Frustrated with Elena's Models, also regarding religion.

[gorzak]

I was tempted to post this under CalvinHobbes thread, but it's almost opposite and I don't want to hijack it.

Short version: I think Elena's models is editing/compelling Atheists to not list as Atheist, which makes it hard for me to find Atheist women on their site

I gather from my research that Elena's models seems to be consistently recommended. I am strongly considering paying for their service after I meet a few personal goals, based on that recommendation. I have performed searches on EM for a few reasons, probably strongest among them to help motivate me to meet those personal goals, but also to familiarize myself with it's use and compare it to the AW local options.

I was disappointed initially to find that the only choices for filtering religion are Not Important, Christian, and Other, as religion is important to me, and none of those filter for what I want. My initial inclination was to dis include Christian and pick other, then filter from there. Having performed more research, I grew to understand that religion is not important in the day to day for most people, but it is very important for some (sometimes even listed in the profile as a must), so I should include in my search women that identify as Christian and then check whether they are in fact devout with my direct contact to them.

I had been looking at EM pretty much exclusively. My research led me to a blog by a woman with some good articles. She recommended another site that looked less professional. Unfortunately, I neither remember the site nor the blog now.  I wasn't as impressed by the matchmaking site as I was by the articles, but I punched in search parameters similar to the ones I use on EM just to see what I would get.  I recognized one of the search results as matching by picture. I clicked her profile because I remember reading here that a) Eduard found more personality on the russian dating sites, and b) it would also interest me to learn they were identical and passed between agencies.

Well this woman's profile was different. She used a slightly worse picture on EM, but that wasn't the part that I noticed the most. On this other site, she self identified as Athiest... on EM her religion was listed as N/a, and I had dismissed her profile as an unlikely candidate because the written portion included astrological sign. Not wanting to credit maliciousness where coincidence would explain, I googled her name, city and age combo to find her on a few other pages. There are like 4  different agencies she's listed with differently, some have different pictures, all list her religion as athiest except EM. It's still possible that she did that herself, so I decided to approach it a different way.

I cleared out my search parameters and ran a search of EMs women with the keyword atheist. I got 6 results, one of which is a christian asking for their match to not be athiestic, one profile that appeard as a result does not have the word atheist anywhere on it, and the rest list atheist as their religion. I don't think its likely based on demographics to only expect that few women to identify as atheist out of the larger set of their entire database. So I figure they are just replacing Atheist with N/A.

I didn't decide then to come here and complain as a righteous crusade, I was thrilled actually that I might have figured out a way to make my search work. Relatively few "N/A" appear outside religion, I would play the same game and replace my Atheist keyword with N/A keyword, and viola, I'd get the results I wanted. Except I did try that. And didn't get the results. I got just a few results, much like the Atheist search, and they did not include the profile that started all this, which I double checked to verify had the religion listed as N/A.

So EM may be making atheists more marketable by listing their religion as N/A, and/or the keyword search function may not be delivering all the results it should.

I hope I am just doing something wrong. I'd love to be wrong here and be instructed on a way to do what I want to do. As it stands I am frustrated and more likely to look at their competitors more seriously.

[ECOCKS]

Something wrong?

Yeah, you're completely oblivious to the fact that this is a culture which doesn't think the way you want them to.

I seriously doubt EM gives a hoot what the gals click on the religion option since most never come into an EM office or talk to an EM employee. At worst you can send a polite suggestion to them that they include it as an option among the choice.

Most just list Orthodox, a few who have met missionaries will list Christian and have a greater or lesser understanding about LDS, Catholics and Baptists.

It's important to you but I'm surprised that you found 6. The word атеист has been "Russianized" from English (transliterations) so they didn't bother making their own word about it.

[Eduard]

IMO what you are doing is putting yourself in a very small box, locking it and throwing away the key. Why would any one limit themselves to just a few profiles on EM when there are millions of single Russian women out there I will never understand.

[tfcrew]

I agree with the previous responses ...
Why search a barren field?
Just go to Match.com.

[Daveman]

I'm not really sure what the rub is...


Orthodox Christianity is on the rise somewhat, but really, there are not a ton who fervently practice unless you head west in Ukraine (don't know about Russia).


If you are looking for someone who will denounce all religions and claim to be "Atheist", yeah, that could be problematical.  My suggestion would be to just communicate.  Even most those who claim to "believe in God" will not be religious..  more like just a belief that a god exists.


Being agnostic myself, I had no problem finding a slew of ladies with whom to communicate who were "spiritual but not religious", etc...


EM is a good site, but certainly not the only way to go. 

[gorzak]

@Ecocks - This is exactly why I joined the forum. I am ignorant, and insights like the fact that atheist is transliterated aren't likely to be something I come across. Thanks for letting me know. My understanding about the culture is that there is an tradition of Orthodox Christianity, and that undercurrent remained even when it's practice was persecuted. Now that it is acceptable, the majority self identify as orthodox christian out of family tradition, but just like in the US, far fewer attend church regularly, or even could even detail the tenets of their faith.

@Eduard -  I would say its more like I have climbed in the tiny box, shut the lid, and decided the box isn't for me. It is not locked yet. I am willing to consider alternatives. I was curious about your post that indicated that profiles elsewhere held more flavor, and went to mamba.ru with google translator. I am seriously considering learning Russian and using that site.

@tfcrew - Match.com is majority christian too. This opinion may be misguided, but I feel like a greater % of women on match.com would not consider an atheist partner than the % of women with the same limits on EM.  If I limited myself to looking in places only where what I am hoping to find is plentiful, I'd still be looking for those places. I only hope to end up with one woman.  I don't feel I should give up looking because there isn't an abundance of what I hope to find.  I am surprised to be discouraged from looking in the FSU.

@Daveman - I appreciate your words of support. I had planned on figuring out how religion played a part of the woman's life during communication, as I learned from an article what you say here.

Even most those who claim to "believe in God" will not be religious..  more like just a belief that a god exists.

I still plan on making this an important part of a conversation.

Overall, I am surprised at the tone of the responses. I didn't expect so much discouragement, but I was pretty frustrated in my OP, so I suppose it makes sense. I am not asking for an entire culture to think the way I think, if I did, then the local culture would be much more convenient. I don't even want to convert anyone to my way of thinking. Religion is one of the places where people can get stubborn, and decide adhering to their beliefs is more important than their partner's feelings or ultimately the relationship. In plans where people are not willing to compromise, compatibility is required. I am that stubborn person. I am willing to compromise on many things, but I know if I want my relationship to last I should not put myself in a position where compromising my beliefs is required. It is the opposite of convenience to limit myself to a minority, but I am looking for a good match for me, and not what is convenient. As I said, I am not looking to convert, I don't want someone to agree with my every opinion. I would prefer to find an atheist, agnostic, spiritual but not religious, or even Christian but not practicing. I am trying to avoid falling in love, marrying, having kids and then having an ongoing argument about how to raise them that has the potential to break the relationship. The clearest way to do that is to make sure we are compatible in that way before we fall for each other. I was frustrated with EM's site search tool because it can't do what I want it to, and the site in general for not listing atheist where other sites seem to. I am hear to learn, I appreciate your responses.

[pitbull]

@tfcrew - Match.com is majority christian too. This opinion may be misguided, but I feel like a greater % of women on match.com would not consider an atheist partner than the % of women with the same limits on EM. 
.

 I would prefer to find an atheist, agnostic, spiritual but not religious, or even Christian but not practicing.

Hi Gorzak,
If you want to find a woman who is "an atheist, agnostic, spiritual but not religious, or even Christian but not practicing", FSU is the way to go. Many women on EM when they say "Russian Orthodox" rather mean culture, not their deep religious conviction. They might go to church once a year for Christmas for an hour (out of tradition). Most are really agnostic.
Personally, my biggest cultural shock about the US has been the extent to which religion plays a role in peoples' lives, interferes with politics and governement. I am at awe at the ridiculousness of the so called "conservative Christian polititians" demands and the aggression with which they try to impose their religious views on other people, often through legislation. Also, in the FSU being a practicing Christian, or atheist, or agnostic is rather  a personal choice, a preference (sort of like you like apples, I like grapes). It doesn't define the other person or their morality. In the US, it's best to not admit to being an atheist, because for many people this automatically means "an evil person without morals". Not many know the difference between agnostic or atheist. I recently read that Americans would rather vote for a Muslim as a president than an atheist.
And I live in the NorthEast, mind you. I think my boss still can not reconcile the fact that I'm not a believer but a nice and moral person at the same time 
So, FSU is the way to go for you!!
 

[ECOCKS]

The reason the tone is "negative" if not indeed downright derisive, is that we're all seeing that you're putting way too much into this on multiple levels.

You take your heartfelt belief (or lack thereof) which is the result of your intellect and psyche evaluating life in a world where you probably had enough to eat, own a car, determined your own major, yada, yada, yada. Assuredly though you came from an environment where the individual was encouraged to explore and develop those beliefs.

Unfortunately you are applying that criteria to a population barely one generation removed from an environment which called for the state to determine right from wrong, individual occupations, societal goals and housing choices while denying support to religion, free-thinking and individual initiative.

Are you surprised that with the removal of those restrictions and controls many profess to believe without much thought? Remember all the metaphors used over the last 3-4 decades: "walls", "shackles", "curtains", etc. Intellectually, they have been so preoccupied figuring out reality from propaganda (on both sides certainly) and determining the rights and wrong of capitalism, consumerism and material possessions, all while living on incomes considered barely subsistence-level by the world you came from.

You might also want to read up on the relationship between the Patriarchs and the government in the last few decades.

Some truly believe, but focus your intellect on what they tell you is important to them during your dating and courtship activities. I went out with about a dozen and not a one ever mentioned God or cited religious-based moral objections to occurrences or questions.

Conduct your own survey and determine how many are even nominally religious and how many feel a close, personal relationship with a supreme being.

[ECOCKS]

Hi Gorzak,
If you want to find a woman who is "an atheist, agnostic, spiritual but not religious, or even Christian but not practicing", FSU is the way to go. Many women on EM when they say "Russian Orthodox" rather mean culture, not their deep religious conviction. They might go to church once a year for Christmas for an hour (out of tradition). Most are really agnostic.
Personally, my biggest cultural shock about the US has been the extent to which religion plays a role in peoples' lives, interferes with politics and governement. I am at awe at the ridiculousness of the so called "conservative Christian polititians" demands and the aggression with which they try to impose their religious views on other people, often through legislation. Also, in the FSU being a practicing Christian, or atheist, or agnostic is rather  a personal choice, a preference (sort of like you like apples, I like grapes). It doesn't define the other person or their morality. In the US, it's best to not admit to being an atheist, because for many people this automatically means "an evil person without morals". Not many know the difference between agnostic or atheist. I recently read that Americans would rather vote for a Muslim as a president than an atheist.
And I live in the NorthEast, mind you. I think my boss still can not reconcile the fact that I'm not a believer but a nice and moral person at the same time 
So, FSU is the way to go for you!!

LOL, well PB, I would suggest you consider that the atheist-progressive left has been far, FAR, FAR more vicious in their verbal attacks on those they label as Conservative Christians right up the line from secular forums and into the highest office in the land. Step back and look at how those CC Politicians are being shown by a clearly biased media, count the people on each side of the protest lines and review some of the left-wing cartoonist portrayals of those you feel are so "aggressive" and "ridiculous".

Let he who is without sin cast the first st.....sorry, you'd probably prefer a more middle-of-the-road platitude like "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" or maybe "people in glass houses should consider before they throw rocks".

[mendeleyev]

This is exactly why I joined the forum. I am ignorant, and insights like the fact that atheist is transliterated aren't likely to be something I come across. Thanks for letting me know. My understanding about the culture is that there is an tradition of Orthodox Christianity, and that undercurrent remained even when it's practice was persecuted. Now that it is acceptable, the majority self identify as orthodox christian out of family tradition, but just like in the US, far fewer attend church regularly, or even could even detail the tenets of their faith.

This could be a dangerous assumption, especially given that more and more Orthodox churches are growing, some cities say they're bursting at the seams. President Medvedev two years ago, in approving more funding for rebuilding churches seized during the Soviet era, called it a "revival" of Orthodoxy.

Islam across Russia is exploding in the younger demographics as well. See the USA Today of this past Friday for the article on that subject.

See this link for more: http://russianreport.wordpress.com/religion-in-russia/orthodoxy-in-russia-today/



Orthodox leaders are excited about the return to the faith of the young generation as the demographic of Orthodox believers is growing rapidly in the under 40 age group.



More and more, churches are filled each Sunday.


The younger generations in traditional Russian areas are rediscovering the Orthodox faith while Islam is also rapidly growing among young people is the Islamic Republics of Russia.

My caution for guys dating someone under 30ish is to beware of what Orthodox priests in the West often call the "blue test strip conversion."

(The Mendeleyev Journal)

[Fashionista]

Never mind that, I misread the post.

[onus]

Just search for N/A. I'm an atheist myself so i know what you mean. I've also dated so called Christians before but, in practice it means just about nothing here atleast. My lady knows very little about religion according to herself. I think we here think its more important due to having come from something else. What if you just never had any religion to begin with. It probably be less of a big deal.

[gorzak]

@pitbull - Thank you for your words of support and encouragement, and the advice not to count out those who list as Christian or Orthodox in their profile.

@ Ecocks - Its a running theme that I am told I think too much far too often. While you credit me more good fortune than I have had, I get your point about having more than many in FSU. If I thought someone was casting judgement on a culture that I identified with, I would be angry too.  I was expressing frustration with a highly recommended service, because it did not cater to my needs as a minority demographic. Other services that I am reluctant to use seem to position themselves better to appeal to atheists like me by having more women listed who put atheist as their religion.  For all I know that may be a trick to lure people like me to scam sites, but consensus seems to be not to limit myself to just one site in my search. I read, as you suggested, about the patriarchs since 1917 and horrifying religious persecution in USSR. I am not surprised at the explosion of profession of belief. I am a strong believer in freedom. That means I want people and cultures to make up their own mind about things, even when they disagree with me. I am happy that they now have the freedom to choose and express their choices. I think your idea to figure compatibility during direct communication with prospects is the answer.

@mendeleyev - Thanks for the link to the article. I also assumed that there will be women for whom religion is important and I would make an unsuitable match for. It's looking like time is not in my favor on this one.

My caution for guys dating someone under 30ish is to beware of what Orthodox priests in the West often call the "blue test strip conversion."

This is my exact fear. If it were not for the children I hope to someday have, I would consider myself compatible with most Christians as well. I am quite capable of live and let live, I won't even challenge something that seems silly to me if I know it would make someone I care about unhappy. My kids going to church would make me extremely unhappy. A religious women's kids not being baptized would make her extremely unhappy. I don't want to do that to someone I care about, and I don't want someone I care about to do that to me. If you have any pointers on avoiding "blue test strip conversion" I'm all ears.

@fashionista - Then never mind my response as well. It takes me so long to write everything though, I feel bad deleting it. Can you please clarify a few of your comments?  "Not to mention the fact that most people in Russia just aren't religious at all" I am an atheist. I am not religious too." and will consider you a fanatic." I can think of a few things here. I am not trying to convert anyone. I am not likely to change my beliefs anytime soon, but I don't think that's uncommon. I can think of a few things that would make me change my mind, I just don't consider them particularly likely. I do care about how my kids are raised. It is important to me that they start out being taught my belief system or at least something like it. Again not uncommon. I foresee that I might place the welfare of my children as a higher priority than the relationship I form. Not a sure bet, but it's fairly common (more so among women). I include teaching that belief system as a part of the well being of the child.  That part may be a bit fanatic. "Who'd want to move to another country, drop everything, to find out that her "spirituality" isn't up to par? " Easy answer, no one. I'm not likely to take issue with anyone's spirituality. I want to avoid having incompatible plans for raising children, so we both don't feel like everything was going fine, then after kids come into the picture the other person transforms into something we didn't expect. I want a lasting relationship that works. I don't want a parrot that agrees with my every opinion, but I do want a partner who is working for the same future.

@onus - Thanks for the tip. I had considered just including those who list as christian and orthodox, and just find out more in direct contact. I planned to avoid doing so because I felt like it would be wasting the time of the devout and myself, but I am adaptable.

[pitbull]

LOL, well PB, I would suggest you consider that the atheist-progressive left has been far, FAR, FAR more vicious in their verbal attacks on those they label as Conservative Christians right up the line from secular forums and into the highest office in the land. Step back and look at how those CC Politicians are being shown by a clearly biased media, count the people on each side of the protest lines and review some of the left-wing cartoonist portrayals of those you feel are so "aggressive" and "ridiculous".

Let he who is without sin cast the first st.....sorry, you'd probably prefer a more middle-of-the-road platitude like "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" or maybe "people in glass houses should consider before they throw rocks".

Well, I do not care about the way different "wing" politicians attack each other, politics is politics, filthy and vicious on both sides.
However, I do believe in the freedom of religion, freedom from religion and very strongly - in a secular state. To me, you are welcome to worship whichever way you like and adhere to your own religious principles in private life. But to try to impose those principles on all others through politics and legislation? The way it is done in the US, especially in the current Republican campaign, is outright scary to me! Banning abortion and gay marriage,the latest "contraception coverage" controversy - seriously ridiculous. I just can't take seriously those politicians that want to impose those religious values on everyone else. I've read somewhere that a big number of Republican politicians do not believe in global warming, evolution, and do seriously believe the earth is no more than 5000 years old. This just scares me. Unfortunately, looks like any Republican has to satisfy the conservative religius right first and foremost in order to get anywhere. Does the Center count any more? Huntsman looked fine, but the rest of them seem to be on crack.  Sad.

[Muzh]

Hey gorzak, you are making a mole hill into a mountain.

I'm not an atheist because that would have me defend some sort of tenet. Personally, I believe religion is nothing more than superstition and leave it like that. I do not force others to believe they way I do.

So, with that said, many women from the former Soyuz will feel the same way. They may be a practicing Orthodox on Easter day and Christmas. The other 363 days (364 this year) they couldn't care less. Now, you may have a problem imposing your tenet on them. Still, I've seen some of these ladies be flexible enough to go from Russian Orthodox to Jewish.

Advice; keep it light and let her get in the fold. Based on their religious background (or lack thereof) I'd say you have a very good chance to find a convert.

[gorzak]

I had purposefully not responded to the political jabs, in hopes that the thread would not be derailed from the original topic. I was interested in not derailing a fellow member's topic, and politics quickly has a way of doing that too.

@Ecocks - I find it odd that the point you want to respond to in PB's post is:
 

I am at awe at the ridiculousness of the so called "conservative Christian polititians" demands and the aggression with which they try to impose their religious views on other people, often through legislation

and not:

In the US, it's best to not admit to being an atheist, because for many people this automatically means "an evil person without morals".

In the US culture it is normal for families to disown children, for people to lose their jobs, and impossible to hold public office just because they belong to the religious minority I am a part of. Based on your previous posts I would consider you a champion of religious freedom. I hope you bring the same vigor to the fight for me to choose no religion that I bring to allow you to choose yours. I admit politics on both sides are ugly. But when highly placed officials say things like: "No, I don't know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God." while talking to someone they know is an atheist reporting to atheist communities, I feel my freedom from religion is at risk. Do you place a higher value on defending one side of a political argument, or defending freedom of and from religion?

@pitbull -  I am a registered Republican. I am disheartened that the terms "secular" and "conservative" are growing to mean opposite things. I feel like this is a recent change, a downhill snowball that started in the late 40's with McCarthyism. "In God We Trust" being added to coins, and "under God" being added to the Pledge of Allegiance happened during this time, and since then the trend has been that less secular is more patriotic. I believe that the issue is coming to a conclusion one way or the other sometime soon, and that the current generation of Americans will decide whether the secular government that I believe our founding fathers intended to create is something they still wish to live in, or whether they want something more like Iran, where religion and government are hopelessly intertwined and minorities rights to freedom of and from religion are trampled regularly. I still can't bring myself to vote Democrat though, they want to take our guns  .

[The Natural]

Someone here mentioned atheism as a religion. Anyone care to expand on that?
 
And for those who know more of this, can one say that Eastern Orthodoxy has many similarities with Catholisism?
 
My own experiences in regards to faith with my ex-wife, her mother and my girlfriend now, is that they are as secualar as they come in everyday life, but know very well what kinds of rituals are in place in orthodoxy. The mother of my ex-wife married a man last year and unfortunately he recently died. She had put up his photo on a table alongside a glass of Cognac and a piece of bread on top of that (if I remember correctly). Then there were procedures after 40 days, a year and so on, can't remember exactly but I asked my girlfriend in Ukraine and she said the same thing.
 
For me this is religious behaviour and not a personal relationship with God which I call upon using the name of Jesus because the Bible say one can not come to God without going through Christ.
 
This is important to note because most people, including Christians, talk about God without specifying which God they speak of. So American atheists shouldn't worry too much about it saying "In God we thrust" on dollar bills, out of fear it might refer to Jesus Christ. I think they had another god in mind....

[SMS60]

You cant worry about it. Write to the women you like regardless of what they have written in the religious box.

Then you be a man and in your 1st or 2nd letter you tell them you are an atheist with explanation. You must be very open about this.

Let the chips fall where they fall. You will have surprises both ways good and bad.

[gorzak]

@ Natural - It is convenient to answer the question "What religion are you?" with "I am an atheist."  Technically that answer is not correct, and the answer should be "None." because it suggests atheism is a belief system. It is a lack of belief in a god or many gods. I feel the former answer is more communicative as it suggests some thought and consideration went into the subject. Where the profile asks me to put in religion, I put in Atheist.

Eastern orthodoxy shares a history with Catholicism. The split between the two is the first and greatest schism within the christian faith.

Rituals, or religious behavior, is something I could easily adapt to. For me though, it always comes down to how the kids will be raised. I could probably compromise on ritual explained as tradition or culture, but ritual performed for religious reasons would run counter to what I would want to teach my kids.

Talking about any god is an assertion that a god exists, even when you aren't being specific. I can't speak for all American Atheists, but I'm not afraid it means Jesus Christ over some other god. The government, which prints those coins, is essentially making it is business to tell me that I should put my trust in some god, even if it isn't specific about which one. That isn't consistent with the idea that I can freely exercise my right to pick no religion. I'm not saying nobody should tell me to put my trust in god, I'm saying the government shouldn't. The way I read it, it says so in the first amendment.  I consider it a minor erosion of that right. It's a step in the wrong direction in my mind, and I support those who work within the system to reverse it. Do I find it life shattering? No. Most of the time it's not worth the time it takes me to think about it, so I don't.

@SMS60 - Thanks, your advice gels with most people are saying. I'll take it and run with it.

[CDW]

I put down "Christian/Protestant" when filling any forms, but it doesn't mean I am religious.

It is time for you to pray to God to find you an Atheist !!!!

[The Natural]

@ gorzak,
 
Thanks for the answers, you formulate yourself very clearly. What you wrote about atheism and orthodoxy vs. catholisism resonate with my understanding of it also.
 
About fiat money, really a side issue here, but this is my take. Perhaps you as an atheist and I as a Christian basically agree that it should not say that "In God We Trust". From my point of view because I do not believe Jesus would approve of His name be misused on an instrument of Mammon that is manmade and involves usury to function. You because you don't accept the idea that any god can exist.
 
I don't use this currency but have on occasion used US Dollars and I wouldn't worry too much about what they write on the bills and coins. Remember that a $ 100 bill represent the Government's debt and liability to you. On it they write what they trust in, not what you should trust in.
 
"And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him."
 
Mark 12:17
King James Version (KJV)

[Olga EM]

Dear Gorzak,
I am Olga from Elena's Models Help Desk. Can you please contact us through Help Desk on the site (please ensure you are logged into your profile when you send us your Help Desk mail) and tell us about your concerns, so we can assist you. We are committed to providing the best customer service to our clients and we'll do our best to make it right for you. Thank you for your cooperation.

Kind regards,
Olga
Help desk
www.ElenasModels.com

[ECOCKS]

Dear Gorzak,
I am Olga from Elena's Models Help Desk. Can you please contact us through Help Desk on the site (please ensure you are logged into your profile when you send us your Help Desk mail) and tell us about your concerns, so we can assist you. We are committed to providing the best customer service to our clients and we'll do our best to make it right for you. Thank you for your cooperation.

Kind regards,
Olga
Help desk
www.ElenasModels.com

Kudos to EM!

Well played Olga!

[noelscot]

I was tempted to post this under CalvinHobbes thread, but it's almost opposite and I don't want to hijack it.

Short version: I think Elena's models is editing/compelling Atheists to not list as Atheist, which makes it hard for me to find Atheist women on their site

I gather from my research that Elena's models seems to be consistently recommended. I am strongly considering paying for their service after I meet a few personal goals, based on that recommendation. I have performed searches on EM for a few reasons, probably strongest among them to help motivate me to meet those personal goals, but also to familiarize myself with it's use and compare it to the AW local options.

I was disappointed initially to find that the only choices for filtering religion are Not Important, Christian, and Other, as religion is important to me, and none of those filter for what I want. My initial inclination was to dis include Christian and pick other, then filter from there. Having performed more research, I grew to understand that religion is not important in the day to day for most people, but it is very important for some (sometimes even listed in the profile as a must), so I should include in my search women that identify as Christian and then check whether they are in fact devout with my direct contact to them.

I had been looking at EM pretty much exclusively. My research led me to a blog by a woman with some good articles. She recommended another site that looked less professional. Unfortunately, I neither remember the site nor the blog now.  I wasn't as impressed by the matchmaking site as I was by the articles, but I punched in search parameters similar to the ones I use on EM just to see what I would get.  I recognized one of the search results as matching by picture. I clicked her profile because I remember reading here that a) Eduard found more personality on the russian dating sites, and b) it would also interest me to learn they were identical and passed between agencies.

Well this woman's profile was different. She used a slightly worse picture on EM, but that wasn't the part that I noticed the most. On this other site, she self identified as Athiest... on EM her religion was listed as N/a, and I had dismissed her profile as an unlikely candidate because the written portion included astrological sign. Not wanting to credit maliciousness where coincidence would explain, I googled her name, city and age combo to find her on a few other pages. There are like 4  different agencies she's listed with differently, some have different pictures, all list her religion as athiest except EM. It's still possible that she did that herself, so I decided to approach it a different way.

I cleared out my search parameters and ran a search of EMs women with the keyword atheist. I got 6 results, one of which is a christian asking for their match to not be athiestic, one profile that appeard as a result does not have the word atheist anywhere on it, and the rest list atheist as their religion. I don't think its likely based on demographics to only expect that few women to identify as atheist out of the larger set of their entire database. So I figure they are just replacing Atheist with N/A.

I didn't decide then to come here and complain as a righteous crusade, I was thrilled actually that I might have figured out a way to make my search work. Relatively few "N/A" appear outside religion, I would play the same game and replace my Atheist keyword with N/A keyword, and viola, I'd get the results I wanted. Except I did try that. And didn't get the results. I got just a few results, much like the Atheist search, and they did not include the profile that started all this, which I double checked to verify had the religion listed as N/A.

So EM may be making atheists more marketable by listing their religion as N/A, and/or the keyword search function may not be delivering all the results it should.

I hope I am just doing something wrong. I'd love to be wrong here and be instructed on a way to do what I want to do. As it stands I am frustrated and more likely to look at their competitors more seriously.

Don't worry, man, you'll have zero difficulty finding a godless woman from the FSU. You might even marry one! (My comment is not meant to disparage FSUW or atheists. I'm just telling you that you'll find your godless FSUW more easily than you think. Labels like "Orthodox" mean nothing.) 

[onus]

I always though being an atheist meant having no religion. Being an atheist myself they are one in the same. Atheism is not a religion.  Also from my Russian lady most don't believe they just got to church maybe once in a blue moon or never but, say they are this or that.