Atheists: Do you think the tide is turning?

Question

We are obviously still the outcasts of our society-being voted the least likely to share the average American's dream, or whatever that recent study was about that pretty much made us out to be public enemy no 1. But, when I see the frequent posts by non-believers on forums such as this, and the slowly, but steadily rising percentages of agnostics/atheists in our society and the constant closing of gaps in the scientific explanation of the world and so on, do you think the tide is turning, or are we just being more visible now?

Answer 1

Scott,

I think it is becoming more socially acceptable to speak out about certain issues that use to be 100% taboo!! As a result, you are seeing more agnostics coming out as full blown atheists. Similarly, with the advances of science and technology we are coming ever closer to having an explanation to our existence and as a result you are seeing people who use to believe in a god start to use their brains logically and critically and the answers they are getting do not equal out to a god.

The tides are Turing, but it is going to be a long, frustrating road filled with road blocks and pot holes, but, if we can stand strong and stick to science we will prevail in the end. Its evolution in action. We are simply living in this particular stage and it is up to us to make sure that the evolution of our species continues down the path of reason and logical thinking.

Answer 2

I'm not an atheist, but my boyfriend is. Often times we'll get in discussions and I totally respect his opinion. I really think that society has changed from where it was 50 years ago, and obviously hundreds of years ago as religion was all some people had to live on. Science has progessed in such a way that it is so much easier to question and then deny some greater beings presence. I can say I'm catholic, but I don't adhere strictly to it and complete believe in the theory of evolution. My boyfriend often gets in arguments with people over his views and theirs, and I do get his point. Ultimately it seems like society has lowered its guard, we are more open and diverse with our beliefs nowadays, and science just has so much to point out.

Answer 3

well ... if the tide is turning I'm not sure that it'll turn very far. there will always be a large percentage of the world's population that will be given over to the mental manipulations of religion, folks who need to have their imaginations channeled for them, their thinking done for them, have the need to feel secure in some kind of pleasant after death certainty.

I'm an agnostic so i have not the intellectual luxury of knowing for certain there is no afterlife and I have not the comfort of believing that there is a deity that hears my prayers and cradles my soul

in all self honesty I know that I don't know and that no other human knows either so i must step into the mystery without a single certainty to wrap my fears in.

Answer 4

I think you've been visible for quite some time now. And I do agree that the tide is turning but in a far different way then how you are percieving it. Poll or no poll I do not believe you are public enemy #1......you're just people just like me. But yes, turning tides. There is no doubt about that.............

Answer 5

There are more than you would think from what is portrayed as common.... especially agnostics. Many people are sick and tired of the Religious BS spewed forth by the major Churches (Xtian, Judism, Muslim), and find their own faith. During that discovery period, many realize that the major religions are down right silly. Later, a few decide that the whole idea of God is rediculous without the religious aspects of Heaven and Hell and therefore give up on the idea of God entirely. Of course there are many alternate paths.

Answer 6

A study made us public enemy #1?

In terms of democratic societies, its really just America and a few others where being an athiest isn't what's hot.

I have no problem with religion as long as people don't force their beliefs down other people's throats in any way/shape/form.

Answer 7

well coming from one athiest to another one i feel that the tide is turning and we are being noticed more. As most the time we were the freaks or whatever they chose to classify us as. i know personally i am noticed more now than what i was before i get questions as to why i am the way i am and was i ever a believer in god. so yes i think the tide is turnning.

Answer 8

Seeing the horrible mess the jews, muslims and christians have made of the Middle East, I think most atheists are feeling rather justifiably smug right now.
And these people claim to believe in the same god. They call themselves the "people of the book".
Self-delusion is so clearly a prerequesite for believing in any religious dogma.

Answer 9

I am just so thankful that after 50 years of reading that book that before I die my eyes have been opened and I will never let that book and religion rob any more of my life, all Religion ever did for me was to keep me sad, and stressed. Im proud to be an open minded Atheist.

Answer 10

i think there are more atheists than ever before. i just graduated high school, and the majority of people i knew were atheists. i think kids today, especially in this country, are just exposed to so much that religion is old-fashioned. we're not about traditions, and the lack of respect for parents and older people is leading to it as well, i think, because we no longer blindly believe what we're told.