5% of 1%?

[ouroborous 519]

So, atheists and other "nonbelievers" make up, I believe, five percent of the population. And sleevers are, what, 1% of the population? Less?

So agnostic/atheist sleevers like me are literally one in a million! I KNEW my momma was right when she said I was "special!"

[thinoneday 445]

You sure are right there! about being "SPECIAL"

[MidwestGirl 8]

So, atheists and other "nonbelievers" make up, I believe, five percent of the population. And sleevers are, what, 1% of the population? Less?

So agnostic/atheist sleevers like me are literally one in a million! I KNEW my momma was right when she said I was "special!"

I thought I was the only "nonbeliever" here! Guess we're two in a million? Two in two million? :lol0:

[Turbo Owl 0]

I'm curious as to what keeps you two from beleaving. Do you know something I do not?

[ouroborous 519]

I don't usually get into belief vs. non-belief arguments. Having a mother who's fairly devout has taught me that when I answer that my non-belief is as heartfelt as her belief, I only get blank stares. So I've learned to just live and let live and accept that 95% of the rest of the population doesn't share my beliefs (errrr, non-beliefs ) and, that's perfectly okay.

[MidwestGirl 8]

I don't usually get into belief vs. non-belief arguments. Having a mother who's fairly devout has taught me that when I answer that my non-belief is as heartfelt as her belief, I only get blank stares. So I've learned to just live and let live and accept that 95% of the rest of the population doesn't share my beliefs (errrr, non-beliefs ) and, that's perfectly okay.

I agree with this.

[stcyt 15]

Hi guys,

I just found this spot. How exciting to find likeminded people.

As far as the beliefe non beliefe thing above..... I think we all just put the world together in the way that makes the most sense to us. I don't see Athiesm is either right or wrong.... its just how I put my world together.

take care

stacey

[MidwestGirl 8]

Good to have you! I think you explained your belief/non-belief very nicely.

[youknowit 11]

3-9% of U.S. citizens in the most recent data are either Atheist/agnostic/

Nonbeliever in God. Much higher numbers in this regard worldwide... I'm glad someone started this thread! Here's some great, very thorough academic research on the topic:

http://www.pitzer.edu/academics/faculty/zuckerman/Ath-Chap-under-7000.pdf

[ouroborous 519]

Indeed. I sometimes hesitate to call myself an atheist for the same reasons that someone who believes in equality for women might hesitate to call themselves a feminist: the actions of an outspoken, militant portion of the population have really cast all of us in a bad light.

I don't believe in God and never have, but I also have no real desire to "preach the gospel" of non-belief to anyone (because, what good would that do?) As I said, I just tend to live and let live and don't usually bring the subject up (because that always leads into long, pointless "why don't you believe in God? Are you angry at him? What's wrong with you?!" discussions). Of course, this subforum is FOR us, so we can be ourselves here

[MidwestGirl 8]

That link was really interesting! Some of the statistics surprised me. I guess I thought more Americans would identify with non-belief, but I guess not!

[WildIris 4]

Both my husband and I are atheists. Living in an area where a lot of people are religious and conservative about it, I've just started telling people that I belong to the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and that I've been Touched by His Noodly Appendage. It usually makes questioners stare, and then start laughing...and totally deflects tension, especially if I get into my routine about carb addiction.

Now I'm going to be a healthy atheist! And with no help from, or credit given to, a non-existent deity, either.

[texaschick 0]

So nice to find like-minded people. I too live in an ultra-conservative, uber-religious area. I feel like such an outcast sometimes, and kind of feel bad for my children because all of their friends belong to mega churchs. (But not bad enough to fake it). I keep my non-beliefs to myself and nod politely when the other children's parents start preachin' and prayin'.

[Booklean 4]

Figures and % are v interesting.

Could it really be true that 1% of the population are sleeved or have any kind of weight loss surgery? That seems alot.

Also, could it be possible that a higher than average % of athetists are obese compared to believers?

Could it be possible that athetists who are overweight/obese are more likely to do something about it?

Anyway, congrats for being 1 in a million!

[erh92 1]

Hello! I just wanted to let you all know that I'm a "nonbeliever" too!