Comments on: Why Don’t Atheists Have Influence?

By: Lubos

Lubos — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:29:23 +0000

Atheists in America should shout out that majority of Europe is atheistic. Only Poland, Rumania, Bulgaria and Slovakia (poor countries) and Ireland are too religious. When Ireland rose from poverty looses its religious sheep. Most developed countries like Germany and Scandinavia are mainly atheistic. Schroeder and Merkel are agnostics. Einstein is atheist. Growing China is also atheistic. Science is improving.

By: Claire

Claire — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 22:34:01 +0000

I used “numismatists” here, recently, but I can’t remember the context. I like big words and I cannot lie…

By: MikeClawson

MikeClawson — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 21:03:25 +0000

It’s a common neurological/psychological phenomenon whereby you suddenly become conscious of some word or concept and then whenever you hear it again within a certain period of time your brain “fires” and you particularly notice it.

You’re probably right, but I can remember three distinct times that word has occurred on this site in just the past few weeks. That seems a little odd to me.

By: Karen

Karen — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:01:13 +0000

That word! I had never heard it before in my life (and I even used to collect coins) but all of a sudden it’s popping up everywhere – on this site, in commercials, on The Office. What’s up with that?

It’s a common neurological/psychological phenomenon whereby you suddenly become conscious of some word or concept and then whenever you hear it again within a certain period of time your brain “fires” and you particularly notice it.

The word’s been in use forever, but because you’ve noticed it and thought about it recently, you’re suddenly hyper-aware of it. Happens to me often.

It’s not dissimilar to the phenomenon of confirmation bias, where people remember the “hits” (i.e., answers to prayer or predictions from psychics) and ignore the “misses” and thus declare that they have “proof” of the supernatural.

By: MikeClawson

MikeClawson — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:17:37 +0000

Humor beats argument any day:

That’s hilarious!

By: MikeClawson

MikeClawson — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:10:49 +0000

the numismatic part of me still cringes.

That word! I had never heard it before in my life (and I even used to collect coins) but all of a sudden it’s popping up everywhere – on this site, in commercials, on The Office. What’s up with that?

By: Cade

Cade — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:23:20 +0000

Far too many people say that this country is “one nation under god”, citing the pledge as if it were evidence. We can’t let that battle die.

By: Darryl

Darryl — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:20:14 +0000

Humor beats argument any day: http://youtube.com/watch?v=7M-cmNdiFuI&feature=bz301

By: Vincent

Vincent — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:56:55 +0000

I disagree with the writer because he takes the position that this ceremonialism is harmless.
I also disagree because he devalues the publicity of this sort of Michael Newdow case.
Visibility is a great victory for atheists recently, and these cases are good publicity.

Finally, these cases may be more winnable. No reason to ignore the simple stuff if it also happens to be the easiest to win.

By: JeffN

JeffN — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 11:55:25 +0000

Mriana said,
December 11, 2007 at 9:53 pm

Though we see less then eye to eye on religious matters occasionally i have to agree with you.

Ben said,
December 11, 2007 at 9:52 pm

“Should atheists and pagans be afforded the same rights as Christians, Jews, or Muslims?”

I suppose that would depend on whether you want them to be considerd religions or not.

I guess when push comes to shove it comes down to who has the best lawyers and who has the most judges on the supreme court at the time of the vote.