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Dietary practices of atheists (view source)
Revision as of 18:06, September 9, 2019
, 18:06, September 9, 2019→Western atheists/Soviet atheists and bland food
See: [[Essay: Atheism, food science and bland food|Western atheists/Soviet atheists and bland food]]
See: [[Essay: Atheism, food science and bland food|Western atheists/Soviet atheists and bland food]]
== Atheistic cultures with bland food ==
=== Soviet Union and bland food ===
Claude Lewis wrote in ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'' about the food is the former [[Soviet Union]] which had militant [[state atheism]]: "Many people in the Soviet Union have grown tired of institutionalized food in state-run cafeterias found at state-run cafeterias such as Stolovaya No. 22 and Stolovaya No. 23 where the menus seldom change and often lack variety. Most food in the Soviet Union is unimaginative, tasteless and bland."<ref>[http://articles.philly.com/1990-07-25/news/25898649_1_food-menus-cafeterias Making A Beef About Soviet Food]</ref>
=== Atheistic Nordic countries and bland food ===
[[File:Flag of Sweden.png|thumbnail|200px|left|[[Sweden]] is one of the most atheistic countries in the world.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref>
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[[Nordic]] food is often depicted as being bland.<ref>http://www.npr.org/2013/11/13/244600582/new-nordics-cool-but-old-scandinavian-food-holds-its-own</ref>]]
[[Nordic]] countries have high atheist/[[agnosticism|agnostic]] populations within them (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden).
[[Sweden]] is one of the most atheistic countries in the world and in [[secular Europe]]. The website adherents.com reported that in 2005 46 - 85% of Swedes were agnostics/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref> Sweden also has the 3rd highest rate of belief in evolution as far as [[Western World]] nations.<ref>[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/21329204.html Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds]</ref>
Denmark has the highest rate of belief in evolution in the [[Western World]].<ref>[http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/bigphotos/21329204.html Photo: Evolution Less Accepted in U.S. Than Other Western Countries, Study Finds]</ref> In addition, in 2005 [[Denmark]] was ranked the third most atheistic country in the world and the website adherents.com reported that in 2005 43 - 80% of Danes are [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref>
Finland was ranked the 7th most atheistic country in the world in 2005.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref> Finland has the 17th highest rate of belief in evolution in the Western World.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref>
Iceland is one of the most irreligious countries in the world according to Gallup International.<ref>"[http://icelandreview.com/icelandreview/daily_news/Iceland_Ranks_High_on_World_Atheist_List_0_392552.news.aspx Iceland Ranks High on World Atheist List]". Iceland Review. Retrieved 2013-10-05.</ref> A Gallup International poll conducted in 2012 reported that 57% of Icelanders considered themselves "a religious person", 31% considered themselves "a non religious person", while 10% defined themselves as "a convinced atheist", which places Iceland in the top 10 atheist populations in the world.<ref>"[http://redcresearch.ie/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/RED-C-press-release-Religion-and-Atheism-25-7-12.pdf GLOBAL INDEX OF RELIGION AND ATHEISM]" (PDF).</ref>
Nordic food is often depicted as being bland.<ref>http://www.npr.org/2013/11/13/244600582/new-nordics-cool-but-old-scandinavian-food-holds-its-own</ref>
=== Godless Britain and bland food ===
[[File:Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins.jpg|thumbnail|right|300px|The Britain born [[New Atheism|new atheists]] [[Christopher Hitchens]] and [[Richard Dawkins]]. The late Christopher Hitchens was known for his heavy drinking.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/17/christopher-hitchens-desp_n_685021.html Christopher Hitchens: Despite Cancer, I'd Drink & Smoke Again]</ref> Please notice the utter lack of plates filled with tasty food on the table. See also: [[Britain and alcoholism]] ]]
A Eurobarometer poll in 2010 reported that 37% of UK citizens "believed there is a God", 33% believe there is "some sort of spirit or life force" and 25% answered "I don't believe there is any sort of spirit, God or life force".<ref>[http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion/archives/ebs/ebs_341_en.pdf Special Eurobarometer, biotechnology, p. 204"]. Fieldwork: Jan-Feb 2010.</ref> See also: [[British atheism]]
International food authority Andrew Zimmern said of Britain's food: “Twenty years ago the food of the British Isles was universally considered to be among the world’s worst—boring, bland and boiled.”<ref>[http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2012/03/five-myths-about-british-food Five myths about British food]</ref>
(In the last 20 years, Britain has seen a large influx of immigrants many of whom eat spicier food. No doubt that is why Zimmern said "twenty years ago".)
See also: [http://www.foodrepublic.com/2014/09/03/why-does-british-food-get-such-a-bad-rap-we-examine/ Why Does British Food Get Such A Bad Rap? We Examine]
=== Godless Germany and bland food ===
[[File:Flag of Germany.JPG|thumbnail|200px|left|[[Germany]] is one of the most [[Atheism|atheistic]] countries in the world and the website adherents.com reported that 41-49% of Germans are [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref>]]
[[Germany]] is one of the most [[Atheism|atheistic]] countries in the world and the website adherents.com reports that 41-49% of Germans are [[agnosticism|agnostics]]/atheists/non-believers in God.<ref>[http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html Top 50 Countries With Highest Proportion of Atheists / Agnostics(Zuckerman, 2005)]</ref>
''Parlour Magazine'' reported about German food:
{{Cquote|From a young age the German palate is adapted to enjoy the simple flavors of salt, wurst (sausage) and breadcrumbs, shunning anything too sweet, too spicy or too complex.
...I do occasionally enjoy a bit of spice and this is the dilemma. I grew up in a West Indian household led by my grandfather who was a chef, to say I was spoiled in terms of flavorful food would be an understatement. The pepper, the curry, the jerk – all flavors that fueled my youth and make me feel at home. How I survive in Germany, the land of bland, is a mystery to most who know me.<ref>[http://parlourmagazine.com/2011/12/black-in-berlin-german-food-american-food-travel-tips/ Black in Berlin: Surviving Germany’s Food Culture], Parlour Magazine</ref>}}
=== Irreligion, Eastern Europe and flavorless food ===
[[Eastern Europe]] was under about 70 years of atheistic, [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] [[Communism|communist]] rule (see also: [[Atheism and communism]]). For example, [[Albania]] was an atheist state from 1967 to 1991.
The [[Czech Republic]], [[Estonia]], and East Germany have some of the lowest levels of religious belief in [[secular Europe]].
[[File:Czech location.png|thumbnail|200px|thumbnail|In 2005, the [[Czech Republic]] placed second in the world in alcohol consumption.<ref>[http://www.radio.cz/en/section/curraffrs/czech-alcohol-consumption-figures-highlight-rising-number-of-problem-drinkers Czech alcohol consumption figures highlight rising number of problem drinkers], 23-02-2011 16:29 | Chris Johnstone</ref> See also: [[Atheism and alcoholism]] ]]
From a historical perspective, the [[Czech Republic|Czechs]] have been characterised as "tolerant and even indifferent towards religion".<ref>Richard Felix Staar, ''Communist regimes in Eastern Europe'', Issue 269, p. 90</ref> According to the 2011 census, 34.2% of the Czech population declared they had no religion, 10.3% was [[Roman Catholic]] and 10.2% followed other forms of religion both denominational and nondenominational. Furthermore, 45.2% of the population did not answer the question about religion.<ref>Richard Felix Staar, Communist regimes in Eastern Europe, Issue 269, p. 90</ref> From 1991 to 2001 and further to 2011 the adherence to Roman Catholicism decreased from 39.0% to 26.8% and then subsequently to 10.3%.<ref name="1921-2001censuses">{{cite web|url=http://www.czso.cz/csu/2008edicniplan.nsf/engt/24003E05ED/$File/4032080119.pdf|title=Population by denomination and sex: as measured by 1921, 1930, 1950, 1991 and 2001 censuses|language=Czech and English|accessdate=2010-03-09|publisher=Czech Statistical Office}}</ref>
Estonia is one of the least [[religion|religious]] areas in the world. Merely 14% of the population declared religion an important part of their daily lives.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://euobserver.com/social/27587|title=Estonians least religious in the world|date=11 February 2009 |accessdate=9 January 2014|publisher=EU Observer}}</ref>
''The Guardian'' reported in 2012 about Eastern Germany:
{{Cquote|A recent study called Beliefs About God Across Time and Countries found that 52.1% of people asked whether they believed in God identified themselves as atheists. This compared with only 10.3% in western Germany. Indeed, the survey was unable to find a single person under the age of 28 in eastern Germany who believed in God.<ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/belief/2012/sep/22/atheism-east-germany-godless-place Eastern Germany: the most godless place on Earth]</ref>}}
The ''Maverick Traveler'' reports:
{{Cquote|Eastern Europe isn’t known for its variety of exquisite dishes. Most of the dishes are a combination of three ingredients: bread, potatoes and meat. While it’s very hearty, it’s also very flavorless. If you’re there on a short trip or in the beginning of a more extended sojourn, you might find the food interesting and even exotic, but I can guarantee that you’ll quickly get tired of it.
Once you get tired of going out and eating bland local food, you’ll have two options: go to restaurants that serve international cuisine or cook your own food. The problem with the first option is that the international restaurant scene is rather limited in Eastern Europe.<ref>[http://mavericktraveler.com/13-things-dont-tell-eastern-europe/ 13 Things They Don’t Tell You About Eastern Europe] by James Maverick, Maverick Treveler</ref>}}
=== Flavorful food is coming to New Zealand in the 21st century ===
''See also:'' [[Essay: Flavorful food is coming to New Zealand in the 21st century|Flavorful food is coming to New Zealand in the 21st century]]
[[File:Flag of New Zealand.png|thumbnail|right|200px|In 2008, the International Social Survey Programme was conducted in [[New Zealand]] by Massey University.<ref>"[http://publicaddress.net/assets/files/ISSPReligioninNZ09.pdf Religion In New Zealand: International Social Survey Programme]" (PDF). Massey University.</ref>
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The results of this survey indicated that 72% of the population believed in the existence of God or a higher power, 15% are [[agnosticism|agnostic]], and 13% are [[Atheism|atheist]] (the survey had a 3% margin of error).<ref>"[http://publicaddress.net/assets/files/ISSPReligioninNZ09.pdf Religion In New Zealand: International Social Survey Programme]" (PDF). Massey University.</ref>]]
In 2008, the International Social Survey Programme was conducted in [[New Zealand]] by Massey University.<ref>"[http://publicaddress.net/assets/files/ISSPReligioninNZ09.pdf Religion In New Zealand: International Social Survey Programme]" (PDF). Massey University.</ref>
The results of this survey indicated that 72% of the population believed in the existence of God or a higher power, 15% are [[agnosticism|agnostic]], and 13% are [[Atheism|atheist]] (the survey had a 3% margin of error).<ref>"[http://publicaddress.net/assets/files/ISSPReligioninNZ09.pdf Religion In New Zealand: International Social Survey Programme]" (PDF). Massey University.</ref> See: [[Irreligion in New Zealand]]
==== Will people in New Zealand eat lots of spicy and flavorful food in the 21st century? ====
''See also:'' [[Postsecularism and New Zealand in the 21st century]]
In response to the question, "Do people in New Zealand eat spicy food?" Michael Gass wrote:
{{Cquote|Three decades ago it was an impossible thing. The mention of a [[curry]] or a spicy dish would send Kiwis into spasms. The fear was so overpowering.The curry or anything else remotely relative to chillies was Asian junk food.
Kiwis then were used to bland, tasteless food. It was all about meat and two veggies as dinner. The meat and veges were thrown in a baking dish and cooked to high heaven. A brown sauce helped it along. Potatoes and spinach were common food. Kumara, cabbage, carrots, beans and cauli were staple. These were just baked or boiled. We called them a ‘boil-up’.<ref>[https://www.quora.com/Do-people-in-New-Zealand-eat-spicy-food Do people in New Zealand eat spicy food?], Quora</ref>}}
{{Clear}}
[[File:Indian auckland.jpg|thumbnail|center|200px|Smrithi Kamtikar performing at Rythm and Rhapsody, [[Auckland]], NZ.
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On December 28, 2018, the ''New Zealand Herald'' reported, "New data obtained by the Herald from the Department of Internal Affairs reveals that people born in [[India]] top the list of new citizens living in [[Auckland]]."<ref>[https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12182600 Indians top list of Auckland's new NZ citizens], ''New Zealand Herald'', December 28, 2018</ref>
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According to the 2012 WIN-Gallup Global Index of Religion and Atheism report, 81% of Indians were religious, 13% were non-religious and merely 3% were convinced atheist.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20121016062403/http://redcresearch.ie/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/RED-C-press-release-Religion-and-Atheism-25-7-12.pdf Global Index Of Religion And Atheism]" (PDF). WIN-Gallup. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 October 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2013.</ref>
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The ''Washington Post'' declared in 2015: [https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/03/03/a-scientific-explanation-of-what-makes-indian-food-so-delicious/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.b75bc3b10012 Scientists have figured out what makes Indian food so delicious].
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There you have it Mr. Militant NZ Atheist. I know your used to eating your bland, atheistic food day after day. But, science proves that Indian food is delicious!
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Mr. Militant NZ Atheist, I know. I know. Stop talking about religious immigrants to New Zealand! See: [[Postsecularism and New Zealand in the 21st century]]]]
{{Clear}}
[[File:Christmas parade in New Zealand.jpg|thumbnail|center|220px|Filipino immigrants at an annual Christmas parade in Hamilton, [[New Zealand]]. [[Irreligion]] in the [[Philippines]] is particularly rare among Filipinos.<ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Irreligion_in_the_Philippines&oldid=850070840 Irreligion in the Philippines], July 2018, "[[Irreligion]] in the [[Philippines]] is particularly rare among Filipinos...".</ref>
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[[CNN]] states concerning Filipino food: "...with more than 7,000 islands and a colorful history, this archipelago has some delicious dishes..."<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/50-delicious-philippines-dishes/index.html 50 dishes that define the Philippines], CNN</ref>
]]
{{Clear}}
== Atheists and baby eating ==
== Atheists and baby eating ==