with all the talk about how much religion doesn't matter in here... i saw this interesting poll:

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001659292

94% of people beleive in God... or A God....


NEW YORK A new Gallup survey released today finds that four decades after the "God Is Dead" controversy was first noted, Americans retain a strong belief in a higher power. Some 94% think God exists.

Only 5% feel God "does not exist" -- and even most of them "are not sure" of that. Exactly 1% are certain there is no God.

But how strongly do the believers believe? Nearly 8 in 10, in fact, say they are "convinced" God exists, although Gallup does not ask them why that is.

Conservatives are more likely to be convinced than liberals (87% vs. 61%), women a little more likely than men (82% vs. 73%), and residents of the South more than those in the East (88% vs. 70%).

A political issue?...Not...thread moved.

Decka will be delighted to know that within the US prison population the % of atheists is lower still. Sadly, however, here in North West Europe god does indeed remain dead.

Anyway, thanks for the heads up. The next time an american Christian cries "Persecution!" I'll direct them to this thread.

Originally posted by Blob
Decka will be delighted to know that within the US prison population the % of atheists is lower still.

This is because the criminal looks nicer to the public, one of the things used in the line of defence is I'm a good Christian and I read the bible everyday. I often wonder how many of these folks really believe or are they just trying to pretty themselfs up for society?????????

Originally posted by mad dog
This is because the criminal looks nicer to the public, one of the things used in the line of defence is I'm a good Christian and I read the bible everyday. I often wonder how many of these folks really believe or are they just trying to pretty themselfs up for society????????? Yes there are reasons for this statistic and they are not "atheists are better people" (better at not getting caught maybe, heheh).

I like to roll this little stat out, however, as according to christian theology we should expect to see the prisons bursting with heathens, infidels, pagans and "dem evil afathists".

Originally posted by mad dog
This is because the criminal looks nicer to the public, one of the things used in the line of defence is I'm a good Christian and I read the bible everyday. I often wonder how many of these folks really believe or are they just trying to pretty themselfs up for society?????????

The only way to actually identity a christian from those who do not believe is for the christian to actually tell you they are believers. You can never tell from their behavior and how they live their lives.

In order to check this out, all you have have to do is look at all the pedophiles in the catholic church, the corruption in the tv evalgelists, the clergy who defraud their congregations and all the so called christians that are in jail. They do not lead their lives according to their beliefs, they simply talk big and repent the same sins they have committed all week long on saturday that they intend to participate in on the following week.

Originally posted by Taji
The only way to actually identity a christian from those who do not believe is for the christian to actually tell you they are believers. You can never tell from their behavior and how they live their lives.

lets be fair there are people that believe and live a peacefull life without hurting others.

In order to check this out, all you have have to do is look at all the pedophiles in the catholic church, the corruption in the tv evalgelists, the clergy who defraud their congregations and all the so called christians that are in jail. They do not lead their lives according to their beliefs, they simply talk big and repent the same sins they have committed all week long on saturday that they intend to participate in on the following week.

This is my point money talks BS walks just because someone claims to be Christian doesn't make it so. If Joe calls himself a Christian but chooses to commit crimes against others, I think this would prove he truley does not believe. These violent criminals use Christianity and hold the bible just to make themselfs look like saints. Funny thing is that it does work, Joe has the bible in hand so even though he tortured and killed he still should be forgiven.

It does not take religion to do that. Many athiest & agnostice do exastly the same thing. Many believers also committ horrendous crimes. There are pedophiles & pervsion in the church clergy, television evangelists defrauding people out of their money, churches hiding pedophiles within their ranks, ,nuns, & priests who beat young children, clergy who coerse native peoples & distroy their culture in the name of god.


Originally posted by mad dog
lets be fair there are people that believe and live a peacefull life without hurting others.



This is my point money talks BS walks just because someone claims to be Christian doesn't make it so. If Joe calls himself a Christian but chooses to commit crimes against others, I think this would prove he truley does not believe. These violent criminals use Christianity and hold the bible just to make themselfs look like saints. Funny thing is that it does work, Joe has the bible in hand so even though he tortured and killed he still should be forgiven.

Originally posted by Taji
It does not take religion to do that. Many athiest & agnostice do exastly the same thing.

agreed but isn't it funny how a non-believer suddenlly turns believer while in jail?

Many believers also committ horrendous crimes. There are pedophiles & pervsion in the church clergy, television evangelists defrauding people out of their money, churches hiding pedophiles within their ranks, ,nuns, & priests who beat young children, clergy who coerse native peoples & distroy their culture in the name of god.

This is what my question is, are they truely believers or maybe they were scared into a relgion or hidding under the cover of religion? I can not see how a violent person can claim to believe {example} in Jesus? IF Jesus did walk this planet his teachings were about kindness not stab others in the back while they're not looking. Anyone can say I believe but that doesn't prove squat, maybe it's just their way of trying to stay out of hell?

It is actually quite understandable. It is an almost a sure way of garnering the attention needed to get parole. It is also very obvious a short lived conversion to religion as can be seem by the rate of offenders who return to prision.


Originally posted by mad dog
agreed but isn't it funny how a non-believer suddenlly turns believer while in jail?



This is what my question is, are they truely believers or maybe they were scared into a relgion or hidding under the cover of religion? I can not see how a violent person can claim to believe {example} in Jesus? IF Jesus did walk this planet his teachings were about kindness not stab others in the back while they're not looking. Anyone can say I believe but that doesn't prove squat, maybe it's just their way of trying to stay out of hell?

It is funny how many return even though they swore on the bible they would never be bad again. I think religion should be taken out of the prison. I'm not saying take it away from the prisoner, but it should not be flaunted around like a girl in a tight skirt.

You got that right, and it should never been used as part of the decision for parole. Religion has never geen the answer to anything and has rarely been known to establish the code of behavior for any group. All you have to do is look at the catholic church to see the perverted behavior of the pedophilic priests to see how effective religion has on their code of behavior standards.



Originally posted by mad dog
It is funny how many return even though they swore on the bible they would never be bad again. I think religion should be taken out of the prison. I'm not saying take it away from the prisoner, but it should not be flaunted around like a girl in a tight skirt.

Most Atheists, like myself, are just people who don't want anything to do with religion. Religion, in my oppinion, are just a bunch of superstitions. Trust me Ive read the bible.

Most athiest have read the bible and read a lost of history as well. That is the reason why they are athiest. They have done a lot of investigation and uncovered the truth.

Believers on the other hand stopped asking questions 2000 years ago and are willing to believe in mythology, superstition & folklore.


Originally posted by Ansem
Most Atheists, like myself, are just people who don't want anything to do with religion. Religion, in my oppinion, are just a bunch of superstitions. Trust me Ive read the bible.

See, you know exactly what im talking about.