Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Sushi X · 10-30-2002, 08:39 PM

Ok, now I'm pissed. I recently (ok, a month and a half ago) took the PSAT test at my High School. For those of you who havent kept up with the right wingers' standardized testing bullcrap, this is the test that they give to Colleges to see if any of them will offer you scholarships or admittance or something (all I know is that it's only a half day of school!). Anyway, they require test takers to put down their religion. While I would normally not have a problem with this, what bugs me is the fact that the none of the religion choices (it's one of those "bubble in with a no. 2 pencil things) said "Atheist" or "Agnostic" or "Freethinker" or even "Budhist". The only thing that there were (other than the 200 f***in forms of Christianity, plus Islam and Judaism) were "No Preference" or "I'd Rather Not Disclose This Information". Blasphemy. The Xians have taken over my state! Should I take some sort of action? Should we as a group?

Pugilist Atheist · 10-30-2002, 09:08 PM

Seeing that atheism isn't a religion, I don't think it should be included as a choice. However, "non-religious" should be an option.

Toto · 10-30-2002, 09:19 PM

The PSAT is not a governmental function, however important it is. It appears that they are keeping statistics on religion for some purpose. They are probably also keeping statistics on race.

Edited to add: I suspect that they are using religion as a sociological category, not as a theological category.

[ October 31, 2002: Message edited by: Toto ]</p>

wildernesse · 10-31-2002, 11:37 AM

The religious section probably clues in institutions with that affiliation to send you info about their school.

If you do well, and are a Catholic, then Catholic Universities pelt you with advertising and maybe scholarship opportunities.

--tibac

RufusAtticus · 10-31-2002, 12:12 PM

Good point, hun.

randomsyllable · 10-31-2002, 03:22 PM

The screening isn't very effective though.

The school that sent me the most stuff unasked for was Loyola.

southernhybrid · 11-01-2002, 04:39 AM

Since atheism is not a religion, I think that no preferencewould be the appropriate response. That pretty much covers anyone who has no religion or doesn't care about religion. I think you might be looking for a hidden agenda that doesn't exist in this case.

Non-praying Mantis · 11-01-2002, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sushi X:
<strong>The Xians have taken over my state! Should I take some sort of action? Should we as a group?</strong>

Yes, they have. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

NPM

Godless Dave · 11-01-2002, 06:05 AM

I don't remember that being asked when I took the test. I was re-entering atheism at that time so I think I would have noticed.

Edited to add:

The company that desings the PSATs is private. If you wanted you could write a letter to them and complain. I'm surprised there's no spot for Buddhist. Or even an "Other". What would Buddhists, Wiccans, Hindus, etc. put down? I know there were a few Hindus and one Sikh in my high school.

[ November 01, 2002: Message edited by: Godless Dave ]</p>

Splat · 11-01-2002, 06:42 AM

I think this is a stealth question--they want to see if you're smart enough to have figured out the right answer.

But as an instrument, it's flawed, since "no preference" makes it sound less like "they're all imaginary" than "any one will do."

(Seriously though, if you're really bothered by it, write a letter to the company.)

10-30-2002, 08:39 PM	#1
Sushi X Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Washington DC Posts: 86	Why does Virginia not recognize Atheism? Ok, now I'm pissed. I recently (ok, a month and a half ago) took the PSAT test at my High School. For those of you who havent kept up with the right wingers' standardized testing bullcrap, this is the test that they give to Colleges to see if any of them will offer you scholarships or admittance or something (all I know is that it's only a half day of school!). Anyway, they require test takers to put down their religion. While I would normally not have a problem with this, what bugs me is the fact that the none of the religion choices (it's one of those "bubble in with a no. 2 pencil things) said "Atheist" or "Agnostic" or "Freethinker" or even "Budhist". The only thing that there were (other than the 200 f***in forms of Christianity, plus Islam and Judaism) were "No Preference" or "I'd Rather Not Disclose This Information". Blasphemy. The Xians have taken over my state! Should I take some sort of action? Should we as a group?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

10-30-2002, 09:08 PM	#2
Pugilist Atheist Regular Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Corpus Christi, TX, USA Posts: 135	Seeing that atheism isn't a religion, I don't think it should be included as a choice. However, "non-religious" should be an option.

10-30-2002, 09:19 PM	#3
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	The PSAT is not a governmental function, however important it is. It appears that they are keeping statistics on religion for some purpose. They are probably also keeping statistics on race. Edited to add: I suspect that they are using religion as a sociological category, not as a theological category. [ October 31, 2002: Message edited by: Toto ]</p>

10-31-2002, 11:37 AM	#4
wildernesse Veteran Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 1,578	The religious section probably clues in institutions with that affiliation to send you info about their school. If you do well, and are a Catholic, then Catholic Universities pelt you with advertising and maybe scholarship opportunities. --tibac

10-31-2002, 12:12 PM	#5
RufusAtticus Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NCSU Posts: 5,853	Good point, hun.

10-31-2002, 03:22 PM	#6
randomsyllable Regular Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: somewhere in Canada Posts: 188	The screening isn't very effective though. The school that sent me the most stuff unasked for was Loyola.

11-01-2002, 04:39 AM	#7
southernhybrid Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: heavenly Georgia Posts: 3,862	Since atheism is not a religion, I think that no preferencewould be the appropriate response. That pretty much covers anyone who has no religion or doesn't care about religion. I think you might be looking for a hidden agenda that doesn't exist in this case.

11-01-2002, 06:05 AM	#9
Godless Dave Contributor Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: With 10,000 lakes who needs a coast? Posts: 10,762	I don't remember that being asked when I took the test. I was re-entering atheism at that time so I think I would have noticed. Edited to add: The company that desings the PSATs is private. If you wanted you could write a letter to them and complain. I'm surprised there's no spot for Buddhist. Or even an "Other". What would Buddhists, Wiccans, Hindus, etc. put down? I know there were a few Hindus and one Sikh in my high school. [ November 01, 2002: Message edited by: Godless Dave ]</p>

11-01-2002, 06:42 AM	#10
Splat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hell, PA Posts: 599	I think this is a stealth question--they want to see if you're smart enough to have figured out the right answer. But as an instrument, it's flawed, since "no preference" makes it sound less like "they're all imaginary" than "any one will do." (Seriously though, if you're really bothered by it, write a letter to the company.)

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.