America's most godless cities...

[Youssuf Ramadan]

http://nation.time.com/2014/01/22/godle ... n-america/

A new survey ranks U.S. cities in terms of 'bible-mindedness'

America, you may have a new Sodom and Gomorrah.

The two least "Bible-minded" cities in the United States are the adjacent metros of Providence, R.I., and New Bedford, Mass., according to a study out Wednesday from the American Bible Society.
The study defines "Bible-mindedness" as a combination of how often respondents read the Bible and how accurate they think the Bible is. "Respondents who report reading the bible within the past seven days and who agree strongly in the accuracy of the Bible are classified as 'Bible Minded,'" says the study's methodology.
Christian missionaries can apparently steer clear of Tennessee, as the report suggests the state is the most devout in the union. Chattanooga was found to be the most Bible-minded city in America, a title it won from last year's victor, Knoxville.
Overall, the study found an inverse relationship between population density and "Bible friendliness."
"Not surprisingly, many cities in the East Coast continued to rank as the least Bible-minded in 2013," says a press release.
Surprisingly, that den of sin called New York City didn't make the top ten least Bible-minded cities, coming in at 89th in the list of 100. Suspecting New York's large Jewish population may have rescued it from the bottom ten, TIME inquired as to whether the Torah counted as the Bible for the purposes of the survey. A spokesperson said questioners left it up to respondents to determine what they considered to be the sacred text, but the question asked was, "How many times do you read the bible outside of church or a synagogue?"
"We want people to know that whether you live in the least or most Bible-minded cities, the Bible can speak to your needs, challenges and concerns and help you make sense of your life," said American Bible Society communications officer Geoffrey Morin.

Click the link at the top for the full list of 100

[billhilly]

How about that!  Texas didn't show up till #22 with DFW (behind Bakersfield, CA no less) and I bet the fuggin Collin County suburbs skewed that up.

[AllPurposeAtheist]

I dunno...I lived in Irving, TX and it woulda been tough to throw a 100 pound block of iron in any direction without it landing in a church parking lot.  :-$

[aitm]

The study defines "Bible-mindedness" as a combination of how often respondents read the Bible and how accurate they think the Bible is.

We, as rational people, would view those as opposites.

[AllPurposeAtheist]

The study defines "Bible-mindedness" as a combination of how often respondents read the Bible and how accurate they think the Bible is.

We, as rational people, would view those as opposites.

I gotta admit. Reading that definition really doesn't promote the abilty to stifle a belly laugh does it?

[billhilly]

I dunno...I lived in Irving, TX and it woulda been tough to throw a 100 pound block of iron in any direction without it landing in a church parking lot.  :-$

Yeah, same here in Plano.  Makes you wonder if the poll is accurate or if a lot of people in those churches know it's bullshit and just show up for the social connections.

[mykcob4]

How about that!  Texas didn't show up till #22 with DFW (behind Bakersfield, CA no less) and I bet the fuggin Collin County suburbs skewed that up.

Yeah the survey specifically asked "outside' your church do you read or use the bible. Well in Texas these jerks go to church almost everyday. That would kind of skew the results!

[AllPurposeAtheist]

In a survey of 1000 people who hear voices in their heads.... [insert psychbabble] :-k

[GSOgymrat]

Greensboro #20!

[AllPurposeAtheist]

I'm right smack dab in the middle at 47. I just crossed the frozen wasteland of Long St. for smokes and god has forsaken us with below zero weather with a stiff wind off the river. :shock:

[Insult to Rocks]

This is a pretty crappy survey. Just because you don't read the bible doesn't make you non-"bible minded" (what a stupid phrase). Regardless, it's nice to see that Portland is pretty far down the list.

[AllPurposeAtheist]

You're not "bible minded" enough unkess you're definition of actually doing anything includes standing around with your thumb up your rectum. We've all seen those nitwits praying who actually look constipated.. Put 2 & 2 together is all I'm saying.  :)

[SGOS]

Why is Salt Lake 87 out of 100?  Mormons are Christians.  Even if they pay more attention to the Book of Mormon, they must still read the Bible, no?

[AtDawnTheySquee]

Well let's see, my city is 73. Hehe, my English teacher is an atheist and she gave me a little fist bump when I told her that I'm an atheist. c: On top of that I've met a bunch of other people who are agnostic/atheist at school. But I've also met some other people who give me crap for being an atheist, but these people are usually dumbasses so it's no biggie.

[Atheon]

San Francisco Bay Area is No. 97... when I say I grew up in a non-religious environment, I'm not kidding.

Pleasantly surprised by Cedar Rapids... I lived there too.