"The study estimates that 50% of non-Christian adults in the U.S. view Atheism as having an negative impact on society. Fewer than half that percentage viewed Islam and Buddhism negatively. Among born-again Christians, this level of rejection reached 92% -- much higher than for any religious belief system other than Atheism."
http://www.religioustolerance.org/atheis...
If positive: Why?
If negative: Why?
If neither: Why?
2007-09-04 05:06:23 · 10 answers · asked by Christy ☪☮e✡is✝ 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I don't think we have that much of an impact, yet people think we do.
Just last week, one of the posters here said we were in charge of the criminal system. That, he said, was the reason of why so many Christians were in jail. The nut even mentioned Michael Vick (supposedly being persecuted for his Christianity.).
Look at Preys Jesus's answer.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Av0xLWyjn3_d.4LOFJjHY9Hty6IX?qid=20070827103245AATYsCV&show=7#profile-info-5a63ca49664a683db4d5b77ade862d6aaa
2007-09-04 05:17:48 · answer #1 · answered by Darth Cheney 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
Positive. Religion is often called the "beneficial delusion". It helps to bind a tribe, serves as a social focus (e.g. communal worship), enforces behaviour codes, provides explanations for the mysteries of nature, and reassures people aware of their mortality. Two tribes can have different and mutually exclusive religions, hence both cannot be "correct", but both see the benefit of having the belief. It also meant, though, that the binding and inspiring effects of a religion would encourage bravery in combat (martyrs, paradise), and so help a tribe fight another. The problems would come later as tribes became more sophisticated, and the religion wasn't able to adapt appropriately. Old moral codes would get in the way of newer beneficial practices. Hence schisms, revolutions, reformations, etc. Arguably secularism is a response to the modern needs of developed societies, where people are free to believe what they want, and nothing is enforced.
2016-04-03 02:54:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Atheists comprise less than 10 % of the population in America, so they probably have very little impact as a religious group.
2007-09-04 05:15:20 · answer #3 · answered by skot302002 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Well, open your eyes...
IF you can recall the world even 50 years ago, the damage done by Christianity is quite obvious.
Atheism might not be the "perfect" answer, either, but wouldn't you rather drive a car that MIGHT start rather than trying to drive that same car WITHOUT AN ENGINE?!?!?!
2007-09-04 07:26:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Positive. Because atheists believe that laws, rules, and customs are a product of man, instead of God, they are able to rationally question these things. Religious believers see laws, rules, and customs as flawless because they believe that they were created by something more superior than them regardless of how harmful they are.
2007-09-04 05:25:20 · answer #5 · answered by wayner122 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I think most people who say atheists have a negative effect have never met an atheist. They demonize that which they don't know and blame it for the ills of society.
Sad, really.
2007-09-04 05:14:10 · answer #6 · answered by ZombieTrix 2012 6 · 7⤊ 1⤋
I don't want to categorize a person for his way of life. I know atheist who help people in need just as anyone else would.
2007-09-04 06:27:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Ignorance can only have a negative effect. That's why we value education.
2007-09-04 05:22:44 · answer #8 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it shouldn't be either or....... but
its probably negative to the people in America just because everyone is so uniformed.
as an atheist i think we should be making no impact at all.
you do your thing. ill do mine.
2007-09-04 05:22:18 · answer #9 · answered by Tyler C 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
neither....
2007-09-04 07:26:49 · answer #10 · answered by Em 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋