What do ya know? I just found out that I'm a "None".

[kenny]

Interesting to read The Associated Press' seven separate stories covering how Nones are growing and/or hiding around the world.
Separate stories cover Nones of South America, Nigeria, Japan Italy, India, The Middle East, and Israel.

Gosh!
Who'da thunk!

The Nones

In a sweeping package of stories, photos and video, The Associated Press Religion Team takes an in-depth look at how the "none" phenomenon is playing out in the United States, South America, Nigeria, India, Middle East, Japan, Italy and Israel.

projects.apnews.com

 

[stracci2000]

Fascinating to read seven separate stories covering how Nones are growing in not just America.
We're also growing in South America, Nigeria, Japan Italy, India, Middle East, and Israel.

Gosh!

The Nones

In a sweeping package of stories, photos and video, The Associated Press Religion Team takes an in-depth look at how the "none" phenomenon is playing out in the United States, South America, Nigeria, India, Middle East, Japan, Italy and Israel.

projects.apnews.com

This reminds me of a story, which was told to me by my late MIL, who was from a Pueblo in the Southwest.

A Baptist minister came to her Pueblo in the 1920s. He did not have a great reception, because the residents of the Pueblo were Catholic, thanks to the Spanish invaders who converted them all in the 1600s.
So the Pueblo people said "Go preach to the Navajo, they have no religion."
So the preacher found DHs grandfather, who spoke many languages, including Navajo.
The Baptist man walked along with him as he plowed his fields, and eventually converted grandfather from Catholic to Baptist. The two of them them went off to preach to the Navajo, with grandfather as translator.
Grandfather eventually founded his own Baptist Church on the Pueblo.

 

[stracci2000]

Time ran out before I could edit:

Of course the Navajo had their own Indigenous religion. But to the Baptists and the Catholics, the Navajo religion was not recognized. It was not their way of worshipping, so it had to go.
Hence "they have no religion."
Why were the Catholic and Baptist beliefs more important than the Navajo's?
Something to think about.

I bring all this up, because I'm also a None.

 

[kenny]

Of course the Navajo had their own Indigenous religion. But to the Baptists and the Catholics, the Navajo religion was not recognized. It was not their way of worshipping, so it had to go.
Hence "they have no religion."
Why were the Catholic and Baptist beliefs more important than the Navajo's?
Something to think about.

Why?

Members of many religions are are taught (from birth) that theirs is the only true, real, right, correct, religion.
Some even believe they are God's chosen people, and all others religions are something less, or wrong ... or worse, doing the work of "Satan".

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Well, our youngest son goes to a private Christian school affiliated with a Baptist church and we make sure he knows that there are other religions and Gods and believers and non-believers.

This is because up until high school and moving to a town with a large Jewish community, I thought everyone in the world was Catholic. I was obviously sheltered to a fault!

 

[kenny]

Kudos to you YayaYayaYaya.

 

[kenny]

Kudos to you YayaYayaYaya.

Sorry, I misspelled your name, YadaYadaYada.

 

[missy]

I am a none too. So is my DH

 

[kenny]

... ...

Well put, missy.
I assume you wrote this.?.

Reading this paragraph begs the question, "If true, what might explain the irreligious being more ethical?"
I think it would be because they are solely responsible for their perspectives.
Our conclusions are the result of personal thought and reasoning.
We don't get to hide behind God or religion to condone the positions we've adopted on the list above.
The religious get to think, "my ethics, morals, and perspectives are not my way, they're God's way."

For example: "Marriage is a holy sacrament and God says it can only be between a man and a woman.
That's why I oppose gay marriage ... BUT IT'S NOT MY FAULT. I'm just following God."

We irreligious folks must do our own thinking.
Being independent and unaligned, I accept full responsibility, fault or credit, for my perspective and positions.
I have nobody and nothing to blame but myself.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Oh see, now I can see the benefit of being a believer.

”Yes honey I just bought another ring but it’s okay, God wanted me to have it. Can’t go against God right?”

 

[Diamondbug]

Oh see, now I can see the benefit of being a believer.

”Yes honey I just bought another ring but it’s okay, God wanted me to have it. Can’t go against God right?”

OMG!! BRILLIANT!! I love this! Can I use this line?

 

[YadaYadaYada]

OMG!! BRILLIANT!! I love this! Can I use this line?

Of course!

 

[missy]

Well put, missy.
I assume you wrote this.?.

Reading this paragraph begs the question, "If true, what might explain the irreligious being more ethical?"
I think it would be because they are solely responsible for their perspectives.
Our conclusions are the result of personal thought and reasoning.
We don't get to hide behind God or religion to condone the positions we've adopted on the list above.
The religious get to think, "my ethics, morals, and perspectives are not my way, they're God's way."

For example: "Marriage is a holy sacrament and God says it can only be between a man and a woman.
That's why I oppose gay marriage ... BUT IT'S NOT MY FAULT. I'm just following God."

We irreligious folks must do our own thinking.
Being independent and unaligned, I accept full responsibility, fault or credit, for my perspective and positions.
I have nobody and nothing to blame but myself.

Thanks Kenny. No, I did not write it but I agree with the statements. Who wrote it is not clear as I did a search and couldn't find the definitive author. Some attribute this to Golda Meir or Gregory S Paul. Either way I wholeheartedly agree with it.

And I agree with you. I do my own thinking and accept responsibility for my actions.
Which unfortunately these days seems rare. Accountability and responsibility.
"It is not only what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable." Moliere