Participate in my research study on atheists

UCCResearcher2

Hi all,

I made sure to get permission from the moderator Dades to post this thread. There is a serious lack of academic research on atheism and atheist online communities such as this one. To address this gap, I am conducting a study that would benefit greatly from the contribution of you guys. The study consists of an anonymous survey which should take you no longer than 10 minutes. The survey features questions about living as an atheist as well as questions about your participation in this forum.

I would be extremely grateful if you could complete the survey and I will definitely report back when the study is complete to let you guys know the results and conclusions. Additionally, if you have any questions for me, I would be glad to answer.

Here’s the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MYPNTH6

Thanks everyone.

GarIT

I've done it but the survey seems to focus on atheism being a problem. It also basically asks how badly people reacted, there is no question how delighted people were that you are not religious. Most people I know are delighted that I want to distance myself from the crime and paedophilia associated with and caused by religion. This survey is about 50 questions all similar just worded differently asking how hard it is being atheist, I think being an atheist is great.

Turtwig

Done.

Didn't even realise until now the positive effect of reading and posting on this board had on me.:)

^^Agree with above poster as I hail from a devoutly religious background my atheism is still more or less a secret to some. Perhaps you should include a question asking what type of background the atheist has? For instance most of the people I know from own locality are appalled at the crime and abuse but think it is had nothing to do with religion and a good deal of them think the church was scapegoated.

elekid

GarIT wrote: »

I've done it but the survey seems to focus on atheism being a problem. It also basically asks how badly people reacted

That's what I was thinking while doing it, interesting survey but the phrasing felt a little odd. To me it read like it was a survey about being gay that had been modified slightly to deal with atheism (it even contains the phrase "come out"!).

I don't mean to sound too critical though, good luck with the study OP!

maximoose

GarIT wrote: »

I've done it but the survey seems to focus on atheism being a problem.

Agreed. Found myself answering Strongly disagree to a lot of the questions as a lot of them are based on Atheism being viewed very negatively, which I dont think it is at all.

You said, a few times, something along the lines of "people with atheism". You'd swear it was a disease!

Zombrex

Seems like quite a leading survey. Not sure if that is a bad thing or not, I don't really know how much surveys are supposed to be like this.

All the questions seem based around atheists being depressed in the real world and retreating to online communities. While I'm sure this might happen, I'm not sure you are going to get a particularly accurate representation of what atheists in general are like simply by focusing on that particular aspect.

Blackhorse Slim

I was introduced to atheism at a party, as a teenager. I thought it was a bit of fun, you know? Saying I didn't believe in God and stuff. I didn't really mean anything by it. Everyone was doing it.

But after a while, I found going to Church more difficult. Some of the things the priest said no longer made sense to me. I went to confession, and spoke to the priest after Mass. He said I might have caught Atheism. I was devastated.

It's ruined my life. I'm terrified that other people will find out. I told my best friend, but he's not Atheist, and he doesn't want to talk to me any more. I don't dare tell my family. But I know they will find out.

What will happen when I die, and they're waiting for me in Heaven, but I don't show up because I'm an Atheist? I don't think I could live with the shame.

When I walk around town, I feel like everyone knows. It feels like people are pointing at me and whispering "Atheist!"


But since I discovered that other people suffer from Atheism too, I no longer feel alone. I can get by, one day at a time, and I look forward to the day when my faith returns and I can once more look at my family with a feeling of self-worth, and free from guilt. Thank you A&A forum, together we can get through this and find our way back to the Lord!














... is this what you were expecting?
Seems like it from those questions. I completed it anyway, good luck. Hope you will learn something about atheism

robindch

UCCResearcher2 wrote: »

I am conducting a study that would benefit greatly from the contribution of you guys.

Only one question about the whole thing being fun? What a pity!

Rented Mule

The entire last section of this survey was quite odd. Do I feel a greater sense of self worth because of an online community ? Seriously ? Was I cowering in a cave up until I discovered Boards.ie ? lol

I would really like to know the background of the OP and exactly what sort of research that this survey is going toward. What exactly is the OP's opinion of atheists ?

I don't mean to speak for everyone in this forum but:

People who don't believe in the 'boogeyman in the sky' do live full and meaningful lives.

We are happy.

We don't necessarily have regrets.

We don't cower away from our convictions.

We are not worried about being persecuted being who we are.

We don't care about what others may think about us.

This online community does not define us.

This is not our only interactions with the 'outside world'.

maximoose

Rented Mule wrote: »

The entire last section of this survey was quite odd. Do I feel a greater sense of self worth because of an online community ? Seriously ? Was I cowering in a cave up until I discovered Boards.ie ? lol

I would really like to know the background of the OP and exactly what sort of research that this survey is going toward. What exactly is the OP's opinion of atheists ?

I don't mean to speak for everyone in this forum but:

People who don't believe in the 'boogeyman in the sky' do live full and meaningful lives.

We are happy.

We don't necessarily have regrets.

We don't cower away from our convictions.

We are not worried about being persecuted being who we are.

We don't care about what others may think about us.

This online community does not define us.

This is not our only interactions with the 'outside world'.

Add on "We DO, in fact, have morals" and you've got it nailed Sonny.

GarIT

maximoose wrote: »

Add on "We DO, in fact, have morals" and you've got it nailed Sonny.

The funny thing is the main reason I stopped being catholic is morals, from my experience the majority of religious people are bad people with no morals. I don't see why you are bringing morals into it. And while your bringing morals into it, I don't think the 10 thousand children per year that are raped by catholic priests, brothers, or missionaries would say their "religious" abusers had morals.

maximoose

GarIT wrote: »

I don't see why you are bringing morals into it.

Because of idiotic threads like this

Shocking.

Doctor DooM

OP, I post here because it interests me and sometimes makes me laugh.

I occasionally use it to try and become a better poster by debating.

You'll have gotten none of that from the questions you asked I am afraid.

But without God how could anybody have any morals?

We need God to exist for us to have morals. :rolleyes:

JBnaglfar

Rented Mule wrote: »

The entire last section of this survey was quite odd. Do I feel a greater sense of self worth because of an online community ? Seriously ?

I wasn't too sure how to answer this. I neither feel a greater or lesser sense of self worth because of the online community here, its not like atheism is a problem which I need support for. Anyway OP, I realise that you may not be able to comment very much on the research design in case it affects the survey responses, but it would be great if you could shed a little light on the reasons for asking what you asked and how it was worded. If not now, perhaps you could return after you have finished collecting data. It would be of interest to me and, presumably, many others here.

robindch

At best, the poll looked like it was written from the perspective of a religious believer, or at least, somebody who ties their religious beliefs to their identity. Atheists generally don't do this, so I'm not really sure how useful the results are going to be, since the basis upon which they are collected is false.

At worse, it could have been a push poll, though that's unlikely.

Ghost Buster

I stopped doing the survey after about 3 pages.
If the survey was titled 'Research study on people with highly contagious diseases' the questions could have remained exactly the same:rolleyes:

davef1000

I answered the survey completely but it felt like it was compiled with an agenda. The questions are all very leading, and seem to come from a desire to show atheists as oppressed, afraid to speak about their atheism, and socially isolated. In my case none of these things are true. I picked the middle option for many of the answers because that was the best way I could answer 'no opinion/not relevant' to them.

Zombrex

robindch wrote: »

At best, the poll looked like it was written from the perspective of a religious believer, or at least, somebody who ties their religious beliefs to their identity. Atheists generally don't do this, so I'm not really sure how useful the results are going to be, since the basis upon which they are collected is false.

At worse, it could have been a push poll, though that's unlikely.

I would tend to view it the other way. The poll looked like someone who was trying to support a position that atheists suffer discrimination.

It is like asking

Is it time that discrimination against atheists was tackled by government. (this is just a made up example, can't remember a specific question in the survey)

If you "disagree" with that statement what exactly are you disagreeing with, that atheists are discriminated against or that it is time that something should be done about it.

Pushtrak

Atheists who have to hide being so from friends, work, et cetera isn't really a phenomenon that happens here in Ireland. At least, I've not really noticed it. Seems more applicable for those stateside to take a survey like this. Is this being posted to lots of different regions, and it is trying to do a comparative thing? Because other than that, the survey is somewhat poor.

kiffer

tried to fill in servey, phone crashed while I was filling it in... Stupid Nokia.

I find the idea of hiding atheism wierd... I mean I'm not hiding it but I don't think people care or notice that I don't believe in god... It doesn't come up in conversation a lot.
If some one asks, "Do you believe in God?",
then I'm honest and say "Nope."
This hardly ever comes up though...
Slightly more often people say things like "say a prayer for little Johnny, he's very sick", do I say "eh no, that's not real, and would be a waste of my time and wouldn't help Johnny at all anyway" ...
No,
I say "oh no! That's not good, what's wrong with him... Well he'll be in my thoughts. Which hospital is he in? Should I visit him?"
Am I hiding the fact that I don't believe in God or am I just being tactful in a stressful situation?

Atheist is not a label I apply to myself generally in day to day life. It only comes up when religion intrudes on my world and I have to say "I don't believe that" to someone...

In an interview for a job do I think well I don't believe in gods, should mention that?
No, it doesn't even cross my mind, I'm busy thinking about the job.
When I meet a nice new young lady, I'm not thinking about religion or God at all...

I've never been even slightly concerned that someone might be prejudiced against me for not being religious...
Although strangely... People seem more upset by "atheist" than "I don't believe in God"...
And one girl was ok with me saying "I don't believe in God" but not ok with me saying "[... so] I'm not a Christian"

condra

OP, sorry but that is such a bull**** survey.

Is your goal to have some statistics to cherry pick, that indicate that atheists are some sort of bitter, misunderstood, paranoid minority?

In my experience, atheists are the most positive thinking, assertive, engaging people you will ever meet.

I filled it out, just in case it might help a dude get through college, but seriously, why didn't you get some advice here before creating the survey?! Do you have an opinion on atheists that you would like to convey as a result of "objective research"?

I worry that people who know I am an atheist will tell others

Yes, it keeps me up at night.

Jesus Christ.

Seriously.

Galvasean

davef1000 wrote: »

I answered the survey completely but it felt like it was compiled with an agenda. The questions are all very leading, and seem to come from a desire to show atheists as oppressed, afraid to speak about their atheism, and socially isolated.

It seemed to be leading that way. However since one question asked what continent we live in I am thinking it might show contrasting attitudes. While we might find the notion of being ashamed of / hiding our atheism silly, it might be very different for those living in say America or Africa.

kiffer

condra wrote: »

OP, sorry but that is such a bull**** survey.

Is your goal to have some statistics to cherry pick, that indicate that atheists are some sort of bitter, misunderstood, paranoid minority?

In my experience, atheists are the most positive thinking, assertive, engaging people you will ever meet.

I'm going to step in here and make a quick statement...
I'm not a happy, assertive, possitive thinking person at the moment... I've been fairly depressed in the last year though I don't link it to religious issues it would be incorrect to state that all atheists are happy go lucky... Now before some theist jumps in with you'll be happy if you join our club, I have been happy in the past whilst I was a nonbeliever, I fully expect I'll be happy again in the future and I know believers that are heavily depressed.

That said I feel the questions on the servey were badly framed, but you can just strongly disagree with them...

What I would have liked to see is a question at the start asking, what is your position on the existence of God... Gnostic Theist, agnostic theist, apathetic agnositc, agnostic atheist, gnostic atheist. (or a similar scale)
And then had all the other questions phrased as "I worry that people will judge me for my religeous views" rather than "for being an atheist".
I think it would give you a nice spread of information on the topic...

Undergod

Maybe it's a survey deliberately written to inflame; and they're actually collecting data from the discussion about the survey?

kiffer

Undergod wrote: »

Maybe it's a survey deliberately written to inflame; and they're actually collecting data from the discussion about the survey?

I like it!... but surely we'd have to sign somesort of release form...

Undergod

Possibly- though maybe they can just observe online discussion, it could easily be used in vague terms. "The survey was met with X and Y", etc.

whatdoicare

I was expecting a question on how being atheist affects my daily life- bit disappointed about that as I would have thought that that would be more of an issue than weither or not my friends had a bad reaction?

UCCResearcher2

condra wrote: »

OP, sorry but that is such a bull**** survey.

Is your goal to have some statistics to cherry pick, that indicate that atheists are some sort of bitter, misunderstood, paranoid minority?

In my experience, atheists are the most positive thinking, assertive, engaging people you will ever meet.

I filled it out, just in case it might help a dude get through college, but seriously, why didn't you get some advice here before creating the survey?! Do you have an opinion on atheists that you would like to convey as a result of "objective research"?


Yes, it keeps me up at night.

Jesus Christ.

Seriously.

I don't think I understand your issue with the survey. It consists of statements that you can agree or disagree with. It sounds like you strongly disagree with many of them. I appreciate that and it is valuable data. Not all respondents will strongly disagree like you did.

Do you realise that statements in a survey can't just be neutral? The statements are clearly extremes, and the respondent can agree or disagree. What is the issue?

If the majority strongly disagrees, like you did, then I will conclude that atheists may not feel stigmatised as I might have hypothesised. I am remaining completely objective.

"I worry that people who know I am an atheist will tell others"

You find this statement laughable, but it might shock you to know that at the current moment, 15% of respondents have selected options on the right of the 7-point scale (neutral to strongly agree).

Perhaps for those living in the Bible Belt of America feel a lot more stigmatised than you do. Hopefully my data will show these differences and I can report them.

Dr. Loon

Hmmm. It does seem mostly targeted on the negative side of things, and I suspect - but may be wrong - that the majority of posters here, will mostly be clicking strongly disagree, as I did. Well, that's the "vibe" I get around here. Happy people.

Still. Interested to hear the conclusion.

robindch

UCCResearcher2 wrote: »

It consists of statements that you can agree or disagree with.

Many of your questions assume incorrectly that atheism is an identity-marker, in the same way, say, that fundamentalist christianity is an identity marker for many US christians. Most atheists don't grab onto their lack of religion and use that to identify themselves, any more than people who don't play tiddlywinks self-identify as non-tiddlywinkers.

You're making a fundamental category error here.

meglome

robindch wrote: »

Many of your questions assume incorrectly that atheism is an identity-marker, in the same way, say, that fundamentalist christianity is an identity marker for many US christians. Most atheists don't grab onto their lack of religion and use that to identify themselves, any more than people who don't play tiddlywinks self-identify as non-tiddlywinkers.

You're making a fundamental category error here.

I'd agree. I'm an atheist but it's not something I talk about. Don't think I've ever mentioned it online before. I like to talk about things I do believe in not stuff I don't, unless someone where to ask me directly what my beliefs are.

condra

UCCResearcher2, As a student in UCC, do you find that travelling to college on the back of a giant purple porcupine is comfortable?

Dades

On the surface of it the questions so seem negative.

But as the OP states you can "Strongly Disagree" with every single negative connotation as you feel fit.

It would have been easier reading if the questions had been taken from the other perspective such as:

1. Atheism has had a positive influence on my life.
2. Since becoming an atheist I am a happier person.
3. As as atheist I get laid more. :pac:

Some surveys use both perspectives in order to verify the answers. i.e. If you strongly disagree that atheism makes you sad, you'd be expected to answer positively to the question does it make you happier. A double check if you like.

I guess this survey is simpler than that, though I don't have a big issue with it myself.

mewso

This survey might bring about great changes. Maybe we will finally be able to use the same buses as normal people, go to the same pubs and marry etc. For now I have to stick to bikes (since as we all know Atheists mainly cycle), go to one of the small number of Atheist pubs (recognisable by the black flags above them) and meet my lovers in secret.

Knasher

condra wrote: »

UCCResearcher2, As a student in UCC, do you find that travelling to college on the back of a giant purple porcupine is comfortable?

As a UCC researcher myself, I can confirm the giant purple porcupine is quite comfortable. However, contrary to popular belief, it is only used in ceremonial occasions and not for commuting back and forth to the college.

Blackhorse Slim

Knasher wrote: »

As a UCC researcher myself, I can confirm the giant purple porcupine is quite comfortable. However, contrary to popular belief, it is only used in ceremonial occasions and not for commuting back and forth to the college.

Do you worry that people who know you are a UCC researcher will tell others?

Strongly Disagree?
Neutral?
Strongly Agree?

ShooterSF

Pushtrak wrote: »

Atheists who have to hide being so from friends, work, et cetera isn't really a phenomenon that happens here in Ireland.

Usually that's true but there are areas where it's still an issue for some. Mostly school teachers I believe.

kiffer

ShooterSF wrote: »

Usually that's true but there are areas where it's still an issue for some. Mostly school teachers I believe.

mostly religion teachers...
I can't imagine it coming up in any other class.
That said I went to a non-denom school, so even then it would just be a conversation topic in religion class... I remember some horror stories from people in more Catholic dominated schools.

Malari

kiffer wrote: »

mostly religion teachers...
I can't imagine it coming up in any other class.
That said I went to a non-denom school, so even then it would just be a conversation topic in religion class... I remember some horror stories from people in more Catholic dominated schools.

In national schools it would be. Where one person teaches everything.

I think actually religion teachers in secondary schools would benefit from being atheists - they probably know more about different religions.

kiffer

Malari wrote: »

In national schools it would be. Where one person teaches everything.

ugh... Hadn't even thought about primary school... I'd blocked out most of it... I remember 'saying' the angelus at noon and getting chalk thrown at me for not putting my pen down fast enough.

I think actually religion teachers in secondary schools would benefit from being atheists - they probably know more about different religions.

... but then how would the teach the catchapatachisims?

Malari

kiffer wrote: »

ugh... Hadn't even thought about primary school... I'd blocked out most of it... I remember 'saying' the angelus at noon and getting chalk thrown at me for not putting my pen down fast enough.



... but then how would the teach the catchapatachisims?

It wasn't taught that way in my secondary school. We mostly just discussed moral issues, different religions, etc. Our teacher (for a few years anyway) was very open to debate and couldn't be provoked, so we ended up having useful discussions. I couldn't say whether she was atheist, probably not in fact, but I feel like she would be someone who would describes themselves as "spiritual" rather than religious!

GarIT

UCCResearcher2 wrote: »

I don't think I understand your issue with the survey. It consists of statements that you can agree or disagree with. It sounds like you strongly disagree with many of them. I appreciate that and it is valuable data. Not all respondents will strongly disagree like you did.

Do you realise that statements in a survey can't just be neutral? The statements are clearly extremes, and the respondent can agree or disagree. What is the issue?

If the majority strongly disagrees, like you did, then I will conclude that atheists may not feel stigmatised as I might have hypothesised. I am remaining completely objective.

"I worry that people who know I am an atheist will tell others"

You find this statement laughable, but it might shock you to know that at the current moment, 15% of respondents have selected options on the right of the 7-point scale (neutral to strongly agree).

Perhaps for those living in the Bible Belt of America feel a lot more stigmatised than you do. Hopefully my data will show these differences and I can report them.

They may not realise it but some of the people may have subconsciously felt offended by the survey, it should be a lot more balanced instead of all the statements being negative. Asking what influenced them to leave might be an interesting think to add too.

GarIT

ShooterSF wrote: »

Usually that's true but there are areas where it's still an issue for some. Mostly school teachers I believe.

Actually now that I think about it we got all sorts of abuse in school for not believing.

GarIT

kiffer wrote: »

I remember 'saying' the angelus at noon

What did you do, stand up and go dong, dong, dong?:rolleyes:

mohawk

Taking that survey made me feel a bit dirty.

Like who "comes out" as an athiest to their friends? My friends don't give a crap they like me for my sarcastic comments and general taking the piss out of them.
Having said being an atheist can be a big deal when your from the sticks.

kiffer

GarIT wrote: »

What did you do, stand up and go dong, dong, dong?:rolleyes:

eh... No, I sat there silently while the teacher and some (I hope not all but probably most) of the other students said their Hail Marys and whatever other dross goes along with the set prayer for the angelus...
:rolleyes:
though the thought of a class full of children going bong bong bong everyday at noon is entertaining...

kiffer

mohawk wrote: »

Taking that survey made me feel a bit dirty.

Like who "comes out" as an athiest to their friends? My friends don't give a crap they like me for my sarcastic comments and general taking the piss out of them.
Having said being an atheist can be a big deal when your from the sticks.

ah sure not believing in God is one thing but an atheist now... Jazus... In our own village... Who'd've thought it.