JerryBaumchen 1,047 #1 Posted December 14, 2021 Hi folks, IMO it's nice to be in the largest group: What’s your religion? In US, a common reply now is “None” - OPB From the article: According to a survey released Tuesday . . . this group . . . now constitutes 29% of American adults. "If the unaffiliated were a religion, they'd be the largest religious group in the United States," Jerry Baumchen 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JoeWeber 2,294 #2 December 15, 2021 3 hours ago, JerryBaumchen said: Hi folks, IMO it's nice to be in the largest group: What’s your religion? In US, a common reply now is “None” - OPB From the article: According to a survey released Tuesday . . . this group . . . now constitutes 29% of American adults. "If the unaffiliated were a religion, they'd be the largest religious group in the United States," Jerry Baumchen Had dinner with a lovely couple from Austin, Tx last night. I'm telling you that there is Blue in Texas. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 189 #3 December 15, 2021 4 hours ago, JerryBaumchen said: Hi folks, IMO it's nice to be in the largest group From the article: According to a survey released Tuesday . . . this group . . . now constitutes 29% of American adults. "If the unaffiliated were a religion, they'd be the largest religious group in the United States," You're ok being recognized in a group that includes atheistic conservative white supremacists? And if 29% are religiously unaffiliated, what is the other 71%? 38 minutes ago, JoeWeber said: Had dinner with a lovely couple from Austin, Tx last night. I'm telling you that there is Blue in Texas. Blue is not synonymous with the religiously unaffiliated. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JerryBaumchen 1,047 #4 December 15, 2021 (edited) 22 minutes ago, Coreece said: You're ok being recognized in a group that includes atheistic conservative white supremacists? And if 29% are religiously unaffiliated, what is the other 71%? Blue is not synonymous with the religiously unaffiliated. Hi Coreece, Re: You're ok being recognized in a group that includes atheistic conservative white supremacists? Are you saying that makes me one of them? I am also: - A pre-Baby Boomer - An engineer - Retired - A former skydiver - Politically registered as an independent I'm fairly sure that the above list also includes atheistic conservative white supremacists? How about you? Jerry Baumchen PS) ETA I am fairly sure that every Christian religion in this country includes conservative white supremacists? Edited December 15, 2021 by JerryBaumchen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 189 #5 December 15, 2021 14 minutes ago, JerryBaumchen said: You're ok being recognized in a group that includes atheistic conservative white supremacists? Are you saying that makes me one of them? No, just illustrating out how utterly meaningless your post is. And again, if 29% are unaffiliated, how is that larger than the affiliated? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,117 #6 December 15, 2021 It’s more that the unaffiliated identify with each other more than the affiliated, who include groups that actively fight each other (Muslim, Jewish, liberal vs evangelical Christian, Catholic, Hindu, etc). Kind of like a plurality. Wendy P. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 189 #7 December 15, 2021 49 minutes ago, wmw999 said: It’s more that the unaffiliated identify with each other more than the affiliated, who include groups that actively fight each other (Muslim, Jewish, liberal vs evangelical Christian, Catholic, Hindu, etc). Kind of like a plurality. But the same thing could be said of of the unaffiliated, from classic liberal racists to conservative white supremacists and everything in between. They're not a homogeneous political group that's likely to rally around a common set of beliefs. On the other hand, the national conservative movement consists of classic liberals, reformist Muslims, Evangelicals, Catholics, mainline protestants, etc., and lead by an Orthodox Jew. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil1111 908 #8 December 15, 2021 1 hour ago, JerryBaumchen said: Hi Coreece,... PS) ETA I am fairly sure that every Christian religion in this country includes conservative white supremacists? More so than most people know. "a fact of life: Evangelicals are Republicans, and Republicans are evangelicals" Sixty three percent of republicans believe that declining devotion to god is "a bad thing". So they sold their souls to Lucifer. Gerrymandering, vote rigging, insurrections, etc. a complete scorched earth policy is how they will fight their retreat. trump is not the last to pander to the pulpit of the right who hid behind their gods. The so called "value voters" will do whatever is necessary to maintain their control of the levers of power. There is no such affiliations attributed to non-believers. Certainly atheists don't enjoy the tax advantages and power that those who bow to Lucifer do. Err the GOP party. "Texas prides itself on being one of the most religious -- and down here, that pretty much means Christian -- states in the nation. And yet, collectively, we lead the nation in suppressing the vote of racial and ethnic minorities." 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 189 #9 December 15, 2021 (edited) 29 minutes ago, Phil1111 said: Sixty three percent of republicans believe that declining devotion to god is "a bad thing Of the remaining 37% of republicans, how many belong to the 29% that's unaffiliated? And you still have to leave room for those in that 63% that are still unaffiliated regardless of their religious views. Edited December 15, 2021 by Coreece Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 1,621 #10 December 15, 2021 9 hours ago, Coreece said: And if 29% are religiously unaffiliated, what is the other 71%? Gullible. 3 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,050 #11 December 15, 2021 9 hours ago, Phil1111 said: atheists don't enjoy the tax advantages Not true. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,050 #12 December 15, 2021 12 hours ago, JoeWeber said: Had dinner with a lovely couple from Austin, Tx last night. I'm telling you that there is Blue in Texas. Yup. Austin has the university, so the density of heathens has been greater. https://www.texastribune.org/2016/11/11/analysis-blue-dots-texas-red-political-sea/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 189 #13 December 15, 2021 2 hours ago, kallend said: 11 hours ago, Coreece said: And if 29% are religiously unaffiliated, what is the other 71%? Gullible. From the article: "The path taken by Charles places her among the religiously unaffiliated -- the fastest-growing group in surveys asking Americans about their religious identity. They describe themselves as atheists, agnostics or “nothing in particular.” But then here's how the article describe Charles: "After leaving her New Jersey church three years ago, she identified as atheist, then agnostic, before embracing a spiritual but not religious life. In her dorm, she blends rituals at an altar, chanting Buddhist, Taoist and Hindu mantras and paying homage to her ancestors as she meditates and prays." Furthermore: "America’s nones vary widely, according to a recent poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. For example, 30% say they feel some connection to God or a higher power, and 19% say religion has some importance to them even though they have no religious affiliation. About 12% describe themselves as religious and spiritual and 28% as spiritual but not religious. More than half describe themselves as neither." So it looks like the number of nones is more like 15%, unless of course you find comfort in identifying with the gullible. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil1111 908 #14 December 15, 2021 (edited) 47 minutes ago, BIGUN said: Not true. You give religions more than $82.5 billion a year Thats a direct quote of the WP story. Not to imply that your personal generosity is that significant. Edited December 15, 2021 by Phil1111 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil1111 908 #15 December 15, 2021 25 minutes ago, Coreece said: From the article: "The path taken by Charles places her among the religiously unaffiliated -- the fastest-growing group in surveys asking Americans about their religious identity. They describe themselves as atheists, agnostics or “nothing in particular.” But then here's how the article describe Charles: "After leaving her New Jersey church three years ago, she identified as atheist, then agnostic, before embracing a spiritual but not religious life. In her dorm, she blends rituals at an altar, chanting Buddhist, Taoist and Hindu mantras and paying homage to her ancestors as she meditates and prays." Furthermore: "America’s nones vary widely, according to a recent poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. For example, 30% say they feel some connection to God or a higher power, and 19% say religion has some importance to them even though they have no religious affiliation. About 12% describe themselves as religious and spiritual and 28% as spiritual but not religious. More than half describe themselves as neither." So it looks like the number of nones is more like 15%, unless of course you find comfort in identifying with the gullible. Outstanding definition of fuzzy math. Keep going for a couple more paragraphs and you'll be negative for 'the number of nones". Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,050 #16 December 15, 2021 1 minute ago, Phil1111 said: You give religions more than $82.5 billion a year Morning, Phil. I didn't say that wasn't true. I was saying that atheist's can enjoy the same tax advantages as Churches of God, Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gowlerk 1,903 #17 December 15, 2021 3 minutes ago, BIGUN said: Morning, Phil. I didn't say that wasn't true. I was saying that atheist's can enjoy the same tax advantages as Churches of God, Hell yes. Many of those churches are run by unbelievers posing anyway. Scammers come in so many flavours! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BIGUN 1,050 #18 December 15, 2021 1 minute ago, gowlerk said: Hell yes. Many of those churches are run by unbelievers posing anyway. Scammers come in so many flavours! That is not the point, Ken. Heathens can start a church and get the same tax advantages as churches of God. It's been tested in court and the heathens win. Good morning. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil1111 908 #19 December 15, 2021 6 minutes ago, gowlerk said: Hell yes. Many of those churches are run by unbelievers posing anyway. Scammers come in so many flavours! Good morning and seasons greetings fellow heathen. 3 minutes ago, BIGUN said: That is not the point, Ken. Heathens can start a church and get the same tax advantages as churches of God. It's been tested in court and the heathens win. Good morning. Good morning and Merry Christmas. 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gowlerk 1,903 #20 December 15, 2021 4 minutes ago, BIGUN said: That is not the point, Ken. Heathens can start a church and get the same tax advantages as churches of God. It's been tested in court and the heathens win. Good morning. Yes, I was getting it. Religions run the gamut from sincerity to cynical and everything in between. And it is often impossible to judge. So that rule is needed. But I wonder just what the rules are? Jeff Bezos pays essentially no taxes, did he claim status as a religious organization? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil1111 908 #21 December 15, 2021 59 minutes ago, gowlerk said: ... Jeff Bezos pays essentially no taxes, did he claim status as a religious organization? Jeff worships at his own church and his congregation is Washington. "After building out a powerful influence machine in Washington over the last few years, Amazon is going on the attack. The Seattle-based company is pushing aside trade groups it doesn’t like and creating new ones it does. It’s dispatching senior executives to woo antitrust enforcers. And it’s poaching senior staff from government agencies and congressional offices. Federal records show that Amazon.com Inc. lobbied more government entities than any other tech company in 2018 and sought to exert its influence over more issues than any of its tech peers except Alphabet Inc.’s Google. Last year, Amazon spent $14.2 million on lobbying, a record for the company, up from its previous high mark of $12.8 million in 2017." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 189 #22 December 15, 2021 1 hour ago, Phil1111 said: 1 hour ago, Coreece said: From the article: "The path taken by Charles places her among the religiously unaffiliated -- the fastest-growing group in surveys asking Americans about their religious identity. They describe themselves as atheists, agnostics or “nothing in particular.” But then here's how the article describe Charles: "After leaving her New Jersey church three years ago, she identified as atheist, then agnostic, before embracing a spiritual but not religious life. In her dorm, she blends rituals at an altar, chanting Buddhist, Taoist and Hindu mantras and paying homage to her ancestors as she meditates and prays." Furthermore: "America’s nones vary widely, according to a recent poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. For example, 30% say they feel some connection to God or a higher power, and 19% say religion has some importance to them even though they have no religious affiliation. About 12% describe themselves as religious and spiritual and 28% as spiritual but not religious. More than half describe themselves as neither." So it looks like the number of nones is more like 15%, unless of course you find comfort in identifying with the gullible. Outstanding definition of fuzzy math. Keep going for a couple more paragraphs and you'll be negative for 'the number of nones". What do you know, you think a person chanting rituals and praying at an altar in their home isn't a religious thing, and then use them to beef up the numbers - for what, to give you a sense of belonging? I mean the article specifically defines a non as those that describe themselves as atheist, agnostic or nothing at all, then as an example they use a woman that is NONE of those things. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 1,621 #23 December 15, 2021 2 hours ago, Coreece said: From the article: "The path taken by Charles places her among the religiously unaffiliated -- the fastest-growing group in surveys asking Americans about their religious identity. They describe themselves as atheists, agnostics or “nothing in particular.” But then here's how the article describe Charles: "After leaving her New Jersey church three years ago, she identified as atheist, then agnostic, before embracing a spiritual but not religious life. In her dorm, she blends rituals at an altar, chanting Buddhist, Taoist and Hindu mantras and paying homage to her ancestors as she meditates and prays." Furthermore: "America’s nones vary widely, according to a recent poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. For example, 30% say they feel some connection to God or a higher power, and 19% say religion has some importance to them even though they have no religious affiliation. About 12% describe themselves as religious and spiritual and 28% as spiritual but not religious. More than half describe themselves as neither." So it looks like the number of nones is more like 15%, unless of course you find comfort in identifying with the gullible. Reading comprehension is important. You should try it sometime. Anyone that gives $ or time to any religious organization is gullible. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coreece 189 #24 December 15, 2021 6 minutes ago, kallend said: Reading comprehension is important. No Doubt Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,117 #25 December 15, 2021 7 minutes ago, kallend said: Anyone that gives $ or time to any religious organization is gullible. Except that the definition of "religious organization" is flexible -- is the Salvation Army religious? They have their issues (non-acceptance of gender and sexual differences), but they also serve a clientele who need service, and they are a familiar entity, which means that people go there for help, not just that people donate because they're familiar. Also, a church fund might have very specific destinations -- a hunger fund, a medical help for members fund (yeah, that leaves non-members out, but so does insurance), refugee fund, and other assistance funds. Just like other charities, you have to know your church and your fund. You might choose not to, and that's fine. I'm not a member of any specific church right now, but I have been in the past, and have even been the treasurer (being the treasurer of any organization sucks). I knew where the money went, and was just fine with the vast majority of the decisions. I think I really just don't like blanket statements. But I do like blankets... Wendy P. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites