There is no god

[OldKingCole]

Inspired by another thread … I was surprised by the level of atheism professed … as I always though I was in a tiny, tiny minority.
would be interested to see the MN response.

IABU - there is a god
IANBU - there is no god

“Mumsnet attracts, typically, a more educated demographic who have been taught to think critically”

If I read through any five random MN threads on a given day, I’d take strong exception to that opinion. I’d genuinely despair for the human race, except I have a low expectation anyway, and it’s far too amusing to get upset.

I'm American and grew up in the bible belt, then moved to England. I've been an atheist since the age of 12 but still find it surprising how many of the people I grew up with are believers, even the cynical, smart kids are now all about Jesus on their Facebook pages. It feels much more comfortable to me being here and feeling surrounded mostly by fellow atheists.

I agree with this

Religion was created as a form of control. From bloody sacrifices to please their gods to “Don’t do that you’ll go to hell” literally “putting the fear of god” into people. There is no god

I believe in God.

However I do not expect others to believe, I don't need to convert anyone and people are absolutely free to believe/not believe. I ain't preaching some gospel to anyone 🤣

I attend church and enjoy some of the concepts of religion, I am however quite happy to question some of them as I explore my faith and beliefs, and that's personal to me.

I'm probably not "the best Christian" , but I'm not the worst, I feel I have found a calm and accepting middle ground. But again it's all personal to me.

I'm a firm believer in "I'll be me, you be you, and we can meet happily at the middle ground"

Mumsnet users 'more educated'? Do me a favour, most people here think 'alot' is a word, for crying out loud!

Sorry blood sacrifices

I don’t know how anyone can think they’re in a ‘tiny, tiny minority’ as an atheist in this day and age. It’s honestly something like 90% of my entire social circle - friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances. More than 90% in the under-40s.

@Creepinglight That's what I'm saying! The propensity to believe in any sort of God declines in accordance with the level of education.

I'm not saying believers are thick. I'm saying that for one reason or another they haven't engaged their critical faculties. I know some lovely religious people. And i know sone absolute tossers who should be embarrassed to represent the faith they profess to follow. Intelligence isn't relevant, but education is.

The 2021 census had less than 50% identifying as Christian, 46%. The next largest group was 'no religion' at 37%.

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/culturalidentity/religion/bulletins/religionenglandandwales/census2021

A 'social attitudes' survey, which I think asks more detailed questions and so may elicit somewhat more considered responses had over 50% saying they had no religion

https://bsa.natcen.ac.uk/media/39293/1bsa366_religion.pdf

I'm agnostic having been brought up.Catholic ,people with a strong faith will believe and those without won't and then there's
people like me who can't be swayed either way ,I'm not sure of the point of your poll,it doesn't prove or disprove anything .

Not too far off. Its 45%
www.statista.com/chart/5457/the-uks-atheist-strongholds/

I believe there is. Sadly I think religion is now viewed through a lens that reflects the sinfulness of mankind rather than what it should be. The crafting of the bible and it’s many faults, the way religion is practiced right up to the modern day, showcases how people (mankind) rightly and often very wrongly interpret religion.

At its heart, the world is the most unbelievable, magical place and living by good and kind morals makes us a better society.

Not really as you said you can't prove a negative, the onus of evidence is on the religious not the atheist.

I find a vengeful god more believable than benevolent one tbh.

I would describe myself as agnostic if pushed so put me down for the third option. I don’t believe that humans are the pinnacle of universes consciousness and intelligence but I also don’t necessarily buy into intelligent design.

it’s somewhat bizarre to see atheists have absolutely no clue what the answer is but be absolutely certain it couldn’t be God and sneering nastily at everyone else’s theory of what it could be whilst coming up with no helpful input if their own.

The answer to what question?

Funny how the official census disagrees - with on 37.5 as “no religion” (which is a group that isn’t only atheists but includes atheists).

I’m Irish, raised Catholic, live in Ireland and although all/most of my friends and family are non practicing most of them would still say they believe in god.
Catholic school for primary and secondary education and we received constant brainwashing at school for years.
It’s only now that I am in my 40’s I’m brave enough to say I don’t believe in god in any conversation.

How was the universe created? What triggered it? Where did the first matter actually come from?

"Zuckerman and his colleagues previously conducted a meta-analysis of 63 studies, which found “a reliable negative relation between intelligence and religiosity.” In other words, religious people tend to be less intelligent than non-religious people on average."

www.psypost.org/2019/11/meta-analysis-of-83-studies-produces-very-strong-evidence-for-a-negative-relationship-between-intelligence-and-religiosity-54897

Well to be fair god doesn't solve those problems, s/he only adds another step before you have to answer them. How was god created? What triggered it?

No - just that over 50% of the population are not Christian I believe

I think it’s harder if you’re raised in a Catholic family.

I couldn’t vote on this at the same time as acknowledging religion is often harmful to women.

My dc have not been exposed to religion (beyond usual school stuff) and are atheist, as I prefer it for them.