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tacosdudeAug 10, 2010
The actual Gallup site:
http://www.gallup.com/poll/125999/mississippians-go-church-most-vermonters-least.aspx
rpgmakrAug 11, 2010
Thanks for sparing me from the bulls**t.
soc7Aug 10, 2010
Dugg for Vermont. You guys are smart.
spinningheadAug 11, 2010
Thats why she had to have a special spell performed to protect her from witchcraft.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26880901/
zardayAug 12, 2010
I think these numbers are messed up... Vermont is the lowest with 23%? Maybe it's because I'm in my twenties that I don't know a single person that goes to church.
alphalionAug 10, 2010
It would be interesting to see how that map equates to least and most educated.
enderwigginAug 11, 2010
I would as well but never underestimate the power of cognitive dissonance.
candre23Aug 11, 2010
Religiosity charted with several other statistics, including IQ. Some obvious trends emerge.
http://i.imgur.com/kpb5A.png
megadan76Aug 11, 2010
Wow that's damning.
alphalionAug 12, 2010
Amazing
holygodAug 10, 2010
Least religious states:
1. Vermont
2. New Hampshire
3. Maine
4. Massachusetts
5. Nevada
6. Hawaii
7. Oregon
8. Alaska
9. Washington
10. Rhode Island / Connecticut
Highest Average IQ:
1. Massachusetts
2. New Hampshire
3. North Dakota
4. Vermont
5. Minnesota
6. Monttana
7. Maine
8. Iowa
9. Connecticut
10. Wisconsin
Education Ranking:
1. Vermont
2. Massachusetts
3. Connecticut
4. New Jersey
5. Maine
6. Virginia
7. Montana
8. Wisconsin
9. Iowa
10. Pennsylvania
lloydinatorAug 11, 2010
Very ironic that HolyGod is submitting this.
029aAug 11, 2010
Oh, I thought that was a list of the whitest states for a second.
newesAug 11, 2010
Why is that hard to beleive? Mass has the highest consentration of kick ass schools.
eh123Aug 11, 2010
It's not ironic. It's apropos.
Literacy!
Closed AccountAug 11, 2010
@029A -- Think: MIT (for one)
bigshark101Aug 11, 2010
@029A Wow you're a dumbass. MIT, Harvard, Tufts, Wheaton, just off the top of my head. You must be from one of the religious states.
scuba7183Aug 11, 2010
@Protuhj
+Harvard
+UMass
spydr101Aug 11, 2010
+Boston Univ.
+Northeastern
The community colleges in mass rivals most state schools
jokr004Aug 12, 2010
Having been through the Mass school system, I can assure you that their lower education (K-12) is a complete and utter s**t-show.
frostbytAug 11, 2010
Least religious states = Heathen states
sb66Aug 11, 2010
your use of medieval terminology in amusing. Ah, the good ole days when man knew nothing and had to explain everything with spirits...
frostbytAug 11, 2010
I can spot sarcasm. Can you?
Closed AccountAug 11, 2010
oh Poe...
jgzmanAug 11, 2010
I regularly identify myself as heathen when religious people ask what religion I am. The look on their faces is often priceless.
pathouston22Aug 11, 2010
And the article stated that blacks are most likely to go to church, and southern states have the highest black populations.
So you're saying black people are dumber?
brewbeauAug 11, 2010
Well, black people tend to be poorer than others and therefore have a crappier public school system. So, not dumber, but less/worse educated. It's an inequality issue.
basalcellbosskAug 11, 2010
Their skin has nothing to do with it. Just being from the South. :)
giancarlo1003Aug 11, 2010
Dude, there was nothing on race here... geez.
holygodAug 11, 2010
Define dumber? Knowledge or intelligence? If you define it by knowledge, than yes, on average, black people are dumber. But it a cultural and economical issue not a genetic one.
duncan202Aug 11, 2010
zing
Closed AccountAug 11, 2010
"That's an interesting point. However, my theory is based on the fact that light-skinned blacks are smarter than dark-skinned blacks."
Closed AccountAug 11, 2010
This is a great list, but could you cite your source(s)? I want to be able to back this up with something more than "Oh, I saw it on Digg."
holygodAug 11, 2010
Education: Morgan Quitno
IQ: McDaniel's Estimated Average IQ
goobadyAug 11, 2010
Cause and effect relationships aren't coincidence.
captininsanityAug 11, 2010
Actually I was surprised by Vermont and New Hampshire. Why there?
eh123Aug 11, 2010
Education, intelligence, skepticism, high regard for personal freedoms, individualism. These are all typical characteristics of the northern New England population and also poison to purveyors of religion.
heliumflashAug 11, 2010
Good schools, well educated parents, and little poverty.
marx2kAug 11, 2010
Dam, y my state gots 2 b #10 in highest IQz?
bdbrAug 11, 2010
Education and lack of religion and probably correlate with income.
Closed AccountAug 11, 2010
Here is 'Religiosity vs income': http://www.stat.columbia.edu/~cook/movabletype/archives/2007/11/religiosity_and.html
xenuxenutsAug 11, 2010
There are only 3 red states with average incomes above average, and only 3 blue states that are below average. What does this tell you about red state vs blue state and their economic theories?
holygodAug 11, 2010
I'm sure income, education, intelligence, and lack or religion all follow similar factors statistically.
sibtigerAug 11, 2010
Oh, the swiftness and intensity of the buries overwhelmeth me...
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate." Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe." 1 Corinthians 1:18-21Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
akairennAug 11, 2010
Good show.
Even if it wasn't a bunch of make-believe, you're basically proving that your god is a raging assh**e, unworthy of praise.
f**k, I'll stick with Thor, thanks. At least my imaginary friend brings me metal and mead, instead of stupidity.
holygodAug 11, 2010
Does it not bother you that your god wishes you naive, dumb, ignorant, and on your knees?
sibtigerAug 11, 2010
God doesn't want anyone to be dumb, naive or ignorant. On your knees before him acknowledging him for who he is? Yes. Acknowledge that you are not his equal? Yes. Is he a raging assh**e for insisting that you recognize WHAT IS? Well, only if we're using a different definition of "raging assh**e."
In my experience those who are exceedingly intelligent and educated are, more often than not, overwhelmingly arrogant and self-important. The few who aren't, I've noticed, are believers.
Don't argue with my observation... it's mine. But feel free to say if your observation has been different.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
theundertokerAug 11, 2010
f**k you and your make-believe sky-daddy.
holygodAug 11, 2010
SibTiger
Your own scripture post says "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent"
Does that not imply God wishes people to be dumb and ignorant?
If you REALLY don't think that God is a raging assh**e than you obviously don't read the bible. He is an assh**e in any definition. Murdering innocent people over and over by the thousands makes you an assh**e.
And if you want to see proof of what an arrogant, self-centered, ego-maniac your lord is look no further than the 10 commandments. The TEN MOST IMPORTANT RULES, and one of them is not saying his name in vain? Guess that bumped rape or child molestation off the list huh?
sibtigerAug 11, 2010
The "wisdom of the wise" is the "wisdom" that God is irrelevant and that the individual is the master of his fate and the captain of his soul. God calls bulls**t. And the fact that you're so pissed at him just reinforces what the passage is saying. You're a fool.
And about his name... it's what represents him. The U.S. almost passed legislature making it illegal to burn a flag. Because we're vain assh**es? No, because the flag represents the country and its principals. God's name is his "flag." The one who reveres his name will not rape or molest children. "Top 3" is the perfect position for that commandment.
"Murdering innocent people..." Define "innocent." Before whom? Innocent of what? And if God created life, how can his ending what belongs to him be defined as "murder?" Murder is the stealing of a life that doesn't belong to you. God cannot murder.
holygodAug 12, 2010
Wow. I can't even respond to that. Someone sure likes their Koolaid.
cooldude777Aug 11, 2010
I don't see a list of the top 20 for education or intelligence. I see a top 10 list for education and a top 10 list for intelligence, which have a lot of overlap. There are only 14 states in those lists combined.
holygodAug 11, 2010
I didn't feel like typing out all 20. That was just an additional thing I was mentioning. Feel free to check the lists yourself.
http://www.top50states.com/average-iq-score.html
cooldude777Aug 11, 2010
Thanks!
azwethinkweizmAug 11, 2010
It's because smart people realize that sins like fornication before marriage are not "sins" but rather "fun as hell", no pun intended.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
pdaoust007Aug 11, 2010
Source please! (not that I don't believe you, the rankings make sense but you know, it's nice to be able to back up your claims)
armedrebelAug 11, 2010
It's no coincidence.
holygodAug 11, 2010
No s**t.
dtfinchAug 11, 2010
I'd double check your source for state IQs. The common one I see is based on average incomes rather than actual intelligence test scores.
nickymouseAug 11, 2010
It seems like race has plenty to do with the differences. However, religion just seems like an easy variable for judgment.
pintomp3Aug 11, 2010
"If you thought America was a religious melting pot, well think again." Who ever thought that? Seems pretty well established that religious fundamentalism was a property of the south.
bdbrAug 11, 2010
Religion is still surprisingly strong. All it takes to be "below average" religion is less than 49% protestant and 19% catholic. All it takes to be "above average" non-religious is more than 19%, and only nine states fit that category. Every state was less than 25% athiest/agnostic.
starkkAug 11, 2010
I would never voluntarily live in the south.
mikeoxbiggAug 11, 2010
There are some small havens of life, culture, and hope all over. Austin, Texas is actually a pretty great little town....it's like an NYC borough really. Just stay within city limits.
sizzzzlerzAug 11, 2010
Austin is the way it is because of the university. Its an island of light floating in a sea of stupid.
otaku244Aug 11, 2010
Austin is in "The South"? In my geography class, Texas is in "The West."
3rdharbingerAug 11, 2010
I feel like it's kind of on the border between 'the South' and 'the West' and can really be thought of either way... Most people who live in East or South Texas think of it as 'the South', while most West Texans and a lot of North Texans consider it 'the West'... Who knows what people who are from Dallas and Austin believe though, those cities are very different the the entire rest of the state
zelf24Aug 11, 2010
I would never voluntarily live in the north.
Closed AccountAug 11, 2010
The Southwest to be more precise.
heliumflashAug 11, 2010
What? You mean Southeast right? The SW is less religious than the SE
texanwithabrainAug 11, 2010
Helium, you're conflating actual directions with historical regional names. The old Southwest Conference was Arkansas and the Texas schools. Texas is overrun with things bearing the "southwest" moniker. North Texas is as bible-crazed as anywhere. You can't spit on a Fort Worth megachurch without hitting a televangelist. Just to the south is Waco, home top the Branch Davidian cult and the Baylor University cult of modern Texas Southern Baptists. Just to the west is Crawford, where George W. Bush pretended to be a Texan (I don't think he was a true believer, just a cynical manipulator of the sheep). The craziest minister of all of them all, John Hagee, is from San Antonio.
jeffwmartinAug 11, 2010
Everyone in the south isn't a fundamentalist lunatic. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, so you're only going to see the whackos in the media. I've lived in Nashville my entire life and probably 90% of the people I know believe in some sort of spiritual being. One thing you need to realize is that going to church around here is a social thing. I know people that go to church on Sunday and drink, cuss, smoke pot and raise hell every other day of the week. They go to church because they've always gone or it's a way to fit into their community, not because they are that religious.
I'm an atheist and belong to a group that put up a billboard promoting secularism. We got some calls from crackpots and a few veiled death threats, but we got more positive response than negative.
pauldavisAug 11, 2010
Dugg you up because we have enough bigots down here already. Don't need you to add to them.
douglasqAug 11, 2010
This list will work as a descending road map if I ever travel all over America.
pfenixfireAug 11, 2010
You'll need a plane to fly from New England to the West coast over that red sea of stupid.
douglasqAug 11, 2010
Yeah. A plane would work. Good call.
Closed AccountAug 11, 2010
Oh great. Now the religious wingnuts are gonna take this as proof that they "have a mission" and are gonna descend on my home state like freakin' wolves. As if I didn't already have enough reason to hoard my ice cream and maple syrup...
hipmanAug 11, 2010
How do they even measure this?.
nevermiss1Aug 11, 2010
By counting how many residents attend church weekly.
elcadAug 11, 2010
Buy checking the Nelson TV ratings on Sunday morning. They assume people turn the TV off when they go to church Sunday morning. People in California do go to church a lot, but they leave the TVs on for their dogs.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
otaku244Aug 11, 2010
Good point, one other thought is that there are also local broadcasts of church services in many areas.
texanwithabrainAug 11, 2010
I wouldn't expose my dog to Christian TV programs!
chadsexingtimeAug 11, 2010
I think that the most religious state is denial.
jetblackz4Aug 11, 2010
Isn't that located in Egypt?
hatoummoAug 12, 2010
Kudos to both of you for making me laugh out loud.
frostman3dAug 11, 2010
I live in the south, and I have to say, it's a wonderful place to live. There are churches everywhere, but they don't bother you or anything.
sizzzzlerzAug 11, 2010
Not the churches I'd be worried about. Its the people who attend them.
simonjester666Aug 11, 2010
Really? They were on my front door step bothering me this morning. I have told them repeatedly not to come here but they will not stop. Sometimes they bring small children so I cant yell at them (I wont yell in front of children) I have tried being nice, I have even tried being extremely mean, I have chased them out of my yard, I have pleaded with them, they will not stop. I am considering interrupting their services this weekend, they interrupt me at least once a week.
mr0nine2fiveAug 11, 2010
just open the door with ketchup all over your body and ask if they want to join in the sacrifice...
xboxhuegAug 11, 2010
I live in the South, and I have to say LOL @ your comment.
thegreat0neAug 11, 2010
Wooo go New England.
rsm33Aug 11, 2010
Mississippi is the most religious state and also the poorest state by median household income. That is not surprising.
People with difficult financial existences often turn to faith and religion as a means of coping.
Things rarely improve for anyone as a result. Mississippi will probably top the religion list and bottom the income list for quite some time.
Closed AccountAug 11, 2010
People with difficult financial existences often turn to faith and religion as a means of coping.
That, or people with more money then they need loose sight of what is really important. Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
rsm33Aug 11, 2010
Yeah, because Vermont is full of tycoon millionaires walking around in tuxedos sipping Cognac who have lost sight of what is important.
Your comment is typical of the retarded platitudes religious people use to justify their believing in a man in the sky that controls everything.
jeemboAug 11, 2010
than* lose*
Come on man.. you're not helping your case.
Closed AccountAug 11, 2010
lose sight of what is really important? like millennia-old books describing imaginary sky wizards who pretty much "tell" their followers "do it... do it or I'll f**king spank you"?
Yeah, I'll avoid the "really important" stuff, thank you.
Closed AccountAug 11, 2010
@ rsm33
Wow. Looks like someone has some issues with difference of opinion. I never said anything about business tycoons or tuxedoes? I said "more money than they need".
Western culture tends to be heavily materialistic; we often loose sight of what is important.
"Your comment is typical of the retarded platitudes religious people use to justify their believing in a man in the sky that controls everything."
YOUR comment is typical of f**k tard morons, posing as intelligent atheist. You give a bad name to people who choose not to believe in God. Why don't you just get back to serving me coffee and leave the opinions to people with an I'm over 100?
@ Jeembo
Yes yes, those were rookie mistakes. I'll show myself to the chamber of fire. Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
Closed AccountAug 11, 2010
@ EvilJelloMan
You're teenage rebellion is so unique. You're such an individual..
It's nice to know you want to be atheist don't conform your arguments based on a theory. Thank science all of your rebuttals are built on fact, unlike us silly Christians who only have a belief system.
You sure showed us!
Seriously though, you're proof that people did not evolve from primates. Those mammals could never be so foolish. Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
rsm33Aug 11, 2010
iamtheiam,
Western culture tends to be materialistic because it has access to materials.
It is hard to be materialistic when you are in a barren desert in Africa or the middle of a jungle in Asia etc.
If it makes you feel better to think that I serve you or anyone else coffee that is fine with me. I am not looking for your acceptance anyway.
PS - Is coffee really something you need? You must have more money than you need if you can afford a luxury like coffee.
Closed AccountAug 11, 2010
Is coffee really something you need? You must have more money than you need if you can afford a luxury like coffee
I never claimed to be outside of the "more money than we need" demographic. I simply stated that people with more than they need, tend to lose sight of what is important. I also never mentioned the words God or religion, yet you attacked me?
"Western culture tends to be materialistic because it has access to materials."
True, because it is the human condition to expect (temporary) happiness from external objects. True and everlasting happiness comes from the Lord.
You cannot prove that the above statement is not true, so there is no need for mockery. Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
Closed AccountAug 11, 2010
Of course we can't prove it's not true - for one, because you can't prove a negative, and two, because "happiness" has no scientific definition.
I'm sure you're happy deluding yourself by believing in fairies and unicorns, but I prefer to believe things that, you know.... actually f**king exist.
Closed AccountAug 11, 2010
In the regard of God, your definition of "exist" is subjective. Why can't you realize this? Your circle theory argument is ridiculous.
"because "happiness" has no scientific definition."
For a person who seems to put stock in scientific definition, you are quick to stand for a theory...
dbagComment is buried, click here to see the rest.
oninboninAug 11, 2010
He's on the loose!
Closed AccountAug 11, 2010
Did a religious wingnut just accuse ME of circular logic?
Now THAT is motherf**king hilarious.
How do you know God exists?
"Because the Bible said so"
How do you know the Bible is true?
"Because God said so"
Go f**k yourself.
Closed AccountAug 11, 2010
You argue against my belief, accusing me of being wrong because my faith can not be proved, with a another equally unproven theory. Do you not see the stupidity of your pride?
ALSO, the fact that you think that the belief in God is based on the Bible alone, only proves how ignorant you truly are on the subject.
L2think. Child.
Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
Closed AccountAug 12, 2010
Again, the concept of someone who believes in the magical wish granter in the stars telling ME to learn to think is pretty goddamned f**king hilarious.
I believe in proven theories - like gravity and genetics and evolution and global warming, not bulls**t like "if you don't eat meat on Fridays you have a better chance of getting into heaven". And *I* am the one that needs to learn to think. f**king brilliant.
Closed AccountAug 12, 2010
You believe in the theory of evolution? As in, the theory that were are the descendants of primates? As in, the unproven theory?
At least your last sentence is correct.
bigshark101Aug 11, 2010
Religious nuts don't work as hard, because God will provide?
texanwithabrainAug 11, 2010
Actually it's just the opposite. Religious nuts are more likely to do menial labor because they have been lead to believe they will be rewarded in the next life for accepting their "station."
We Atheists understand that life is a precious gift and are not about to waste our brief chance at existence shoveling s**t. A huge percentage of those in careers with the lowest hourly pay (teachers, farmers) are deluded Christian types.
Although it is tiring to constantly struggle against the stupidity that results from being overrun with religion, I wonder how the country would function if one day we all woke up normal?
rsm33Aug 11, 2010
I don't think religion causes poverty. I think religion thrives where poverty exists.
Closed AccountAug 11, 2010
LOL @ TexanWithABrain
are you trying to be ironic with that call sign?
"We Atheists understand that life is a precious gift and are not about to waste our brief chance at existence shoveling s**t."
Actually, if anything Christians would be more apt to value their lives more, as we understand that life is a gift from the Lord and not some coincidental happenstance.
Also, having a relationship with Jesus does not mean you are happy "shoveling s**t". A relationship with the Lord gives meaning to our lives; providing a guide line on how to approach situations on both a spiritual and physical level.
You, like your mindless wave of zombie wanna be atheist brethren, continue to give the scientific culture a bad name. You are just like the frantic religious nut jobs that create stereotypes for us Christians.
Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
texanwithabrainAug 11, 2010
iamtheiam spewed, "You, like your mindless wave of zombie, wanna be atheist brethren, continue to give the scientific culture a bad name. You are just like the frantic religious nut jobs... "
Feel the Christian love.
"A relationship with the Lord gives meaning to our lives... We see great value in all life."
Would that include those who disagree with you? What a powerful witness for your faith!
Closed AccountAug 11, 2010
Of course I see great meaning in your life., and I am no better, or more valuable than you are. This doesn't mean I can't get frustrated with the blind ignorance that mocks the Lord. Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
lukas1051Aug 11, 2010
Man, I can't imagine widespread religion like there is in America, especially the south. Seriously, it affects everything, all your laws, politics, education... It's just weird. In Britain, you see about 20 old people walking to church on a Sunday morning and... that's it. Seriously, no-one goes to church except for at weddings and funerals, even the people who claim to be Christians.
faffcatAug 11, 2010
Even the state church, the Church of England isn't very religious. Do you remember the Bishop of Bath & Wells back in the eighties? He said something along the lines of 'you don't have to believe in God to be a Christian'. Like many people in the C of E he was practically an atheist
andyb747Aug 11, 2010
...But then if the Queen comes out of Buckingham to air her moldy muff the place fills up with people like St. Peter's square on Easter. Makes me wonder who you blokes really worship over there.
hetmanAug 11, 2010
People like to see celebrities. That does not mean they worship them.
faffcatAug 11, 2010
'...But then if the Queen comes out of Buckingham to air her moldy muff the place fills up with American tourists like St. Peter's square on Easter. Makes one wonder what you blokes really worship over there.'
There, fixed it for you.
lukas1051Aug 11, 2010
To be fair, she's kind of a big deal, being the most important woman in the country and all. I mean regardless of what you think of the monarchy - I'm not a huge fan - I'm pretty sure you'd flock to see her, even if it's just so you can say "I've seen the Queen". Besides, I don't know how you can accuse us of idol worship, America is the worst country in the world when it comes to idolising celebrities.
oninboninAug 11, 2010
"Queen comes out of Buckingham to air her moldy muff"
lol dugg
Closed AccountAug 11, 2010
Cake or Death
aegiscAug 11, 2010
No one goes to church. Mosque on the other hand....
protodonAug 11, 2010
We have 'Christians' in the US too. They believe in god and have their kids baptized. Maybe a weird superstition here and there but that's it. They don't go to church, they don't live by the ten commandments or whatever. They are essentially atheists who say they believe in god but don't even go through the motions that well.
andyb747Aug 11, 2010
So if you don't have hetero sex at least once a week you are essentially a homo? <-- atheist logic?
protodonAug 11, 2010
^
^
'Christian'
rudegarAug 11, 2010
same thing in Denmark apart from some people seem to go at xmas (24th)
and some recovering alcoholics and junkies join in with the few old people at sundays
bdbrAug 11, 2010
Religion is still surprisingly strong. All it takes to be "below average" religion is less than 49% protestant and 19% catholic. All it takes to be "above average" non-religious is more than 19%, and only nine states fit that category.
giancarlo1003Aug 11, 2010
They should totally just color code it, red and blue. That's never been done before!
wait...
bdbrAug 11, 2010
According to the stats, I live in the least religious state in the country! (Oregon) They are still building churches, though.
fadetooneAug 11, 2010
That's probably the one thing I hate about living in Texas.
azwethinkweizmAug 11, 2010
I've lived in Texas for many years and the same goes for Oklahoma. Be glad you live in Texas.
protodonAug 11, 2010
what armadillos? I hear ya.
azwethinkweizmAug 11, 2010
How did Oklahoma not make the top 10? Every time I drive on I-40 I always pass this car dealership with "PLEASE ELECT GOD FEARING POLITICIANS" and not to mention that they have a state representative named Sally Kern that believes the recent recession was because of gay people.
Plus I have seen so many outrageous "lynch the n-word president" bumper stickers too but that's beside the point.
heliumflashAug 11, 2010
"Plus I have seen so many outrageous "lynch the n-word president" bumper stickers too but that's beside the point."
Holy f**k Oklahoma makes Virginia seem like a heathen state.
culturedredneckAug 11, 2010
first, you've been had. i live in OK and have never once seen such a thing.
second, affixing a racist bumper sticker doesn't make one less of a heathen.
azwethinkweizmAug 11, 2010
No, he has not been had.
lisaawesomeAug 11, 2010
Driving along I-40 a few months ago (somewhere between Shawnee and OKC), I saw a sweet billboard that said something like "God calls abortion MURDER." I chuckled heartily. Of course I pass a GIANT cross next to I-35 nearly everyday so I'm kind of used to this crap. There are also the billboards with the 10 Commandments on them and the sweet local roofing company advertisement telling viewers they are a good god fearing company who opposes the socialist government take over. Man I love being an Okie.
culturedredneckAug 11, 2010
BS. i live in OK and i've never seen a single bumper sticker like the one you described.
azwethinkweizmAug 11, 2010
The parts I've been to have all been in western oklahoma. Obviously if you lived in OKC you wouldn't see that kind of s**t.
The god fearing politicians thing isn't BS either, call up Diffee at I-40 and 81 if you have doubts.
volathAug 11, 2010
I live in Oklahoma and I haven't seen bumper stickers like that! Maybe it's because I never go anywhere outside of Edmond down to Norman.
azwethinkweizmAug 11, 2010
That's probably why, I steer clear of Norman and that's not because of my love of UT athletics.
kiwininjaAug 11, 2010
Inaccurate title. This is about the percentage of people that go to church in each state, not how religious they are. Last I checked not all religions have churches.
dist0rtedwaveAug 11, 2010
Great point!
hetmanAug 11, 2010
What religions do not have churches?
kiwininjaAug 11, 2010
Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hindu, etc...
hetmanAug 11, 2010
What? All those religions have churches, mosques or temples.
kiwininjaAug 11, 2010
Correct, many religions have temples of some kind for worship.
hetmanAug 11, 2010
It is the same thing to me.
kiwininjaAug 11, 2010
I can see why it might be confusing, as the word church is so common in our culture. Places of worship are called by different names depending on what religion you're talking about.
rudegarAug 11, 2010
Jedi & FSM ?
soon to be added twilight'ism :P
skews13Aug 11, 2010
Another interesting comparison is the most religious states also are among the poorest states. The least religious states are among the richest.
aegiscAug 11, 2010
Yes, and according to many on Digg also the most "wealth-hoarding" states that got rich off of exploiting the poor and don't pay their "fair share" of taxes. This article was in the top 10 yesterday. Some cracking comments in there.
http://digg.com/business_finance/Should_We_Raise_Tax_Rates_on_the_Rich
otaku244Aug 11, 2010
I love how this digg turned from a cultural diversity topic found in the article to a blatant inferiority complex about how intelligent people are too smart for church.
Fun fact: 100% of people who don't follow a religion on this page reason that they are "mentally superior" to religion.
The reality is that following a religion is not a measure of one's intelligence, it's a measure of one's insight, perception, and tolerance. In other words, it is possible be religious and not be stupid, but it is garaunteed that you are a dumbass is you don't have a higher belief just because you are "too smart."
"Smarter than thou art" is every bit as ignorant as "Holier than thou art".Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
brendan1984Aug 11, 2010
I love how HolyGod's post shows a direct correlation between IQ, education, and religiosity which could only be construed as a coincidence by someone such as yourself.
dolandolandolanAug 11, 2010
Correlation does not equal causation, smart guy.
armedrebelAug 11, 2010
The smarter you are, the less likely you are to believe in god. This is a fact. And that's not to say if you believe in god you are stupid, but I do think it means if you are stupid you believe in god, because it requires quite a bit of thought to make the leap of non-faith.
dolandolandolanAug 11, 2010
Depends on which religion. Cult followers tend to have above-average IQs.
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wf80diditAug 11, 2010
Look at all these BIGOTS in one comment section.
hetmanAug 11, 2010
I tolerate religion. I just find it to be silly.
wf80diditAug 11, 2010
Even Judaism?
hetmanAug 11, 2010
Yea all of them.
propethicAug 11, 2010
Judaism is silly? You do know most religions are just plagiarisms of Judaism right?
oninboninAug 11, 2010
Personally if I had to make a choice of conforming any religion, I would go with Buddhism.
Closed AccountAug 11, 2010
Driving through the southern states you see a bunch of signs for churches, anti abortion signs, and adult bookstore signs.
apokalyps2547Aug 11, 2010
Not long ago, I drove from CT to CO. Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas were peppered with similar billboards-- and that's not even very far south!
heliumflashAug 11, 2010
In Vermont religion is seen as a private matter. I've lived there, my family lives there, and even though my family is strongly Republican and regularly helps in Brian Dubie's campaign (Republican candidate for gov), only the old ones actually go to church. I live in Virginia now, and I've noticed that Republicans in the North are much more socially liberal than Republicans in the South.
fremontgroupAug 11, 2010
Exactly. Look at Fiorello La Guardia. He was a Republican but definitely not a conservative.
Which explains why black slaves ran to the north for freedom...
zoltan9Aug 11, 2010
Title is somewhat misleading. It stated most and least religious. The poll is actually church attendance pct by state.
It wouldn't be too hard to argue that these are separate things.
zoltan9Aug 11, 2010
Its nice to see that even though Vermont was a very respectable 23% in 2008, they were still able to improve themselves to 23% in 2009. Keeping this YoY improvement going is the most important thing.
bigshark101Aug 11, 2010
23 and 23 is an improvement? I might be missing something?
zoltan9Aug 11, 2010
Dammit, was 24% to 23%
standard8mmAug 11, 2010
Too bad the south has the best damn foodin America... Maybe aside from NY.
sibtigerAug 11, 2010
Perhaps "good cookin'" and "most religious" is the actual correlation that should be made.
standard8mmAug 11, 2010
Hell yeah. I mean damn. California makes some f**king great Mexican food but a lot of those Hispanic mother f**kers are Catholics. When was the last time you heard of an athiest make a great sandwhich? f**king never. Thats cause the best f**king sandwiches are made by Jews.
oninboninAug 11, 2010
I read that in the context of a Tarantino movie protagonist right before he goes to detonate a huge hidden bowl of mashed potatoes in the center of some small town in Death Valley
standard8mmAug 12, 2010
I am glad you were able to visualise something beyond my minds capability.
ishqboliAug 11, 2010
i always found it hilarious that the most religious states in the country are also the ones with the highest teenage pregnancy, and yet they still are the strongest advocates against teaching sex ed.
andyb747Aug 11, 2010
Maybe because they value life?
captainnopantsAug 11, 2010
Nope, that's not it. I'd say it's because they aren't intelligent enough to know better.
andyb747Aug 11, 2010
Unfortunately intelligence doesn't have anything to do with compassion towards life.
pfenixfireAug 11, 2010
Nope, they still have the death penalty and are against social programs that helps life outside of the womb.
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andyb747Aug 11, 2010
pfenixfire-
Can you be a little more vague? Are you worried if you say anything more you'll tip the cards on your intelligence?
lydeckerAug 11, 2010
So... you're saying because they value life they want people to have unplanned teenage pregnancies?
andyb747Aug 11, 2010
lydecker-
They advocate against having sex before getting married. If they teach kids how to have sex (protected or unprotected) they would be contradicting their stance against sex before marriage. If more teenagers did not have sex until much later in life there would be less pregnancies.
Which specific policies do they promote that not care about life after it's born?Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
lydeckerAug 11, 2010
So, it's not "Maybe because they value life?" None of that had anything to do with what you said before. Do you retract your previous statement?
andyb747Aug 11, 2010
Uhm no..
They are against abortion, against capital punishment and pro helping those less fortunate. If that isn't putting a value on life then please enlighten me what is. Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
lydeckerAug 11, 2010
I'm lost. Could you explain why "Maybe because they value life?" is a response to the original post?
andyb747Aug 11, 2010
lydecker-
Because the most religious states have the lowest abortion rates. If they don't view vacuuming fetuses out or poisoning a fertilized embryo with with a chemical as a form of birth control the pregnancy rates will be higher but at least it shows they value all life. Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
lydeckerAug 11, 2010
People were mentioning teen pregnancy rates, not teen birth rates, which would include pregnancies that ended in abortion. Are you saying these statistics don't include pregnancies ending in abortion, and are actually birth rates not pregnancy rates?
Can you cite that abortion is considered birth control and not a case of pregnancy in these statistics?
andyb747Aug 11, 2010
Which statistics? I don't recall the comment I replied to backing up their statement with a specific set of statistics? ... I must have missed it somehow.
And yes women use both contragestion and contraception as a methods of birth control.
Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
redeyeprodAug 11, 2010
@andyb747
Do you realize that teen pregnancy, and also abortions, would drop if there were proper sexual education? How would that be showing any sort of irreverence for life? Teach teenagers to keep it in their pants, and if they can't teach them to use a condom/other birth control. Abstinence only sex ed doesn't work with a majority of people, especially hormone-driven teenagers.
Also, the last time I checked, most of the south is for capital punishment. That doesn't sound like they value all life. That sounds like they are nitpicking what life they value. I don't see them protesting people who hunt strictly for sport (not including hunting for food, clothing, etc.) either. Or are you only including human life? It seems as if the religious like to cherry pick what life they value instead of all life. Just an observation of what I see from the deeply religious.
andyb747Aug 11, 2010
@RedEyeProd
I agree that proper sex awareness leads to lower pregnancies but from a religious point abstinence leads to zero pregnancies. From the religious perspective sex outside of marriage is showing disregard for life because if you get pregnant and are unable to support the life you created this can and many times does lead to abortion. Abstinence isn't easy but hundreds of thousands of "unattractive" hormone drive teenagers do it and seem to be ok (although maybe not through a choice of their own.)
Also from most religious perspectives there is no doubt that capital punishment is wrong. Perhaps the reason why the "South" supports capitol punishment is that they value life so much that they feel it's the ultimate measure of prevention from certain individuals accumulating more innocent victims.
Hunting animals for sport I am not going to even get into because that just leads into a bulls**t conversation about killing any animal or insects etc.
Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
lydeckerAug 11, 2010
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32884806/ns/health-kids_and_parenting/
So you're saying you had no knowledge on the statistics before when you claimed the statistics were low in non-religious states because of abortion, and were just making things up?
"And yes women use both contragestion and contraception as a methods of birth control."
You were talking about abortion. That's not contragestion nor contraception.
I am pretty sure that an illegally performed abortion or morning after pill isn't going to make your 'statistics.'"
Morning after pills prevent pregnancy. So your theory is that in states where pregnancy rates are low, illegal abortion rates vs. legal abortion rates are much higher? I'm guessing you don't have anything to back that up do you?
Anyway, look at this information. Of the four least religious states (Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts), three of them are among the states with the lowest pregnancy rates (New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Minnesota and North Dakota.). This is, of course, pregnancy rates which includes births and abortions.
http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/USTPtrends.pdf
http://www.gallup.com/poll/114022/state-states-importance-religion.aspx
It's definitely true that proper sex awareness leads to lower pregnancies, but are you excusing the religious being for improper sex awareness (abstinence-only) because they are idealists and don't care that their teenagers aren't listening to their abstinence-only education? Abstinence isn't easy, but many people do it whether they learned abstinence-only education or comprehensive education. The decision to be safe when people decide to have sex though is easy, and many people aren't doing it when they should.
---
Andy, you said previously that religious are against capital punishment, but in the US that is not true. A gallup poll has found that 71% of Protestants, 66% of Catholics, and 57% of people with no religious preference are in favor of the death penalty. So here, religious people do not care about the value of life.
http://www.deathpenaltyinfo.org/gallup-poll-who-supports-death-penalty
It's true that they are against abortion, but they don't seem to care at all what happens to it after they've successfully prevented the mother from having an abortion. What have they been doing on a political front as strong as abortion to help children?
Religious states are generally against welfare programs that help support the less fortunate, and are against gay families being able to take children out of orphanages and adopt them into a stable family.
Religious states are also more likely to support going to war, which obviously doesn't value life. 69% of conservative Christians favored military action against Baghdad in 2002, 10 percentage points more than the U.S. adult population as a whole.
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines02/1010-02.htm
pfenixfireAug 11, 2010
@andyb747
I was merely pointing out the hypocrisy of "pro-lifer's" that so many others have pointed out before. You support life while it is in the womb, yet don't care after it is born.
You want specific? Where were the "pro-lifers" during the Healthcare debate? How about other social programs that help out life after it is born, such as affordable education. How about extending unemployment insurance during the greatest economic downturn since the great depression so that they can have food on the table.
I would also suggest not insulting other peoples' intelligence when your argument is riddled with logical holes. So you want to prevent abortions, but at the same time you do not want teens to learn how to prevent unwanted pregnancies? The result is many more abortions or teenage parents who have a far lower chance of being able to provide for said children.
lydeckerAug 11, 2010
More accurately, abstinence works. Abstinence only education does not.
andyb747Aug 11, 2010
Lydecker-
The problem with teenage pregnancy isn't due to the lack of intervention on the Church's part. It is amazing how people will scream "separation of church and state" yet blame the church/religion for not taking an active role in teaching artificial contraception. If religious based abstinence education was the CAUSE of teenage pregnancy then majority of the teen pregnancies would occur in private religious schools and that is not the case.
In fact "the religious" have much less to do with teen pregnancy than societal and cultural influences and differences. Compare religious Whites' pregnancy rates to those of religious Hispanics.
"Of the four least religious states (Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts), three of them are among the states with the lowest pregnancy rates.
Three of those states are also top ten smallest states by population. It's logical that states with higher population will have higher pregnancy rates.
If 66% of Catholics are in favor of capital punishment that means that 34% are against and that somehow proves that the Catholic doctrine is in favor of capitol punishment?
"Religious states are generally against welfare programs that help support the less fortunate"
Conservative states who also happen to be more religious are against welfare programs. I don't see how a teenager (with already one child) who continues to engage in sexual behavior with multiple partners very well knowing she can not financially support more children is "less fortunate"
"and are against gay families being able to take children out of orphanages and adopt them into a stable family"
Against same sex couples adopting not gays. I don't know what you mean by "stable" since I already showed you studies that show homosexuals have many more partners in their lifetime than heterosexuals. So much for stability.
I don't think I need to dig up the links to all of the "social programs" that are funded by religious organizations who receive their money in the form of donations (not mandatory taxes) from their conservative followers.
I see that your perspective is basically that of --> Let's provide the most comfortable and safe environment for people's bad behavior as opposed to teaching them which behavior is right and wrong.
Here is more interesting info concerning the reality of teen pregnancies.
Teen Pregnancy Prevention:
["The primary reason that teenage girls who have never had intercourse give for abstaining from sex is that having sex would be against their religious or moral values"]
["Other reasons cited include desire to avoid pregnancy, fear of contracting a sexually transmitted disease (STD), and not having met the appropriate partner. Three of four girls and over half of boys report that girls who have sex do so because their boyfriends want them to.
Teenagers who have strong emotional attachments to their parents are much less likely to become sexually active at an early age and less likely to have a teen pregnancy.
Most people say teens should remain abstinent but should have access to contraception. Ninety-four percent of adults in the United States-and 91 percent of teenagers-think it important that school-aged children and teenagers be given a strong message from society that they should abstain from sex until they are out of high school. Seventy-eight percent of adults also think that sexually active teenagers should have access to contraception to prevent teen pregnancy.
Contraceptive use among sexually active teens has increased but remains inconsistent. Three-quarters of teens use some method of contraception (usually a condom) the first time they have sex. A sexually active teen who does not use contraception has a 90 percent chance of teen pregnancy within one year.
Parents rate high among many adolescents as trustworthy and preferred information sources on birth control. One in two teens say they "trust" their parents most for reliable and complete information about birth control, only 12 percent say a friend.
Teens who have been raised by both parents (biological or adoptive) from birth, have lower probabilities of having sex than youths who grew up in any other family situation. At age 16, 22 percent of girls from intact families and 44 percent of other girls have had sex at least once. Similarly, teens from intact, two-parent families are less likely to give birth in their teens than girls from other family backgrounds"]Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
lydeckerAug 11, 2010
I'm not upset of lack of intervention by the church, i'm upset at their intervention.
I believe more accurately, it's religious based teachings that go to non-religious children that lead to high pregnancies. For people who wish to remain abstinent, due to their faith or their parents, they can do so whether they learn about safety or not. For people who don't, if they do not learn about it then that's when the pregnancies happen. Comprehensive education is best for all, and doesn't harm anyone.
"Three of those states are also top ten smallest states by population. It's logical that states with higher population will have higher pregnancy rates."
Seriously? You are a moron. Higher pregnangy RATES, not higer pregnancies by number. Read the source. New Hampshire had 33 in 1000.
"If 66% of Catholics are in favor of capital punishment that means that 34% are against and that somehow proves that the Catholic doctrine is in favor of capitol punishment?"
Who said anything about Catholic doctrine? We've been talking about the most religious states, which you said were against capitol punishment. You are wrong.
Do you believe that those teenagers are the only people on welfare? Do you not consider her children less fortunate?
"I don't know what you mean by "stable" since I already showed you studies that show homosexuals have many more partners in their lifetime than heterosexuals. So much for stability."
I mean there are stable families and unstable families, just like there are stable and unstable heterosexual families. Way to justify your hatred, they must ALL be unstable, and none should adopt... and all heterosexuals families are stable, right?
"Lydecker...I see that your perspective is basically that of --> Let's provide the most comfortable and safe environment for people's bad behavior as opposed to teaching them which behavior is right and wrong. "
And again you completely lie. When have I said anything about people's bad behavior, and that we shouldn't teach them how to better themselves? Haven't I said abstinence is good? You overlook that part, right? Safety and education are both great!
And as far as this big message on abstinence, that's great! As I've said, I'm all for it! Abstinence works! Abstinence only does not.
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doublebaconsodaAug 11, 2010
They just desperately want to create more people that are religious like them. Despite the toll.
dolandolandolanAug 11, 2010
Right, those teen pregnancies are all part of a religious conspiracy to outbreed you. They totally happen on purpose.
duncan202Aug 11, 2010
"America is anything but a religious melting pot"
Actually yes it is. Just because groups tend to form in various states does not change the fact that America, as a country, is as religiously diverse as anywhere in the world.
sibtigerAug 11, 2010
Uh, religious diversity is the opposite of "melting pot." Demonstrate that the religions are gradually melding into one, and then you can claim the melting pot.
duncan202Aug 12, 2010
No it's not. When people called America the melting pot it was because of it's wide diversity of ethnic groups, it wasn't because they were becoming one group. It was because you had many, many different people living, and functioning in one society.
rudegarAug 11, 2010
and the south is more religious
same deal with Europe
maybe it's a side effect of the heat or living close to equator ?
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nevermiss1Aug 11, 2010
Exactly, it's a salad bowl. Not a melting pot.
duncan202Aug 12, 2010
It really depends on how fine grained your going to get now? Some states are very mixed. American, as a *country* (which is what America is no?) - Is a melting pot. "Melting pot" has historically been used to describe America's ethnic diversity as well, even though ethnic groups tended to live in communities, certain cities etc. Why is this any different? You might say Utah, isn't a melting pot, or some areas of the south aren't. But America as a whole certainly is.
voodoodonutAug 11, 2010
Wow, that article says almost nothing. Good job subby.
maverick15926Aug 11, 2010
Yeah right? Why not just submit the Gallop link. The actual data is way more interesting.
voodoodonutAug 11, 2010
Yah... I imagine that we can all pretty much guess that the south is the most and the north is the least... That doesn't exactly require an article.
There was a great infographic a while back showing education and religion stats overlaid on a map of the US. That one put some things into perspective, assuming it was accurate.
xboxhuegAug 11, 2010
"They get bitter, they cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."
- BHO
apokalyps2547Aug 11, 2010
They flipped out so much because it's painfully true.
ronpauliskingAug 11, 2010
very many people are religious, very few are pious
scabnabbitAug 11, 2010
Just doing my best to drag the average in my state down.
nickymouseAug 11, 2010
How does church attendance relate to how religious you are?
cerebronAug 11, 2010
In the South, church = social club.
jabbrwockeyAug 11, 2010
I'd like to see which state has the most assh**es.
zpdrummerAug 11, 2010
Well, since all people have an assh**e, I'm pretty sure it would be a 1:1 ratio with each state's population. :P
jabbrwockeyAug 11, 2010
You're not including animals, which do have assh**es.
zombiegeezusAug 11, 2010
being born and raised in the south is interesting I must admit. Everyone claims to be religious but when it comes down to it most of them aren't. But don't worry, If you are an atheist like me, they will at least agree to not like you and deem themselves better
doublebaconsodaAug 11, 2010
Looks like I am moving to Vermont.
jimimagetlJan 3, 2012
Where is God? What is His Plan? We all want hope. God of Hope offers exactly that - as it attempts to answer the questions of where God is and what His plan is ... http://on.fb.me/u8q7CK