Religion on the decline around the world

Zoso · August 2012

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/0 ... 57453.html

I found this an interesting but not overly surprising trend..

gimmesometruth27 · August 2012

good.

there is no greater cause of death and destruction than religion and the conflict that is created between different religions.

maybe one day in a few centuries we will get to the point where our differences are not highlighted by something like religion.

hedonist · August 2012

Are religions - those that promote charity, kindness, brotherhood, peace - the problem, or those who skew it, use it for their own agendas, become fanatical about it, etc?

Jason P · August 2012

gimmesometruth27 wrote:

good.

there is no greater cause of death and destruction than religion and the conflict that is created between different religions.

Religion? Which ones and how?

BinauralJam · August 2012

Thank God!

cincybearcat · August 2012

gimmesometruth27 wrote:

good.

there is no greater cause of death and destruction than religion and the conflict that is created between different religions.

maybe one day in a few centuries we will get to the point where our differences are not highlighted by something like religion.

I would agree that there is no greater cause of death and destruction than "the conflict that is created between different religions". That is a great way of pointing it I think.

If one can be religious and not overtly push their beliefs onto others, religion could easily exist in a peaceful world. In fact, in it's pure essence, it could be what truly guides and creates a peaceful world.

JonnyPistachio · August 2012

BinauralJam wrote:

Thank God!

comebackgirl · August 2012

Religion has definitely been used to divide, as have many other things. It seems like humans as a group are always trying to find some way to keep separate from "others." I wonder if religion declines if something else will be used in it's place to do separate and divide. I've never been religious, but I've certainly seen faith be a sense of strength for people and a way of coping through difficult times. On the other hand it's also been a source of pain and oppression for others. Some people have reinterpreted their faith, taking the positive aspects and leaving the more negative pieces.

Cosmo · August 2012

I don't think I have a problem with religion... it's the churches based upon those religions that are the problem.
Not all churches... the ones that look to form law of the land to fit law of their book... you know, the people that think Creationism is a science. If they want to get out of religion and into politics, then pull their tax exempt status.
Also... a church that has its own bank... is a business, not a church (Rome).

gimmesometruth27 · August 2012

Jeanwah · August 2012

I'm sure the Catholic scandals and their need to be involved in politics have caused a huge portion of this.

I'm just glad that it's possible to be spiritual without being religious.

hedonist · August 2012

Jeanwah wrote:

I'm just glad that it's possible to be spiritual without being religious.

Amen to that :P

And I like what cincy said - not pushing your beliefs (or even non-beliefs) onto others. Some of the most devoutly-religious people I've known - my father included - were this way, and I always appreciated it. Made discussing religion so much more constructive.

Cosmo · August 2012

hedonist wrote:

Jeanwah wrote:

I'm just glad that it's possible to be spiritual without being religious.

Amen to that :P

And I like what cincy said - not pushing your beliefs (or even non-beliefs) onto others. Some of the most devoutly-religious people I've known - my father included - were this way, and I always appreciated it. Made discussing religion so much more constructive.

...
That's it. There is a reason WHY it's called 'Personal Belief'... because it is 'Personal'.. and 'Belief'. It is not widespread truth... which is where it gets all muckied up.
Personally, I don't care if you believe to know God or whatever, just don't try to pass it off as knowledge or truth... it is belief/faith. I don't really give a fuck if you believe that God Hates Fags, for example, that's your gig... quit shouting that shit in my face.

peacefrompaul · August 2012

I have no problem with someone being religious... iIt can just get out of hand is all... way out of hand... what is supposed to bring happiness and peace has brought a whole lot of hate, pain, and suffering.

I personally stay away from it for the most part, though, I have been dabbling in Buddhism recently.

PJ_Soul · August 2012

Thank god.

Edit: now I see that one's already been done!

brianlux · August 2012

Religion's declining? I'd like to think that this is because there is a corresponding rise in pragmatism, skepticism, critical thinking, introspective thinking, spiritual searching, thoughtful seeking, peace, love, tolerance, wackiness, playfulness, creativity and maybe even some form of counter-religion. But I'm concerned I might be disappointed to know whether or not that is the case.

MotoDC · August 2012

brianlux wrote:

Religion's declining? I'd like to think that this is because there is a corresponding rise in pragmatism, skepticism, critical thinking, introspective thinking, spiritual searching, thoughtful seeking, peace, love, tolerance, wackiness, playfulness, creativity and maybe even some form of counter-religion. But I'm concerned I might be disappointed to know whether or not that is the case.

I think you would be as well.

Zoso · August 2012

brianlux wrote:

Religion's declining? I'd like to think that this is because there is a corresponding rise in pragmatism, skepticism, critical thinking, introspective thinking, spiritual searching, thoughtful seeking, peace, love, tolerance, wackiness, playfulness, creativity and maybe even some form of counter-religion. But I'm concerned I might be disappointed to know whether or not that is the case.

I think it's not as easy as saying religion is declining.. I wish this was the case... I think the people on the fence are more inclined to define themselves as atheist's while the religious types are becoming far more extreme in their views. The most religious countries in the world or part of the world are easily the USA and the Middle East which I find interesting.. Japan, China, South Korea and parts of Asia (excluding obviously Indonesia etc) are becoming very non religious.. Australia has got minimal religious influence also.

PJ_Soul · August 2012

Zoso wrote:

brianlux wrote:

Religion's declining? I'd like to think that this is because there is a corresponding rise in pragmatism, skepticism, critical thinking, introspective thinking, spiritual searching, thoughtful seeking, peace, love, tolerance, wackiness, playfulness, creativity and maybe even some form of counter-religion. But I'm concerned I might be disappointed to know whether or not that is the case.

I think it's not as easy as saying religion is declining.. I wish this was the case... I think the people on the fence are more inclined to define themselves as atheist's while the religious types are becoming far more extreme in their views. The most religious countries in the world or part of the world are easily the USA and the Middle East which I find interesting.. Japan, China, South Korea and parts of Asia (excluding obviously Indonesia etc) are becoming very non religious.. Australia has got minimal religious influence also.

Don't forget India. VERY religious, and there are 1.2 billion people there.

I don't really care if people are simply religious (even though I don't get how people could believe in such things). It's the fanaticism that is the problem, what causes the conflicts and wars, what propagates intolerance, and what tends to impinge on the wider public. And it seems to me that, while religion may be in decline globally, fanaticism amongst those who are religious is on the rise, and that is what has and will continue to have a negative impact on the world.

cincybearcat · August 2012

PJ_Soul wrote:

Don't forget India.

What is this India you speak of, I'm in the dark.

But seriously, keep this under wraps. Before too long the religious people will say this is the reason everything is going to hell in a handbasket!!!

comebackgirl · August 2012

PJ_Soul wrote:

Zoso wrote:

brianlux wrote:

Religion's declining? I'd like to think that this is because there is a corresponding rise in pragmatism, skepticism, critical thinking, introspective thinking, spiritual searching, thoughtful seeking, peace, love, tolerance, wackiness, playfulness, creativity and maybe even some form of counter-religion. But I'm concerned I might be disappointed to know whether or not that is the case.

I think it's not as easy as saying religion is declining.. I wish this was the case... I think the people on the fence are more inclined to define themselves as atheist's while the religious types are becoming far more extreme in their views. The most religious countries in the world or part of the world are easily the USA and the Middle East which I find interesting.. Japan, China, South Korea and parts of Asia (excluding obviously Indonesia etc) are becoming very non religious.. Australia has got minimal religious influence also.

Don't forget India. VERY religious, and there are 1.2 billion people there.

I don't really care if people are simply religious (even though I don't get how people could believe in such things). It's the fanaticism that is the problem, what causes the conflicts and wars, what propagates intolerance, and what tends to impinge on the wider public. And it seems to me that, while religion may be in decline globally, fanaticism amongst those who are religious is on the rise, and that is what has and will continue to have a negative impact on the world.

I wonder if the fanaticism is growing because religion overall is on the decline. People tend to try and gain power and control over others when they're losing ground. My issue with religion is when it's used to try and control and limit others. I don't understand how people believe those things either, but if they use those beliefs to get through hard times, support others and do good deeds, great. Just don't tell someone they're less of a human because they don't share those beliefs.

Religion on the decline around the world

Comments

Categories