A Nice Point

From profwhat on a story about Athism in America

"I believe that the vast majority of Americans are functional atheists, even though they tell themselves and others that they do believe in God.

A "functional atheist" is someone who acts exactly as an atheist would. He does not go to church. He has ethics and morals, but they are based on many considerations other than what the Bible says. When he decides what he thinks about abortion, gay marriage, or contraception, he forms his opinion without serious consultation with religious beliefs. In fact, if he finds that his church has begun to disagree with his views on one of those issues, he might change religions and belong to a church that agrees with him. He might give to charity, but more because he believes in that cause rather than because he believes God has commanded him to be charitable. He doesn't celebrate any religious holidays, beyond exchanging presents at Christmas and taking Mom to brunch on Easter. If his religion requires him not to eat certain foods, he eats them anyway; if he is required to tithe, he doesn't; if he is required to stop working on a certain day, he checks his Blackberry. If his religion tells him something about how the world was made or works and that contradicts what science now tells us, he'll either believe the science or refuse to confront the question. At no point does he let his religion stand in the way of what he wants to do, or how he wants to act. Other than what's going on in this guy's head, is there any reason not to call this guy an atheist?"