Do you think that the Internet is the beginning of the end for religion?

Question

In the US in the year 1990, eight percent of the population did not go to church. In the year 2000, the figure had increased to 14%. Most people said they believed in God, and only 2% said they were atheists (which makes me wonder about the accuracy of this because there seems to be a LOT of atheists on this forum). In an age of instantly available fact checking, do you think that religious myths are eventually doomed to the dust bin of history?

To Taryn C: Some people (i.e., Catholics that are true believers) think that the wine and wafer REALLY turn into the body and blood of Jesus due to a process called "transubstantiation" - think that is a myth or fact?

To "Smo-kan": LMAO!!! Thanks!!!

Answer 1

No. the beginning was the age of reason 1600-1800. We're nearing the end and rabid fundamentalism among religions with exclusivity as one of their tenants is the last desperate gasps of those faiths as they die out to make room for more vibrant and INCLUSIVE belief systems. The positive aspects will survive and propagate in the light. Unfortunately the negative aspects will live on in the shadows always ready to ensnare the unwary, disenfranchised, and those who's only real emotion is hate.
REASON IS THE ENEMA OF FAITH
It'll drain it right out of you. But for those who never learn reason and/or only know fear and hated, Faith is their only refuge.
As long as other pyramid schemes exist, so will organized religion.

Answer 2

Just what to you refer to by using the word religion? All the different faiths there are, with all their different thought up ways of worshipping God? Or do you mean someone believing in God with all their heart? There probably could be doubts raised about why some choose to worship the way they do, but if you are talking about someones own personal walk with God, nothing can touch that . Nothing can seperate us from that! Ever! Religious myths? How could an atheist comprehend believing in something with simple child like faith ? I really would like to know. I don't see why there has to be all this nasty stuff going on in YA. I thought the whole point was for people to help other people , not tear them down .

Answer 3

Religious beliefs have always changed through the ages. Just 300 years ago, people were burned by the religious as witches. Spirituality will by around for millennium. But the bible is on its way out. Although it will be another couple of centuries. But it certainly didn't start with the Internet. It started with Darwin. Today people believe in believing in the Bible. But, with a modern examination, such as that with Cain's wife and from where she originated or the impossibility of Noah's ark. More and more find it difficult to take the Bible literally.

Answer 4

Actually I think the creationist museum is the beginning of the end for religion - if that many people can dump that much money into something that ridiculous and unjustified, I doubt any of us religious believers has any credibility left.

The internet probably helps bolster religion as much as anything. Whole sites devoted to intelligent design - it must be legitimate! If your beliefs are on Wikipedia they must be true!

The internet is unlikely to spell the end of religion, but while there are increasing amounts of good information there, people seem not to find those credible sites, so I am very concerned that it might lead to the end of reading and thus deal a serious blow to rationality!

Answer 5

The word of God speaks of a falling away from the word of God in the last days. I believe that computers and the internet will be the means by which people will be forced to worship the image of the beast.
As for it being the end of religion, don't hold your breath. There will be a one world religion, as foretold in the Bible.

Answer 6

Yes, it is.

Religion is superstition. It relies on emotional manipulation and this requires keeping the converts away from access to alternate beliefs. With the Internet, you really don't have that isolation.

The same goes for nationalism, which can be almost as harmful as religious belief.

On the Internet, you interact with people all over the world with many beliefs and the forums really make it difficult for one person to really monopolize the conversation.

Answer 7

The majority of peoople here are not atheist they are people with question on contradictory perfect book called the bible.
Majority here are simply people with common sense and intelligence asking rational questions and at the same time upsetting the xtian delusion

Answer 8

i dont know what you mean by religious myths...facts are facts. and they are most likely totaly accurate. but to be as i am, with a knowledge.....priceless. i wish all could feel so secure as me. i feel it deep in my soul. the truth. i cant even describe how it feels. i feel sympathetic of those who dont feel it. its not a huge thing, just a KNOWING, like 1 + 1=2.
of course things are going downhill...ever read the Bible? it is all supposed to happen. life on earth is so, so short compared to eternity.
all i can say to non-believers is this: one of us is right. when we die we will know who. but what if its you thats wrong?
ps:church is good, but not necessary....many people go for reasons such as social status, not because of their beliefs

Answer 9

yes, i think the internet has and will continue to contribute to the rise in atheism. i think you are completely right in your statement. people are exposed to more opinions and they are able to fact check what they have been taught and find that alot of the things they thought were true have an untold history that will change their minds. the thing about that is, once you find one contradiction that lowers the credibility of the whole bible. because the bible is supposedly infallible once you know one thing is wrong, that completely shakes the foundation of ones belief. that is my opinion.

Answer 10

The internet is just the beginning of people being able to hear truth freely if they are seeking it.