Atheists: Do U admire countries like China that suppress religion, the "virus of the mind" as one of U put it?

Question

Here's what one of you right here said:

"A lot of you atheists are giving atheism a bad name by not standing up to this mass mental virus. Are you just going to sit back and let it take over? Let education never progress?"

So, since China is actively suppressing the spread of this "virus," do you agree with China's policies regarding religious oppression/suppression?

Slave of 12, why do you feel that you would have to answer this rudely? I'm not the one calling anyone's beliefs a "virus."

Answer 1

I am an atheist of Chinese ancestry. I do not admire China.

I admire countries that have democratic representative governments that allow freedom of and freedom from religion. I admire those countries that separate religion from government, and not play favorites among religions.

I admire countries that do not allow religion to creep into public schools and public properties.

Answer 2

Do I admire countries like China that suppress religion? Most certainly not. While I do happen to think of religion as an infectious meme that infests our civilization, the Chinese alternative is even worse. I oppose organized religion because it regularly stifles the free expression of new ideas. Why would I embrace an even more oppressive political system that forcefully suppresses even old ideas? It's the suppression of intellectual freedoms I object to, not that somebody actually has a different personal opinion than my own. Frankly, if other people wish to contaminate their mental processes with irrational superstition, it is not my business. Should those same people organize for the express purpose of manipulating America's laws to reflect their religious superstitions and to undermine my secular civil liberties, then I object.

Answer 3

I like China, because Panda bears come from there. And, I love Chinese food. other than that, china is just another country, with strange politics, and unstable work ethics, about products they send here.You take China.
Realistically, I would love a country where religiously, everyone minded their own business. But, that will never happen here. Sigh!!! Oh, well.
For myself? A country that has people who push their beliefs on others, so that we all think alike, we would all be robots,.

And also, I am immune to the 'virus of the mind', so I don't even think about it.
It is nice to have a religious free immune system.
Works for me.

Here, have a nice drink.

Answer 4

It's a completely different culture to the western world. So was Russian communism. Comparing how western and eastern people view religion is like comparing apples to oranges. I personally don't agree with China's policies and I know that once we have a truly secular majority here in the west, it will be radically different from that of the east.

Answer 5

I have never thought of it as a virus of the mind. But you have to admit, it certainly puts a limit on ones thinking ability. I do admire China for not allowing religion or religious leaders to undermine their government as happens in so many countries throughout the world.

Answer 6

No.

First, because they are supressing freedom of choice. People should have the right to make their own choices regarding what they believe.

Second, because even if I wanted to see religion eradicated, China is going about it the wrong way. Religion may go into hiding under opression. But it also flourishes under such conditions to re-emerge at the first opportunity.

Answer 7

I would NEVER believe in suppression of expression of thought, including religion. You are trying to make Atheists look like fascists. China has MANY problems, as does the U.S.A.

Answer 8

I'm one and I do not admire China. Religion
doesn't have to be suppressed it needs to be
"monitored". Religion is a dangerous tool.
As long its just religion there's no problem
with it whatsoever. But you have to keep an
eye on the preachers.

Answer 9

China has other problems besides religion. They have over a billion people to try to keep peace and order among.
Fundamentalists sects could put China back into civil wars and economic chaos.
Guess what.
I would rather see 9,999,000 people content enough not to revolt than 9,990 constantly annoyed religious people following 10 happy televangelists.

Answer 10

No. I think it's pretty obvious why it's not a good idea to suppress religion. That doesn't mean we can't try to get people to think critically about religion and examine the "logic" behind their faith. If someone writes a book criticizing religion and/ or promoting atheism, would you suppress that?