Why is 'No religion' frowned upon

[vespaboy]

I have no religion, never have, never will. I do however have morals and standards that I believe make me socially acceptable.

Why is it that Wherever I go or whenever I have to fill in forms I am asked my religion? Is it important?

Why when I say I have no religion people tend to say 'Oh C of E then' when I am not, are non religious people accepting they are part of a 'Cult'

Surely religion has been the main cause of war over the past 3000 years or so, so an abstainer should be respected.

Any answers?

[lilmonkey]

At my university the Christian Union actively pressurise you if they find out you don't believe in God, as they seem to equate no religion with no morals. It seems to be acceptable for the CU to hound Atheists/Agnostics for their beliefs (or lack of) but they wouldn't dare attempt this with a follower of another religion because they would be suspended from the university. This isn't some church-sponsored US college either, this is a UK redbrick university.

Although I am not a follower of any religion, I do have to defend it on one point. It is not religion that is the biggest cause of war, it's fighting over natural resources. (most recently oil!) The members of sides opposing each other tend to be part of their side because the members share their culture and beliefs.

[Englishbird]

very good point lilmonkey!

[Octavius]

MargeB - some people are allergic to peanuts, so theycan have too many, besides is roasting them the most humane method ....?

lilmonkey - The old 'religion causes war' is an argument which will be consistently used by non-religionists to enable them to talk about their favourite topic: religion.  I would probably be inclined to thump anyone from the CU who "actively pressuried" me into listening to them, so please don't lump us religious types all together.

lady_p_gold - yes, they only want people of thier own kind to join their group.  But then, I wouldn't be queuing up outside my local temple to join their prayer group, or outside the offices of the BNF to join their party.  In fact I would probably avoid joining my local 'Atheists R Us' group as I couldn't stand the endless evenings of discussions about : religion.

[mfewell]

Update on peanuts: On Saturday I bought 17 packets of ASDA chilli nuts. They are much better than JS. In deference to scientific endeavour, I can't prove that, but they ring my bell.

[MargeB]

can't read this thread without salivating. so much more fruitful than religion debates. i promise to try asda chili nuts. however my nearest asda is in chav land, scared of getting mugged :-)

[Trillipse]

as for the whole putting "jedi" down as your religion.

i used to think the idea was fairly cool when i was at uni, though i never actually did it.

now though, since the most recent 3 movies?

oh. my. lord.

I'd feel cooler putting "BooBah".

[Octavius]

Sorry to be a bit 'middle-of-the-road' but I bought a bag of mixed (I know, I know sorry all you peanutters) nuts from Sainsburys last night for �1.99 it was 95% walnuts, 4 brazil nuts, a couple of hazelnuts, a couple of almonds and no peanuts.

I feel cheated.