Changes

[[Image:2384975035_230a0eac30.jpg‎‎|thumb|right|170px|The [[Wall Street Journal]] reported: "A comprehensive new study released by Baylor University yesterday, shows ...that the irreligious and the members of more liberal Protestant denominations, far from being resistant to [[superstition]], tend to be much more likely to believe in the paranormal and in [[pseudoscience]] than evangelical Christians."<ref>http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122178219865054585.html</ref>]]

[[Image:2384975035_230a0eac30.jpg‎‎|thumb|right|170px|The [[Wall Street Journal]] reported: "A comprehensive new study released by Baylor University yesterday, shows ...that the irreligious and the members of more liberal Protestant denominations, far from being resistant to [[superstition]], tend to be much more likely to believe in the paranormal and in [[pseudoscience]] than evangelical Christians."<ref name="online.wsj.com">http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122178219865054585.html</ref>]]

In September of 2008, the [[Wall Street Journal]] reported:

In September 2008, the [[Wall Street Journal]] reported:

{{cquote|The reality is that the [[New Atheism|New Atheist]] campaign, by discouraging [[religion]], won't create a new group of intelligent, skeptical, enlightened beings. Far from it: It might actually encourage new levels of mass [[superstition]]. And that's not a conclusion to take on faith -- it's what the empirical data tell us.

{{cquote|The reality is that the [[New Atheism|New Atheist]] campaign, by discouraging [[religion]], won't create a new group of intelligent, skeptical, enlightened beings. Far from it: It might actually encourage new levels of mass [[superstition]]. And that's not a conclusion to take on faith -- it's what the empirical data tell us.

This is not a new finding. In his 1983 book "The Whys of a Philosophical Scrivener," skeptic and science writer Martin Gardner cited the decline of traditional religious belief among the better educated as one of the causes for an increase in pseudoscience, cults and superstition. He referenced a 1980 study published in the magazine ''Skeptical Inquirer'' that showed irreligious college students to be by far the most likely to embrace paranormal beliefs, while born-again Christian college students were the least likely.<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122178219865054585.html Look Who's Irrational Now] by Mollie Ziegler Hemingway,'' Wall Street Journal'', September 19, 2008</ref>}}

This is not a new finding. In his 1983 book "The Whys of a Philosophical Scrivener," skeptic and science writer Martin Gardner cited the decline of traditional religious belief among the better educated as one of the causes for an increase in pseudoscience, cults and superstition. He referenced a 1980 study published in the magazine ''Skeptical Inquirer'' that showed irreligious college students to be by far the most likely to embrace paranormal beliefs, while born-again Christian college students were the least likely.<ref>[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122178219865054585.html Look Who's Irrational Now] by Mollie Ziegler Hemingway,'' Wall Street Journal'', September 19, 2008</ref>}}

[[Image:Torii-gate.jpg|thumb|left|200px|A torii is a traditional Japanese gate most frequently found at the entrance of or within a [[Shinto]] shrine.

[[Image:Torii-gate.jpg|thumb|left|200px|A torii is a traditional Japanese gate most frequently found at the entrance of or within a [[Shinto]] shrine.

 

Nearly everyone in atheistic Japan is careful to have a new car blessed by a Shinto priest.<ref name="ReferenceA">''The Triumph of Faith: Why the World is More Religious Than Ever'' by Rodney Stark, Introduction section of the book</ref>]]

Nearly everyone in atheistic Japan is careful to have a new car blessed by a Shinto priest.<ref>''The Triumph of Faith: Why the World is More Religious Than Ever'' by Rodney Stark, Introduction section of the book</ref>]]

In 2015, Rodney Stark wrote in his book ''The Triumph of Faith: Why the World is More Religious Than Ever'' about [[secular Europe]]an countries and [[Atheism|atheistic]] [[Japan]]:

In 2015, Rodney Stark wrote in his book ''The Triumph of Faith: Why the World is More Religious Than Ever'' about [[secular Europe|secular European]] countries and [[Atheism|atheistic]] [[Japan]]:

{{cquote|35 percent of the French believe in astrology, 35 percent of the Swiss agree that 'some fortune tellers really can foretell the future'; and nearly everyone in Japan is careful to have a new car blessed by a [[Shinto]] priest.<ref name="ReferenceA">''The Triumph of Faith: Why the World is More Religious Than Ever'' by Rodney Stark, Introduction section of the book</ref>}}

{{cquote|35 percent of the French believe in astrology, 35 percent of the Swiss agree that 'some fortune tellers really can foretell the future'; and nearly everyone in Japan is careful to have a new car blessed by a [[Shinto]] priest.<ref>''The Triumph of Faith: Why the World is More Religious Than Ever'' by Rodney Stark, Introduction section of the book</ref>}}

See also:

See also:

{{Cquote|...the most secular nations in the world are those of East Asia, in particular what are often termed “[[Confucius|Confucian]] societies.” It is likely therefore that the majority of the world’s atheists are actually East Asian...

{{Cquote|...the most secular nations in the world are those of East Asia, in particular what are often termed “[[Confucius|Confucian]] societies.” It is likely therefore that the majority of the world’s atheists are actually East Asian...

This is not to say that East Asia is necessarily a haven for a [[Critical rationalism|critical rationalist]] perspective, what with the prominence of Chinese medicine, [[Geomancy|geomancy]], Korean [[shamanism]]...<ref>[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2010/11/most-atheists-are-not-white/ Most atheists are not white & other non-fairy tales] By Razib Khanm, Discover Magazine</ref>}}

This is not to say that East Asia is necessarily a haven for a [[Critical rationalism|critical rationalist]] perspective, what with the prominence of Chinese medicine, [[geomancy]], Korean [[shamanism]]...<ref>[http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/gnxp/2010/11/most-atheists-are-not-white/ Most atheists are not white & other non-fairy tales] By Razib Khanm, Discover Magazine</ref>}}

== Irreligion, evolutionary belief, UFOlogy and other pseudoscience ==

== Irreligion, evolutionary belief, UFOlogy and other pseudoscience ==

[[File:Carl Sagan.JPG|left|150px|thumbnail|[[Carl Sagan]] ]]

[[File:Carl Sagan.JPG|left|150px|thumbnail|[[Carl Sagan]] ]]

The notions of [[extraterrestrial life]] and [[UFO|UFOlogy]] are fast growing [[pseudoscience|pseudoscientific]] [[religion]]s which are perpetuated and/or substantially aided by the ideologies of [[evolution|evolutionists]], [[atheism|atheists]], [[liberal]]s and other promoters of quackery.<ref>http://creation.com/ufology-scientific-religion</ref><ref>http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122178219865054585.html</ref> However, the ideologies of [[extraterrestrial life]], [[UFO|UFOlogy]], [[exobiology]], [[evolution]] and [[Origin of Life|abiogenesis]] are anti-[[Bible|biblical]] ideas which are not supported by sound [[science]].<ref>http://creation.com/did-god-create-life-on-other-planets</ref><ref>http://creation.com/origin-of-life-questions-and-answers</ref>

The notions of [[extraterrestrial life]] and [[UFO]]logy are fast growing [[pseudoscience|pseudoscientific]] [[religion]]s which are perpetuated and/or substantially aided by the ideologies of [[evolution]]ists, [[atheism|atheists]], [[liberal]]s and other promoters of quackery.<ref name="online.wsj.com"/><ref>http://creation.com/ufology-scientific-religion</ref> However, the ideologies of [[extraterrestrial life]], [[UFO]]logy, [[exobiology]], [[evolution]] and [[Origin of Life|abiogenesis]] are anti-[[Bible|biblical]] ideas which are not supported by sound [[science]].<ref>http://creation.com/did-god-create-life-on-other-planets</ref><ref>http://creation.com/origin-of-life-questions-and-answers</ref>

The [[agnosticism|agnostic]] and [[liberal]] [[Carl Sagan]], an avid smoker of [[marijuana]] who claimed that marijuana gave him scientific insights, was a prominent peddler of extraterrestial life, evolution and other pseudoscientific nonsense.<ref>http://cosmologytalk.tribe.net/thread/7e25b81c-2529-44c6-b388-f926c2475e6a</ref>   

The [[agnosticism|agnostic]] and [[liberal]] [[Carl Sagan]], an avid smoker of [[marijuana]] who claimed that marijuana gave him scientific insights, was a prominent peddler of extraterrestial life, evolution and other pseudoscientific nonsense.<ref>http://cosmologytalk.tribe.net/thread/7e25b81c-2529-44c6-b388-f926c2475e6a</ref>   

=== Irreligious/atheistic France and the Soviet Union and UFOlogy ===

=== Irreligious/atheistic France and the Soviet Union and UFOlogy ===

[[Astronomy|Astronomer]] Dr. [[Hugh Ross]] indicates that ninety-nine percent of what people have told him were [[UFO]]s, experienced astronomers can identify as a [[star]], cluster, or other object in the night sky. The 1 percent of sightings, which he calls residual UFOs, have attracted his attention. <ref name=Blade>Tarjanyi, Judy. "[http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?SearchID=73122266402007&Avis=TO&Dato=20030104&Kategori=NEWS10&Lopenr=101040052&Ref=AR Astronomer links UFOs to Occultism]." ''The Toledo Blade'', January 4, 2003. Retrieved November 3, 2007.</ref> According to Dr. Ross very few astronomers have seen "residual UFOs".<ref name=Blade>Tarjanyi, Judy. "[http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?SearchID=73122266402007&Avis=TO&Dato=20030104&Kategori=NEWS10&Lopenr=101040052&Ref=AR Astronomer links UFOs to Occultism]." ''The Toledo Blade'', January 4, 2003. Retrieved November 3, 2007.</ref>  

[[Astronomy|Astronomer]] Dr. [[Hugh Ross]] indicates that ninety-nine percent of what people have told him were [[UFO]]s, experienced astronomers can identify as a [[star]], cluster, or other object in the night sky. The 1 percent of sightings, which he calls residual UFOs, have attracted his attention.<ref name=Blade>Tarjanyi, Judy. "[http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artikkel?SearchID=73122266402007&Avis=TO&Dato=20030104&Kategori=NEWS10&Lopenr=101040052&Ref=AR Astronomer links UFOs to Occultism]." ''The Toledo Blade'', January 4, 2003. Retrieved November 3, 2007.</ref> According to Dr. Ross very few astronomers have seen "residual UFOs".<ref name="Blade"/>  

The following ''Toledo Blade'' newspaper excerpt<ref name=Blade/> summarizes Dr. Ross's findings:

The following ''Toledo Blade'' newspaper excerpt<ref name=Blade/> summarizes Dr. Ross's findings:

*[http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/alien.asp Alien Life/UFO Questions and Answers UFO Questions and Answers]</ref> Gary Bates of [[Creation Ministries International]] wrote a book entitled ''Alien Intrusion'' which gives a biblical Christian perspective on the unscientific notions of extraterrestial life and UFUlogy.<ref>http://www.alienintrusion.com/main.html</ref>

*[http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/alien.asp Alien Life/UFO Questions and Answers UFO Questions and Answers]</ref> Gary Bates of [[Creation Ministries International]] wrote a book entitled ''Alien Intrusion'' which gives a biblical Christian perspective on the unscientific notions of extraterrestial life and UFUlogy.<ref>http://www.alienintrusion.com/main.html</ref>

Lynn Cato, senior bibliographer for the library of Congress, created a 1600 entry on [[UFO]] bibliography for the [[United States Air Force]] Office of Scientific Research. After a two year investigation, in which she reviewed thousands of documents, Catoe stated: {{Cquote|A large part of the available UFO literature...deals with subjects like mental telepathy, automatic writing and invisible entities...poltergeist manifestations and 'possession'....Many of the UFO reports now being published in the popular press recount alleged incidents that are strikingly similar to [[demon|demonic]] possession and psychic phenomenon which have long been known to [[Theology|theologians]] and parapsychologists.<ref name=Reason>Authors unknown. "[http://www.letusreason.org/NAM25.htm A UFO 2nd Coming]." Let Us Reason Ministries, 2007. Retrieved November 3, 2007.</ref><ref name=Gleghorn>Gleghorn, Michael. "[http://www.probe.org/cults-and-world-religions/cults-and-world-religions/ufos-and-alien-beings.html UFO's and Alien Beings]." Probe Ministries. Retrieved November 3, 2007.</ref>}}

Lynn Cato, senior bibliographer for the library of Congress, created a 1600 entry on [[UFO]] bibliography for the [[United States Air Force]] Office of Scientific Research. After a two year investigation, in which she reviewed thousands of documents, Catoe stated: {{Cquote|A large part of the available UFO literature...deals with subjects like mental telepathy, automatic writing and invisible entities...poltergeist manifestations and 'possession'....Many of the UFO reports now being published in the popular press recount alleged incidents that are strikingly similar to [[demon]]ic possession and psychic phenomenon which have long been known to [[Theology|theologians]] and parapsychologists.<ref name=Reason>Authors unknown. "[http://www.letusreason.org/NAM25.htm A UFO 2nd Coming]." Let Us Reason Ministries, 2007. Retrieved November 3, 2007.</ref><ref name=Gleghorn>Gleghorn, Michael. "[http://www.probe.org/cults-and-world-religions/cults-and-world-religions/ufos-and-alien-beings.html UFO's and Alien Beings]." Probe Ministries. Retrieved November 3, 2007.</ref>}}

Prominent UFO researcher John Keel concurred. After surveying the literature on [[demonology]] Keel declared:<ref name=Gleghorn/>{{Cquote|The manifestations and occurrences described in this imposing literature are similar if not entirely identical to the UFO phenomenon itself.}}

Prominent UFO researcher John Keel concurred. After surveying the literature on [[demonology]] Keel declared:<ref name=Gleghorn/>{{Cquote|The manifestations and occurrences described in this imposing literature are similar if not entirely identical to the UFO phenomenon itself.}}

''See also:'' [[Atheism and obesity]] and [[Atheism and health]]  

''See also:'' [[Atheism and obesity]] and [[Atheism and health]]  

[[File:PzMyers2.jpg|thumbnail|200px|left|[[PZ Myers]]

[[File:PzMyers2.jpg|thumbnail|200px|left|[[PZ Myers]]

 

<small>(photo obtained from [http://www.flickr.com/photos/reuvenim/4426093513/ Flickr], see [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed.en  license agreement])</small> ]]

<small>(photo obtained from [http://www.flickr.com/photos/reuvenim/4426093513/ Flickr], see [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/deed.en  license agreement])</small> ]]

According to the [[Gallup poll|Gallup Inc.]], "Very religious Americans are more likely to practice healthy behaviors than those who are moderately religious or nonreligious."<ref>http://www.gallup.com/poll/145379/Religious-Americans-Lead-Healthier-Lives.aspx</ref>  See: [[Atheism and obesity]] and [[Atheism and health]]

According to the [[Gallup poll|Gallup Inc.]], "Very religious Americans are more likely to practice healthy behaviors than those who are moderately religious or nonreligious."<ref>http://www.gallup.com/poll/145379/Religious-Americans-Lead-Healthier-Lives.aspx</ref>  See: [[Atheism and obesity]] and [[Atheism and health]]

*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17262813 Validation of the emotional eating scale adapted for use in children and adolescents (EES-C)], ''International Journal of Eating Disorders.'' 2007 Apr;40(3):232-40. Tanofsky-Kraff M1, Theim KR, Yanovski SZ, Bassett AM, Burns NP, Ranzenhofer LM, Glasofer DR, Yanovski JA</ref>  

*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17262813 Validation of the emotional eating scale adapted for use in children and adolescents (EES-C)], ''International Journal of Eating Disorders.'' 2007 Apr;40(3):232-40. Tanofsky-Kraff M1, Theim KR, Yanovski SZ, Bassett AM, Burns NP, Ranzenhofer LM, Glasofer DR, Yanovski JA</ref>  

A 2009 picture of a significantly overweight [[PZ Myers]] can be found [http://www.flickr.com/photos/cfimi/5244769742/ HERE]. A 2010 picture taken in Australia shows PZ Myers drinking ale/beer and he had excess weight in his abdominal area.<ref>http://www.flickr.com/photos/reuvenim/4426093513/</ref> In 2010, PZ Myers had health problems related to his heart.<ref>http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2010/08/thats_not_a_heart_its_a_flaili.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+scienceblogs%2Fpharyngula+%28Pharyngula%29&utm_content=Google+Reader</ref> In addition, [[medical science]] research indicates that excess weight impairs brain function.<ref>http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/content/41/18/25.1.full</ref><ref>http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2009/08/25/as-waistlines-widen-brains-shrink.html</ref> Given PZ Myers' biological training and the wide dissemination of the [[Physical and mental health related problems associated with obesity|harmful health effects of being overweight]] in terms of cardiovascular health and brain function, it is unfortunate that preventative medicine was not used in greater measure in terms of his health.<ref>http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/content/41/18/25.1.full</ref><ref>http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2009/08/25/as-waistlines-widen-brains-shrink.html</ref><ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21121834</ref>  PZ Myers' inattention to diligently implementing the recommendations of [[medical science]] is not entirely surprising given his vehement advocacy of evolutionary [[pseudoscience]].

A 2009 picture of a significantly overweight [[PZ Myers]] can be found [http://www.flickr.com/photos/cfimi/5244769742/ HERE]. A 2010 picture taken in Australia shows PZ Myers drinking ale/beer and he had excess weight in his abdominal area.<ref>http://www.flickr.com/photos/reuvenim/4426093513/</ref> In 2010, PZ Myers had health problems related to his heart.<ref>http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2010/08/thats_not_a_heart_its_a_flaili.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+scienceblogs%2Fpharyngula+%28Pharyngula%29&utm_content=Google+Reader</ref> In addition, [[medical science]] research indicates that excess weight impairs brain function.<ref name="pn.psychiatryonline.org">http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/content/41/18/25.1.full</ref><ref name="health.usnews.com">http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2009/08/25/as-waistlines-widen-brains-shrink.html</ref> Given PZ Myers' biological training and the wide dissemination of the [[Physical and mental health related problems associated with obesity|harmful health effects of being overweight]] in terms of cardiovascular health and brain function, it is unfortunate that preventative medicine was not used in greater measure in terms of his health.<ref name="pn.psychiatryonline.org"/><ref name="health.usnews.com"/><ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21121834</ref>  PZ Myers' inattention to diligently implementing the recommendations of [[medical science]] is not entirely surprising given his vehement advocacy of evolutionary [[pseudoscience]].

[[Hippocrates]], who was also against [[abortion]], was an early advocate of the health benefits of [[exercise]] and [[nutrition]].<ref>http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/pe/exs190web/exs190history.htm</ref> On the other hand, PZ Myers and a significant amount of other [[New Atheism|New Atheism]] leaders, seem to lack a full appreciation of the importance of nutritional science, [[exercise science]] and the latest findings of [[medical science]] (see: [[New Atheism leadership's problem with excess weight]]).  

[[Hippocrates]], who was also against [[abortion]], was an early advocate of the health benefits of [[exercise]] and [[nutrition]].<ref>http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/pe/exs190web/exs190history.htm</ref> On the other hand, PZ Myers and a significant amount of other [[New Atheism]] leaders, seem to lack a full appreciation of the importance of nutritional science, [[exercise science]] and the latest findings of [[medical science]] (see: [[New Atheism leadership's problem with excess weight]]).  

In August 2009, PZ Myers led a group of over 300 atheist and agnostic students on a tour of the [[Creation Museum]].<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=8280168 "Creation Museum: Is This How World Began?" (ABC News)]</ref> During the visit, Myers had noticeably greater difficulty than others climbing on and off a dinosaur model due to the fact that he was overweight and out of shape.[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQQl2TMrgbM VIDEO]

In August 2009, PZ Myers led a group of over 300 atheist and agnostic students on a tour of the [[Creation Museum]].<ref>[http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=8280168 "Creation Museum: Is This How World Began?" (ABC News)]</ref> During the visit, Myers had noticeably greater difficulty than others climbing on and off a dinosaur model due to the fact that he was overweight and out of shape.[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQQl2TMrgbM VIDEO]

*[http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity/calltoaction/fact_consequences.htm]

*[http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity/calltoaction/fact_consequences.htm]

*[http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/obesity]

*[http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Risk/obesity]

*[http://stanfordhospital.org/clinicsmedServices/COE/surgicalServices/vascularSurgery/patientEducation/varicose.html]</ref>  In addition, [[medical science]] research indicates that excess weight impairs brain function.<ref>

*[http://stanfordhospital.org/clinicsmedServices/COE/surgicalServices/vascularSurgery/patientEducation/varicose.html]</ref>  In addition, [[medical science]] research indicates that excess weight impairs brain function.<ref name="ReferenceB">*[http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/content/41/18/25.1.full]

*[http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/content/41/18/25.1.full]

*[http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2009/08/25/as-waistlines-widen-brains-shrink.html]

*[http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2009/08/25/as-waistlines-widen-brains-shrink.html]

*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21167850]

*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21167850]

*[http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100714112832.htm]

*[http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100714112832.htm]

*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/instance/2568718/]</ref>

*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/instance/2568718/]</ref>

[[Image:Cerebellum.png|right|thumb|200px|[[Medical science]] research indicates that excess weight impairs brain function.<ref>

[[Image:Cerebellum.png|right|thumb|200px|[[Medical science]] research indicates that excess weight impairs brain function.<ref name="ReferenceB"/>]]

*[http://pn.psychiatryonline.org/content/41/18/25.1.full]

*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/instance/2568718/]</ref>]]

   

   

According to the Mayo Clinic some of the symptoms associated with obesity can include:

According to the Mayo Clinic some of the symptoms associated with obesity can include:

[[Category: Atheism]]

[[Category:Atheism]]

[[Category: Agnosticism]]

[[Category:Agnosticism]]