And there you have it folks.
Two really big flaws in your "stats" right of the bat -- How many non-chrisrian couples never get married and just cohabitate without getting married in the first place? This would knock your divorce rate down a little.
Out of wedlock births? Compare the abortions per pregancy in the "Bible Belt" to Cali or the East Coast and I think you would find a discrepancy there that would explain your datum.
If us christians are doing things so wrong, why don't you show up at church today and tell us hypocrites just how bad we are screwing it up?
But even if his stat is knocked down a bit, the point remains the same--in contrast to what the article claims. That is, atheists are living their beliefs and don't seem to be in emotional turmoil or the way stereotypes are trying to portray them.
If us christians are doing things so wrong, why don't you show up at church today and tell us hypocrites just how bad we are screwing it up?
I can't answer for qam1, but I can tell you why I don't. First of all, I don't think there's any call to evangelize for atheists. As long as others' beliefs don't interfere with my life, why should I feel any desire to change peoples' beliefs that might provide them comfort? If I'm right, then it doesn't matter whether they believe or not. If I'm wrong, then good for them.
I envy those who have the comfort of faith, yet for me, the disconnect between the beliefs I tried to have (Christianity) and my personal experience with the world made it impossible to think things were "right" until I admitted to myself that atheism seemed to fit best. At that point, I found much more contentment and peace...even though my moral structure tended to remain Christian (contrary to Giles' claims).
Besides, I don't think atheism is for everyone, as many people seem unable to maintain a moral framework without a religious one. As you point out, societal benefits of these people maintaining Christian beliefs exist.
Two really big flaws in your "stats" right of the bat -- How many non-chrisrian couples never get married and just cohabitate without getting married in the first place?
This would knock your divorce rate down a little.
I don't see how, we are talking about "Rate" not number
Out of wedlock births? Compare the abortions per pregnancy in the "Bible Belt" to Cali or the East Coast and I think you would find a discrepancy there that would explain your datum.
Here's the Abortion rate by state and here's the relgiousness by state
The least religious area in the country isn't California or the East Coast but the Mountain West and there you will find the Abortion rate equal to or better than anything in the Bible Belt.