Has General Discussion Been Hostile to Religious Believers recently?

[Prophet 451]

276. No problem

Before the thread was locked, there were 333 responses and 7 passes. The most populous faith position (atheism isn't a faith but it is a position on faith) was atheism with 144 responders, which more than doubled the next most populous, Christianity with 66 responders. Agnostics were 58 and no-one else makes it out of single figures except the catch-all Others which was 40. I have no idea how many members DU has although I'd note that sheer numbers matter much less than how many of those members are actively posting or viewing (what's called "footfall" in the web business).

Assuming that those responding were a fairly representative cross-section of DU (which I think is a reasonable assumption barring further evidence), atheists more than double Christians and there are more atheists than all the faith positions combined (atheists 144; everything except agnostics combined 131).

Linky: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025881467

Further, I'd question the assumption that a minority can't create a hostile atmosphere. I used to work for Beliefnet.com, the biggest religious site on the web. I learned while there that it only takes a small number of vocal posters to make a hostile atmosphere. For example, it only takes a few anti-semites to create an atmosphere hostile to Jews. Even if they never directly insult or threaten one of the Jewish posters, that small number of anti-semites, talking among themselves about how awful Jews and Judaism are, will very quickly make Jews feel unwelcome. One recurring problem we had was when a board intended to discuss a faith generally would become populated mostly by a particular faction of that faith, which would make those not in that faction feel unwelcome. Example: If I have a board for Christianity but the most vocal posters are all fundegelicals who share a common view of their faith and a common worldview informed by that interpretation of their faith, the non-fundegelicals will very quickly feel unwelcome.