Making religious comments without thinking

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The absence of an established state religion does not mean that a country is secular.

It does mean the country is secular. Maybe you're thinking of the people living in the country.

NP. The original poster said "secular nation," which can definitely mean "the people" not merely the state. PP also followed that up with:

"The majority of those who live in this country are, and have always been, religious.

Many Americans practice Christianity, their individual beliefs have influenced society"

The meaning was very clear that most Americans are Christians and thus Christian belief underlies a lot of Americans culture.

I don't believe this is true anymore -- maybe not since the 70s. American culture is driven by more by our belief in the "American way" and by consumerism. Christianity is way down the list, and with the younger people it's falling farther behind all the time.

The Christian Right has gained more influence since the 70's, but I hope you're correct about Christianity falling behind among young people. I think that goes for religion overall, in part because more kids these days are being raised without religion.

On a completely different note, I’m fascinated by the atheist who jumps on every single thread to inform us that Christianity is dying. Even Pew doesn’t say it’s away by 2070.

Wishful thinking? It does seem like some sorry of pathetic wishful thinking, as if repeating it on every single thread might make it zero out, which it won’t. Or maybe it’s unattractive gloating?

Lol. Yeah those pesky facts and that inconvenient data... truly baffling how people could find that germane to discussions here.

And you are right, that data has been posted in every single thread here in the religion forum! If, by "every single thread" you mean exactly one of the ones currently on the first page.

How can you be so dishonest?

No, “the decline and fall of Christianity” has been posted on lots of threads, including “I feel cut off from God” for sure and others I don’t have time to ferret out.

Who’s dishonest?

I don’t care, really. Just expressing astonishment that some atheist feels a need to keep posting it, or thinks it does any good.

They ignore the data that shows Christianity is growing worldwide. They ignore the data that says atheism is projected to decrease worldwide, as well.

Christianity is exploding in Africa and Asia.

Atheists are white males who don’t like kids, so of course it’s not a segment of society that will ever have a robust population.

Also- atheists get light headed and upset when they sneeze and someone politely says “bless you.” Not the most hardy people, it’s no surprise they are not growing and thriving in the world.

That has to be due to missionaries. I mean, it's not endemic to that area.
I will say that in some places like the Philippines, if you're born - you're a Catholic. So as the population grows the number of Catholics grows.

Christianity and Islam are proselytizing religions. It makes sense they'd be the fastest growing. The busy-bodies should mind their own business. And maybe it's growing rapidly in Asia and Africa because Western Europe and the U.S. are seeing less and less need for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^ I agree. I had a preacher once tell me "God loves you." I felt like telling him that's the biggest crock of you-know-what, but instead I just said "thank-you. I hope so."

It's hard, being caught off-guard like that, by an obviously good person who is just being nice in his own way.

I also don't like be misleading and want to discourage people from mentioning God's love without knowing the beliefs of the person they're talking to. I hope if this ever happens to me I'm able to say something like "Thank you. I know you mean well. I don't believe in God." Then I'd change the subject to something light.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ I agree. I had a preacher once tell me "God loves you." I felt like telling him that's the biggest crock of you-know-what, but instead I just said "thank-you. I hope so."

It's hard, being caught off-guard like that, by an obviously good person who is just being nice in his own way.

I also don't like be misleading and want to discourage people from mentioning God's love without knowing the beliefs of the person they're talking to. I hope if this ever happens to me I'm able to say something like "Thank you. I know you mean well. I don't believe in God." Then I'd change the subject to something light.

I think that would work as well. And they'd probably have the decency to let it drop also.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ I agree. I had a preacher once tell me "God loves you." I felt like telling him that's the biggest crock of you-know-what, but instead I just said "thank-you. I hope so."

It's hard, being caught off-guard like that, by an obviously good person who is just being nice in his own way.

I also don't like be misleading and want to discourage people from mentioning God's love without knowing the beliefs of the person they're talking to. I hope if this ever happens to me I'm able to say something like "Thank you. I know you mean well. I don't believe in God." Then I'd change the subject to something light.

I think that would work as well. And they'd probably have the decency to let it drop also.

Good point, people usually don't want to be offensive. We just need to learn how to recognize and avoid these kinds of situations where good people's different beliefs should not be an issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ I agree. I had a preacher once tell me "God loves you." I felt like telling him that's the biggest crock of you-know-what, but instead I just said "thank-you. I hope so."

You definitely missed a great chance to educate the pastor and let him know you don’t need love or hope. Only weak and ignorant folks need love and hope.

Maybe you're being facetious, but he was well-meaning and I saw no need to pick a fight. Here on DCUM, yeah I'd go ahead and argue that point.

The pp you're responding to may be the one having a lot of issues with the Religion forum lately. Possibly the OP of a whole thread about it in Website Feedback.

Anyway I agree with you. It's easy to say "thank you" for the sentiment and carry on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Atheists are white males who don’t like kids, so of course it’s not a segment of society that will ever have a robust population.

This comment shows you are a terrible person and a liar.

You are in denial because multiple studies show that atheists are primarily white males and that they do not have children. If they do have children, they have fewer children than average and definitely less children than Christians or Muslims.

I don’t know why factual information causes you to lash out and call people terrible and liars. It’s all absolutely true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The absence of an established state religion does not mean that a country is secular.

It does mean the country is secular. Maybe you're thinking of the people living in the country.

NP. The original poster said "secular nation," which can definitely mean "the people" not merely the state. PP also followed that up with:

"The majority of those who live in this country are, and have always been, religious.

Many Americans practice Christianity, their individual beliefs have influenced society"

The meaning was very clear that most Americans are Christians and thus Christian belief underlies a lot of Americans culture.

I don't believe this is true anymore -- maybe not since the 70s. American culture is driven by more by our belief in the "American way" and by consumerism. Christianity is way down the list, and with the younger people it's falling farther behind all the time.

The Christian Right has gained more influence since the 70's, but I hope you're correct about Christianity falling behind among young people. I think that goes for religion overall, in part because more kids these days are being raised without religion.

On a completely different note, I’m fascinated by the atheist who jumps on every single thread to inform us that Christianity is dying. Even Pew doesn’t say it’s away by 2070.

Wishful thinking? It does seem like some sorry of pathetic wishful thinking, as if repeating it on every single thread might make it zero out, which it won’t. Or maybe it’s unattractive gloating?

Lol. Yeah those pesky facts and that inconvenient data... truly baffling how people could find that germane to discussions here.

And you are right, that data has been posted in every single thread here in the religion forum! If, by "every single thread" you mean exactly one of the ones currently on the first page.

How can you be so dishonest?

No, “the decline and fall of Christianity” has been posted on lots of threads, including “I feel cut off from God” for sure and others I don’t have time to ferret out.

Who’s dishonest?

I don’t care, really. Just expressing astonishment that some atheist feels a need to keep posting it, or thinks it does any good.

They ignore the data that shows Christianity is growing worldwide. They ignore the data that says atheism is projected to decrease worldwide, as well.

Christianity is exploding in Africa and Asia.

Atheists are white males who don’t like kids, so of course it’s not a segment of society that will ever have a robust population.

Also- atheists get light headed and upset when they sneeze and someone politely says “bless you.” Not the most hardy people, it’s no surprise they are not growing and thriving in the world.

That has to be due to missionaries. I mean, it's not endemic to that area.
I will say that in some places like the Philippines, if you're born - you're a Catholic. So as the population grows the number of Catholics grows.

Christianity and Islam are proselytizing religions. It makes sense they'd be the fastest growing. The busy-bodies should mind their own business. And maybe it's growing rapidly in Asia and Africa because Western Europe and the U.S. are seeing less and less need for it.

In America nobody is forced to be Christian. You live in america and aren’t Christian- why haven’t you been proselytized?

Because religion is a choice. Nobody can force you or anyone else to be religious against their will.

You must be in the top percentage of miserable people, you really have no life except complaining falsely about Christianity.

[Anonymous]

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[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Atheists are white males who don’t like kids, so of course it’s not a segment of society that will ever have a robust population.

This comment shows you are a terrible person and a liar.

You are in denial because multiple studies show that atheists are primarily white males and that they do not have children. If they do have children, they have fewer children than average and definitely less children than Christians or Muslims.

I don’t know why factual information causes you to lash out and call people terrible and liars. It’s all absolutely true.

I am an atheist. I like children. I have them. I know many other atheists, and they all like children, and many have them.

You didn't mean that comment as anything other than a pejorative. You remain a terrible person and a liar.

You also malign the one study on this topic that has been presented here. Why not show yours that shows atheists don't like children? Make sure it has analysis by age, because you know that young people are becoming atheists at a breathtaking clip, and shows where the atheists are not having children and just not having them later in life.

[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:The absence of an established state religion does not mean that a country is secular.

It does mean the country is secular. Maybe you're thinking of the people living in the country.

NP. The original poster said "secular nation," which can definitely mean "the people" not merely the state. PP also followed that up with:

"The majority of those who live in this country are, and have always been, religious.

Many Americans practice Christianity, their individual beliefs have influenced society"

The meaning was very clear that most Americans are Christians and thus Christian belief underlies a lot of Americans culture.

I don't believe this is true anymore -- maybe not since the 70s. American culture is driven by more by our belief in the "American way" and by consumerism. Christianity is way down the list, and with the younger people it's falling farther behind all the time.

The Christian Right has gained more influence since the 70's, but I hope you're correct about Christianity falling behind among young people. I think that goes for religion overall, in part because more kids these days are being raised without religion.

On a completely different note, I’m fascinated by the atheist who jumps on every single thread to inform us that Christianity is dying. Even Pew doesn’t say it’s away by 2070.

Wishful thinking? It does seem like some sorry of pathetic wishful thinking, as if repeating it on every single thread might make it zero out, which it won’t. Or maybe it’s unattractive gloating?

Lol. Yeah those pesky facts and that inconvenient data... truly baffling how people could find that germane to discussions here.

And you are right, that data has been posted in every single thread here in the religion forum! If, by "every single thread" you mean exactly one of the ones currently on the first page.

How can you be so dishonest?

No, “the decline and fall of Christianity” has been posted on lots of threads, including “I feel cut off from God” for sure and others I don’t have time to ferret out.

Who’s dishonest?

I don’t care, really. Just expressing astonishment that some atheist feels a need to keep posting it, or thinks it does any good.

They ignore the data that shows Christianity is growing worldwide. They ignore the data that says atheism is projected to decrease worldwide, as well.

Christianity is exploding in Africa and Asia.

Atheists are white males who don’t like kids, so of course it’s not a segment of society that will ever have a robust population.

Also- atheists get light headed and upset when they sneeze and someone politely says “bless you.” Not the most hardy people, it’s no surprise they are not growing and thriving in the world.

That has to be due to missionaries. I mean, it's not endemic to that area.
I will say that in some places like the Philippines, if you're born - you're a Catholic. So as the population grows the number of Catholics grows.

Christianity and Islam are proselytizing religions. It makes sense they'd be the fastest growing. The busy-bodies should mind their own business. And maybe it's growing rapidly in Asia and Africa because Western Europe and the U.S. are seeing less and less need for it.

In America nobody is forced to be Christian. You live in america and aren’t Christian- why haven’t you been proselytized?

Because religion is a choice. Nobody can force you or anyone else to be religious against their will.

You must be in the top percentage of miserable people, you really have no life except complaining falsely about Christianity.

What do you think the word "proselytized" means?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The absence of an established state religion does not mean that a country is secular.

It does mean the country is secular. Maybe you're thinking of the people living in the country.

NP. The original poster said "secular nation," which can definitely mean "the people" not merely the state. PP also followed that up with:

"The majority of those who live in this country are, and have always been, religious.

Many Americans practice Christianity, their individual beliefs have influenced society"

The meaning was very clear that most Americans are Christians and thus Christian belief underlies a lot of Americans culture.

I don't believe this is true anymore -- maybe not since the 70s. American culture is driven by more by our belief in the "American way" and by consumerism. Christianity is way down the list, and with the younger people it's falling farther behind all the time.

The Christian Right has gained more influence since the 70's, but I hope you're correct about Christianity falling behind among young people. I think that goes for religion overall, in part because more kids these days are being raised without religion.

On a completely different note, I’m fascinated by the atheist who jumps on every single thread to inform us that Christianity is dying. Even Pew doesn’t say it’s away by 2070.

Wishful thinking? It does seem like some sorry of pathetic wishful thinking, as if repeating it on every single thread might make it zero out, which it won’t. Or maybe it’s unattractive gloating?

Lol. Yeah those pesky facts and that inconvenient data... truly baffling how people could find that germane to discussions here.

And you are right, that data has been posted in every single thread here in the religion forum! If, by "every single thread" you mean exactly one of the ones currently on the first page.

How can you be so dishonest?

No, “the decline and fall of Christianity” has been posted on lots of threads, including “I feel cut off from God” for sure and others I don’t have time to ferret out.

Who’s dishonest?

I don’t care, really. Just expressing astonishment that some atheist feels a need to keep posting it, or thinks it does any good.

They ignore the data that shows Christianity is growing worldwide. They ignore the data that says atheism is projected to decrease worldwide, as well.

Christianity is exploding in Africa and Asia.

Atheists are white males who don’t like kids, so of course it’s not a segment of society that will ever have a robust population.

Also- atheists get light headed and upset when they sneeze and someone politely says “bless you.” Not the most hardy people, it’s no surprise they are not growing and thriving in the world.

Hahaha this post made me laugh. I'm not offended but I am an atheist and I'm a woman with three kids hahaha

[Anonymous]

30 percent of people explicitly raised as atheists (excluding other unaffiliateds) remain so as adults.


Jews, Catholics, and most flavors of Protestantism have fertility rates ranging from 2 to 2.5. At the low end of the baby-making spectrum you've got atheists, with 1.6 kids, and agnostics, who average only 1.3.

80% of atheists who have a child or children are white.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:30 percent of people explicitly raised as atheists (excluding other unaffiliateds) remain so as adults.


Jews, Catholics, and most flavors of Protestantism have fertility rates ranging from 2 to 2.5. At the low end of the baby-making spectrum you've got atheists, with 1.6 kids, and agnostics, who average only 1.3.

80% of atheists who have a child or children are white.

Not saying your data is wrong, but it is customary to link to a source. Please do so.

If the sample of atheists is younger that is enough to skew the data right there.

Also, none of your points say anything about atheists “not liking” children.

[Anonymous]

I don’t want people saying things when I sneeze because it’s none of their business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t want people saying things when I sneeze because it’s none of their business.

I don't like it, but don't mind it, either, because it's so automatic -- for me too. But I'm going to try to respond with "Sorry" or "excuse me" instead of "thank you". And when someone else sneezes, to say "Gesundheit"-- "to your health!"