‘While political party affiliation in the US is not a perfect indicator of religiosity, it is no secret that the ‘red states’ are primarily red because of the overwhelming political influence of conservative Christians. If there were a strong correlation between Christian conservatism and societal health, we might expect to see some sign of it in red-state America . We don’t. Of the 25 cities with the lowest rates of violent crime, 62% are in ‘blue’ states and 38% are in ‘red’ states. Of the 25 most dangerous cities, 76% are in red states, 24% in blue states. In fact, 3 of the 5 most dangerous cities in the US are in the pious state of Texas. The 12 states with the highest rates of burglary are red. 24 of the 29 states with the highest rates of theft are red. Of the 22 states with the highest rates of murder, 17 are red.

Of course, correlational data of this sort do not resolve questions of causality – belief in God may lead to societal dysfunction; societal dysfunction may foster a belief in God; each factor may enable the other; or both may spring from some deeper source of mischief. Leaving aside the issue of cause and effect, however, these statistics prove that atheism is compatible with the basic aspirations of a civil society; they also prove, conclusively, that widespread belief in God does not ensure a society’s health.‘

I had a similar experience a few weeks ago; Was asked which book I had in my hand by a barmaid (was having a quick pint before getting on the train – I don’t take books into the pub as a general rule). When I told her it was The End Of Faith by Sam Harris and what it was about she got VERY angry, told me to “go and read the fucking Koran” and that I would end up in hell for all eternity! This was a muslim working on a Friday serving alcohol to people!!!!! The most galling thing about the whole episode is that she didn’t even ask if I agreed with Harris’ sentiments (I do) before she lauched her tirade! These people wonder why they are ridiculed by the rationally minded?

funny how we’re the evil ones, when we’re not the ones making the snap judgments about moral character based on a very limited description of a person, eh?

http://www.watoday.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/the-new-crybaby-theists-20091105-hyyc.html

Wafer abduction seems to cause them to break out in little butt holes and poop all over themselves.

Mateo-Argentino, you shouldn’t be depressed or even concerned. You are a free-thinker and not the victim of religious inculcation. You have no genetic connection to the church. Tell your taunters that you have self-excommunicated yourself and vaulted the walls of monomaniacal superstition. Your mind is now free-ranging.

If you are interested, my own evolution from religion I have placed on my back-water blog at http://earthsshadow.blogspot.com/, entitled “The Renaissance of My Life.” 4th entry from the bottom of the page.

You can find many folks like yourself at http://exchristian.net/testimonies/ .

Ive been told that “Im a catholic wether I like it or not” TWICE, wth???

first person: “you took the communion, therefore, you are catholic”…I took the communion when I was 12, I “converted” at 14…I was the first atheist I “met”.

Second preson: The catholic church accepts everyone, wheter the like it or not…(so I guess no one is going to hell…)

what do i have to do, go to the vatican and ask the pope to excomulgate me???