Newsweek Poll: 90% believe in God
04-01-07, 11:57 PM
#27
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This confirms what I have thought for a long time. The Atheists are on to our plan to identify them so that we can exterminate them, and now they are even lying on polls to make it tougher. What a bunch of wussies. 
04-02-07, 11:33 AM
#28
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You know, in looking at the poll questions... I think the numbers quoted in the thread title may actually be somewhat skewed, kind of like a push poll. There are a lot of "loaded" questions leading up to Question # 14:
This after 11 questions mostly of a political bent, with Bush, then Iraq, then Al Gore (?) and then John Edwards. I'm not saying this skewed the results completely, but I could see how it could push people away from a fairly extreme position.
For example: I am not sure whether or not I believe in God. (I would call myself either a skeptical agnostic or a pussy atheist.) If I were given all of those loaded poll questions (especially about evolution), and then were asked, "Do you believe in God?"... I just might answer yes. ("Well, you can believe in God and still believe in evolution.")
Just something to consider. I'd actually guestimate that 10-20% of Americans are either atheists, agnostics or skeptics. But I could be wrong.
12. Which one of the following statements come closest to your views about the origin and development of human beings? Humans developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God guided this process (or) Humans developed over millions of years from less advanced forms of life, but God had no part in this process (or) God created humans pretty much in the present form at one time within the last 10,000 years or so?
13. Do you think the scientific theory of evolution is well-supported by evidence and widely accepted within the scientific community?
13. Do you think the scientific theory of evolution is well-supported by evidence and widely accepted within the scientific community?
For example: I am not sure whether or not I believe in God. (I would call myself either a skeptical agnostic or a pussy atheist.) If I were given all of those loaded poll questions (especially about evolution), and then were asked, "Do you believe in God?"... I just might answer yes. ("Well, you can believe in God and still believe in evolution.")
Just something to consider. I'd actually guestimate that 10-20% of Americans are either atheists, agnostics or skeptics. But I could be wrong.
04-02-07, 12:14 PM
#29
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Originally Posted by movielib
True, for reasons of a lack of today's knowledge; cultural, political and social reasons; and not to mention that you could be burned at the stake.
It's quite different today and scientists, on average, are far less religious than the general population.
It's quite different today and scientists, on average, are far less religious than the general population.
I'd tell you I believed in God too if saying something else would result in me getting executed by the State/church or its overzealous membership.
04-02-07, 12:51 PM
#30
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Originally Posted by GreenMonkey
Agreed.
I'd tell you I believed in God too if saying something else would result in me getting executed by the State/church or its overzealous membership.
I'd tell you I believed in God too if saying something else would result in me getting executed by the State/church or its overzealous membership.
04-02-07, 02:45 PM
#32
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90% doesn't seem that high to me. Hell, I'm pretty sure most statistics show that 80% or more of the population identify themselves as Christians. Of course, a huge percentage of those simply say it to say it and would be hard-pressed to actually offer any evidence that they're part of the group.
04-02-07, 02:49 PM
#33
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Originally Posted by Ranger
Is that people worldwide or in the U.S. only?
Here's my poll results - 90% of Americans believe that wrestling is real.
Thoughs?
Here's my poll results - 90% of Americans believe that wrestling is real.
Thoughs?
The Trump-McMahon showdown was one of the featured matches at the 23rd edition of the professional wrestling extravaganza. It drew 80,103 fans, a new Ford Field record, breaking the previous record of 78,129 set during the December 2003 college BasketBowl between Michigan State and Kentucky.
04-02-07, 02:56 PM
#34
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Originally Posted by Nazgul
Yowsa!
I guess DVDTalk is not representative of the public, as we would have reversed Newsweek's results.
I guess DVDTalk is not representative of the public, as we would have reversed Newsweek's results.
04-02-07, 02:58 PM
#35
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Originally Posted by Ranger
Is that people worldwide or in the U.S. only?
Here's my poll results - 90% of Americans believe that wrestling is real.
Thoughs?
Here's my poll results - 90% of Americans believe that wrestling is real.
Thoughs?
It's more "real" than Star Wars and Lord Of The Rings.
And just as "real" as the CBS Evening News.
04-02-07, 03:32 PM
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Originally Posted by NCMojo
I'd actually guestimate that 10-20% of Americans are either atheists, agnostics or skeptics. But I could be wrong.
04-02-07, 03:34 PM
#39
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Originally Posted by CRM114
I'd actually guess that the number is on the higher end or even higher. I think deep down a lot of "Christans" question their faith in the supernatural.
04-02-07, 03:35 PM
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Originally Posted by kvrdave
I'd actually guess that people tend to believe that when their beliefs are very unrepresentative that they tend to believe the results must be wrong.
04-02-07, 04:11 PM
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Originally Posted by kvrdave
I'd actually guess that people tend to believe that when their beliefs are very unrepresentative that they tend to believe the results must be wrong.
Needless to say, I have a different opinion. I say that faith without questioning and doubt is just willful ignorance, and is accordingly worthless. Faith should only mean something if it is an exercise in belief, much like a muscle that needs strengthening, or a steel blade that holds a sharp edge.
I think that if everyone took an honest and thoughtful look at what they believe and why, the numbers of atheists, agnostics and skeptics would skyrocket.
(pause)
Then again, there are a lot of realllllly stupid people out there who are probably perfectly happy in their willful ignorance.
04-02-07, 04:22 PM
#42
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Originally Posted by Artman
A great follow-up would be "do you believe enough that it influences your life in any meaningful way?"
Maybe 15%...
Maybe 15%...
04-02-07, 04:24 PM
#43
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Needless to say, I have a different opinion. I say that faith without questioning and doubt is just willful ignorance, and is accordingly worthless. Faith should only mean something if it is an exercise in belief, much like a muscle that needs strengthening, or a steel blade that holds a sharp edge.
I think that if everyone took an honest and thoughtful look at what they believe and why, the numbers of atheists, agnostics and skeptics would skyrocket.
I think that if everyone took an honest and thoughtful look at what they believe and why, the numbers of atheists, agnostics and skeptics would skyrocket.
Only people who have questioned and rejected their faith are the people who have really examined their faith and why they believe what they believe? So essentially you're saying there's no way someone could seriously question/examine their faith and still believe? 
Talk about "willful ignorance"...
Last edited by nemein; 04-02-07 at 04:26 PM.
04-02-07, 04:39 PM
#44
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Originally Posted by adamblast
I think you'd get the same 90%. No one thinks "I believe in God, but it doesn't impact my life at all."
04-02-07, 04:44 PM
#45
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Originally Posted by nemein
Only people who have questioned and rejected their faith are the people who have really examined their faith and why they believe what they believe? So essentially you're saying there's no way someone could seriously question/examine their faith and still believe? Talk about "willful ignorance"...Sigh... you think so little of me.
04-02-07, 04:48 PM
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Originally Posted by NCMojo
No, no. See, you added in the word "rejected". I never said that. In fact, it's the exact opposite of my intent -- I think that people of true faith are the ones who have questioned, and still believe. Faith without doubt is worthless -- but faith with doubt, faith under scrutiny, is impressive.
Sigh... you think so little of me.
Sigh... you think so little of me.
I think you make an excellent point. Unfortunately, I think a lot of people never take that extra step.
04-02-07, 05:07 PM
#47
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Originally Posted by NCMojo
No, no. See, you added in the word "rejected". I never said that. In fact, it's the exact opposite of my intent -- I think that people of true faith are the ones who have questioned, and still believe. Faith without doubt is worthless -- but faith with doubt, faith under scrutiny, is impressive.
04-02-07, 05:35 PM
#48
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No, no. See, you added in the word "rejected". I never said that.
04-02-07, 05:40 PM
#49
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Originally Posted by Tracer Bullet
Why is belief without evidence "impressive"?
04-02-07, 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Artman
Hmm... I think that's pretty common actually. I mean, if 90% of people are truly religous I certainly haven't run into them. Thru public school, my jobs... literally maybe 10% are people committed to their faith more than one day a wk. Granted I live in a liberal area, and a liberal industry... but still.
