Imagine teenagers in history class laughing at the old beliefs
Imagine them saying, "those were the old days when most people were deluded"
Imagine us Atheists being honored for being ahead of our time
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2007-01-09 02:37:56 · 26 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Things that work grow, things that are a fad die. Christianity and Atheism have been around for the same amount of time...have a look at the scoreboard and realise the only delusion here is that Atheists will be honoured. They are the most hated people in America on several polls.
2007-01-09 02:45:46 · answer #1 · answered by Pilgrim 4 · 4⤊ 1⤋
I disagree with your first premise--that atheism is growing. I think we are moving towards a world that is becoming more and more polarized, with each religion taking an increasingly hostile view of the other. Some people are becoming more religious, others much less. I do not personally believe in organized religion for this very reason.
As for the future, history is often written by the winners. Depending on who 'wins', they may indeed call this time the 'deluded' time.
Consider, however, that the Buddhists might 'win'. Or the Sikhs or Hindus. I think most people consider only Judaism, Christianity, and Islam in their thinking, without considering Eastern religious beliefs. In a world where 25% of the population is Roman Catholic, it's hard to imagine an Eastern philosophy 'wininng' and ideological battle, but who knows?
Finally, your use of "deluded" implies that one of these belief systems is 'correct' and the others are 'deluded'. I'm not sure that atheists, who don't have a fixed set of tenants, would call all of the others 'deluded'.
It's an interesting question, though.
2007-01-09 02:49:30 · answer #2 · answered by chowbiz 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You get some points for urging the use of imagination, but your supposition is not at all grounded in reality. In point of fact, the percent of atheists in the worldwide population is not growing, and remains quite small.
These may well be the days "when most people were deluded," but the most egregious delusions involve the thoughtless suppositions of atheists suggesting the reality of the universe, much less consciousness, appeared from nothing; not the faith suppositions of religionists who have actual personal experience with the Divine Spirit that lives within them.
No, atheists aren't going to be "honored" for "being ahead of [their] time." Man finding God and God finding man-- the creature becoming perfect as is the Creator-- is the supernal achievement of the supremely beautiful, the attainment of the apex of cosmic art. Materialism--atheism-- is the maximation of ugliness, the climax of the finite antithesis of the beautiful. And there is no honor in that.
2007-01-09 02:55:38 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Dividing "history" into eras is something I personally have a problem with. Lumping people into general categories is a mistake in my eyes, too. People are individuals. What may be a delusion to a Christian might be absolute truth to an atheist and vice versa. What makes you think that there will be any such thing as "history class" in this hypothetical future? Our Western style of "schooling" may become obsolete. Some would argue that it should. I would argue that living in the past is to be confined to delusions. The past is called the past because it is gone. Our ideas of what constitutes "history" could be classified as a delusion too. Are atheists deluded if they believe something written in a book? It is my hope that there is no thought police in your hypothetical future. Who is really to decide whose beliefs are delusional? As long as an individual is not committing violent crimes, ie murder, rape, assault/battery, he or she can delude themselves freely. If an atheist comes up with a cure for cancer or diabetes, I would honour that particular individual atheist for being "ahead of their time." Trashing other people's beliefs does not make any one worthy of honour. There are atheists who believe that Jesus existed. Are they to be called "deluded" also?
2016-05-22 22:42:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No I cant imagine that for even I an Atheist as much Is I like the Idea. I know it will never happen. It is the nature of Humans to delude themselves into believing there will be an afterlife. There will always be religion. Just be happy if there is always freedom of religion. That way us Atheist can remain free. BB
2007-01-09 02:47:33 · answer #5 · answered by Betty Boop 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
What a great perception of the future! I can see that happenning. Evolution rocks Jesus! To think what some religions preach and believe is very funny, especially Scientology. Yet I still love Christmas time!
2007-01-09 02:46:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Well, I wish you luck with this, but I think the scenario will be a bit different. I think one day all of the atheists will come to know Jesus and fall down on their knees to ask forgiveness. I guess time will only tell. God bless you.
2007-01-09 02:48:03 · answer #7 · answered by vanhammer 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
And yet today there are still plenty of strong pagans. There will always be believers in the "old ways." Others can laugh, but the believers won't be changed by that.
2007-01-09 02:43:27 · answer #8 · answered by daisyk 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
With the advent of the internet came access to more information then at any other time in human history, so what you suggest could happen a lot sooner then you expect.
2007-01-09 02:51:19 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I try to respect other people who have different beliefs. Please stop pretending you have the world figured out. Athiests can be considered deluded themselves with their empty preoccupation with the material world.
2007-01-09 02:59:06 · answer #10 · answered by Pesto 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋