Politics is the new Religion
 

Promising two alternate realities, one heaven the other hell, based on whom you worship

True believers hanging on long speeches from on high explaining what they should think

Supporters spreading the good word and writing checks for the collection plate

Does that make an abstaining voter a political atheist or agnostic?

there's not enough information to determine. some abstain because they don't believe, your atheists. henry quirk is a good example we both "know". some believe, yet still abstain because they believe, but know better. Griff's an example of this kind of believer, he believes in the reality of the system, but not in one, true, path.

Whom you worship is almost always a product of your friends and family, and where you live, and what culture you grew up in.

Or, one can be quite spiritual and still dislike Religion, or the official Religions, for what they have done to systems of belief.

Maybe those who abstain are mostly the agnostics and those who mock the system by casting a protest vote (e.g. writing in "Mickey Mouse") are the atheists. Possibly more parallels there.

I am a believer, for me it was a physical experience. I cannot deny it

Seems to me, to be a political atheist is to say 'I don't believe in politics', which is dumb cuz politics is just a kind of human interaction, and humans interacting is demonstrably real.

I like 'heretic' better but that carries (to me) a sense of active rebellion, and I just ain't the time, energy, or interest for that.

Non serviam, as declaration, works, but isn't easy to label.

Indifferent (with a clinched fist)?

Apolitical (but knowing)?

*shrug*

In the OP scenario of politics is the new religion promising two alternate realities, one heaven the other hell, based on whom you worship, I'll go with the political atheists being the ones who don't worship anyone and demonstrate it by casting protest votes as opposed to the agnostics who don't vote 'cause they don't think they have reach.

Just another way of looking at it.

New? You're behind, UT. ;)

There are always people that are going to blindly worship at the altar of the donkey or the elephant. Me? I hang with the donkeys, but I have my glasses or contacts on. Fortunately, my state Democratic party seems cool with that.

Faith.

Have faith. We will tell you what to believe. Have faith that we are informed and honest.

Westboro Baptist Church also has faith. Do I really want what they have?

Speaking as someone to whom WBC is local...I don't think they are offering faith.

WBC has faith. Faith that if they keep walking around talking in public like they do, they'll be rewarded by an assault, an act like a mustard seed which would let them move mountains of lawsuits.

For those that don't know, this place is across the street from WBC. Good people.

http://www.plantingpeace.org/equality/

Outstanding.