Atheism question?

Question

Do you think atheism becoming much more main stream and will theism in the coming decades fade away into oblivion where it belongs?

Answer 1

I can only hope so.

Answer 2

I notice atheism becoming a bit more main stream, but i dont think theism will fade away. There are always going to be people who believe things and there are always going to be skeptics. The bigger question is what religions do you think will fade away as humanity develops, and what forms of spirituality will be introduced in the coming years?

Answer 3

I do not believe that theism will be eliminated. Even among the world's top ranking scientists - the most clever human minds - nearly 1 in 10 believes in a personal god. Among the general US population, that figure becomes 9 in 10, and globally it is more like 1 in 50 is an atheist. Atheists are the most mistrusted minority in the US, according to a recent survey by the University of Minnesota, and the current President's father - a former President himself - shared the opinion in my lifetime that atheists shouldn't be considered US citizens.

Don't hold your breath for global atheism.

Answer 4

Well, I know you are taking a narrow, parochial American point of view, because in much of the civilized world atheism already is mainstream.
Canada, Britain, Norway, Sweden, Japan, France, Germany, Demark all have large groups atheists and agnostics.

The USA and the various Muslim countries are the only ones that are deeply religious. Ironic, huh? Even India is rapidly becoming more of a secular country.

In the USA, however, some recent polls have shown it approaching 20%. That is more than the gays, or the Jews, and look at what powerful lobby groups they have.

Answer 5

Yes, religion is separating the globe into different cults that are worshiping different gods. Once the human race can see how terrible religion is for us all we can start to come together on a more open level and not have to worry about being sent to a fiery hell to be tortured for not believing in a creator.

Of course you'll still have a few people that refuse to stop fearing the bogey man and will still attend churches and discriminate against others.

Answer 6

I think it has more to do with people being more comfortable with atheism. Atheists are generally no longer perceived as immoral heathens, so they are not as hesitant to stand up and be counted.

At any rate, theism has a long life ahead of it. As it has in the past, theism will adapt as selective pressures exert themselves.

Answer 7

I think atheism IS becoming much more mainstream, but I don't think theism will die out until the human race dies out. There's evidence which suggests that "religion" is an evolutionary thing, so... unless it's worked out of the system, we're going to keep perpetuating the same nonsense over and over, but by different names.

Answer 8

Honestly.. you should see it from here (Australia)

Almost everyone I know is atheist (I have 2 christian friends) and those that aren't don't let on about it. I assume everyone I meet is atheist and so far havn't been found wrong.

I went to a religious school (quaker) and about 90% of the school population proffessed 'no faith'

The recent federal election had a christian right wing party called 'Family First' - they polled 1.9% of the vote and didn't win a single seat in parliament (and voting in this country is compulsory so its a pretty good indicator)

Most Australians shudder at the thought of having the kind of rampant religiosity present in the US

Answer 9

Nope. Humans evolved with the need to believe in something larger than themselves. Lazy people say it's religion, and there will be no shortage of those. Atheists usually latch onto Secular Humanism or Enlightened Self-Interest -- it's tough being an atheist. It's not a world view for weenies.

Answer 10

Atheism and secularism have effectively conquered the entire industrialized world, except the USA.

Whereas the European Union is rising in power, the USA is quickly falling in it.

You do the math.

Answer 11

Yes, but it will take a while for theism to go away altogether. We note the gradual fall of church attendance in Europe, and the slower but equally steady fall in the US.