The more modern and advanced we get, the more secular and atheistic we become. Why is that?

Question

For example, atheism increased dramatically during the 20th century, and consequently, we have beomce more advanced and civilized in 100 years. Now, I'm not necessarily implying that the two are connected, but just look at other societies. You will notice a trend when you look at how much religion has declined in the modern world, especially within recent years.

Every year, it seems like showing your devotion to religion in public has become less and less accpetable, and some are being labeld as "religious freaks." Also, more atheistic books have been published, such as 'The God Delusion', 'Atheist Universe', and 'Letter to a Christian Nation.'

Is atheism the way of the future? It certainly seems that way.

This is an article about Europe, but I'm pretty sure the same trend is occuring in the U.S. as well: http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2006-01-08-faith-edit_x.htm

depostingmy2cents: I think you watch way too much TV. Much of the U.S. has dramatically decreased its crime rate since the '60s and '70s. Just look at Rudy Guliani and New York City.

Oh, and the war in Iraq is fought mainly by fanatical Islamic exteremists. And on the other side we have a wack-job religious nut named George W. Bush. It's a holy war, not an atheistic one.

David: I'm talking about proportions here, not raw numbers. I realize what you're saying, but that wasn't my point.

The news is meant to be depressing and dramatic - that's what makes it interesting. There's a lot more good out there than you think. You just don't hear about all the good deeds, but instead all of the murders and rape.

Answer 1

we think we are modern and advanced ... so did the people of ancient babylon ... its not a new idea or new way of thinking and just when they thought they had outgrown and become their own gods ... they were obliterated and wiped out ... careful what u assume about yourself ..

Answer 2

Naw, you're off. Our progress made, technologically speaking, is not a consequence of wider acceptance of Atheism. The wider acceptance is just a result of not attributing divine involvement in so may things. This has in turn led many people to accept Atheism as a choice. Our technological advancement is the result of research. Atheism is merely an idealogical option and in no way an impetus or reason for any of our tech strides.
Sadly, monikers akin to 'religious freak' are applied to many devout people from many faiths and idealogies...on the flip side of that, Atheists and Satanists are usually lumped in the same non-conformist, evil group by opponents. As far as the proliferation of books is concerned, this could indeed mean more Atheists in the ranks. I wouldn't read too far into it, as every mention of Atheists I've ever read in mainstream media has also accounted for the small percentage of the population they represent. A thorn in the side of the major religions perhaps...but, never a real threat. Not now, or in the years to come. Maybe way way way down the road the numbers will amount to something more than a footnote.

Answer 3

Hmm I have a theory...
Maybe people are becoming more materialist and therefore fullfilling voids with materialism rather than spiritualism or religion.

Another theory would be that modern science is delving into the aspects of what the bible claims and placing (at the very least) a lot more doubt in people's minds.

On a side not excellent question...I have not seen you on here in a while...nice to see you are still around.

Answer 4

It is typical of people, that as they grow more prosperous, they grow less religious, forgetting that it is God who has provided for them. This happened to ancient Israel, and has been prophesied to happen again in these latter days.

Deuteronomy 31:20-21 -- When I have brought them to the land flowing with milk and honey, of which I swore to their fathers, and they have eaten and filled themselves and grown fat, then they will turn to other gods and serve them; and they will provoke Me and break My covenant. Then it shall be, when many evils and troubles have come upon them, that this song will testify against them as a witness; for it will not be forgotten in the mouths of their descendants, for I know the inclination of their behavior today, even before I have brought them to the land of which I swore to give them."

And don't be fooled into believing that Atheism is the belief in NO god; they DO believe in a god -- they worship themselves, their knowledge and the things they have acquired.

Atheism IS the way of the future, but a very short-lived future. God has a much greater future planned.

Answer 5

The more modern and advanced we get, Then more materialistic we get and become part of rat race to pile up more and more materials trying to more than others have. We support secular system because this keeps us away from God as long as we pay them taxes. Secularism doesn't require or force us to give our extra wealth for the sake of God to poor people (like has Islam has obligatory poor tax from those who are wealthy)

We waste our life being away from God and involving in the rate race of pilling up the materials of this life until we get burried in the graves. We will learn the realty of this life for which God sends us here only when we will be burned in hell fire. Read the following Surah of Quran:

1. The mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things of htis life)
diverts you (From the more serious things)
2. Until you visit the graves
3. But nay, you soon shall know (the reality)
4. Again, ye soon shall know!
5. Nay, were ye to know With certainty of mind,
(Ye would be Beware!)
6. Ye shall see Hell-fire
7. Again, ye shall see it With certainty of sight!
8. Then shall ye be Questioned that Day About the Joy
Ye indulged)

You see repetition of words in this because God has
revealed this surah in Arabic poetry.

Answer 6

I just read this article today which talks about what you are saying. It's in the back pages of the Oct 2007 issue of the American Spectator. It states that although the books you mention do become bestsellers, atheism is dying. The membership is going down in record numbers. The 21st century is going to be the century of Faith. That's what I read in the article. Check it out

Answer 7

I don't think one necessarily follows the other.
It is true that today more people confess to atheism but most people in any society in history were as godless as they are today.
YEs, it used to be more acceptable to show your devotion to religion in public, but that does not mean that the majority were more religious.

Answer 8

That trend probably has something to do with the fact that most religions contain at least one thing that you're "not supposed to do" like Islam and Astrology.

Imagine if the ancient Egyptians never spent so much time focusing on the afterlife. Most of what the Egyptians ever accomplished had to do with the afterlife. What if they had spent all that extra time say... trying to cure Malaria. I think that they'd have gotten a bit farther if they had a cure for Malaria. Don't you think so?

I'm not trying to say that whatever the religion restricts is necessarily wrong. I'm trying to say that without the restrictions there is more possibility for advancement.

Answer 9

The more man learns,the more he places confidence in himself and becomes filled with pride. When we are filled with pride,we have little room or need for God and the bible states that God resists the proud.

"Ever Learning, and Never able" to Come To the Knowledge of the Truth. So 2 Timothy 3:7

Answer 10

To an above response- The world is still not perfect. But shall we go over the attrocities done in the name of religion?
Holocaust, Spanish Inquistion, Witch Trails, etc. Need I go on?

Besides the point though- atheism is the way of the future, but it wont eliminate violence. That is human nature, as animals. Until we can rise above primitive instincts, religion isnt the driving force, but it certaintly provides justification for violence and hate.

Answer 11

I think the more a man does for himself and the more the
world does ,they think they do not need a God because they can do thing,s by themselves,s and They do not need God
that,s why people forget and ignore God but one day they will
meet him face to face.