ATHEISTS: Europe is mostly Atheistic. Why? And what can we do to spread this? How long will it take?

Question

THIS IS NOT A QUESTION FOR CHRISTIANS (OR OTHER THEISTS). UNLIKE MY LAST QUESTION, HAVE SOME RESPECT BY NOT REPLYING IF YOU ARE A THEIST.

If you see trends in Europe, people tend to be Atheistic for the most part. Sure there are some churches and what not, but most people do not attend church. In the past 100 years we have seen a dramatic change into a world that is becoming almost entirely without religion. What has caused this? How can we do this to spread it amongst the Americas, Africa, and Asia? And how long do you think it will take for the world to follow the European trend?

Answer 1

In Europe we get to learn science in school. :) Even European Christians don't have a problem with that, they are open to knowledge from more sources than the Bible, but then again they are not fundamentalists like so many American Christians.

Answer 2

You dont need to do anything to spread it, as you said int he past 100 years its changed, and it will carry on to do so. I live in Europe and cant recall ever meeting anyone whose religious (except Jehovah Witnesses).
We're taught a little about religion at school but much more importance is put on science as its essential knowledge!
I've met people who say that America isnt that much more religious than Europe, I dunno where they get that idea from, virtually everyone here is atheist and we dont have the Christian fanatics like you get over there!
I guess religion is still around in Muslim (and other faiths) parts of the country (I'm in the UK) but the Muslims I know arent religious either, its just a label used when filling in forms!

But there are A LOT of churches (not a few) but they are not attended regularly.
The three main reasons to go to church here are, weddings, funerals and christenings.

Answer 3

You make the assumption that people who do not go to church are atheists. That is a very erroneous assumption. Remember that there are many other religions, and many less well-defined beliefs that are not represented in cathedrals and regular attendance at worship services.

Also, you seem to think being atheistic is something positive that should be spread, just as most Christians think it is something positive that should be spread. But in fact, A-theism is something negative, in the sense of declaring that there is no god, rather than positively identifying a particular god or impression of god for people to worship. It's extremely difficult to prove a negative, and spreading the concept of atheism mostly involves a negative attack on what people already believe. That does not win friends and influence people, it just gets their defenses up.

If you really think atheism is the right way to believe, by all means put forth your arguments as well as you can and see how many people you can persuade. But it will not be by telling people they cannot reply to the challenge you raise.

Answer 4

I'm finding that more and more younger folks in North America are rejecting religion and the concept of "God." just look at all the catholic schools and churches that are shutting down. People are open minded today. They are sick of seeing pedophiles tell them what they can and can't do. This is coming from someone who goes to a catholic University and has to take religion courses too!

Answer 5

it's because of science. Science made people realize God is an imaginairy fool. And how to spread the trend? By selecting atheistic leaders with a clear view...and not a narrow minded christian idiot.


(To answer at stupid atheist's question: Yes, atheists have more brains :D I don't see the pope reading the theory of relativity)

Answer 6

I would attribute to the holocaust. Over 6 million dead influenced by religion, that would make alot of people reconsider.

Answer 7

Happy Thanksgiving.

Answer 8

> And what can we do to spread this? How long will it take?

I'm not atheist, but I don't think one would be motivated to spread disbelief in presence of God.

If you have a belief, you might be motivated to spread it. If you dibelief, you would not care I guess, right?

Answer 9

I'm about ready to move there. They have free health care for everyone, lower crime rates, guaranteed college, higher literacy, and LESS religious nuts. I think the USA is too corrupt and ignorant to change. Walter Cronkite recently said, "The American people are too ignorant to have a viable democracy. Look at who they elected President."

Answer 10

There's no need to spread it,
it is the natural progression of human intellect.
One of the reasons 'man with beard' , is
starting to feel uneasy ....