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Kil
Evil Skeptic
USA
13477 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2009 : 19:04:02 [Permalink]
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Well, I don't know if this makes your point or mine.
From Pew Research, first look here:
Report 1: Religious Affiliation
Then for the summary look here:
Report 2: Religious Beliefs & Practices / Social & Political Views
The lack of dogmatism in American religion may well reflect the great diversity of religious affiliation, beliefs and practices in the U.S. For example, while more than nine-in-ten Americans (92%) believe in the existence of God or a universal spirit, there is considerable variation in the nature and certainty of this belief. Six-in-ten adults believe that God is a person with whom people can have a relationship; but one-in-four – including about half of Jews and Hindus – see God as an impersonal force. And while roughly seven-in-ten Americans say they are absolutely certain of God's existence, more than one-in-five (22%) are less certain in their belief.
A similar pattern is evident in views of the Bible. Nearly two-thirds of the public (63%) takes the view that their faith's sacred texts are the word of God. But those who believe Scripture represents the word of God are roughly evenly divided between those who say it should be interpreted literally, word for word (33%), and those who say it should not be taken literally (27%). And more than a quarter of adults – including two-thirds of Buddhists (67%) and about half of Jews (53%) – say their faith's sacred texts are written by men and are not the word of God.
The diversity in religious beliefs and practices in the U.S. in part reflects the great variety of religious groups that populate the American religious landscape. The survey finds, for example, that some religious groups – including Mormons, Jehovah's Witnesses and members of historically black and evangelical Protestant churches – tend to be more likely to report high levels of religious engagement on questions such as the importance of religion in their lives, certainty of belief in God and frequency of attendance at religious services. Other Christian groups – notably members of mainline Protestant churches and Catholics – are less likely to report such attitudes, beliefs and practices. And still other faiths – including Jews, Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims – exhibit their own special mix of religious beliefs and practices. |
Of course, the part I quoted is talking about all religions in America and not just Christianity. |
Uncertainty may make you uncomfortable. Certainty makes you ridiculous.
Why not question something for a change?
Genetic Literacy Project |
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 01/28/2009 : 19:18:07 [Permalink]
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Thanks for that further information, Kil. Again with the Jews being smarter about their religion. Of course, even religious Jews have traditionally had a rather argumentative relationship with their god.
This, from your first link, inspires hopeful thoughts in me. Thank gawd for young people! Perhaps the fundies are simply getting a larger slice of a shrinking pie:| In addition to detailing the current religious makeup of the U.S. and describing the dynamic changes in religious affiliation, the findings from the Landscape Survey also provide important clues about the future direction of religious affiliation in the U.S. By detailing the age distribution of different religious groups, for instance, the study's statistics on religion show that more than six-in-ten Americans age 70 and older (62%) are Protestant but that this number is only about four-in-ten (43%) among Americans ages 18-29. Conversely, young adults ages 18-29 are much more likely than those age 70 and older to say that they are not affiliated with any particular religion (25% vs. 8%). If these generational patterns persist, recent declines in the number of Protestants and growth in the size of the unaffiliated population may continue. |
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“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
| Edited by - HalfMooner on 01/28/2009 19:35:21 |
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Hittman
Skeptic Friend
134 Posts |
 Posted - 01/29/2009 : 12:14:59 [Permalink]
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| Of course, even religious Jews have traditionally had a rather argumentative relationship with their god. |
I've always found the conversation between Abraham and God re: the destruction of Sodom and Gomorra entertaining.
God: I'm going to destroy these two cities because they're full of horrible, unrighteous people.
Abe: How about if I can find 50 righteous people there. Will you spare the city then.
God: Well, OK.
Abe: But what if I can only find, say, 45?
God: Ok, I'll spare the cities if you can find 45.
Abe: Cool. But let's say I can't quite find 45. How about if I can only find 30?
God: Alright, alright, 30 will do.
Abe: Now let's just say, and I'm not trying to piss you off, so please be patient with me, let's just say I can only find, say, 20.
God: Jesus Christ, Abe. Wait, too early, forget that. Ok, find 20 and I'll spare them.
Abe: Cool, bubbula. Now, don't get your undies in a bunch – do you have undies? – never mind, just don't get too ticked off with me, OK? But. . . . how about 10?
God: Alright already! Ten! That's it, though, that's my final offer.
So Abraham, father of the entire Jewish race, got an 80% discount from God.
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When a vampire Jehovah's Witness knocks on your door, don't invite him in. Blood Witness: http://bloodwitness.com
Get Smartenized® with the Quick Hitts blog: http://www.davehitt.com/blog2/index.phpBlog |
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Obama talks about religion and our government
