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Thread: Why is atheism so poorly represented in American politics?

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    Why is atheism so poorly represented in American politics?

    The US is the most religious nation on earth. It apparently missed the Rennaisance.

    US politics are driven by religious conservatives to the exclusion of those who don't believe in flying teapots.

    This is unfair.

    New Zealand excludes religion from politics. No politician here with half a brain would claim divine inspiration. Religion is just a non-issue.

    But in the US, politicians obssess about it. Even poor Obama, who is a closet atheist, has to pretend he attends some church or other - where he no doubt offers prayers that Americans will one day see sense.

    Why does such irrationality infest American politics? Or is it just a convenient conceit?
    Last edited by Awryly; 05-28-2012 at 11:47 PM.

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    We don't have a state sponsored religion. Our Constitution prohibits it.
    But neither do we ban religion and treat it as if it were evil, because our values came from Christian tradition.

    Our politicians don't obsess over it either. You are mistaken about that.

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    Ths US is not even close to being the Most Religious Nation on the Earth. Moreover US Politics are not driven by religious conservatives. Not even the Expressionist painter during the Rennaisance would use such a broad paint-brush.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Awryly View Post
    The US is the most religious nation on earth. It apparently missed the Rennaisance.

    US politics are driven by religious conservatives to the exclusion of those who don't believe in flying teapots.
    This is not an example of benign atheism. Rather, it is an (almost ostentatious) example of virulent anti-theism.

    Quote Originally Posted by Awryly View Post
    Why does such irrationality infest American politics?
    This is what is known as the fallacy of the complex question; the classic example of it being the plaintive query, "Have you stopped beating your wife yet?"

    It could also be (reasonably enough) classified as an example of question-begging (petitio principii), as it assumes, in its very premise, that theism is inherently irrational...

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    Quote Originally Posted by pjohns View Post
    This is not an example of benign atheism. Rather, it is an (almost ostentatious) example of virulent anti-theism.

    This is what is known as the fallacy of the complex question; the classic example of it being the plaintive query, "Have you stopped beating your wife yet?"

    It could also be (reasonably enough) classified as an example of question-begging (petitio principii), as it assumes, in its very premise, that theism is inherently irrational...
    No it's not.

    It's just an expression of the fact that religion is loony. I could care less what people, out of desperation, need to believe in. My point is that all your pollies trot out the platitudes of religious belief at the drop of a stovepipe hat because your electorate needs to hear them.

    Am I wrong? If so, why?

    In English, please.

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    Quote Originally Posted by MMC View Post
    Ths US is not even close to being the Most Religious Nation on the Earth. Moreover US Politics are not driven by religious conservatives. Not even the Expressionist painter during the Rennaisance would use such a broad paint-brush.
    83% of you or thereabouts profess religious beliefs. In NZ only about half do and they do it because they were christened against their will, at least without it, into some church or other and tick the religion box out of habit.

    Only 14% of Kiwis actually attend any churches and any politician that mentions God, Zeus, Jupiter or Ra is automatically excommunicated..
    Last edited by Awryly; 05-29-2012 at 12:29 AM.

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    It really depends upon the politician first and foremost, and the electorate fairly significantly. You'll see it more with the individuals running for President, since they are trying to appeal to as many as possible (pandering in some cases). I expect those are the people you're seeing on the news there like the example you cited with Obama and his church.

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    There seems to be quite a few politicans that don't talk about any religous belief when they are campaigning. Moreover there are quite a few involved or have been involved with Foreign Countries and did not bring anything up concerning religious beliefs other than the right to have one. That would be on both sides of the Aisle.
    Last edited by MMC; 05-29-2012 at 12:33 AM.
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    Quote Originally Posted by Awryly View Post
    No it's not.

    It's just an expression of the fact that religion is loony. I could care less what people, out of desperation, need to believe in.
    So, your sentiment is "not" an example of virulent anti-theism; it is merely a declaration that all religion is "loony," and a sure sign of "desperation" on the part of theists.

    I am looking, now, for the Distinction Without a Difference Department...

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    Quote Originally Posted by Awryly View Post
    83% of you or thereabouts profess religious beliefs. In NZ only about half do and they do it because they were christened against their will, at least without it, into some church or other and tick the religion box out of habit.

    Only 14% of Kiwis actually attend any churches and any politician that mentions God, Zeus, Jupiter or Ra is automatically excommunicated..

    Still doesnt make the US most religious Nation on the Earth. Have you looked up some of the Latin Countries? Muslim Countries? Perhaps you will find that you would be closer to the mark. Oh, and with their political elections.
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