Atheism/Agnosticism on the rise

2

Comments

  • pandora
    pandora Posts: 21,855
    Zoso wrote:
    pandora wrote:
    Wow ... look at them jump :lol: how high?

    It's ok for believers to take the crap dished by the atheists but can they receive
    in turn ? :fp:

    Here is the strength of God ;)

    no one has judged you or anyone for being religious... I don't want to be judged just as much for my atheism as you don't want to be judged for I'm assuming your christian beliefs.
    wrong ...

    funny I was not judging I spoke only of my experience,
    seems the atheists are on the defense why is that?

    And of course those of religion here get dished regular.
    They pay for all the sins done in the name of religion.

    What about all the incredible good done in the name of religion?

    Let's finally talk positives, it's so much better for one's health.
    Lets talk about love for Jesus and for everyone :D
  • hedonist
    hedonist Posts: 24,524
    redrock wrote:
    hedonist wrote:
    Who are YOU, anyone, to judge?
    I don't think this thread is about judging beliefs Hedonist. I'm seeing the discussion going around why we feel this is on the rise. Whether it be how religion is perceived (not just christian religion), people being more open to other ideas - maybe after being let down by 'religion', others feeling they do not need to 'conform' to certain social values that were 'always there', others just being on a quest and not satisfied with the 'traditional' answers.
    The "you" was in the general sense, but you're correct, redrock...I'll admit that this is a sticking point with me which came out while writing my response, as there seems to be (not always, but often) a stereotype of the religious that colored my reply.
  • pandora
    pandora Posts: 21,855
    redrock wrote:
    pandora wrote:

    Outside the box is God ...
    unfortunately too many don't reach outside the box.

    Unfortunately?

    Furthermore, You are making the assumption there is only one box - the god one. There isn't. MANY people reach outside the box - this is not a something special to some 'enlightened' ones. Some may also look within the box, within themselves and find what they need, without having to 'go out'.

    A lot more people are 'aware', questioning, etc. Not following a certain path because that's what the parents, grand-parents, etc. did and that's what was expected of them.
    'Aware' really? This must be what you see. Your opinion.

    We speaking of opinions not facts right ;)
  • redrock
    redrock Posts: 18,341
    hedonist wrote:
    The "you" was in the general sense, but you're correct, redrock...I'll admit that this is a sticking point with me which came out while writing my response, as there seems to be (not always, but often) a stereotype of the religious that colored my reply.
    I got that the 'you' was general.

    But you do have a point though - the stereotype of the ones following a religion. I believe it stems in the fanatical 'examples' we have - such as the latest in Broun. It would seem those kind of extreme fundamentalists (again in any religion) 'paint the picture' of what can be perceived as religion for a good number of people.
  • pandora
    pandora Posts: 21,855
    I'm sick of that stereotype. It seems there are all these atheists who are bright individuals
    or claim to be :? but the religious just do what they are told,
    have smaller less formed prehistoric brains :lol:
    were brainwashed as children, can't think for themselves etc etc...

    I'll say good Lord here. And the atheists complain about being judged. :fp:

    I guess they just don't see it ... must be that bright part ;)
    maybe it's the within part ... that's it.
  • ComeToTX
    ComeToTX Austin Posts: 8,116
    pandora wrote:
    Zoso wrote:
    pandora wrote:
    Wow ... look at them jump :lol: how high?

    It's ok for believers to take the crap dished by the atheists but can they receive
    in turn ? :fp:

    Here is the strength of God ;)

    no one has judged you or anyone for being religious... I don't want to be judged just as much for my atheism as you don't want to be judged for I'm assuming your christian beliefs.
    wrong ...

    funny I was not judging I spoke only of my experience,
    seems the atheists are on the defense why is that?

    And of course those of religion here get dished regular.
    They pay for all the sins done in the name of religion.

    What about all the incredible good done in the name of religion?

    Let's finally talk positives, it's so much better for one's health.
    Lets talk about love for Jesus and for everyone :D

    When you say you we're an atheist and then "wised up" aren't you implying that aetheists are less wise? Or does the ;) make it okay to say whatever?
    This show, another show, a show here and a show there.
  • pandora
    pandora Posts: 21,855
    ComeToTX wrote:
    pandora wrote:
    Zoso wrote:
    no one has judged you or anyone for being religious... I don't want to be judged just as much for my atheism as you don't want to be judged for I'm assuming your christian beliefs.
    wrong ...

    funny I was not judging I spoke only of my experience,
    seems the atheists are on the defense why is that?

    And of course those of religion here get dished regular.
    They pay for all the sins done in the name of religion.

    What about all the incredible good done in the name of religion?

    Let's finally talk positives, it's so much better for one's health.
    Lets talk about love for Jesus and for everyone :D

    When you say you we're an atheist and then "wised up" aren't you implying that aetheists are less wise? Or does the ;) make it okay to say whatever?
    I meant and said I wised up. This is exactly how it felt, still feels.
    If you can imagine believing in God can you imagine how it would feel?
  • ComeToTX
    ComeToTX Austin Posts: 8,116
    pandora wrote:
    I'm sick of that stereotype. It seems there are all these atheists who are bright individuals
    or claim to be :? but the religious just do what they are told,
    have smaller less formed prehistoric brains :lol:
    were brainwashed as children, can't think for themselves etc etc...

    I'll say good Lord here. And the atheists complain about being judged. :fp:

    I guess they just don't see it ... must be that bright part ;)
    maybe it's the within part ... that's it.

    Aetheists claim to be bright? Who's judging here?
    This show, another show, a show here and a show there.
  • pandora
    pandora Posts: 21,855
    ComeToTX wrote:
    pandora wrote:
    I'm sick of that stereotype. It seems there are all these atheists who are bright individuals
    or claim to be :? but the religious just do what they are told,
    have smaller less formed prehistoric brains :lol:
    were brainwashed as children, can't think for themselves etc etc...

    I'll say good Lord here. And the atheists complain about being judged. :fp:

    I guess they just don't see it ... must be that bright part ;)
    maybe it's the within part ... that's it.

    Aetheists claim to be bright? Who's judging here?
    Not judging this has been said... go back through all the threads ...
    it would be horribly tedious I know

    my words there have been claimed by atheists...

    it gets old really.
  • pandora
    pandora Posts: 21,855
    I guess no one is challenging the small less formed prehistoric brain thing :lol:
    it was a thread too! :fp:

    It's important to keep a sense of humor in life but not at the expense of others.
  • redrock
    redrock Posts: 18,341
    Wow.. thread already gone to pots. No one is challenging anyone's beliefs here. Just commenting on an article about the rise of atheism/agnosticism IN GENERAL. Not about I believe in god, you don't and you're worse for it. Or I don't believe in god but you do and you're worse for it.

    If one would like to discuss their own personal god, jesus etc. maybe another thread is in order.
  • Vitalogensia
    Vitalogensia Posts: 2,271
    wow, people get real fired up about this god thing.
  • pandora
    pandora Posts: 21,855
    redrock wrote:
    Wow.. thread already gone to pots. No one is challenging anyone's beliefs here. Just commenting on an article about the rise of atheism/agnosticism IN GENERAL. Not about I believe in god, you don't and you're worse for it. Or I don't believe in god but you do and you're worse for it.

    If one would like to discuss their own personal god, jesus etc. maybe another thread is in order.
    No and I was not challenging anyones beliefs either when I was accused of calling
    someone a youngster and naive.... which I did not say.
    Just spoke of my experience. As others spoke of theirs with the mother and grandparents
    etc...

    I heard recently of a great organization promoting keeping kids in church.
    That many are lost and need a church that speaks to the 12 to 25 age range .
    Not their parents church. Good idea. It was not the faith part it was
    they needed their own 8-) I thought this was great.

    Generation Acts I think like Generation X
  • pandora
    pandora Posts: 21,855
    SK359828 wrote:
    wow, people get real fired up about this god thing.
    it's important to keep a sense of humor ;) makes life much more fun
  • Hugh Freaking Dillon
    Hugh Freaking Dillon Posts: 14,010
    several reasons why this is happening:

    1) the breakdown of the "traditional" family unit. most religious practices revolve around the traditional family unit of the past several centuries. since that family unit has altered significantly over the past few decades, with the religious right being unwilling to accept and include that alteration, has lead to a decline in membership

    2) globalization of media. being able to witness second hand (video) all the mass destruction of humankind on each other, not to mention the earth and nature on us, it gets harder and harder for a lay person to believe in an all-loving and merciful One

    3) lifestyle. it's been happening not just over the technological age, but even before that. women being finally allowed into the workforce and now actually (gasp!) having their own social lives, is a small part of it, but what may have started it, which makes the family unit, as it stands today, much busier. which leaves less time for god.

    4) religion is an atiquated notion. to reach youth, you have to update and transform with the times to identify with them. western religion has failed to do that. we fear our ipods dying and forgetting our facebook passwords more than we fear the wrath of god on judgment day.

    5) fear of our elders is gone. human behaviour used to be steeped in tradition, which was brought on by a sense of belonging and right and fear. people no longer worry about appeasing their parents and doing right by the family. partly because baby boomer parents have softened to this ideal. they want their kids to forge their own path.
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • Hugh Freaking Dillon
    Hugh Freaking Dillon Posts: 14,010
    pandora wrote:
    redrock wrote:
    Wow.. thread already gone to pots. No one is challenging anyone's beliefs here. Just commenting on an article about the rise of atheism/agnosticism IN GENERAL. Not about I believe in god, you don't and you're worse for it. Or I don't believe in god but you do and you're worse for it.

    If one would like to discuss their own personal god, jesus etc. maybe another thread is in order.
    No and I was not challenging anyones beliefs either when I was accused of calling
    someone a youngster and naive.... which I did not say.
    Just spoke of my experience. As others spoke of theirs with the mother and grandparents
    etc...

    I heard recently of a great organization promoting keeping kids in church.
    That many are lost and need a church that speaks to the 12 to 25 age range .
    Not their parents church. Good idea. It was not the faith part it was
    they needed their own 8-) I thought this was great.

    Generation Acts I think like Generation X

    you said "I was an atheist and then I wised up". anyone, regardless of beliefs, that claims to be more enlightened than another on a PERSONAL journey, is ignorant.
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • BinFrog
    BinFrog MA Posts: 7,314
    I came in here expecting to see exactly what I see. Bonus points for predicting the hijacking.
    Bright eyed kid: "Wow Typo Man, you're the best!"
    Typo Man: "Thanks kidz, but remembir, stay in skool!"
  • pandora
    pandora Posts: 21,855
    Hugh Freaking Dillon wrote:
    pandora wrote:
    redrock wrote:
    Wow.. thread already gone to pots. No one is challenging anyone's beliefs here. Just commenting on an article about the rise of atheism/agnosticism IN GENERAL. Not about I believe in god, you don't and you're worse for it. Or I don't believe in god but you do and you're worse for it.

    If one would like to discuss their own personal god, jesus etc. maybe another thread is in order.
    No and I was not challenging anyones beliefs either when I was accused of calling
    someone a youngster and naive.... which I did not say.
    Just spoke of my experience. As others spoke of theirs with the mother and grandparents
    etc...

    I heard recently of a great organization promoting keeping kids in church.
    That many are lost and need a church that speaks to the 12 to 25 age range .
    Not their parents church. Good idea. It was not the faith part it was
    they needed their own 8-) I thought this was great.

    Generation Acts I think like Generation X

    you said "I was an atheist and then I wised up". anyone, regardless of beliefs, that claims to be more enlightened than another on a PERSONAL journey, is ignorant.
    say what :?

    again only claimed my own wising up ... no reflection on another

    wow and always a nice guy too :lol:
    Does that show personal spiritual growth to be so rude?
  • Prince Of Dorkness
    Prince Of Dorkness Posts: 3,763
    While I'm sure some people feel much "wiser" when they start to believe in a magic man in the sky who gives a shit who wins the super bowl but can't be arsed to help the 3 year-old girl being raped in Somalia, I would think that maybe some people might want to look the word "wise" up in a dictionary.

    Religions are there for weak-minded people who need to be told what to think and do.

    That's all.
    I can't drive without Pearl Jam
  • Hugh Freaking Dillon
    Hugh Freaking Dillon Posts: 14,010
    pandora wrote:
    say what :?

    again only claimed my own wising up ... no reflection on another
    wow and always a nice guy too :lol:
    Does that show personal spiritual growth to be so rude?

    do you really think anyone is buying that?

    saying someone/something is ignorant is not rude. had I said someone was "stupid" would be rude, ignorant is not.
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
This discussion has been closed.

Categories