Athiests: If atheism is so logical and obvious, then why are there so few in the world?

Question

Representing myself as an atheist, I'm not trying to start any Internet fistfights here. But this question has always made me wonder - why are there so few atheists in the world, even today, when atheism is at an all-time high? To me, the idea of god existing, especially the Christian-described god, seems so ridiculous now, that it makes you wonder why is atheism so rare in most countries if it's so "logical" and "obvious"?

Answer 1

While atheism may indeed be logical and rational, some people don't find it terrifically comforting.

They like the idea that there's some big skydude watching out for you, who loves you no matter how much of a dick you are, or if you didn't exactly do well in school.

They like the idea that they get to meet Grammy and Grandpa and Fluffy and Rover again when they die, and live happily on fluffy clouds and eat gumdrops all day, forever and ever, and no one ever dies, or gets hurt, or gets picked on by the popular kids, or made fun of by the smart kids, or gets dumped on their birthday, or gets zits or bad breath, or fat from eating too much chocolate.

They like the idea that even though their life seems meaningless, and small, and they live in Podunk, Arkansas, bagging groceries at the WalMart - that the skydude has great plans for them, and they are important in His eyes makes it all seem worthwhile. And that even though Betty Sue ain't the hottest chick in the world, and maybe even not so bright, she's got a good heart and loves the Jesus, so it will come out right in the end.

When you come right down to it, people find religion as comforting as a fluffy blanket. It doesn't matter that it doesn't make a lick of sense, and isn't even logically consistent. They aren't looking for logic and rationality in their world - they just want someone to hug them and tell them that if they follow the rules, and keep the blanket snug over their heads, the monster in the closet won't eat them.

Answer 2

The majority of the world is under educated if they are educated at all. Over a billion adults are illiterate.

Then you have theocracies where freethought has no chance.

Then, there's also the fact that it hasn't even been two hundred years yet since evolutionary theory was developed, and misinformation about it has absolutely flooded public consciousness. While evolution does not disprove a god, it did offer a natural explanation for many things attributed to god, and directly contradicted creation accounts. People who previously were Deists simply because so many things were unexplained, were able to be confident atheists after evolution was discovered.

Not to mention that it has not been all that long since we have had television and radio, let alone the internet - all technologies which facilitate the sharing of information.

When a religion dies, whether it dies in one person or as a whole, it dies in much distress. Religions have evolved just like anything else, and the ones that have made it this far are the ones that are most successful at causing followers to retain belief - using fear, government control, misogyny, guilt, divisive attitudes that induce a state of groupthink, and indoctrination of children.

There's lots of reasons.

Have a look at this optical illusion -

http://www.bibi.org/box/2005/abril/Optical_illusions.jpg

Now, at first sight, if you were a child or a person with no education on the subject, you would see that picture as having moving parts.

But you know better. You have learned. You have been educated on the fact that optical illusions cause you to see things that are either not there or not happening. You can look at that picture and know that nothing is actually moving, even though from some perspectives it looks like it is.

Religion is very much the same.

Answer 3

Most people are indoctrinated into a belief system before they are able to make a rational decision. Once there it is hard for them to pull out of it.

Also, religion gives them a warm fuzzy feeling about the universe and how all the bad thing happen for a good reason and someone loves them and has a plan. Moving over to an atheist view pulls this safety blanket from them, leaving them in a cold, uncaring universe.

I would like to have the warm fuzzy feeling. However, I would rather accept reality for what it is.

Not everyone is the same.

Answer 4

Ever heard the words repression, inquisition, intolerance and 'the dark ages'?

It is only recently that atheists have felt secure enough to stand up and be counted ( in the USA that is not so true).

Certainly in the UK there are more atheists than the records show. The reason is that if one was born into a Christian family one also automatically puts that down on census forms as the religion of choice even though not practiced, just out of habit.

Atheism is probably one of the fastest growing groups in Europe.

Answer 5

Well, in many countries, declaring yourself to be an atheist is punishable by death. In "free" countries like America, declaring yourself to be an atheist results in ridicule, hatred, and in extreme cases, death threats. It isn't easy being a non-believer.
One time, I had a good debate with the pastor of a Baptist church in my neighborhood. A week later, there was a note on my front door, saying "You may not believe in Hell, but you are going there real soon." Thankfully, nothing happened after that, and I completely avoided that church from then on.

Answer 6

Most people don't understand science, most people barely make it through highschool science.... if they get even that far.

So science to them, is just another kind of magic. And scientists are notorious for using big words non-scientists can't understand to describe things.

Also, people are emotional, and for quite a few, those emotions are more real than whats in some science text book. The fact those emotions are often misleading is trumped by the fact that they are very compelling.

Answer 7

Because human beings are not logical, for the most part; most are ruled by emotion and fear. Note also that believers have been killing off nonbelievers for centuries, thus making it less likely that genetic tendencies toward logical thought would be passed along...even now, in most countries it is risky to publicly admit atheism.

Answer 8

I think that part of the problem is the number of atheists that were brought up in a religious home.
I for one was brought up and registered on all official documentation as a catholic, but I am now an atheist - how do I now go about changing my 'religion' on all that paperwork??
I'm sure this must have happened to millions of people.

Answer 9

Anxiety and fear. The human mind and body evolved to fight against death and avoid it at all costs. Humans can see that they will die. It is very very scary to us all. Due to the profound fear and anxiety, many are willing to believe stories which give hope of eternal life, even if those stories are patently absurd and far fetched with no meaningful evidence whatsoever.

The idea of an afterlife also provides a way of acheiving justice in an unfair world. It is soothing to think that bad people who enjoy life will be reprimanded in an afterlife, and good people who constantly suffer in life will be rewarded in an afterlife.

Without the hope of an afterlife, life would seem unimaginably unfair and many people would not have the strength to carry on throughout the pointless drudgery of their hopeless existences.

Answer 10

I could give my opinion on that but there are way too many bad things said about people on here already.

I will say that most people have difficulty with ambiguity. Not having an answer to something even an incorrect answer is unbearable for many. This manifests itself in statements like "no one knows X so it must have been a deity."