Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Strelnieks · 02-22-2002, 05:43 AM

Our illustrius head cleric George W. Bush told the students at an elite Chinese university that 95% of Americans believe in God and that he is one of them. He went on to extole the importance of faith in our national life and religious freedom.

For one, that is a higher number than I had been lead to believe. I thought there were 5% or so who said, "No god!", but another 10% or so who claim no religion. That would make at least 15% non-theists in America.

For another, the whole speech just sounded grotesque, interweeving superstitious belief with our democratic traditions in a situation like that, where the opportunity to make another impression was wasted. In China, we could be a symbol of enlightenment and modernity.

The Chinese students had expressed concern that America is throwing its weight around too much and not heeding the interests of other countries. Is telling them "Well, we believe in Jesus" really going to answer that concern?

Strel

Clarice · 02-22-2002, 07:14 AM

When I heard this on the radio, I wanted to vomit. The man drives me up a wall, but there's little I can do but vote against him (fat lot of good that does in NC). Now I remember why I stopped listening to the news!

For what it's worth, I doubt he impressed his audience much with his drivel. I wonder, if he had his druthers, would atheists in the U.S. be treated in much the same way as those much-discussed Catholic bishops in China?

4th Generation Atheist · 02-22-2002, 08:43 AM

I don't wonder at all. Without checks and balances (soon to be eliminated as they get buddies in every branch) that's exactly what would happen.

butswana · 02-22-2002, 08:44 AM

You know they would, Clarice.

ImGod · 02-22-2002, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Clarice:
For what it's worth, I doubt he impressed his audience much with his drivel. I wonder, if he had his druthers, would atheists in the U.S. be treated in much the same way as those much-discussed Catholic bishops in China?

He had better be careful or he'll end up in a Chinese prison for spreading the "good news". What is he, a mormon or a JW?

He's definately polarizing and alienating as many countries as possible. I'm sure the muslims ran this story more than a few times yesterday to prove their point that America is sponsoring a world wide crusade by the christians.

chekmate · 02-22-2002, 09:00 AM

Quote:

For one, that is a higher number than I had been lead to believe. I thought there were 5% or so who said, "No god!", but another 10% or so who claim no religion. That would make at least 15% non-theists in America.

<a href="http://www.adherents.com/rel_USA.html" target="_blank">This</a> site gives a good rundown of the religions in the good ol' USA

The Resistance · 02-22-2002, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by chekmate:


<a href="http://www.adherents.com/rel_USA.html" target="_blank">This</a> site gives a good rundown of the religions in the good ol' USA

That site says there are less than 2% of the population are atheist/agnostic, but 13% are secular/non-religious. Doesn't that group belong with us?

manhattan · 02-23-2002, 01:06 PM

Doesn't look like it. In another thread I linked to the Statistical Abstract of the United States which reported only 8% as "none" on religion, including those who didn't answer the question.

Guess there's fewer of us than I thought.

Answerer · 02-23-2002, 06:12 PM

From what I gathered so far, MR Bush is quite an extremist and this sounds disturbing. But nevertheless, I have faith in the chinese people as most of them have the mind to think and reject kind of man, M.R Bush is and the kind of religion that he is preaching.

PopeInTheWoods · 02-23-2002, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Answerer:
From what I gathered so far, MR Bush is quite an extremist and this sounds disturbing. But nevertheless, I have faith in the chinese people as most of them have the mind to think and reject kind of man, M.R Bush is and the kind of religion that he is preaching.

Sadly, I used to think the same thing about my country.

Andy

02-22-2002, 05:43 AM	#1
Strelnieks Regular Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Germany Posts: 295	W preaching in China Our illustrius head cleric George W. Bush told the students at an elite Chinese university that 95% of Americans believe in God and that he is one of them. He went on to extole the importance of faith in our national life and religious freedom. For one, that is a higher number than I had been lead to believe. I thought there were 5% or so who said, "No god!", but another 10% or so who claim no religion. That would make at least 15% non-theists in America. For another, the whole speech just sounded grotesque, interweeving superstitious belief with our democratic traditions in a situation like that, where the opportunity to make another impression was wasted. In China, we could be a symbol of enlightenment and modernity. The Chinese students had expressed concern that America is throwing its weight around too much and not heeding the interests of other countries. Is telling them "Well, we believe in Jesus" really going to answer that concern? Strel

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02-22-2002, 07:14 AM	#2
Clarice Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: North Carolina Posts: 862	When I heard this on the radio, I wanted to vomit. The man drives me up a wall, but there's little I can do but vote against him (fat lot of good that does in NC). Now I remember why I stopped listening to the news! For what it's worth, I doubt he impressed his audience much with his drivel. I wonder, if he had his druthers, would atheists in the U.S. be treated in much the same way as those much-discussed Catholic bishops in China?

02-22-2002, 08:43 AM	#3
4th Generation Atheist Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Tower of Ecthelion...by the Starbuck's Posts: 1,815	I don't wonder at all. Without checks and balances (soon to be eliminated as they get buddies in every branch) that's exactly what would happen.

02-22-2002, 08:44 AM	#4
butswana Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 1,804	You know they would, Clarice.

02-23-2002, 01:06 PM	#8
manhattan Regular Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: New York, NY, USA Posts: 400	Doesn't look like it. In another thread I linked to the Statistical Abstract of the United States which reported only 8% as "none" on religion, including those who didn't answer the question. Guess there's fewer of us than I thought.

02-23-2002, 06:12 PM	#9
Answerer Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 3,956	From what I gathered so far, MR Bush is quite an extremist and this sounds disturbing. But nevertheless, I have faith in the chinese people as most of them have the mind to think and reject kind of man, M.R Bush is and the kind of religion that he is preaching.

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