Send in the atheists

In terms of head counts, then, it is not obvious that a properly organized atheist lobby should have less political clout than the Jewish lobby which it outnumbers ninefold. But when political analysts are asked why the Jewish lobby is so much stronger politically than voting numbers would suggest, they typically draw attention such factors as wealth, influence in the media, education, and intelligence.

Modulous writes:In some nations the fear of identifying oneself as a certain religion or as an atheist may deter people from answering honestly.

Modulous writes:Vietnam: 81%
South Korea: 49%
Netherlands: 41%
Mongolia: 40%
Ukraine: 38%
New Zealand: 26%
Mozambique: 23%
United Kingdom: 23%
Jamaica: 21%
Botswana: 21%

That is like asking all of the people whose favorite color is blue to organize. Why is there a need for a lobby?

Asking why atheists don't form political lobbies is kind of like asking why chess players don't form political lobbies. What beliefs and positions do atheists hold as a group that is not also held by other groups of people?

I'm pleasantly surprised by the number of places with over 20% no belief, I'm thinking even that some of these countries have reached critical mass, so that we can expect these figures to rise. Something interesting to consider is, how many of the above named governments represent the number of atheists in their country? And likewise with the religious people in the country.

It must be kept in mind that atheism is not a religion, atheism does not have creeds or tenets

atheism does not demand conformity to any standard of right or wrong.

Atheism is simply the lack of a belief in the existence of a deity.

What would atheists advocate? There are atheists who are against the war in Iraq, there are atheists who support the war in Iraq. There are atheists who support abortion rights, there are atheists who are against abortion. There are atheists who favor increased social spending, there are atheists who favor decreased government.

Asking why atheists don't form political lobbies is kind of like asking why chess players don't form political lobbies.

Taz. Devil writes:I'd like to point out that the data retrieved about Vietnam may not be that accurate, considering the Vietnamese government's war on religion ever since Ho Chi Minh's time. Might as well go to Afghanistan and ask how many people are Muslims.

I think atheism is a religion in its own definition

* a strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny; "he lost his faith but not his morality"; an institution to express belief in a divine power; "he was raised in the Baptist religion"; "a member of his own faith contradicted him"
http://www.wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn* Religion”sometimes used interchangeably with faith or belief system”is commonly defined as belief concerning the supernatural, sacred, or divine, and the moral codes, practices and institutions associated with such belief. In its broadest sense some have defined it as the sum total of answers given to explain humankind's relationship with the universe. In the course of the development of religion, it has taken a huge number of forms in various cultures and individuals. ...
Wikipedia* A framework of beliefs relating to supernatural or superhuman beings or forces that transcend the everyday material world.
Physical Anthropology References - Modern Human Origins* a set of attitudes, beliefs, and practices pertaining to supernatural power.
Oregon State University* generally a belief in a deity and practice of worship, action, and/or thought related to that deity. Loosely, any specific system of code of ethics, values, and belief.
http://www.carm.net/atheism/terms.htm* Has many definitions - most of them involve the idea of supernatural agency.
http://www.csa.com/hottopics/religion/gloss.php* Oxford dictionary: "1 the belief in a superhuman controlling power, esp. in a personal God or gods entitled to obedience and worship. 2 the expression of this in worship. 3 a particular system of faith and worship." Non-Theistic definition: "The word religion has many definitions, all of which can embrace sacred lore and wisdom and knowledge of God or gods, souls and spirits. Religion deals with the spirit in relation to itself, the universe and other life. ...
http://www.ecotao.com/holism/glosoz.htm* any specific system of belief, worship, or conduct that prescribes certain responses to the existence and character of God.
Page not found - Summit Ministries* [from Latin religare to bind back, implying obligation; or from relegere to select, distinguish among various elements for the choosing of the best; ponder] In theosophy individual religion of conduct means faith in his own essential divinity as a source of wisdom and an unerring and infallible guide in conduct; an ever-growing realization of that truth, an ever-growing consciousness of one's spiritual identity with the divine in nature; and constant devotion to the ideals thus inspired. ...
Red-Roos - Encyclopedic Theosophical Glossary * A system of ideas and rules for behavior based on supernatural explanations. http://www.highered.mcgraw-hill.com/...t_view0/glossary.html* beliefs and actions related to supernatural beings and forces.
http://www.geocities.com/brianmyhre/12Def.htm* the collective customs and traditions of a body of people that have form an organization or an institution to pursue the study of a specific supernatural teaching or belief.
http://www.exit109.com/~apg/glossary.htm* A system of thinking that recognizes a supersoul and performs some sort of adoration of that supersoul.
really good news:glossary* the service and worship of God or the supernatural
http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/dictionary/MiddleEast.htm* is the service and worship of God or the supernatural or the commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance. Religion might also be defined as scrupulous conformity to a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices. Finally, religion may be a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith. NO REDIRECT* A man's expression of his acknowledgement of god.
Bible Dictionary* a set of beliefs, values, and practices based on God; a belief in God
http://www.homepage.mac.com/vpetrik/CnP/Glossary.htm* Supernatural beliefs involved in worship. Tends to apply to a group or culture, religions often provide ceremonial rituals for dealing with major life events.(birth, death, marriage)
http://www.geocities.com/cheshirekatz/gazebo/mythoterms.html

You'll note that the definitions have one thing in common: the supernatural.

There are those kinds of atheists who devote much of their time to the furtherance of atheism.

...in the same way, not all atheists are secular humanists, but all secular humanists are atheists.

But the same exact thing could be said of Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, etc... How does that support the assertion that atheism is simply about unbelief?

I guess I'm not really understanding the purpose of the inquiry. Or should I ask, are you even making an inquiry, or are you making declarations?