Pew Religious survey--How do you explain this? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MS Fowler · #1 06-25-2008, 07:42 AM

Here is a direct quote from the AP article:
Another finding almost defies explanation: 21 percent of self-identified atheists said they believe in God or a universal spirit, with 8 percent "absolutely certain" of it.

Can any of you explain this?
My guess is that there might be some ignorant atheists who do not know the meaning of words. Another possibility is that some were "playing" with the interviewer. How else do you explain atheists believing in God?

LUVMBDiesels · #2 06-25-2008, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS Fowler

Here is a direct quote from the AP article:
Another finding almost defies explanation: 21 percent of self-identified atheists said they believe in God or a universal spirit, with 8 percent "absolutely certain" of it.

Can any of you explain this?
My guess is that there might be some ignorant atheists who do not know the meaning of words. Another possibility is that some were "playing" with the interviewer. How else do you explain atheists believing in God?

"There aint no atheists in foxholes"

I think that while they claim to not believe in God, dep down they WANT to believe and that is why they answered the survey they way they did...

Kuan · #3 06-25-2008, 08:28 AM

It's not surprising. 22% of self proclaimed vegetarians eat chicken.

tompaah7503 · #4 06-25-2008, 08:33 AM

Same survey shows 80% of Americans believe in miracles.
Now that explains a LOT

veggihatetank · #5 06-25-2008, 08:38 AM

It seems to expose the truth that athiests refuse to admit to others.That there is no rational way to deny the existence of God.Thanks for the post.

kerry · #6 06-25-2008, 08:48 AM

Seems like nonsense to me but I haven't read the detailed questions or responses. I suppose it's possible that some atheists are atheists in the sense that they deny the existence of a 'super person' of some kind with the name of "God' but are pantheists in the sense that they are in awe at the unity of the universe.

Hatterasguy · #7 06-25-2008, 09:07 AM

70% of stats are made up on the spot, and 80% are wrong.

davidmash · #8 06-25-2008, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by veggihatetank

It seems to expose the truth that athiests refuse to admit to others.That there is no rational way to deny the existence of God.Thanks for the post.

If believing that lets you sleep at night, more power too you.

pj67coll · #9 06-25-2008, 10:57 AM

This was an American survey? My guess would be Americans are too ignorant to understand the meaning of atheist..

- Peter.

Eskimo · #10 06-25-2008, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS Fowler

Here is a direct quote from the AP article:
Another finding almost defies explanation: 21 percent of self-identified atheists said they believe in God or a universal spirit, with 8 percent "absolutely certain" of it.

Can any of you explain this?
My guess is that there might be some ignorant atheists who do not know the meaning of words. Another possibility is that some were "playing" with the interviewer. How else do you explain atheists believing in God?

Is this the article to which you are referring?

Quote:

But deeper investigation found that more than one in four Roman Catholics, mainline Protestants and Orthodox Christians expressed some doubts about God's existence, as did six in ten Jews.

Another finding almost defies explanation: 21 percent of self-identified atheists said they believe in God or a universal spirit, with 8 percent "absolutely certain" of it.

If that's not the one, then would you please provide a link to the article to which you are referring? Context, brother, context!

MS Fowler · #11 06-25-2008, 12:36 PM

Eskimo,
That looks like the same study, at least the quote is exactly the same.

I don't see that context is very important. I simply wanted some possible explanations for the apparent absurdity of the conclusion. I wasn't trolling.

I would like to see the actual questions, and answers.

kerry · #12 06-25-2008, 12:46 PM

http://religions.pewforum.org/?gclid=CNyaw_3Pj5QCFRYLIgodPBuufg

MTI · #13 06-25-2008, 01:13 PM

Remember the "restroom hand washing" surveys? A high percentage of respondents to surveys stated that they religiously washed their hands in the restrooms.

It wasn't until cameras recorded actual handwashing at the sinks that the truth was revealed.

aklim · #14 06-25-2008, 01:19 PM

I would like to see the way they framed the question. Was the term atheist, agnostic and theist explained to the person? What were the choices given to them? If I say "Do you believe in God?" and by that I mean the Judeo Christian god, and if you say "No" I mark you as atheist, I could get a very different answer than if I asked you which of the 3 terms you are.

aklim · #15 06-25-2008, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by veggihatetank

It seems to expose the truth that athiests refuse to admit to others.That there is no rational way to deny the existence of God.Thanks for the post.

Nor is there any rational to prove the existence of God. IMO, the best argument for God is the teleological argument but even that falls short of real proof.