Our 256,000 (and counting) atheists, agnostics, humanists and non-religious

[xchrom]

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/weekend/2011/0604/1224298366216.html

The ‘non-religious’ are the largest group in the State after Catholics, according to the last census. They range from active atheists lobbying for a secular Ireland to guilty non-believers who still observe religious rituals, writes RÓISÍN INGLE

A FEW WEEKS ago Brian Whiteside of the Humanist Association of Ireland addressed a gathering that included Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister for Justice Alan Shatter as well as various religious leaders. He used the opportunity to raise the issue of our religious presidential oath, which he says is just one example of State discrimination against the growing godless community.

The oath, the wording of which is enshrined in the Constitution, is taken in “the presence of Almighty God” and is a non-negotiable promise that must be given by whoever is elected president. It concludes, “May God direct and sustain me.”

“I talked about how embarrassing it would be for this country if a successful candidate decided that in all conscience they couldn’t give that oath because they didn’t believe in God,” says Whiteside. He was gratified to observe Kenny requesting that Shatter make a note of this potentially awkward eventuality.

[Synthcraft]

1. Atheism and non-theists will be prominent in a few decades.

I believe that a lot of younger people (under age of 30 or so) are realizing the hypocrisies in what religion offers. And not to mention the technology and scientific developments that continue to grow in size, but add that to the mix and you get a much more humanity focused view of life, and not all to an all-knowing god in the sky.

[Iggo]

2. Welcome to DU.

:hi:

[Synthcraft]

3. Thanks Iggo :)

I felt like now was the right time to sign up for an account, what with everything occurring in the country.

Looking forward to my time here!

[iris27]

4. Maybe we could take a few lessons.

I was asked to swear "so help me God" (not on a Bible, thankfully) when swearing in for a court-ordered name change. I wanted the name change and didn't want to spend any more lawyer money than I already had, so I just sucked it up and said it. But it does chafe.