Scientology Has A Net Positive Rating of -45 In Gallup Poll On Religions In America
In a Gallup Poll ranking American’s views on the mainstream religions, the statistics were surprising in some ways, and revealing in others.
Aligned with a visit from Pope Benedict XVI, the poll highlights a net-positive rating for Catholics, which surely is up from past years when the Catholic Church was leveled with unprecedented negative press for its handling of the sex abuse scandal. Like any decent and benevolent spiritual guidance and belief system, the Catholic Church has taken its negative image to heart and made great strides to correct its past abuse and reach out to its followers with tangible efforts to right its wrong.
Sadly the same cannot be said for the most disliked “religion” on the list, Scientology. Here are the results, I’d post the chart, but wordpress sucks wangs:
Catholics are one of four U.S. religious groups tested in the survey with strongly positive ratings, along with Jews (+42) and two Protestant denominations, Methodists (+45) and Baptists (+35). The broader groups of “evangelical Christians” and “fundamentalist Christians” do not fare quite as well, but are still on balance rated more positively than negatively.
Americans are essentially split in their opinions of Latter-Day Saints or Mormons, with 24% viewing them positively and 26% negatively, for a net score of -2.
Three of the religious groups included in the survey are mostly viewed negatively, including Scientologists, atheists, and Muslims, with Scientologists having the lowest overall rating.
Wow, I mean if you think about it, the Church of Scientology’s having a REALLY bad week. It can’t be good to be ranked lower than Muslims and Atheists. No offense against Muslims, and only slightly no offense against Atheists, it’s just that as far as public perception goes, Scientology is seen as lower than an ideology which spawned the worse terrorist attack on American soil and God-less heathens.
I wish I could say I feel bad for them, but I don’t. Scientologists individually, yes. I have tremendous compassion for them, because I have made friends with some amazingly intelligent, interesting and uncommonly kind people who were once Scientologists. This makes me feel a sense of “care” for them. But the Church, well not so much.
Enjoy the schadenfreude!
(from Enturbulation.org)
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As an Atheist, I resemble those remarks!
Comment by Lexx-2 — April 17, 2008 @ 1:41 am
Image of poll preserved:
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/6016/poll01bww7.jpg
Much Love,
Sponge.
OCMB
Comment by Sponge — April 17, 2008 @ 1:57 am
Don’t hate me cause i don’t like fairytales.
Atheist
Comment by CultofScientology — April 17, 2008 @ 2:31 am
I don’t hate anyone for not believing in God. I was mostly kidding. I am friends with people with all sorts of beliefs (or lack of). But the perception that Scientology is listed below those with NO faith, is well, quite hilarious. I was just making a point and poking fun.
My bad!
Comment by D — April 17, 2008 @ 8:45 am
I can’t believe I actually dreamed about you last night. You were being Fair Gamed, and you videotaped every goon tailing you and you recorded every word uttered. I was terrified for you. I had to log on first thing this morning to check your site to make sure that it was all a bad dream.
Comment by anonymous — April 17, 2008 @ 10:11 am
As an atheist, I find it mind-boggling that my ilk rates just slightly higher in public esteem than freakin’ Scientology. We don’t have an OSA, we don’t have Fair Game, we don’t yell “What are your crimes?” at critics, etc.
(sigh)
Comment by Narcissus — April 17, 2008 @ 12:04 pm
Thanks for staying up on Scientology so well. They are (Scientologists are) overall very good people stuck dramatizing L. Ron Hubbard’s wacky operation of unchallenged ideas. Quit fast if you step aboard Scientology’s show! Chuck Beatty, ex Scientologist,
Pittsburgh, USA, here’s the latest great radio interview, maybe you can interview Prof Steve Kent yourself, Dawn! http://tinyurl.com/5b24oz
Comment by Chuck Beatty — April 17, 2008 @ 12:26 pm
Schadenfreude indeed! But like you say, not for the little guys in it. Only tears for them. I could squeeze out a couple for David M’s soul as well, I would like to see him have an epiphany some day too, that would be awesome.
Comment by Capcom — April 17, 2008 @ 1:27 pm
I don’t get the high negative ratings on atheism. Atheism has never caused a war, unlike many religions.
Comment by Ron Newman — April 17, 2008 @ 3:40 pm
I agree – why are “non-believers” (atheists) grouped into this at all? Atheism is not a religion or cult. They are rational people you only seek the truth and choose NOT to believe in fairy tales.
Comment by Jack — April 17, 2008 @ 5:20 pm
I think you need to make a more prominent apology on the atheist comment. Just last week Rep. Monique Davis (D-Chicago) said to atheist activist Rob Sherman as he testified before the House State Government Administration Committee.
Davis: I don’t know what you have against God, but some of us don’t have much against him. We look forward to him and his blessings. And it’s really a tragedy — it’s tragic — when a person who is engaged in anything related to God, they want to fight. They want to fight prayer in school.
I don’t see you (Sherman) fighting guns in school. You know?
I’m trying to understand the philosophy that you want to spread in the state of Illinois. This is the Land of Lincoln. This is the Land of Lincoln where people believe in God, where people believe in protecting their children.… What you have to spew and spread is extremely dangerous, it’s dangerous–
Sherman: What’s dangerous, ma’am?
Davis: It’s dangerous to the progression of this state. And it’s dangerous for our children to even know that your philosophy exists! Now you will go to court to fight kids to have the opportunity to be quiet for a minute. But damn if you’ll go to [court] to fight for them to keep guns out of their hands. I am fed up! Get out of that seat!
Sherman: Thank you for sharing your perspective with me, and I’m sure that if this matter does go to court—
Davis: You have no right to be here! We believe in something. You believe in destroying! You believe in destroying what this state was built upon.
This is but one example of the prejudices that Atheists in America face and it’s simply not a laughing matter. You knew it wasn’t okay to make the joke with regards to muslims and the fact is that so long as Atheist face fear of persecution from their communities (watch ABC 20/20 “the price of Atheism”) you can’t make jokes in reagrds to them either. I know it wasn’t ill meant but it is a signal to those that are prejudice that it is okay. Similar to when people who aren’t homophobic use “that’s gay” or “he’s so gay” as a negative.
Comment by ouch! — April 17, 2008 @ 5:58 pm
My question. What is Big Pharma’s poll rating target? When that rating is reached they plan to reduce the money they’re spending in bandwidth and media favors. Ohhh, the Lulz.
Comment by Terryeo — April 17, 2008 @ 6:58 pm
“They are rational people you only seek the truth and choose NOT to believe in fairy tales.”
Maybe it’s because you categorize those who choose to remain open to the possibility that there is something more as believers of “fairy tales.”
Comment by observer — April 17, 2008 @ 7:32 pm
Correct…I do. Show the proof (and by that I mean scientific facts) & I’ll cross it off the “fairy tales” list. Until then, you are free to belive in whatever you want and I am free to call them fairy tales. Period.
Comment by Jack — April 17, 2008 @ 8:49 pm
Yeah, its amazing how Atheists are feared and miscategorised by many. I’m not against people who have religion, I just don’t believe in it myself. I’m not seeking to convert anyone, and expect others to have the respect not to try and convert me.
Comment by Lexx-2 — April 17, 2008 @ 9:58 pm
I have no problem with atheists being atheists. I do have a problem with they insult my personal beliefs as ‘fairy tales’ like the above. Those exact examples are why Americans have a negative view of Atheists. Guess what? I got just as mad at the Christian who grave a presentation that basically made a mockery of the Shinto belief. I am a Christian, I do not follow Shintoism. Regardless, I will have a negative opinion of anyone who disregards people with beliefs as believing in ‘fairy tales’ or brings up wars that are a couple hundred years old. I have never gotten into an argument, or tried to sway, an atheist who simply said, “I just don’t believe in it.” I have, however, found that the majority of MY experiences with atheists have been like the above- insulting towards what I believe, often leaning towards hateful. You can say not to group everyone together and to this I agree, but to fail to see why there might be a negative opinion of a group because of the behavior of a few is to ignore the own arguments atheists so often use against those who believe in religion. They cite the zealots and ignore the normal people.
Comment by Oneiropolos — April 17, 2008 @ 10:33 pm
Well, I am likely not going to change the post for content, but I will apologize for any offense and it was a mischaracterization to imply anything negative about people simply for their lack of religious belief. For that, I humbly apologize.
On a personal note, if you were to search hard enough for my past life on the internet (I used to be a well known blogger back in the day) I have been viciously attacked and lampooned for my views by atheists. I have had close friends who are atheists say “Don’t you have to suspend your intelligence to believe in God?”
While I realize the fallacy of applying one person’s view (or in this case several persons’ views) to a whole group, I do find in general Atheists are very disagreeable and angry about their “lack of belief”.
I find it easier to keep my views to myself, which I should have done in my post.
Comment by D — April 17, 2008 @ 10:51 pm
@Oneiropolos: I am a Catholic who for awhile was a Shintoist. I also have no problem with atheists… so long as they aren’t telling me I’m stupid/silly for having my beliefs. It may be fairy tales to you, but to me its something deep and meaningful in my life. I don’t try to convert others and I don’t go spouting off my faith. I generally keep that a private issue. I wear my Sacred Heart around my neck and it means something to me. I am open to the possibility I could be wrong. I am not a close minded individual. But I’ll be damned if the majority of the atheists I have spoken to think less of me when they find out I have a faith.
So maybe that’s why so many people view atheism poorly. Because a lot of atheists are vocal about their disdain for faith and how they think those who follow it are fools.
Sorry if I offend but I’m speaking from observation.
Great article as always Dawn.
Comment by Kaden — April 17, 2008 @ 11:03 pm
Once again those who are accused as being godless are attacked. I don’t understand how seeing the myth (or any myth for that matter) of ZENU and all that goes with it, as a “fairy tale”, can upset rational people. But that’s just me…
Comment by Jack — April 18, 2008 @ 12:03 am
What is Big Pharma’s poll rating target? When that rating is reached they plan to reduce the money they’re spending in bandwidth and media favors.
This has nothing to do with that.
No one really cares for the pharmaceutical companies, but that doesn’t mean they love David Miscavige’s policies of abuse, harassment, and murder.
I’ve noticed that you no longer have the balls to comment on posts containing seriously condemning evidence against Mioscavige’s CoS. Oh, the lulz(oh dee doo da day, as you’d usually plug).
But then, you can’t shoot what can’t be hit.
Comment by Dio Brando — April 18, 2008 @ 1:22 am
Terryeo needs to belive that it was big pharma, though.
If he doesn’t, he’d have to examine the claims that Hubbard was a liar and a fraud who kept a staff of fiften year old girls, or those that David Miscavige is a corrupt and paranoid little man with delusions of importance.
And lord knows we can’t have examination! Not within the Chult!
Best to stick to your guns. A conspiracy MUST BE behind it! Why else would people have a problem with Davey “Danger Mouse” Miscavige?
Besides, the Chult can’t be bad, because OMG-LOOK-OVER THERE-A-PHARMACIST!
Comment by terryeoooooo — April 18, 2008 @ 12:34 pm
I’m sure the fact that I’m a psychologist who OPPOSES over-medication must make him twitch. Mwahaha.
Comment by Dio Brando — April 18, 2008 @ 5:08 pm
I live in NYC where Muslims flew planes into buildings, I know enough not to categorize all Muslims by a few and apparently so do you. However you don’t extend the same respect to atheists a group who has a few members who aren’t perfectly “pc†but pale in comparison to the actual violent and discriminatory acts of many believers.
You just gave a non-apology similar to the pope’s which was widely condemned.
In September 2006, Pope Benedict XVI made a non-apology after quoting an ancient text critical of Islam. Rather than retracting his remarks, the Pope expressed regret for the reaction to his comments, and a statement from the Vatican indicated that he “sincerely regrets that certain passages of his address could have sounded offensive to the sensitivities of the Muslim faithful and should have been interpreted in a manner that in no way corresponds to his intentions”.[3]
[3] Pope ’sorry’ for offence to Islam-BBC News
I am very disappointed you chose to qualify your apology with references to some bad expereinces you had with some atheists. It is a viscious circle. Heretics aren’t executed anymore and there have been great leaps in respect for atheists but they still aren’t treated fairly in society. It is not just the boyscouts we are banned from, SEVEN state constitutions bar atheists from holding office! I understand you don’t like somebody calling your faith “names†like “fairytales†but Athiests have real discrimination to deal with. Imagine being told you can’t hold office because you don’t believe in Xenu. That’s what we hear. Every group from blacks, to gays, to jews have been angry when faced with discrimination. This Gallup poll just reminded us that we are hated, that the discrimnation we face isn’t likely to lift soon and you threw us a cheap-shot while we were down and then gave a cheaper apology. If only you’d stopped at ‘I humbly apologiseâ€, but then I guess as I saw in the rest of the post….you don’t really. Every comment revealed a predjudice against atheists. You are “mostly sorry.†The fact that we aren’t the most poorly viewed is “hilarious†as if we some how SHOULD be last. I am sure you find this letter “angry†and “disagreeable†and another bad expereince with an atheist. However you only see bad expereinces because our Atheism only comes out in what we disagree on, for the most part we pass unnoticed. How do you know if someone is an atheist unless you are involved in a poli/theological debate, which by nature are heated. It’s not like we helped Katrina Victims while wearing Church of Atheism jackets, but just because you can’t see us doesn’t mean we aren’t there. I am left very dismayed by your post and subsequent “apologiesâ€.
Comment by ouch! — April 18, 2008 @ 7:03 pm
Concerning Terryeo…
With Terryeo being an OSA shill (www.encyclopediadramatica.com/Terryeo) what other comment could you expect from it?
Comment by Centurian 10 — April 21, 2008 @ 10:09 am
Wow…OK, in this fight I’m agnostic. I have MANY friends that are atheists and MANY friends who hold one faith or another. I have a few questions and observations:
When did atheists become such bleeding heart pussies? Seriously, what Dawn said really wasn’t offensive if you pick up her tone. If you lend what she wrote some negative tone, sure it may sound bad, but that’s her right as an American, right? You can say religions are fairy tales, she can say that Scios rate lower than even atheists.
I think many of you missed the point of her comment. In a RELIGIOUS poll, Scientology rated lower than ATHEISM (a lack of religion). How can you not see the irony in that? And how can you find offense in it?
I thought most atheists were logical “cold hard facts” kinds of people but what I’ve seen here is full of hypocrisy, exaggeration, and making oneself a victim. Seriously, you sound like the Scienos crying religious persecution at the drop of a hat, here, and it’s not very becoming.
Freedom of speech means you can call religions fairy tales and Dawn can make a joke about atheists (jeez, ever been to the ration response squad website?). However, when either side exercises that right, they should be prepared for conflict.
P.S. to the person who said something about wars hundreds of years passed, have we taken a look at Israel, Iraq, or Northern Ireland lately?
Comment by Anon, Anon, My Boyfriend's Back! — April 22, 2008 @ 11:50 am