Both Pharyngula and Friendly Atheist have already commented on this lovely new study: Professor Robert Putnam from Harvard has found that the number of young people who have no religious affiliation has skyrocketed to 30% – 40%. Now, these aren’t all necessarily atheists, but one can hope this is the first step for many of them to go down the slippery slope of Heathendom.
When I was about ten years old I confidently told my father that by the time I was 40, no one would go to church anymore. He looked at me shocked (especially since I didn’t know what church was actually for, or who Jesus/God were at the time).
“Why do you think that?” he asked. I told him everyone my age always complains about how much they hate going, so why would they keep doing it when they grow up? He chuckled at me, thinking this was a ridiculous idea, even though he himself was not religious. “We’ll see,” he said sarcastically.
Maybe in 19 years people will still be going to church, but I still consider this trend a victory. Take that, dad!
I also consider this a success for the atheist dating market, though I don’t have to worry about that too much as an atheist chick. Though the odds are good, the goods are odd… or to quote Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, “The male to female ratio, yeah? I mean you have your veritable pick of the litter. You can choose from all kinds of guys who have no idea how to please you.” (Just kidding, male readers! I <3 all of you, and I'm sure us uninhibited atheists win when it comes to being kinky in the sack)
Eric Davison says
I suppose with a ratio like you have, you can afford to make fun of a few atheist guys and still have plenty to choose from ;-)
Eric D says
I suppose with a ratio like you have, you can afford to make fun of a few atheist guys and still have plenty to choose from ;-)
Jen says
Yes, yes I can. Maybe I just want to weed out the ones who can’t stand up to the challenge ;P
Jen says
Yes, yes I can. Maybe I just want to weed out the ones who can’t stand up to the challenge ;P
Ian says
I saw some of the comparisons of atheist numbers among different cultural background and races, but I don’t recall any comparison studies based on gender. My entirely unscientific personal experience leads me to believe that the ratios aren’t as off as you seem to imply. Might be an interesting study.
Though my “entirely unscientific personal experience” does agree with your uninhibited kinkiness assessment. :-P
Ian says
I saw some of the comparisons of atheist numbers among different cultural background and races, but I don’t recall any comparison studies based on gender. My entirely unscientific personal experience leads me to believe that the ratios aren’t as off as you seem to imply. Might be an interesting study.Though my “entirely unscientific personal experience” does agree with your uninhibited kinkiness assessment. :-P
BeamStalk says
I already have my atheist chic and I am not letting her go.
We can only hope your prediction will come true, but just in case I plan to continue to help the trend by pointing out the stupidity of religion.
BeamStalk says
I already have my atheist chic and I am not letting her go.We can only hope your prediction will come true, but just in case I plan to continue to help the trend by pointing out the stupidity of religion.
Paul Gowder says
I think us atheist men should dodge the ratio by seducing religious women and using our sexual prowess to lure them away from god. ;-)
Paul Gowder says
I think us atheist men should dodge the ratio by seducing religious women and using our sexual prowess to lure them away from god. ;-)
Andre Vienne says
Ugh. Don’t even mention that. it reminds me of Missionary Dating. Which is the most terrible thing ever without actually involving violence.
Andre Vienne says
Ugh. Don’t even mention that. it reminds me of Missionary Dating. Which is the most terrible thing ever without actually involving violence.
Paul Gowder says
!!! I’d never heard of missionary dating. I just googled it — are those people serious? I mean, I was joking, but, wow.
Paul Gowder says
!!! I’d never heard of missionary dating. I just googled it — are those people serious? I mean, I was joking, but, wow.
Andre Vienne says
Oh yes. They’re serious. I’ve run into a few, because I’ve got a pal who used to be in the Baptist Student Ministry around here. It’s something special.
Andre Vienne says
Oh yes. They’re serious. I’ve run into a few, because I’ve got a pal who used to be in the Baptist Student Ministry around here. It’s something special.
Paul Gowder says
Well, there is kind of an amusing appeal to the notion of interfaith dating as a kind of Machiavellian chess game to see whether you can get the religious person to renounce god in the throes of sexual satisfaction before s/he can get you into a church and, I suppose, renounce that sexual satisfaction. ;-)
Paul Gowder says
Well, there is kind of an amusing appeal to the notion of interfaith dating as a kind of Machiavellian chess game to see whether you can get the religious person to renounce god in the throes of sexual satisfaction before s/he can get you into a church and, I suppose, renounce that sexual satisfaction. ;-)
Jen says
As a lifelong atheist, I am now severely disappointed that I have never had the chance to renounce god in the throes of sexual satisfaction. Hmm, maybe some roleplaying is in order?
Jen says
As a lifelong atheist, I am now severely disappointed that I have never had the chance to renounce god in the throes of sexual satisfaction. Hmm, maybe some roleplaying is in order?
jemand says
Oh, but don’t you know? Sex is the best conversion tool! What else can get unbelievers to start moaning out “Oh! Oh my god!”
lol
jemand says
Oh, but don’t you know? Sex is the best conversion tool! What else can get unbelievers to start moaning out “Oh! Oh my god!”lol
Paul Gowder says
I, for one, am always up for playing “piratical libertine seducer and innocent Christian.”
Paul Gowder says
I, for one, am always up for playing “piratical libertine seducer and innocent Christian.”
Jen says
I’m torn between giggling coquettishly and referencing my above statement about the goods being odd ;P
Jen says
I’m torn between giggling coquettishly and referencing my above statement about the goods being odd ;P
Paul Gowder says
Do both! You know you like odd goods. ;-)
Paul Gowder says
Do both! You know you like odd goods. ;-)
Blake Stacey says
What else can get unbelievers to start moaning out “Oh! Oh my god!”I once met a young woman who at the peak of passion screamed out, "Oh — Oh — OH — OBAMA!"
I don't think I'll ever be that enthusiastic about a politician. . . .
Blake Stacey says
What else can get unbelievers to start moaning out “Oh! Oh my god!”I once met a young woman who at the peak of passion screamed out, “Oh — Oh — OH — OBAMA!”I don’t think I’ll ever be that enthusiastic about a politician. . . .
Coogan says
I have found that simply yelling “YYYEEEESSSSS!!!!” works pretty well.
Coogan says
I have found that simply yelling “YYYEEEESSSSS!!!!” works pretty well.
Andre Vienne says
“OH OH OH OBAMA” is better than the “OH INUYASHA!” I got one time.
I still don’t know what to think of that.
Andre Vienne says
“OH OH OH OBAMA” is better than the “OH INUYASHA!” I got one time.I still don’t know what to think of that.
Lauren says
I love this comment thread and want to hug it.
Lauren says
I love this comment thread and want to hug it.
Josh says
But what does this mean for us gaythiests?
JoVee says
But what does this mean for us gaythiests?
Blake Stacey says
An honest accounting of my own life experiences would suggest that the goods are odd no matter what chromosomes they happen to carry.
Blake Stacey says
An honest accounting of my own life experiences would suggest that the goods are odd no matter what chromosomes they happen to carry.
jeffreywithaj says
If you preface it with “If God existed I would scream out …” then its ok.
jeffreywithaj says
If you preface it with “If God existed I would scream out …” then its ok.