Are Atheists a growing group or were they always around but to shy to admit it?

Question

Is it easier to become an atheist nowadays because one breeds others or is it being aired more on the web.

I am surprised at the number of people who freely admit to being atheists.

Lori K: that's very interesting, my daughter never ever believed in God though she attended parochial school up to age 14. She is mid 30's now - two weeks ago she attended her local church on her own volition. She's now seeking a church that speaks to the spirit of man's existence in this life only.

Now I fear I may be the only member of my family going to hell - lol.

Answer 1

Atheists have always been around, it's just that many people slam them the second they admit to it, so keeping quiet is a way to keep the peace. This is especially true among family and friends whom you don't wish to offend or upset with your non-belief. And then there's society's discrimination against atheists. It's basically the same reason that gays keep their sexual preferences tucked away in the closet.

The internet is a great way for people to be open about their beliefs and remain completely anonymous. There's a degree of safety and comfort in that, so more people speak freely. That's why it seems as if there are more atheists.

Answer 2

Throughout history, there have been pockets of enlightenment where science flourished and atheism was the norm:
- ancient Ionia (where Pythagoras lived)
- the Netherlands in the 17th and 18th centuries
- 18th and 19th centuries universities across Europe (especially France and Germany)
- scientific arenas today (universities, Silicon Valley, etc.)

The plain fact is, the more science education one has (especially in the physical world - biology, chemistry, physics), the more likely one is to be an atheist. There is also a predominance of atheists in the social sciences, usually psychology, philosophy, political science, law and economics, all areas where rational thinking and openmindedness to opposing views is critical.

The religious would spin such a statement to read, "They're calling religious people stupid!" Well, no.

Uneducated maybe, but not stupid. Stupid is people who _know_ better but don't _do_ better. It's hard to fault those raised in an ignorant religion and society by ignorant parents and schools.

As we learn more, it's easier to be an atheist, although ignorance is on the march, or should I say, trying to frogmarch the world back into ignorance.


"There was a time when religion ruled the world.
It is known as The Dark Ages."
-Ruth Hurmence Green


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Answer 3

In America in the past, every body had a chance to learn about God and the Bible. Most school books at least had some Christian things in it and some like the New England Primmer was mostly religious.

But books became more secular and God and morals were taken out over time. In 1963 prayer was taken away, and now the 10 commandments are being taken from court houses (the Black's Law Commentary was the first such book in this country and used up to the early 1900's with all the reference in it relating points of the law to the Bible - those comments have been taken out now.)

People also have become weak in their spiritual beliefs, and do not pass on Christianity to their children.

So most children now grow up in a vacuum of with no guidance.

Answer 4

it's more because we couldn't say it not so long ago. The Salem Witch trials weren't that long ago and neither was the Inquisition, we could have lost our lives, and been ostracised for our choice.

Atheism doesn't need a religion in order to exist. It's a personal belief system that focuses on beleiving only that which you can explain, or accepting you don't understnad something without attributing the supernatural to it. This does not need a religion to be realised, a hermit on a desert island can be an atheist without ever having encountered religion. But only several hundred years ago beleif in God was like beleif the world was flat or that the stars were above us, it was taken for granted because it was so pervasive.

Today however we've managed to chip away until we have a voice, freedom of choice and religion has helped us in creating a space for ourselves where we can explain what we believe without being under the shadow of religion (at least as much as there was before) and without being prejudiced/persecuted for it.

Answer 5

Probably a bit of both. More people are becoming atheists and society is becoming less likely to kill us for admitting it (at least where I live). On the internet we can also just close the window when some freak starts harassing us for being atheists. Too bad it's not that simple outside the internet.

Answer 6

I think that there have always been atheists; however it is true that as science marches forward there becomes less and less logic in remaining theist. Before we knew better, the mysteries of the universe drove the educated _towards_ theistic thought. Now that we can see how the whole universe can exist without God, we can abandon him without worry.

Why not 'freely admit' to it? Is there something wrong with being atheist?

Answer 7

Well as we all know there has always been people that did not believe in god. I am sure back then ...maybe..it was not a atheist. Maybe the people back in the day that got burned are the people that didnt believe...

And nowadays people are more open with what they think because they know other humans wont go to the street and try to burn them...

Answer 8

Actually there is a large part of the population that is agnostic. (meaning that they dont know and/or are not sure) When they get information that makes sense to them in their mind they either become believers in God or they decide that there is no God. And many people who become atheists have figured out a way to conclude that the origin of the universe shall remain one big mystery.

Answer 9

I'm not a believer in the bible but i wouldn't classify myself as an atheist. Atheists have become there own non religious group. I'm not apart of a group i just live each day for myself and the people i love. When religion is brought up i don't comment not because i'm shy but because its really not a concern of mine. I think that in our day and age people have more opinions so it seems that there are less believers but christianity is still the #1 religion and growing religion.

Answer 10

Atheists were always around. Internet helps with spreading information, but we also have to take into consideration that for a very long time, one could not be a different religion than Christianity or one could get arrested for Heresy. Now, there is more freedom for one to speak their mind.