Comments on: Secularization In Action?

By: Rob

Rob — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:17:30 +0000

Assembly language and logic gates? Sounds a lot like my Introduction to Computer Architecture lectures :) I didn’t find them particularly interesting though…apart from drawing out NANDs and NORs which look a bit like stick men. I think I need to get out more.

By: The Atheist Jew

The Atheist Jew — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:22:58 +0000

You’ve been tagged.

By: nullifidian

nullifidian — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:32:17 +0000

That is indeed odd, I can’t think that I’ve ever been asked a question like that unless it had a tone of incredulity (or of clarification) to it (where the person asking the question was already cognisant of my answer but wanted me to confirm it).

Was the receptionist already aware of your lack of religion?

By: Adrian Hayter

Adrian Hayter — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:27:04 +0000

nullifidian,

The emphasis was on the last two words, which is what struck me as odd. I wouldn’t have written this blog post if it hadn’t have been somewhat unusual. I certainly think the attitudes towards religion have changed in this country though.

By: nullifidian

nullifidian — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:41:55 +0000

I’m not sure that I’d place the same weight as you would on the “at all” bit, this is a common enough idiom in English (I hope I don’t have to say “British” English…) and has basically the same meaning as the question without it or, at a stretch, an equivalence to “I hope you don’t mind me asking”.

Of course, this would depend on the emphasis she used used when asking. If it was placed strongly on the “at all”, then I would withdraw my above assessment and surmise that the interrogator has probably been on an “awareness” training course, or some such hokum. I more likely suspect that the emphasis would have been, slightly, on the word “religion” (as opposed to, say, “house” or “bicycle” or “50p coin”).

TBH I think neither of your hypotheses are correct, but then I wasn’t there to gauge her tone of voice, and may be way off the mark.

I would still say, however, that this is a much better question, with or without the “at all”, than the presumptuous question “what is your religion?”.