When did religion die? Darwin's evolution? Copernicus peering through his telescope? What was the final blow

Question

I'm just assuming that there will be two groups of people who will read this, the ones who will tell me I need Jesus, and the people who live in the real world. If you want to tell me I need Jesus, please feel free.

So for those of us in the real world, what event in history made the man-made invention of religion irrelevant, making it is what it is today, cults for weak minded people?

Is it Galileo and Copernicus looking through their telescope? Is it Charles Darwin on the Galapagos? What, in your mind, was the final blow to religion, proving once and for all that this was an invention of aristorcracy as a means of control.

Answer 1

Intelligent people knew long ago that gods and goddesses are an invention of mankind, but evolution put the last nail in the coffin.

Answer 2

Again, personal choice. You don't need Jesus unless you choose to need Jesus. So if you don't feel the need, then obviously you don't need Jesus.
So, since you don't believe in Jesus, why do you believe there's been some invention created by man that did away with religion? I have not heard of any man-made device capable of such a feat. In fact, I'm sure those who have chosen not to believe have existed as long as there have been those who have believed, perhaps longer. Nothing new, no invention, nothing at all. Since a person's thoughts can not be controlled, religion will always be there as a choice, just as non-religion will. Again, a choice. Actually, you could look at non-religion as a religion also, a belief in not believing. Seems you just can't get away from it. Call it what you may, by not believing, you are a member of that church, that belief. Just because you don't attend a group meeting, or pray to a deity, doesn't mean you don't have a religion. Lots of "believers" go through life that way. As far as written documents to read, passed down through the ages? How many people do you think actually take the time to sit and read that stuff? More probably read Harry Potter. So welcome to the club, non-believing believer! You're just as dumb as the rest of us!

Answer 3

LOL, I understand the point you're trying to make, but wake up. Religion is not only alive, it's bulldozing it's way to global scale war. Listen to the way terrorists are cast as Islamic instead of Middle Eastern. Listen to the way the Middle Eastern terrorists wrap themselves in Islam. Look at who your friggin' President is. He believes he's on a mission from God. Dude, get off Yahoo and into the real world! Religion is frighteningly real.

And, yes, I agree religion was created by man. It's an institution. Those who follow any holy book literally are abdicating self responsibility and quite often misusing those ancient books of wisdom to justify their prejudices and fears of those who are different. Spirituality and faith, however, are different. Of course, I'm an agnostic so that's how I feel. There may be something, there may not, we'll all know when we're dead.

Answer 4

Galileo, ironically, was a Christian. Beyond that, you have an unproven premise: namely, that religion is irrelevant. Like it or not, it is very relevant. Ever heard of 9/11? Or is that not relevant to the world today? That was religion-based, like it or not. Beyond that, Christians as a whole cannot be said to be weak-minded. Not even in generalization. Somewhere around 70% of Americans claim to be Christian. Because of this, obviously you will get weak-minded people. But also because of this, you will get incredibly smart people. I am assuming this answer will likely go to waste since you probably don't care to know the truth--you just want to slam on religious people and pretend you're smart--anything to convince yourself.

Answer 5

Religion is a system of social coherence centered around a common group of beliefs or attitudes concerning an object, person, imaginary being, or system of thought considered to be supernatural, sacred, divine or highest truth, and the moral codes, practices, values, institutions, and rituals associated with such belief or system of thought[1].
I think religion is alive and kicking in many forms. Weather it's true intent is control or enlightenment, religion will always exist as along as people need to find comfort in being right about things they have no true facts on. Religion is a great idea, but it is one usually fouled by the hand of of man.

Personally I prescribe to an ever changing belief system that has the ability to grow and incorporate the ideals and morals I experience that I like. Everything around me is in a constant state of change, why should my beliefs or even morals be set? Evolution never disproved God existed, it only disproves the Bible's interpretation of history. One of the many reason, I don't believe in the Bible or any book that claims to be "the word" of God.

Answer 6

I think the final blow to religion in Europe at any rate was the First World War. Although before that there were intellectual reasons for questioning religion, I think that the experiences of the people who lived through that time gave an emotional impetus to the rejection of the idea of God, and made it almost universal, not something restricted to intellectuals.

The scientific and philosophical ideas of the preceding centuries just gave people a structure on which to hang their lack of belief.

The Lisbon Earthquake of 1755 had a similar devastating effect, and was one of the causes of the rationalism of the 18th century. The Second World War also had a profound effect, especially the Concentration Camps and the Atom Bomb.

The Lisbon earthquake put a question mark over religion and the interest of god in his creation.
The First World War put a question mark over the role of religion in society, and the social virtues of patriotism, honour etc.
The second World War put a question over Man himself, and Science.

Answer 7

Columbus' voyage to the new world. Even though the Norse had been to North America centuries earlier it was not known through most of Europe at that time and people were absolutely certain that Columbus was sailing towards certain death because the earth was flat. When he returned to Spain, although he did not find India he didn't fall off the edge of the earth and that is when people started questioning what they had really learned.

Answer 8

The internet. Religion is based on exposure. Once you have exposure to all religions, the valuability of any given religion decreased phenomenally. While the premises of individual religions were discarded earlier, religion itself remained prominent, and had a major surge in America during the communism scare. But with the introduction of the Internet, there are more and more people who can gather more information selectively, and make their own choices

Answer 9

Dear RandyGE,
Jeffery Dahmer, ironically, was a Christian. Beyond that, YOU have an unproven premise: namely, that religion is relevant. Where is its relevance beyond hurting people and generalized intolerance? You say, somewhere around 70% of Americans claim to be Christian. That is a huge majority. Why then with all this Christian Charity and love in place do we have War? Starvation? Hate crimes? Murder? Road Rage? You are assuming your answer will likely go to waste. It didn’t, I read it and it reaffirmed for me when religion died. It died when a Christian thought for one moment that by questioning faith that you are on self absorbed mission to slam others.
Thanks,
Katy

Answer 10

Nagasaki, Hiroshima. We live under a Nuclear umbrella of fear. Science and Religion began to die on the same moment, and out of Enola Gay's belly was spawned a new world order...