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What does it say? I can't read it without disabling my ad blocker (which pretty much defeats the purpose in having an ad blocker).
+ That secularization is continuing at an unprecedented rate
+ That several counties (for example, Japan, Scandinavia, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Australia, Canada and Uruguay) are becoming far more secular, but not because of any government effort to make it happen...it's just happening naturally through how people are thinking and acting), and that those societies are healthier, safer, and better at solving people-problems (such as homelessness).
+ That the new model of secularization is different than governments, such as the former USSR, which were bloody and corrupt.
I wonder if Transponder had a hand in writing that headline.... "America's Record Godlessness."
Good article. One excerpt...
"Organic secularization can occur for many reasons. It happens when members of a society become better educated, more prosperous, and live safer, more secure and more peaceful lives; when societies experience increases in social isolation; when people have better healthcare; when more women hold paying jobs; when more people wait longer to get married and have kids. All of these, especially in combination, can decrease religiosity.
Another major factor is the ubiquity of the internet, which provides open windows to alternative worldviews and different cultures that can corrode religious conviction — and allows budding skeptics and nascent freethinkers to find, support and encourage one another."
I wonder if Transponder had a hand in writing that headline.... "America's Record Godlessness."
Good article. One excerpt...
"Organic secularization can occur for many reasons. It happens when members of a society become better educated, more prosperous, and live safer, more secure and more peaceful lives; when societies experience increases in social isolation; when people have better healthcare; when more women hold paying jobs; when more people wait longer to get married and have kids. All of these, especially in combination, can decrease religiosity.
Another major factor is the ubiquity of the internet, which provides open windows to alternative worldviews and different cultures that can corrode religious conviction — and allows budding skeptics and nascent freethinkers to find, support and encourage one another."
I think there's no question about that. The major churches no longer have the only voice.
I wonder if Transponder had a hand in writing that headline.... "America's Record Godlessness."
Good article. One excerpt...
"Organic secularization can occur for many reasons. It happens when members of a society become better educated, more prosperous, and live safer, more secure and more peaceful lives; when societies experience increases in social isolation; when people have better healthcare; when more women hold paying jobs; when more people wait longer to get married and have kids. All of these, especially in combination, can decrease religiosity.
Another major factor is the ubiquity of the internet, which provides open windows to alternative worldviews and different cultures that can corrode religious conviction — and allows budding skeptics and nascent freethinkers to find, support and encourage one another."
I think that in Canadait has been mostly organic. It is being countered to a small degree in my own province by a political.party that only really showed their closness to one of the American.majotr parties after our governmentwas elected. By cliseness i men attending rrallies, hiring consultants and praising said party. This is not organic and their drop in the polls are showing that.
Also in Canada , especially in Quebec was the rejection to the power the Catholic Church had weided in that province and that the largest Protestant dedomination, the United Church of Canada never seemed to even try to influece society.
I do wonder if part of the difference between Canada and the States is that Canadians tend to be more private about their religion or politics. For me anyways the people i know but not really well is i could easily tell you which NHL or CFL team they are a fan of but their religion or lack of and their politics not as easy.
I think a country reflects its people as well the people reflect its country. Which is why Americans are proud to be Ameticans and Canadians are pround to be Canadians we are just a bit more reserved about showing that except when the Raptirs or Blue Jays are in the championship series tjen weoke out of our shell.
Does the article discuss if it is also happening in the States and if notbwhatvare the contributing factors?
Does the article discuss if it is also happening in the States and if notbwhatvare the contributing factors?
Yes, that is the focus of the article... how the U.S. is heading in same direction as many other countries listed in phetaroi's post #4. It cites statistical trends (many already discussed in threads here), explores possible reasons, and concludes this is not a bad direction for societies to evolve, if they get there "organically" (i.e., without authoritarian dictatorship or government pushing them).
But you should be able to access full article in the LA Times link provided, which I will repeat here.
The removal of the irrationality and ignorance in religious dogma is definitely a good thing, but I am NOT sanguine that it will necessarily become a better world. but at least I will not be here to see it.
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Well-written op-ed about a secular nation
