Considering the view we've had over recent years of the religiously-inclined, I'm almost surprised the numbers aren't higher. Still, it's good to see religion declining the way it should be.
Now, if we can make that spread to every demographic, that would be exceptional.
OT: I have something to say to anyone who thought we'd seen the rock-bottom worst possible behavior by a conservative. And my message is: You are a naive fool. This one may make you want to vomit, but I daresay it's just a matter of time before we see something even worse. Brace yourself:
I know that a lot of people in Japan will go to a temple for some sort of good luck charm type thing even though they don't necessarily believe in the religion very much. Just shows the affinity between superstition and religion I guess. 😇
I would have to wonder if there is any particular sub-segment of the US population where religion is on the rise, and if so, an explanation as to just WHY would be interesting to hear.
As it is, this is obviously good news, and I hope to hear more of the same.
I have been predicting for some time that organized religion is not going to survive the internet with its influence intact. There is just too much easily accessed good information out there, and for the first time for many people all across the free-thought spectrum, they are realizing they are not as alone as they once thought.
"Asian" is obviously a very broad category representing a very diverse group of cultures. The upshot here is that centuries of proselytization are slowly but progressively eroding at least here in America. Education and Information are the Enemies of God.
I am a white protestant American, whose ancestors from as back as I have measured hail from lands bordering the Celtic and Baltic Seas. I grew up knowing mostly Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, and Episcopalians. I am a total WASP, but no longer identify with being a Christian.
Strangely enough, though I am hostile to the Christian church, I hold no animosity for my last denomination, The United Methodist Church. Now that the trash has taken itself out by disfellowshipping, I can at least respect the pension I get from it!
I wonder about the religious affiliation of Asians who are being raised Jewish or who were. Do they continue to participate in the Jewish community? Another question. Is there a theological aspect to Buddhism?
I wonder if Pew has done a survey of 1st, 2nd, 3rd generation African-Americans. (You know the ones whose ancestors came here willingly from Africa in the last century.)
Mostly OT: For a few years there was someone at my office who was from India and was Hindu. She excelled at giving me (and others) friendly shit. One day I asked her if I could ask her some questions about Hinduism as I knew very little about it. She became very guarded. She asked me a couple of questions and I quickly ascertained that she thought I might be trying to tell her about Jesus. An appropriate concern on her part given where we live (a formerly red and only recently purple area of Maryland — think of a university town in West Virginia and you won’t be far off). Anyway, I assured her I was atheist, my wife was Jewish, and really all I wanted was to talk with someone knowledgeable about Hinduism.
I have no idea have typical she may have been of Hindus. We spent quite a few lunches in the break room chatting about her religion, my atheism, and — when we were quite alone — the obnoxiousness of Christians. She presented a very ecumenical version of Hinduism. Something like “You can believe in as many or as few of the Hindu deities as you want. It doesn’t matter.” She thought atheism was fine. She thought Judaism was fine. She thought Christianity was fine. I came to think of her as a Hindu Unitarian Universalist.
At some point I lost my job because they thought someone 30 years younger and much cheaper could replace me. And she and I no longer got to spend some of our lunches discussing religion.
Less religion for anyone makes the world better for everyone.
Buddha Jesus will be disappointed.
https://www.traditioninaction.org/History/HistImages/G_027_Christ.jpg
Considering the view we've had over recent years of the religiously-inclined, I'm almost surprised the numbers aren't higher. Still, it's good to see religion declining the way it should be.
Now, if we can make that spread to every demographic, that would be exceptional.
Apparently someone called Scalise is going to be the next speaker. Is he – I hesitate to use the word – sane?
OT: I have something to say to anyone who thought we'd seen the rock-bottom worst possible behavior by a conservative. And my message is: You are a naive fool. This one may make you want to vomit, but I daresay it's just a matter of time before we see something even worse. Brace yourself:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b31fU9QRM4A
So many ways you can attack this man idea.
https://twitter.com/RightWingWatch/status/1712206241202614411
https://www.alternet.org/how-nones-the-religiously-unaffiliated-are-finding-purpose-and-spirituality-in-psychedelic-churches/?cx_testId=1&cx_testVariant=cx_1&cx_artPos=9&cx_experienceId=EXDEXBKK1F00#cxrecs_s
Relevant, but also worth it for the gif.
I know that a lot of people in Japan will go to a temple for some sort of good luck charm type thing even though they don't necessarily believe in the religion very much. Just shows the affinity between superstition and religion I guess. 😇
I would have to wonder if there is any particular sub-segment of the US population where religion is on the rise, and if so, an explanation as to just WHY would be interesting to hear.
As it is, this is obviously good news, and I hope to hear more of the same.
I have been predicting for some time that organized religion is not going to survive the internet with its influence intact. There is just too much easily accessed good information out there, and for the first time for many people all across the free-thought spectrum, they are realizing they are not as alone as they once thought.
"Asian" is obviously a very broad category representing a very diverse group of cultures. The upshot here is that centuries of proselytization are slowly but progressively eroding at least here in America. Education and Information are the Enemies of God.
I am a white protestant American, whose ancestors from as back as I have measured hail from lands bordering the Celtic and Baltic Seas. I grew up knowing mostly Lutherans, Presbyterians, Methodists, and Episcopalians. I am a total WASP, but no longer identify with being a Christian.
Strangely enough, though I am hostile to the Christian church, I hold no animosity for my last denomination, The United Methodist Church. Now that the trash has taken itself out by disfellowshipping, I can at least respect the pension I get from it!
To be expected when the Klan has been driving away everyone who doesn't look as Aryan as them.
I wonder about the religious affiliation of Asians who are being raised Jewish or who were. Do they continue to participate in the Jewish community? Another question. Is there a theological aspect to Buddhism?
I wonder if Pew has done a survey of 1st, 2nd, 3rd generation African-Americans. (You know the ones whose ancestors came here willingly from Africa in the last century.)
Mostly OT: For a few years there was someone at my office who was from India and was Hindu. She excelled at giving me (and others) friendly shit. One day I asked her if I could ask her some questions about Hinduism as I knew very little about it. She became very guarded. She asked me a couple of questions and I quickly ascertained that she thought I might be trying to tell her about Jesus. An appropriate concern on her part given where we live (a formerly red and only recently purple area of Maryland — think of a university town in West Virginia and you won’t be far off). Anyway, I assured her I was atheist, my wife was Jewish, and really all I wanted was to talk with someone knowledgeable about Hinduism.
I have no idea have typical she may have been of Hindus. We spent quite a few lunches in the break room chatting about her religion, my atheism, and — when we were quite alone — the obnoxiousness of Christians. She presented a very ecumenical version of Hinduism. Something like “You can believe in as many or as few of the Hindu deities as you want. It doesn’t matter.” She thought atheism was fine. She thought Judaism was fine. She thought Christianity was fine. I came to think of her as a Hindu Unitarian Universalist.
At some point I lost my job because they thought someone 30 years younger and much cheaper could replace me. And she and I no longer got to spend some of our lunches discussing religion.