The Census Bureau does count military and federal employees serving overseas, and Rob Bishop, R-Utah, says it should include Mormons on proselytizing missions.
"The bottom line should still be fairness and accuracy," Bishop said. "If we are currently counting some people abroad and not others, there is just no logic to that whatsoever."Now, the article said later that there is simply no reliable way to count those overseas. But that's not the point I want to make. They count military and federal persons overseas, because they work for the government (and they're much more easily counted). They are out there under the whim of the government and/or military. Missionaries are not. Missionaries are sent out by a religious institution. I do not think they should be counted, because they work for a religious institution, are sent out by them. While I understand the purpose of a census, they are still living overseas for a religious cause, even if it is temporary. And, I don't think those living outside the U.S. should be counted, except for military, federal, or businesses. I say this, because they are not living in the U.S. yet their numbers could influence the House.
Speaking of census, let's look at a matter of theological census. Some days ago, Newsweek released this article on their website: "(Un)Wired For God"
I did not enjoy it. Now, and maybe this is just me, I think it tried to hint at the death of religion. Or rather, "civilized" nations are the death of religion. It mentioned the overall decline of Christianity and the significant rise in atheism, referring specifically to a Pew study. I've read that particular survey, but unfortunately, am having trouble finding it again. Instead, I would like to reference a 2008 ARIS report, which was actually a larger survey. In this .pdf, upon page 5, I would like to make a specific point. While None/No Religion is up dramatically, it is halved by atheists, but also agnostics. I would not consider agnostics, as the article said, as "non-believers." I say this, because you can still spiritual as an agnostic. Yes, they may not have a religion, but isn't spirituality what really matters? Or, at least it should be, in my opinion.
Now, I mentioned the "death of religion." I got the feeling that this article was trying to hint at it. That civilized nations, religion is declining. That, well, let me quote the article: "I'll leave to braver souls the question of whether religiosity leads to social dysfunction, as the new breed of public atheists contends." -I suppose that makes me one of those braver souls. My answer? No.
Religion, in itself, does not cause dysfunction. The problem, I think, is organization. Now that does not mean establishing houses of worship and such, no, but rather when you start having what is essentially a government of your religion (e.g. the Vatican), that is when you start having problems that can lead to dysfunction. But that isn't the issue itself; it's human. When a small, select group of people gain enormous power, especially in an organization like the Vatican, where the Pople is considered infallible, it is not surprising when they abuse that power to push self-interest, because they have no counterbalance within itself. That is what causes dysfunction, not the religion itself, but rather, the followers.
As to the report the article is based on, it is this .pdf. I would like to make mention of pages 13 and 14 (or 410 and 411 if you want to use that).
Graph 1: This is the overall measuring of all the factors presented in the other graphs, a few of which I will go through.
Graphs 2 & 3: Homicide and incarceration. Now of course, to some extent, they would go hand-in-hand. But, is this the cause of religion? To that, I would claim nay. There are a myriad of reasons; economic decline, forcing more people to live in poverty, homicide could be act of, say, gang violence which are found more frequently in poorer neighborhoods. It could be an act of some form of, say, psychological desperation. It could be based on prejudice. Another factor, and I'm sure some will hate for me to say; the availability of guns could be a factor. Although I am a bit more wary on that, as even in areas without guns, such as England, violence with other forms of weaponry skyrocketed. I am just saying it could be a factor, though illegalizing firearms isn't exactly a deterrent either.
Graph 4: Suicides. Again, various factors are at play here. Such as, once again, economic or psychological reasons, among others.
Graph 6: Life expectancy? I didn't realize your choice of faith affects how long you live. So who lives longer, Christians? Wiccans? Buddhists? With life expectancy, sanitation, healthcare, medical conditions, diet, etc. can all affect how long you live. Your religion, unless it forbids things such as drugs, surgery, and so on, do not.
Graphs 7-10: To be brief with it, most of these are probably a result of unprotected sex. America tops all of these, and while you could argue religion is a factor, I think it's closer to the religious organizations. This is because they push for abstinence, which I believe simply does not work, and never has. However, some of these groups and people who go around teaching abstinence, do not even discuss safe sex, because it is still against their ideology. So again, it is not, I think, religion in itself, but rather those behind it.
Graph 11: Fertility rate? I cannot even comment, except for; "what the hell does fertility have to do with religion?"
I could go on, but, I think the point has been made. I find this study to be, frankly, a load of bullshit. It uses aspects that has far greater factors than religion, and attempts to pass them off as a direct correlation, when that is not necessarily the case. Some have absolutely no connection to one's faith (or should not, anyhow).
Furthermore, I would like to see how this study compares other countries. What about 3rd world countries? What about nations previously under rule of dictators, or still are?
One last thing: if you know what an "atheist regime" is, I would like to know. I have only recently heard this term used, and cannot find an actual definition of it.
And that's all I have to say for now.
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