Why do you think America (which has something like an 8% non-theist population – conservative estimate) is so behind in this trend compared to other European countries like England which I believe has something like 55% of its population which doesn’t believe in a higher power? It kind of makes me want to move to Europe so that I can raise my children without fear of manipulative bible thumpers (not that all Christians are manipulative bible thumpers – I really am not trying to offend people). I’m mostly looking for a Christian perspective on this issue, but all answers are welcome. :)
2006-11-24 17:10:06 · 38 answers · asked by A 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Cause there are a lot more crazy religious people in America.
2006-11-24 17:12:10 · answer #1 · answered by Girl Goes Back To The Future 6 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Its just a trend of the times. Things happen over time, a rise in Christianity, a decrease in Christianity, its just a thing that happens. America has always been a little more religious than Europe. I am a Christian and I don't know why there is a rise of atheism in the world, esp. in Europe. Nor do I really care. I am not a Bible Thumper, and I think religion should be a personal issue. So whatever I guess lol
2006-11-24 17:13:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
I think that Atheism has increased so much because people are feeling so supremely intelligent through all of our technological advances that they don't feel a need for God. What's surprising to me though is that in all of this advanced technology we still haven't been able to disprove God.
Let's turn the scenario around a bit, why do YOU think that America which has only an 8% non-theist population in comparison to the 55% or higher European countries is the most abundantly BLESSED and PROSPEROUS and MOST POWERFUL nation on earth?
Just based on those statistics alone that you yourself provide would indicate to me that there is a God and He's not only watching but keeping score.
2006-11-24 17:23:06 · answer #3 · answered by Pamela 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well America was kinda founded on religion and the freedom of religion. this ideal hasnt left america for the 200 some years it has been a recongized country. it is still a religious country. im not sure if that really helped but i tried my best.
now to the other question. i think the reason atheism has grown so much in the world in general is becuase scientific advancements have caused people to say "there is no god, here's the explination for this problem" science has explained what religion has tried for thousands of years like thunder and lightning, and hurricanes. this causes doubt in some people and in the end atheism. (that and personal trauma)
2006-11-24 17:22:34 · answer #4 · answered by god_of_the_accursed 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where did you got that figure? The mass media?
I find it doubtful that half of England don't believe in God, since humans have the nature to walk into God or at least anything similiar.
As for atheism has increased so rapidly around the world.
More people in the world means more followers.
As for moving to Europe.
You do know on where the Vatican was located, don't you?
2006-11-24 18:29:32 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
When it was learned that for decades Catholic Priests were molesting children, people realized that if there really was a man living in a cloud, he would have intervened. It caused the beginning of the end of organized religion. We have had a President who used to give us Jesus while giving "Big Oil" billions in tax breaks while they made record profits. Just enlighten your children about how religion is used to opiate people. The news media refuses to speak about the mind boggling death toll from killing for God, but you can when confronted by bible wavers. It stops them dead in their tracks. There is no need to move to Europe even though they have awakened to the religion hoax. You'd be better off living in a large metropolis where vast religion diversity disables bible thumpers from gaining control.
2006-11-24 17:43:56 · answer #6 · answered by The professor 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is it?
If true it would make me feel a liitle less concerned about the future of humanity.
Because so far, I see that religion has been the most often reason for wars, hatred, prejudice.
I would like to believe there is a god, but I follow no religion as I think no human being has ever deserved to hear directly from god what we should do or not to do, and all what is written is just human imagination. Very old, from the stone ages, but nothing more that human imagination and desire for control.
2006-11-24 17:17:00 · answer #7 · answered by ed_buchmann 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a non Christian, I think a huge part of it is due to the fact that "god" and church is so much a part of the social fabric of this nation..that it is hard not to claim to one. I mean all you have to do is claim it. You don't have to attend church or even try to be live by it's tenets.
To be a non believer or to practice a Eastern religion is to live outside the social fabric of American culture. Most folks don't have the courage to live outside that box.
I think many more Europeans (than Americans)can see through hypocrisy of the church and all of it's reverent adherents.
Where is all of the compassion and charity that they purport to believe in? What is with the lopsided support of Israel over all other nations in the middle east? Because they are following religious dictates as written in the bible?
No, I am not saying all Christians are bad people or hypocrites but enough of those in America (both in power and our daily lives) are, that one it prompts one to discount what they believe.
Yesterday i viewed a program and it was suggested that one look at God and judge man and not look at man and judge God.
This Reverend however had just detailed God indeed
sanctioned slavery, he even laid out a framework for it in the bible! Now if you were one whose ancestors were enslaved would this prompt you to believe in a God who had no problem with your ancestors being in bondage?
In conclusion my advice is to make sure your children have self confidence, to make deductions based on empirical evidence.
Introduce them to other philosophies and cultures so they become citizens of the world. Give them the courage to make their own decisions and not just embrace a myopic religious view.
read "The End of Faith and Reason" by Sam Harris
also check out www.sgi-usa.org
nam myoho renge kyo
2006-11-24 18:08:45 · answer #8 · answered by creole lady 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Instead of just believing that there is a God, we fight about what he looks like and he thinks is right and how the other guy has it so wrong. Some religions have become cliques and represent the best examples of in and out groups. That doesn't sit well with more and more people as the days go by.
2006-11-24 17:16:47 · answer #9 · answered by Ricardo s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Europeans seems to be ahead of North America in a lot of areas, including this. I think they just tend towards a more progressive attitude. I wish North America was less religious, but no one asked me. You don't have to move all the way to Europe to escape the Bible thumpers, though, here in Canada there are still religious people but they are way less militant and scary about it.
2006-11-24 17:15:53 · answer #10 · answered by rhythm.nbass 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
as a country the USA is pretty young compared to Europe. I'm sure that has a lot to do with it. The religious system here just hasn't evolved as far.
I saw an interview with world-renown atheist Richard Dawkins who wondered the same thing. So ,you're not alone
2006-11-24 17:18:31 · answer #11 · answered by Dr. Brooke 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋