Comments on: Top 10 Most/Least Religious States in the Country http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/01/30/top-10-mostleast-religious-states-in-the-country/ by Hemant Mehta Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:26:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: SethM http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/01/30/top-10-mostleast-religious-states-in-the-country/#comment-832098 SethM Mon, 13 Feb 2012 15:43:00 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=8396#comment-832098  Who said they were all the same the fact that there are any extremist of that type are from a book written by sheep headers thousands of years ago.  The fact that you all base your stuff off the same book and end up so different shows how little truth or fact the bible holds so any belief extreme or not is silly when you still subscribe to the same religion these nuts do.  Who said they were all the same the fact that there are any extremist of that type are from a book written by sheep headers thousands of years ago.  The fact that you all base your stuff off the same book and end up so different shows how little truth or fact the bible holds so any belief extreme or not is silly when you still subscribe to the same religion these nuts do.

]]> By: guest http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/01/30/top-10-mostleast-religious-states-in-the-country/#comment-831896 guest Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:43:00 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=8396#comment-831896 hah come on do you really believe idiots like bill maher are the greatest minds on earth hah come on do you really believe idiots like bill maher are the greatest minds on earth

]]> By: logical http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/01/30/top-10-mostleast-religious-states-in-the-country/#comment-831345 logical Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:28:00 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=8396#comment-831345 Those people are called Radical Extremists. Look it up. Not everyone who is religious is like that. I'm not saying everyone who is religious is happy and a good person and ect, but I am saying that just because there is a group of people who take it too far, it doesn't mean that everyone who believes in the same God and concepts are the same. Talk about arrogance. Those people are called Radical Extremists. Look it up. Not everyone who is religious is like that. I’m not saying everyone who is religious is happy and a good person and ect, but I am saying that just because there is a group of people who take it too far, it doesn’t mean that everyone who believes in the same God and concepts are the same. Talk about arrogance.

]]> By: logical http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/01/30/top-10-mostleast-religious-states-in-the-country/#comment-831342 logical Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:23:00 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=8396#comment-831342 You realize Atheism IS a religion right? So saying 'religious small minded nut-jobs' includes Athiests just as much as it does any other religion. You realize Atheism IS a religion right? So saying ‘religious small minded nut-jobs’ includes Athiests just as much as it does any other religion.

]]> By: Thumper http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/01/30/top-10-mostleast-religious-states-in-the-country/#comment-829953 Thumper Sat, 04 Feb 2012 06:20:00 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=8396#comment-829953 And tell us Johnnyswing1984, just what is your alternative to this great disappointment, this blind ignorance, this pathetic life we Christians live?  Just what is this great utopia you've discovered, this great truth that would cleanse and purify our brainwashed minds of blind Christian worship?  Do you honestly think we're not capable of understanding this grandiose logical reasoning you've otained? Christians discarded that many centuries ago as utter nonsense...foolish childish rebellion...beliefs of darkness....works of the anti-christ....the same knowledge you have.  I don't even expect you to understand that.  You would have to believe in a power higher than yourself which you atheist are actually capable but unwilling to do.  How I honestly pity you and your logical reasoning.  How I pity your soul. We'll go on believing in God and Jesus Johnnyswing1984 because we know it to be a truth just as you believe it's a lie.  We don't owe you and your atheist friends any proof...the proof was the death on the cross and resurrection of Christ, and not anything of our own.   I hope some day you understand that, although it may take a splash of cold water to your face.  You are wrong Johnny! ...you can fix stupid. And tell us Johnnyswing1984, just what is your alternative to this great disappointment, this blind ignorance, this pathetic life we Christians live?  Just what is this great utopia you’ve discovered, this great truth that would cleanse and purify our brainwashed minds of blind Christian worship?  Do you honestly think we’re not capable of understanding this grandiose logical reasoning you’ve otained? Christians discarded that many centuries ago as utter nonsense…foolish childish rebellion…beliefs of darkness….works of the anti-christ….the same knowledge you have.  I don’t even expect you to understand that.  You would have to believe in a power higher than yourself which you atheist are actually capable but unwilling to do.  How I honestly pity you and your logical reasoning.  How I pity your soul.

We’ll go on believing in God and Jesus Johnnyswing1984 because we know it to be a truth just as you believe it’s a lie.  We don’t owe you and your atheist friends any proof…the proof was the death on the cross and resurrection of Christ, and not anything of our own.   I hope some day you understand that, although it may take a splash of cold water to your face.  You are wrong Johnny! …you can fix stupid.

]]> By: Kevin Oakley http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/01/30/top-10-mostleast-religious-states-in-the-country/#comment-829380 Kevin Oakley Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:38:00 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=8396#comment-829380 You're confused.  Unlike religion, evolutionary science does not claim to know all the answers about life and the universe.  It is not a "non-religious" view. It simply presents the evidence that scientists have discovered through observations, experiments and research.   Religion is just a bunch of talk, it does not actively seek knowledge about the world around us like science does.  That's why evolution is taught in schools - it presents FACTS and EVIDENCE about life that have been discovered through hard work and research.  And this work is continuous, new information is being discovered everyday.  This knowledge is an invaluable tool for students - it enlightens them, promotes critical thinking, and satiates the natural curiosity of the human mind. Religion, on the other hand, has not provided humans with a shred of factual knowledge about life or the universe around us, nor is it actively seeking to find any such information.  Religious ideas are both baseless and unchanging - they do not provide evidence for any claims nor do they encourage any sort of critical thinking.  It's like a dead end for the human mind.   Thus, scientific and and religious ideas ARE NOT two sides of the same coin that should be taught to students as equal viewpoints.  If anything, the only thing that is worth teaching about religion is it's relation to human culture and history.  But no way "hell" should it be taught as an alternative to science. You’re confused.  Unlike religion, evolutionary science does not claim to know all the answers about life and the universe.  It is not a “non-religious” view. It simply presents the evidence that scientists have discovered through observations, experiments and research.  

Religion is just a bunch of talk, it does not actively seek knowledge about the world around us like science does.  That’s why evolution is taught in schools – it presents FACTS and EVIDENCE about life that have been discovered through hard work and research.  And this work is continuous, new information is being discovered everyday.  This knowledge is an invaluable tool for students – it enlightens them, promotes critical thinking, and satiates the natural curiosity of the human mind.

Religion, on the other hand, has not provided humans with a shred of factual knowledge about life or the universe around us, nor is it actively seeking to find any such information.  Religious ideas are both baseless and unchanging – they do not provide evidence for any claims nor do they encourage any sort of critical thinking.  It’s like a dead end for the human mind.  

Thus, scientific and and religious ideas ARE NOT two sides of the same coin that should be taught to students as equal viewpoints.  If anything, the only thing that is worth teaching about religion is it’s relation to human culture and history.  But no way “hell” should it be taught as an alternative to science.

]]> By: ProMe http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/01/30/top-10-mostleast-religious-states-in-the-country/#comment-829266 ProMe Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:41:00 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=8396#comment-829266 Choosing to be Agnostic is a wise decision... the BEST of both worlds. I don't want to be judged by the atheist or religious party.  Let swamij speak on the subject: http://www.swamij.com/theism-atheism-yoga-fear.htm Theists and Atheists in your family: If either of these types of people, Theist or Atheist, are present in your family, social and career worlds, the unspoken (or spoken) pressure to conform, follow, or convert to their views can be a tremendous threat to your sense of well being, both in terms of emotional response and the realities of functioning in a world of such people. This fear can have a devastating effect on ones feelings of safety in family, community, and professional life, and, in turn, on spiritual life. It can cause hesitancy, timidness, reluctance, mistrust, self-doubt, and other such emotions and reactions, which are often projections of an underlying fear. These, in turn, are antagonists to the tranquility or peace of mind consistent with meditation and other spiritual practices. Choosing to be Agnostic is a wise decision… the BEST of both worlds.
I don’t want to be judged by the atheist or religious party. 
Let swamij speak on the subject:
http://www.swamij.com/theism-atheism-yoga-fear.htm Theists and Atheists in your family: If either of these types of people, Theist or Atheist, are present in your family, social and career worlds, the unspoken (or spoken) pressure to conform, follow, or convert to their views can be a tremendous threat to your sense of well being, both in terms of emotional response and the realities of functioning in a world of such people. This fear can have a devastating effect on ones feelings of safety in family, community, and professional life, and, in turn, on spiritual life. It can cause hesitancy, timidness, reluctance, mistrust, self-doubt, and other such emotions and reactions, which are often projections of an underlying fear. These, in turn, are antagonists to the tranquility or peace of mind consistent with meditation and other spiritual practices.

]]> By: ProMe http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/01/30/top-10-mostleast-religious-states-in-the-country/#comment-829219 ProMe Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:19:00 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=8396#comment-829219 You are not to worship the bible but follow the words of the bible.  Have you ever read the bible and saw how many of the intellectually moral decisions one should make to live their life are indisputable... I've had my share of troubles in this country and I've realized that not once have I thought, what would the bible say about this situation.  So I searched for what  the bible says about Trespassing.  It seems to me, it  says nothing.  This is where I looked it up: http://www.openbible.info/topics/trespassing  First example of about 100...  John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. They don't knoweth what trespassing is. In fact, even though they don't know it and it's not written in the bible... the have a prayer for it. Christians just need to be by your side... to help you along.  I kinda learned that from the  habitat for the homeless duplexes with  unrelated families entering into doors that were placed next to each other. I think the Christians need to learn what Trespassing means and how important it is to Countries like Iran. I take my stand while being "saved" at a rehab w/o drug or alcohol arrests.  Sent to a church that says the only children of god are those that are born again. I don't go anymore... I felt like I was trespassing. You are not to worship the bible but follow the words of the bible.  Have you ever read the bible and saw how many of the intellectually moral decisions one should make to live their life are indisputable…
I’ve had my share of troubles in this country and I’ve realized that not once have I thought, what would the bible say about this situation.  So I searched for what 
the bible says about Trespassing.  It seems to me, it 
says nothing.  This is where I looked it up:
http://www.openbible.info/topics/trespassing 

First example of about 100…

 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

They don’t knoweth what trespassing is.

In fact, even though they don’t know it and it’s not written in the bible… the have a prayer for it.

Christians just need to be by your side… to
help you along.  I kinda learned that from the 
habitat for the homeless duplexes with 
unrelated families entering into doors that
were placed next to each other.

I think the Christians need to learn what Trespassing means and how important it is to Countries like Iran.

I take my stand while being “saved” at a rehab w/o drug
or alcohol arrests.  Sent to a church that says the
only children of god are those that are born again.

I don’t go anymore… I felt like I was trespassing.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/01/30/top-10-mostleast-religious-states-in-the-country/#comment-827173 Anonymous Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:14:00 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=8396#comment-827173 There is also no evidence proving that life can evolve from nothing. Every experiment trying to prove so ends the same, and that is that DNA and everything else naturally breaks down rather than building up. There is also the fact that the only evidence "proving" evolution is micro-evolution. It only changes existing features rather than creating new ones. At that point it proves nothing other than what had been shown through domestic dog breeding for thousands of years, recessive genes can turn into dominant and continue in that direction through man-made breeding or in this case environmental changes. Also even the Neanderthal had human qualities that do not belong to animals such as the ability to create art and bury their own dead. Then there's the fact that (atheistic) evolution is based off random mutations which means there should be tons of out of place mutations in the fossil record and continuing currently. The bible has historicity, many archaeological findings and outside historians verified it's historical accounts. There is also no evidence proving that life can evolve from nothing. Every experiment trying to prove so ends the same, and that is that DNA and everything else naturally breaks down rather than building up.
There is also the fact that the only evidence “proving” evolution is micro-evolution. It only changes existing features rather than creating new ones. At that point it proves nothing other than what had been shown through domestic dog breeding for thousands of years, recessive genes can turn into dominant and continue in that direction through man-made breeding or in this case environmental changes. Also even the Neanderthal had human qualities that do not belong to animals such as the ability to create art and bury their own dead. Then there’s the fact that (atheistic) evolution is based off random mutations which means there should be tons of out of place mutations in the fossil record and continuing currently.

The bible has historicity, many archaeological findings and outside historians verified it’s historical accounts.

]]> By: Bcschumacher http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/01/30/top-10-mostleast-religious-states-in-the-country/#comment-827160 Bcschumacher Sun, 22 Jan 2012 21:26:00 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=8396#comment-827160 i am a scientist and i can assure you that science does not prove or disprove God.  There are many scientists who do not believe in God.  There are also many scientists who do believe in GOd (i.e. John Polkinghorn).  How things came to be has an answer outside science - either there has always been a God who created the universe or there has always been the pre-existence of matter which somehow reacted to produce the universe.  The claims of Dawkins does not fly well most of the scientists i know - they disavow that the matter can be decided by science . i am a scientist and i can assure you that science does not prove or disprove God.  There are many scientists who do not believe in God.  There are also many scientists who do believe in GOd (i.e. John Polkinghorn).  How things came to be has an answer outside science – either there has always been a God who created the universe or there has always been the pre-existence of matter which somehow reacted to produce the universe.  The claims of Dawkins does not fly well most of the scientists i know – they disavow that the matter can be decided by science .

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