Mr. Dennett seems a bit insecure and unsure of his definitions. He attempts to include agnostics, hypocrites, those without a religious preference. and those without conviction regarding their own churches. Then, he attempts to define them as atheists and cynics.
I think the churches already beat him to the punch when he places their numbers in the majority. They've been citing the words of Christ that says "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." I think the churches just use the word "sinner" instead of "bright". There's nothing new or a 1st here.
Heh! I think the reason agnostics call themselves agnostic is because they don't claim one way or the other. They might not like atheists, even with a bright new name, offering a belief system on their behalf.
Your poll is flawed. You include "Yes", "No", and "Not Certain". Mr. Bennett includes the "Not Certain" with the "Yes", since he defines the uncertain as "brights" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif
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Mr. Dennett's Article:
A 2002 survey by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life suggests that 27 million Americans are atheist or agnostic or have no religious preference. That figure may well be too low, since many nonbelievers are reluctant to admit that their religious observance is more a civic or social duty than a religious one — more a matter of protective coloration than conviction.
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