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How long do you think it will take before the scale swings in the direction of non-religion/non-believing? How long before non-believers are the majority, and believers in gods and religions are the minority, both worldwide and in the USA? Fifty years? One hundred years?
It looks like it's slowly and inevitably moving in that direction, though far too slowly for my tastes. I sure hope it happens within my lifetime though.
I suspect that this is already the case, you just don't hear as much from the non-religious as you do from the religious. Perhaps we nons don't feel the need to justify ourselves and control others as the religious do.
I think since the world is so much more connected now and general knowledge of how the world works it will help to dispell some people's long held myths. I'm sure there will always be the weak minded who need something to believe and will see things that aren't there like biblical signs or acts of god. Unfortunately it seems the US seems like it's going to getting a lot more uneducated people, however I think the US is becoming more secular and the believers seem to be more hardline from what I've seen.
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I think beliefs will change but I doubt the world will ever be totally without God. It's not man's nature, we are a fearful lot and having a God to explain things away is much more comfortable that dealing with our own faults and responsibilities.
I think beliefs will change but I doubt the world will ever be totally without God. It's not man's nature, we are a fearful lot and having a God to explain things away is much more comfortable that dealing with our own faults and responsibilities.
I agree, I think there will be believers for a long time, perhaps always. Some people will always need that crutch to lean on, because they can't stand on their own feet.
I just wish the USA wasn't such a prime example of utter foolishness in this regard. Sometimes I feel ashamed for my country because of all the religious nonsense.
With technological advances and education of how things in the world work, you'd think it would be sooner than later
Our kids our gonna look at religion with suspicion as long as they aren't being brainwashed and force fed
I just find it hard to believe that educated people can accept religion so readily, unless its for another reason like family or something. But if they are beleiving the magic, etc then I got ask why.
I agree, I think there will be believers for a long time, perhaps always. Some people will always need that crutch to lean on, because they can't stand on their own feet.
I totally agree with this statement.
And I'm with the other poster too in that I feel like there's already more non-believers in the US than believers.
And I'm with the other poster too in that I feel like there's already more non-believers in the US than believers.
I hope I'm wrong but I don't think I am.
I agree with Z, as well. People who need religion to fill that gap will use it, and thats totally fine. Its when they go overboard that concerns me.
I dunno the ratio of believer vs non, but I guess it seems like there's more beleivers to me because they are more outspoken. Nons just keep to themselves unless its forced out of them.
Not to say there isn't a few extremists in any belief system, but overall, I'd say we're all pretty casual and cool in our beliefs and get along fine.
How long do you think it will take before the scale swings in the direction of non-religion/non-believing? How long before non-believers are the majority, and believers in gods and religions are the minority, both worldwide and in the USA? Fifty years? One hundred years?
It looks like it's slowly and inevitably moving in that direction, though far too slowly for my tastes. I sure hope it happens within my lifetime though.
The last I saw the non-religious made up 16 to 24 %.of the US population. The world percentage is higher, and in some areas it has crossed well beyond the 50% mark.
One thing that always surprises me is with 16% as non-religious we make up a minority larger than Hispanics, Blacks, Gays, and even the non-catholic christians, yet we have not received any real voice in the government, or basic respect in the national social structure. I have to question why the non-religious don’t voice their views and demand their rights.
The last I saw the non-religious made up 16 to 24 %.of the US population. The world percentage is higher, and in some areas it has crossed well beyond the 50% mark.
One thing that always surprises me is with 16% as non-religious we make up a minority larger than Hispanics, Blacks, Gays, and even the non-catholic christians, yet we have not received any real voice in the government, or basic respect in the national social structure. I have to question why the non-religious don’t voice their views and demand their rights.
Perhaps it is because even the atheists here on this forum claim that there is no unifying belief structure to atheism. If atheism does not imply any sort of worldview, then it makes no sense to have organization or representation. I also have heard atheists say that their atheism is not a big part of their belief structure. It would be like people who like Hondas unifying for representation in the government. I admit, I have been forced to accept (some on here will know, grudgingly) in the last couple of days that you all are elusive and very diverse in your beliefs. I can now respect that view. But if I accept that there are no unifying principles behind atheism, how can such a group seek legislative representation?
Last edited by Georgiafrog; 03-05-2009 at 01:29 PM..
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) in the last couple of days that you all are elusive and very diverse in your beliefs. I can now respect that view. But if I accept that there are no unifying principles behind atheism, how can such a group seek legislative representation?
