The typical member of a fast-growing U.S. atheist association is a highly educated, married white male who grew up with religious parents.
The Freedom from Religion Foundation, which grew from 5,500 in 2004 to about 16,000 members this year, announced results of a survey of its members on December , Religion News Service reports.
All is not lost. That was me!
Interesting that I did not see any mention of the age profile of members. Let me guess that all those white, professional, upwardly-mobil members are typically 30-35 years old, or less, and that they have yet to “hit the wall” in their lives other than perhaps having divorced or separated parents.
In their self-made bubble of security; they have not had a close friend die, they may not have suffered a serious illness, have not experienced a divorce yet, had a child die, lost everything in the economy, or any other life changing event that causes one to stop and wonder “what is my purpose here on earth”?
Hopefully when they hit that wall, they will turn to Jesus rather than drugs, alcohol, or suicide. Hopefully they will be living in a community where some church is mission oriented, always reaching out in love, hoping one day to see them in their midst seeking help, and ready to welcome them with open arms.
Capt. Deacon Warren, I’m not quite certain that I can go with your thesis which seems to be that they simply haven’t yet really suffered. I think they have. And I think they have simply ascribed another meaning to suffering than what you and I have.
#2 Capt. Deacon Warren – from the article:
Other findings from survey respondents include:
– 88 percent describe themselves as atheist, and 12 percent as agnostic
– 43 percent are retired
– 30 percent volunteer regularly
– 24 percent are veterans
– 11 percent are vegetarians
– 9 percent are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender
Actually, the statistics cited say 43% are retired…which would indicate a lot of 65+ year old respondents.
But even if the other 57% fit the characterization of Cpt. Deacon Warren, having divorced/separated parents is not a trite event. The 17% who cited hypocrisy may well be largely children of divorce, which cannot be seen as anything but hypocrisy in people whose Lord clearly proclaims “The Lord…hateth putting away.” (Mal 2:16)
If they have suffered and if this is their response, then it is self-defeating because true salvation only comes through the loving embrace of Jesus Christ: He stands there waiting for us to call to Him and when He comes, He brings new life.
If this is indeed their lot, then I do hope there is a mission oriented church nearby, waiting with open arms to receive them or perhaps offering the right words to break through the ice in their spirits that the true gift of God may be theirs.
My contention. A real atheist wouldn’t care enough to be part of an organization where its members define themselves what they are not.
After all, it should be a waste of time, money and energy for something that doesn’t exist. Right?
Crucial in the data is how much cross classification is going on. One person could fit in all the categories cited. As thehy stand, they tell us almost nothing useful. Larry
Is perhaps one clue to understanding this that they are mostly white males? Perhaps they have simply internalized the subtext of so much they have heard from the church in the past generation or two, and taken it at its own word.