I doubt it. Why give to a religious organization when there are so many worthy secular causes?

Just 28% of Americans who are not highly religious say they volunteered in the past seven days.

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2016/04/12/how-highly-religious-americans-lives-are-different-from-others/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“None of it is needed if you don’t go to church?”

What? So society stops needing the trillions of dollars of support religious institutions give yearly because someone decides not to go to church? How does that make sense? Need never goes away, and the government can’t do it all. Religious institutions are an extremely important in society’s safety net.

I don’t get where you think I am implying anyone should become religious for any reason whatsoever. There is nothing I or anyone else can do to make people religious. People choose their beliefs and lives.

I have never seen anyone here try to convert anyone to their religion. I have seen atheists argue and debate and try convince people day after day that God doesn’t exist, though. They aren’t successful because their personalities and attitudes are so off putting and obnoxious that nobody wants to be like them or associate with them irl. I guess they come here to feel like they have some meaning in life.

?? That article showed they rake in $1.2 trillion - not that they "give" "trillions of dollars yearly." I could go back and look at how much the religious charities give, but it ain't trillions. On the other hand they rake in good money through their schools and hospitals and the collection plate. That's the way I read it.

Title: The Socio-economic Contribution of Religion to American Society: An Empirical Analysis

"Contribution" doesn't mean the amount they contribute, i.e. give. It's about their slice of the economy, and clearly was about the amount they take in.
Microsoft sells software, Apple sells computers, the religious institutions are selling something people believe they need I guess, so they give their hard earned money to these organizations. Most of it was money paid to religious schools, hospitals and the collection plate.

Atheists are substantially less likely than Protestants and Catholics to report volunteering their time to charitable organizations.

85% of atheists say they have not volunteered with a religious charity in the past 12 months.

What about non-religious charities?

also, we need a citation for the statistic about atheists not giving/volunteering to a religious charity. Not that I doubt it. Why give to a religious organization when there are so many worthy secular causes?

Just 28% of Americans who are not highly religious say they volunteered in the past seven days.

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2016/04/12/how-highly-religious-americans-lives-are-different-from-others/

Which begs the question - what about people who are religious, but not "highly" religious? where do they fit into this study?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“None of it is needed if you don’t go to church?”

What? So society stops needing the trillions of dollars of support religious institutions give yearly because someone decides not to go to church? How does that make sense? Need never goes away, and the government can’t do it all. Religious institutions are an extremely important in society’s safety net.

I don’t get where you think I am implying anyone should become religious for any reason whatsoever. There is nothing I or anyone else can do to make people religious. People choose their beliefs and lives.

I have never seen anyone here try to convert anyone to their religion. I have seen atheists argue and debate and try convince people day after day that God doesn’t exist, though. They aren’t successful because their personalities and attitudes are so off putting and obnoxious that nobody wants to be like them or associate with them irl. I guess they come here to feel like they have some meaning in life.

?? That article showed they rake in $1.2 trillion - not that they "give" "trillions of dollars yearly." I could go back and look at how much the religious charities give, but it ain't trillions. On the other hand they rake in good money through their schools and hospitals and the collection plate. That's the way I read it.

Title: The Socio-economic Contribution of Religion to American Society: An Empirical Analysis

"Contribution" doesn't mean the amount they contribute, i.e. give. It's about their slice of the economy, and clearly was about the amount they take in.
Microsoft sells software, Apple sells computers, the religious institutions are selling something people believe they need I guess, so they give their hard earned money to these organizations. Most of it was money paid to religious schools, hospitals and the collection plate.

Atheists are substantially less likely than Protestants and Catholics to report volunteering their time to charitable organizations.

85% of atheists say they have not volunteered with a religious charity in the past 12 months.

What about non-religious charities?

also, we need a citation for the statistic about atheists not giving/volunteering to a religious charity. Not that I doubt it. Why give to a religious organization when there are so many worthy secular causes?

Just 28% of Americans who are not highly religious say they volunteered in the past seven days.

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2016/04/12/how-highly-religious-americans-lives-are-different-from-others/

Which begs the question - what about people who are religious, but not "highly" religious? where do they fit into this study?

Data for you to read at link.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“None of it is needed if you don’t go to church?”

What? So society stops needing the trillions of dollars of support religious institutions give yearly because someone decides not to go to church? How does that make sense? Need never goes away, and the government can’t do it all. Religious institutions are an extremely important in society’s safety net.

I don’t get where you think I am implying anyone should become religious for any reason whatsoever. There is nothing I or anyone else can do to make people religious. People choose their beliefs and lives.

I have never seen anyone here try to convert anyone to their religion. I have seen atheists argue and debate and try convince people day after day that God doesn’t exist, though. They aren’t successful because their personalities and attitudes are so off putting and obnoxious that nobody wants to be like them or associate with them irl. I guess they come here to feel like they have some meaning in life.

?? That article showed they rake in $1.2 trillion - not that they "give" "trillions of dollars yearly." I could go back and look at how much the religious charities give, but it ain't trillions. On the other hand they rake in good money through their schools and hospitals and the collection plate. That's the way I read it.

Title: The Socio-economic Contribution of Religion to American Society: An Empirical Analysis

"Contribution" doesn't mean the amount they contribute, i.e. give. It's about their slice of the economy, and clearly was about the amount they take in.
Microsoft sells software, Apple sells computers, the religious institutions are selling something people believe they need I guess, so they give their hard earned money to these organizations. Most of it was money paid to religious schools, hospitals and the collection plate.

Atheists are substantially less likely than Protestants and Catholics to report volunteering their time to charitable organizations.

85% of atheists say they have not volunteered with a religious charity in the past 12 months.

Can’t speak for all atheists but this atheist has run fundraisers and raised tens of thousands of dollars for Catholic Charities. Why? Because they run the food bank in my hometown. I don’t believe in god but I do believe in the food bank. In fact I am sitting right next to a plaque engraved with my name (as well as my two co-chairs) from them they presented at a dinner where the three of us were honored for our contributions.

I will say I think any poll explicitly asking about religious charities but excluding all others is a poll designed to present a biased result. Bad faith, no pun intended.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“None of it is needed if you don’t go to church?”

What? So society stops needing the trillions of dollars of support religious institutions give yearly because someone decides not to go to church? How does that make sense? Need never goes away, and the government can’t do it all. Religious institutions are an extremely important in society’s safety net.

I don’t get where you think I am implying anyone should become religious for any reason whatsoever. There is nothing I or anyone else can do to make people religious. People choose their beliefs and lives.

I have never seen anyone here try to convert anyone to their religion. I have seen atheists argue and debate and try convince people day after day that God doesn’t exist, though. They aren’t successful because their personalities and attitudes are so off putting and obnoxious that nobody wants to be like them or associate with them irl. I guess they come here to feel like they have some meaning in life.

?? That article showed they rake in $1.2 trillion - not that they "give" "trillions of dollars yearly." I could go back and look at how much the religious charities give, but it ain't trillions. On the other hand they rake in good money through their schools and hospitals and the collection plate. That's the way I read it.

Title: The Socio-economic Contribution of Religion to American Society: An Empirical Analysis

"Contribution" doesn't mean the amount they contribute, i.e. give. It's about their slice of the economy, and clearly was about the amount they take in.
Microsoft sells software, Apple sells computers, the religious institutions are selling something people believe they need I guess, so they give their hard earned money to these organizations. Most of it was money paid to religious schools, hospitals and the collection plate.

Atheists are substantially less likely than Protestants and Catholics to report volunteering their time to charitable organizations.

85% of atheists say they have not volunteered with a religious charity in the past 12 months.

Can’t speak for all atheists but this atheist has run fundraisers and raised tens of thousands of dollars for Catholic Charities. Why? Because they run the food bank in my hometown. I don’t believe in god but I do believe in the food bank. In fact I am sitting right next to a plaque engraved with my name (as well as my two co-chairs) from them they presented at a dinner where the three of us were honored for our contributions.

I will say I think any poll explicitly asking about religious charities but excluding all others is a poll designed to present a biased result. Bad faith, no pun intended.

Kudos to you sir or ma'am I don't think religiosity has anything whatsoever to ones' ethics or charitable activity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“None of it is needed if you don’t go to church?”

What? So society stops needing the trillions of dollars of support religious institutions give yearly because someone decides not to go to church? How does that make sense? Need never goes away, and the government can’t do it all. Religious institutions are an extremely important in society’s safety net.

I don’t get where you think I am implying anyone should become religious for any reason whatsoever. There is nothing I or anyone else can do to make people religious. People choose their beliefs and lives.

I have never seen anyone here try to convert anyone to their religion. I have seen atheists argue and debate and try convince people day after day that God doesn’t exist, though. They aren’t successful because their personalities and attitudes are so off putting and obnoxious that nobody wants to be like them or associate with them irl. I guess they come here to feel like they have some meaning in life.

?? That article showed they rake in $1.2 trillion - not that they "give" "trillions of dollars yearly." I could go back and look at how much the religious charities give, but it ain't trillions. On the other hand they rake in good money through their schools and hospitals and the collection plate. That's the way I read it.

Title: The Socio-economic Contribution of Religion to American Society: An Empirical Analysis

"Contribution" doesn't mean the amount they contribute, i.e. give. It's about their slice of the economy, and clearly was about the amount they take in.
Microsoft sells software, Apple sells computers, the religious institutions are selling something people believe they need I guess, so they give their hard earned money to these organizations. Most of it was money paid to religious schools, hospitals and the collection plate.

Atheists are substantially less likely than Protestants and Catholics to report volunteering their time to charitable organizations.

85% of atheists say they have not volunteered with a religious charity in the past 12 months.

Can’t speak for all atheists but this atheist has run fundraisers and raised tens of thousands of dollars for Catholic Charities. Why? Because they run the food bank in my hometown. I don’t believe in god but I do believe in the food bank. In fact I am sitting right next to a plaque engraved with my name (as well as my two co-chairs) from them they presented at a dinner where the three of us were honored for our contributions.

I will say I think any poll explicitly asking about religious charities but excluding all others is a poll designed to present a biased result. Bad faith, no pun intended.

Does Catholic Charities know that you're an atheist - or not a catholic?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“None of it is needed if you don’t go to church?”

What? So society stops needing the trillions of dollars of support religious institutions give yearly because someone decides not to go to church? How does that make sense? Need never goes away, and the government can’t do it all. Religious institutions are an extremely important in society’s safety net.

I don’t get where you think I am implying anyone should become religious for any reason whatsoever. There is nothing I or anyone else can do to make people religious. People choose their beliefs and lives.

I have never seen anyone here try to convert anyone to their religion. I have seen atheists argue and debate and try convince people day after day that God doesn’t exist, though. They aren’t successful because their personalities and attitudes are so off putting and obnoxious that nobody wants to be like them or associate with them irl. I guess they come here to feel like they have some meaning in life.

?? That article showed they rake in $1.2 trillion - not that they "give" "trillions of dollars yearly." I could go back and look at how much the religious charities give, but it ain't trillions. On the other hand they rake in good money through their schools and hospitals and the collection plate. That's the way I read it.

Title: The Socio-economic Contribution of Religion to American Society: An Empirical Analysis

"Contribution" doesn't mean the amount they contribute, i.e. give. It's about their slice of the economy, and clearly was about the amount they take in.
Microsoft sells software, Apple sells computers, the religious institutions are selling something people believe they need I guess, so they give their hard earned money to these organizations. Most of it was money paid to religious schools, hospitals and the collection plate.

Atheists are substantially less likely than Protestants and Catholics to report volunteering their time to charitable organizations.

85% of atheists say they have not volunteered with a religious charity in the past 12 months.

Can’t speak for all atheists but this atheist has run fundraisers and raised tens of thousands of dollars for Catholic Charities. Why? Because they run the food bank in my hometown. I don’t believe in god but I do believe in the food bank. In fact I am sitting right next to a plaque engraved with my name (as well as my two co-chairs) from them they presented at a dinner where the three of us were honored for our contributions.

I will say I think any poll explicitly asking about religious charities but excluding all others is a poll designed to present a biased result. Bad faith, no pun intended.

Does Catholic Charities know that you're an atheist - or not a catholic?

I have no idea, and I’d really like to know the reason you even ask?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“None of it is needed if you don’t go to church?”

What? So society stops needing the trillions of dollars of support religious institutions give yearly because someone decides not to go to church? How does that make sense? Need never goes away, and the government can’t do it all. Religious institutions are an extremely important in society’s safety net.

I don’t get where you think I am implying anyone should become religious for any reason whatsoever. There is nothing I or anyone else can do to make people religious. People choose their beliefs and lives.

I have never seen anyone here try to convert anyone to their religion. I have seen atheists argue and debate and try convince people day after day that God doesn’t exist, though. They aren’t successful because their personalities and attitudes are so off putting and obnoxious that nobody wants to be like them or associate with them irl. I guess they come here to feel like they have some meaning in life.

?? That article showed they rake in $1.2 trillion - not that they "give" "trillions of dollars yearly." I could go back and look at how much the religious charities give, but it ain't trillions. On the other hand they rake in good money through their schools and hospitals and the collection plate. That's the way I read it.

Title: The Socio-economic Contribution of Religion to American Society: An Empirical Analysis

"Contribution" doesn't mean the amount they contribute, i.e. give. It's about their slice of the economy, and clearly was about the amount they take in.
Microsoft sells software, Apple sells computers, the religious institutions are selling something people believe they need I guess, so they give their hard earned money to these organizations. Most of it was money paid to religious schools, hospitals and the collection plate.

Atheists are substantially less likely than Protestants and Catholics to report volunteering their time to charitable organizations.

85% of atheists say they have not volunteered with a religious charity in the past 12 months.

Can’t speak for all atheists but this atheist has run fundraisers and raised tens of thousands of dollars for Catholic Charities. Why? Because they run the food bank in my hometown. I don’t believe in god but I do believe in the food bank. In fact I am sitting right next to a plaque engraved with my name (as well as my two co-chairs) from them they presented at a dinner where the three of us were honored for our contributions.

I will say I think any poll explicitly asking about religious charities but excluding all others is a poll designed to present a biased result. Bad faith, no pun intended.

Does Catholic Charities know that you're an atheist - or not a catholic?

I have no idea, and I’d really like to know the reason you even ask?

I asked because I'm curious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:“None of it is needed if you don’t go to church?”

What? So society stops needing the trillions of dollars of support religious institutions give yearly because someone decides not to go to church? How does that make sense? Need never goes away, and the government can’t do it all. Religious institutions are an extremely important in society’s safety net.

I don’t get where you think I am implying anyone should become religious for any reason whatsoever. There is nothing I or anyone else can do to make people religious. People choose their beliefs and lives.

I have never seen anyone here try to convert anyone to their religion. I have seen atheists argue and debate and try convince people day after day that God doesn’t exist, though. They aren’t successful because their personalities and attitudes are so off putting and obnoxious that nobody wants to be like them or associate with them irl. I guess they come here to feel like they have some meaning in life.

?? That article showed they rake in $1.2 trillion - not that they "give" "trillions of dollars yearly." I could go back and look at how much the religious charities give, but it ain't trillions. On the other hand they rake in good money through their schools and hospitals and the collection plate. That's the way I read it.

Title: The Socio-economic Contribution of Religion to American Society: An Empirical Analysis

"Contribution" doesn't mean the amount they contribute, i.e. give. It's about their slice of the economy, and clearly was about the amount they take in.
Microsoft sells software, Apple sells computers, the religious institutions are selling something people believe they need I guess, so they give their hard earned money to these organizations. Most of it was money paid to religious schools, hospitals and the collection plate.

Atheists are substantially less likely than Protestants and Catholics to report volunteering their time to charitable organizations.

85% of atheists say they have not volunteered with a religious charity in the past 12 months.

Can’t speak for all atheists but this atheist has run fundraisers and raised tens of thousands of dollars for Catholic Charities. Why? Because they run the food bank in my hometown. I don’t believe in god but I do believe in the food bank. In fact I am sitting right next to a plaque engraved with my name (as well as my two co-chairs) from them they presented at a dinner where the three of us were honored for our contributions.

I will say I think any poll explicitly asking about religious charities but excluding all others is a poll designed to present a biased result. Bad faith, no pun intended.

Does Catholic Charities know that you're an atheist - or not a catholic?

I have no idea, and I’d really like to know the reason you even ask?

I asked because I'm curious.

One of the all time great non-answers.

Why are you curious was the obvious point of the inquiry (and for future reference, that’s what people mean when they ask why you ask).

So, why are you curious?

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Anonymous wrote:“None of it is needed if you don’t go to church?”

What? So society stops needing the trillions of dollars of support religious institutions give yearly because someone decides not to go to church? How does that make sense? Need never goes away, and the government can’t do it all. Religious institutions are an extremely important in society’s safety net.

I don’t get where you think I am implying anyone should become religious for any reason whatsoever. There is nothing I or anyone else can do to make people religious. People choose their beliefs and lives.

I have never seen anyone here try to convert anyone to their religion. I have seen atheists argue and debate and try convince people day after day that God doesn’t exist, though. They aren’t successful because their personalities and attitudes are so off putting and obnoxious that nobody wants to be like them or associate with them irl. I guess they come here to feel like they have some meaning in life.

?? That article showed they rake in $1.2 trillion - not that they "give" "trillions of dollars yearly." I could go back and look at how much the religious charities give, but it ain't trillions. On the other hand they rake in good money through their schools and hospitals and the collection plate. That's the way I read it.

Title: The Socio-economic Contribution of Religion to American Society: An Empirical Analysis

"Contribution" doesn't mean the amount they contribute, i.e. give. It's about their slice of the economy, and clearly was about the amount they take in.
Microsoft sells software, Apple sells computers, the religious institutions are selling something people believe they need I guess, so they give their hard earned money to these organizations. Most of it was money paid to religious schools, hospitals and the collection plate.

Atheists are substantially less likely than Protestants and Catholics to report volunteering their time to charitable organizations.

85% of atheists say they have not volunteered with a religious charity in the past 12 months.

Can’t speak for all atheists but this atheist has run fundraisers and raised tens of thousands of dollars for Catholic Charities. Why? Because they run the food bank in my hometown. I don’t believe in god but I do believe in the food bank. In fact I am sitting right next to a plaque engraved with my name (as well as my two co-chairs) from them they presented at a dinner where the three of us were honored for our contributions.

I will say I think any poll explicitly asking about religious charities but excluding all others is a poll designed to present a biased result. Bad faith, no pun intended.

Does Catholic Charities know that you're an atheist - or not a catholic?

NP. I doubt it. Why would they, and why would they care? As long as you're not actively going against Catholicism while volunteering, one's religious views really have nothing to do with ability to run fundraisers for a food bank. Just like...I don't know, Georgetown Med Center...doesn't ask potential doctors/nurses/etc. if they're Catholic.