Atheists, why is theism so prevalent?

Question

I'm an atheist. I don't consider myself immeasurably intelligent. I doubt I'm more observant or open-minded than others. What separates the precious few atheists from the other 98% of the world?

Non-religious (14.7%) does not always mean atheist (3.8%). Of course, these are estimations from various (often flawed) surveys, but my questions remains the same.

Answer 1

Evolution, which is not always the best pal a guy can have, seems to have endowed us with a penchant for this type of cultural trait.
Some really exciting work in this area is being done by anthropologists, psychologists and evolutionary experts. While the researchers I mention below have somewhat different takes on it, they are all converging on a biological theory.
(By the way, in what must be a nightmare scenario for many Evangelicals, some of the researchers in this field are Christians.)

Atheists exist because the malleability of cultural forms is such that some individuals can overcome the pressures to "conform." Some people suspect that in terms of evolution there have also always been a "selected" group of pesky folks who are the potential - and sometimes necessary - catalysts for change. And their numbers may be NECESSARILY low. After all, you can't have a whole society constantly re-inventing itself. These "revolutionaries" are only needed in a crisis.

Answer 2

I am an atheist too. I believe that the thing that separates us from the theists is that we atheists have the ability to see through all of the obvious lies that have been shoved in our faces since childhood. All people who believe in a god are thick skulled whether they like it or not. Not to be cliché or anything, but... they cant handle the truth! They cant handle the fact that everything that they have been brainwashed into thinking their entire lives, can be shattered by us "enlightened" few. If you have ever watched the Simpsons, there is an episode where Homer proves (with a series of complex equations) that there is no god. Bible-nut Ned Flanders can’t handle that fact, even though he sees that Homer is right. He attempts to burn the proof, but alas Homer was already passing out copies all over town. This is basically a reiteration of what I was saying, but more humorous of course :) Anyways, the reason that theism is so prevalent is that people are gullible, and that’s the thick of it.

By the way, here’s the link to the Simpsons episode if you haven’t seen it, and would like to check it out...

http://www.peekvid.com/feature/cartoons/1195/The-Simpsons.html

(Its episode 12x09, entitled HOMR.)

Answer 3

As others have pointed out it's not 98%.

Theism is prevalent for long historical reasons. After Christianity emerged as dominant over Polytheism (which was the common belief then) it inculcated theism into the population through a system of religious training.

Polytheism emerged as the dominant belief over animism during the transition to agriculture.

Neither polytheism nor animism was based on belief in gods in the same way monotheism is.

Answer 4

The problem with Athiesm is that it is a bald-faced lie. See, they want to "Believe" there is no God so they can have orgies, three-somes, and even men on men. This way they don't feel it's "Bad." Or maybe even be able to "Steal" someones idea, in which could make them money. Now because of the Athiestic belief, this would not be wrong, because "His friend didn't act fast enough, or simply didn't have the resources." They want no God so they don't have to hold themselves accountable for their very actions. But why is it easier to do the opposite? Why do we indulge ourselves in things we know are bad? Because responsiblity is something that is lost in this generation. When something goes wrong, we look for someone to blame besides ourselves.

Answer 5

I don' t hate faith i don't love it sufficient to spend my time resenting it. I wrote this the different day as a reaction and could want to repost it because of the fact it says how i think approximately this project. i don't ask everyone to coach their god exists. Why worry? I settle for what they suspect as being what they suspect yet not what i think to be actual. i don't likely care what people have faith in or not have faith in till it impacts my life and society in a damaging way. i'm an atheist because of the fact of religious extremists. If all religious people have been greater accepting of what others have faith i could grow to be non-theistic devoid of one to conflict against. i could like that. i don't combat against faith I combat against injustice, bigotry, worry, and conflict that faith evokes in a number of its followers. I come right here to have relaxing and to do character analyze. there are various characters right here on the two factors. numerous the atheist are humorous and a number of of alternative the Christians are so severe they're humorous. different the questions right here and published with the assumption to coach they're precise and you're incorrect or are basically published to have relaxing.

Answer 6

Actually, it's only about 84% of the world. Atheism is actually one of the fastest growing belief systems at present time.

There are two major questions that allow for religion to remain intact. How did it all start? and what happens after you die. Given neither one of those questions will ever be answered, religion will continue on.

Answer 7

You assume that that "98%" actually do believe rather than just saying they believe. You don't see a lot of them giving up all their worldly possessions to live a life of poverty serving their fellow man, do you? You have people like "President" Bush who say Jesus is their guiding inspiration, saved him from the evils of alcoholism, and yet he can't honestly say that he follows any of Jesus' examples... hell, he can't even say he sticks to many of the 10 commandments! Face value does not equal "belief". But it's easier to be the sheep than the shepherd.

Answer 8

Control. Since believers of a power greater than themselves rely on the help of something else, they inherently acquiesce control. Atheists do not; instead they wish to bear the entire burden of life choices. Not right. not wrong. Just a different approach to running one's life.
-MM

Answer 9

Are you sure that 98% of the world are thiests? I'm certain that percentage must be lower. I know in europe that thiests are the minority. Anyway, i can't understand the prevelance. It defies logic.

Answer 10

It isn't 98% in the whole world. I think we have to move to the East where people have more sense.