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DVF
Skeptic Friend
USA
96 Posts |
 Posted - 03/14/2002 : 16:01:35
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Poll Question:
Just curious as to how many people here were raised in atheist/agnostic households vs. those who were raised in a religious atmosphere and what they presently believe
Edited by - dvf on 03/14/2002 16:03:36
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| Results: |
| Raised completely without religious bias, Still atheist or agnostic. |
 [19%] |
40 votes |
| Raised in fervent religious environment, stopped believing later. |
[35%] |
73 votes |
| Raised in a nonpracticing religiousenvironment, stopped believing |
[29%] |
60 votes |
| Raised completely without religious bias, now a believer in some religion. |
[5%] |
10 votes |
| Raised in fervent religious environment, still believe |
[2%] |
5 votes |
| Raised in a nonpracticing religious environment, still believe |
[5%] |
10 votes |
| DVF is going to hell just for asking. |
[4%] |
9 votes |
| 0 |
[0%] |
0 votes |
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Poll Status:
Locked »» |
Total Votes: 207 counted »» |
Last Vote:
06/28/2005 18:51:37 |
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Donnie B.
Skeptic Friend
417 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2002 : 17:17:37 [Permalink]
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None of the choices really nails my situation. I'd have to say:
Raised in a profoundly religious home (my father is a minister), but never really believed (to the best of my recollection).
-- Donnie B.
Brian: "No, no! You have to think for yourselves!" Crowd: "Yes! We have to think for ourselves!" |
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Mr. Spock
Skeptic Friend
USA
99 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2002 : 17:23:41 [Permalink]
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Wow. While the results are too sparse to make an informed judgement, I can say a few things about my own experience. As a child, I was always in church almost every time there was some sort of service or event, and I attended fundamentalist private schools through middle school. With little variation, people with such a background either become complete converts or head 180 degrees the other way. I think that a lot of this has to do with one's basic personality: people who like to fit in, which are the majority, would tend to stay fervently religious, while those with even a modicum of innate critical ablity will come to eschew religion altogether
I haven't officially "outed" myself as an agnostic as far as my family is concerned, though I'm sure that they "know" anyway. I'm sure that my Mom sometimes thinks or says
something like, "How can Mike be so skeptical while Ann (my sister) is so religious." The simple answer is: Ann, despite her many admirable qualities, never had a unique or interesting idea in her life.
Which brings up the next consideration: How does personality play a role in all of this? I have long been a fan of the Briggs-Meyers system. While it hardly explains all of human behaviour (what system possibly could?) it is as good of a general guide as any. Testing consistently as a strong INTP, I have 1) discovered why I seem so out of sorts with the rest of humanity, insofar as my "type" is represented in 1% of the population and, more specifically why 2) I am vindicated as a skeptic in the following description: "Authority derived from office, position, or wide acceptance does not impress INTP's. Only statements that are logical and coherent carry weight."
While I cannot say how a poll could be constructed, I would be interested in knowing how other skeptics have tested on this scale.
Another interesting poll could be: How, or do, such "personality profiles" distinguish themselves, scientifically, from other, psuedo astrological (in scientific guise) typifications?
--Mike
"3 out of 4 people now believe in angels. Whaddaya #*!! stupid?!"
--George Carlin |
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Lars_H
SFN Regular
Germany
630 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2002 : 17:48:35 [Permalink]
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Some skeptics, who tested themselves on a Myers-Briggs test, have found it to be as good as a zodiac-system where you can choose your own sign.
I don't personally think that this personalitytype-sytem is very scientifically.
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Lisa
SFN Regular
USA
1223 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2002 : 19:47:33 [Permalink]
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I didn't see "raised in moderately religious household/never bought the story."
I'm not sure I buy the personality aspect. In many ways, one of my best friends and I are very much a like. Same outlook and opinions, same slightly off-kilter sense of humor. (Except for the time she almost made my jaw drop when we were in the Harley dealership. Even I wouldn't have done that. Not without a few beers under my belt, anyway)
However, she's a devoted christian, and I'm an atheist. Go figure.
Lisa
If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much room. |
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Wolfgang_faust
Skeptic Friend
USA
59 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2002 : 19:58:21 [Permalink]
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Well I think that I have answered this one before. I was raised in a very legalistic Baptist house and studyed the Bible "religiously"(pardon the pun). However once I had done some time in the military and been liscenced as a minister in the Baptist church I began to question a few things about Christianity. I began to read books that were not written by Christian authors. Once away from the obvious bias of the religious right I began to see the church for what it was. Very deceptive. Anyway I am no longer a Christian. I am proud to be an atheist. I actually enjoy debating religion with Christians now because many times I know more about their religion then they do. I have read the Whole Bible.
Add value to every day, Sharpen your skills, your understanding |
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DVF
Skeptic Friend
USA
96 Posts |
Posted - 03/14/2002 : 20:25:23 [Permalink]
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I realize not everyone's actual background is represented by the selections. I suppose I could have spent more time and effort to be more accomodating, but then again, I'm lazy.
Just a coincidence, my ex-wife told me today she wants to send my son to a christian pre-school. We have equal physical and legal custody, 50/50 time etc, so she can't enroll him without my approval, but what a pain in the ass this is gonna be.
"Know what, if you were in a building, and it was on fire, I'd rescue you."
- My Son 3/5/2002 |
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2002 : 02:37:38 [Permalink]
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quote:
I didn't see "raised in moderately religious household/never bought the story."
I already knew what I was going to say but I'm glad I read the posts 1st. That's a better answer Lisa has here and it fits my situation also.
I never believed(in god) or so my mother once told me, so when on the High Hollidays they'd have the ceromonies or when my brother had his barmitzva(sp.) I just thought it was all a joke or something more cultural then religious. It was just a time to eat and visit with all the weird relatives. Whatever my Grandpa said in Hebrue(sp.) before we ate had no meaning to me. My mind wandered until it (the prayer or whatever he said) was over. During the rest of the year we didn't do anything or go to the temple for any religious reasons.
I formaly became a Buddhist at around 15 years old after reading about it and finding that what I had formulated in my mind about the world already, matched what Buddhism was about also. Guess I was one before but didn't know others had the same thoughts and that there was a name for it.
*
Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.
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Mr. Spock
Skeptic Friend
USA
99 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2002 : 05:33:08 [Permalink]
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I don't want to go too far afield, but since religious upbringing in insufficient to fully explain why people become agnostics or atheists, what other factors may apply? This is why I brought up the "personality" angle, though I would be willing to agree with Lars that this may not work either.
(Lars--in your opinion, what would constitute a scientific effort to explain belief and behaviour? I know that Sulloway has made a big splash in skeptic circles, though I find a lot of his explanations suspiciously Freudian in structure--anyone up for this discussion?)
Could there be an innate proclivity for skepticism, for instance, do we fulfill an evolutionary purpose of keeping the credulity of the general population in check?
I wouldn't suggest anything as implausible as a "skeptic gene," but perhaps its cognitive equivalent. I don't have any firm opinions on any of this, I'm just curious.
"3 out of 4 people now believe in angels. Whaddaya #*!! stupid?!"
--George Carlin |
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Valiant Dancer
Forum Goalie
USA
4826 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2002 : 06:58:16 [Permalink]
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quote:
I realize not everyone's actual background is represented by the selections. I suppose I could have spent more time and effort to be more accomodating, but then again, I'm lazy.
Just a coincidence, my ex-wife told me today she wants to send my son to a christian pre-school. We have equal physical and legal custody, 50/50 time etc, so she can't enroll him without my approval, but what a pain in the ass this is gonna be.
"Know what, if you were in a building, and it was on fire, I'd rescue you."
- My Son 3/5/2002
Since "raised in a moderately practicing household, changed type of religion" isn't on the list, I voted for none of the above (or "DVF goes to hell" I never can remember which.  ).
friggin' commie smileys.
Edited by - VALIANT DANCER on 03/15/2002 06:59:32 |
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Megan
Skeptic Friend
USA
163 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2002 : 13:13:53 [Permalink]
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quote:
I have read the Whole Bible.
My God!!(hehe) How could you even stand it?!?! I read the first few chapters...ok pages and thought, "Ok this is like the most boring thing I've ever done!" (no offense)
~Megan~
BTW, I'm a 15 year old that never stops asking questions(=P).
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Piltdown
Skeptic Friend
USA
312 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2002 : 17:07:17 [Permalink]
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None of the choices really fit my situation. We belonged to an evangelical church, but only went intermittently. This was my mother's idea; my father was not formally an atheist but he was a very astute cynic and scoffer. My paternal grandmother was extremely pious to her last breath, and this was a cause of friction with my father. He thought she was being duped and exploited. She was sure he would go to hell for his wickedness, even though he was an upright family man and one of the best fathers anyone could want. I saw the inconsistency here at a very early age, and it influenced some of my later choices.
My maternal grandmother was pious in her earlier life but she has become quite skeptical in recent years. She will be 100 years old in June, BTW. She says she has followed the antics of preachers since about 1910 and just finally caught onto them.
I was actually a fanatical fundamentalist at one time, having been recruited during the shiftless period after I left the Army. I finally learned enough about logic and critical thinking to realize that I had been kidding myself, and tying my mind in knots trying to rationalize it all. I had especially brushed aside the anti-intellectual attitudes of many fundamentalists. They seemed hostile to an intelligent or reasoned effor to defend a position even if it agreed with theirs. My love of science became a greater and greater source of conflict, and their ignorant scoffing took its toll. I didn't break with them by finding the truth, I just decided to be honest with myself and admit what the evidence had suggested all along: fundyism was a destructive farce and a power-seeking lie.
Abducting UFOs and conspiring against conspiracy theorists since 1980. |
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Wolfgang_faust
Skeptic Friend
USA
59 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2002 : 17:21:32 [Permalink]
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[quote]
He thought she was being duped and exploited. She was sure he would go to hell for his wickedness, even though he was an upright family man and one of the best fathers anyone could want.
Just thought I would let you know your father is not anole. When I told my aunt that I no longer believed in what the Bible said, she told me that I "had condemned my sons soul to hell". I thought that they were pretty strong words and my mother, a devote christain, actually rebuked her for it. GO MOM. Well my mom just believes that my son will have to make his own choice and if he burns in hell it will be his fault, not mine. Anyway just thought I would let you know that yours is not the only family fearing for your soul.
Add value to every day, Sharpen your skills, your understanding |
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Snake
SFN Addict
USA
2511 Posts |
Posted - 03/15/2002 : 21:20:34 [Permalink]
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quote:
My maternal grandmother was pious in her earlier life but she has become quite skeptical in recent years. She will be 100 years old in June, BTW. She says she has followed the antics of preachers since about 1910 and just finally caught onto them.
Cool Granny you have there D. I could never talk to my family for various reason. You are lucky to have her.
You ought to write down some of those stories she tells about the preachers. 
*
Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.
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transsexual
New Member
6 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2002 : 14:28:01 [Permalink]
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I wasn't able to vote as no reply reflected how I was raised or how I feel today. I was raised Christian and drug to church if I wanted it or not. I don't believe the Bible is God's word anymore and don't worship as any church teaches but yet in my own way I still believe in God.
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Slater
SFN Regular
USA
1668 Posts |
Posted - 03/25/2002 : 15:09:03 [Permalink]
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[quote]
...don't worship as any church teaches but yet in my own way I still believe in God.
[/quote]
Why?
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It will sometimes be necessary to use falsehood for the benefit of those who need such a mode of treatment.
----Eusebius of Nicomedia,
The Preparation of the Gospel |
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Topic Locked
