Fellow atheists: do you believe Christianity is a useful counterweight to Islam?

Question

In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, intellectuals agonized over the question, Can an individual lead a good life without organized religion? Well, the results are in, and the answer is a resounding Yes.

But can a society survice without some kind of religious or racialist myth? That remains to be seen. The nations of western Europe have largely rejected their Christian heritage, but those nations are all going to be Islamic republics before the end of this century.

I prefer the values of secular humanism to those of Christianity, but if I have to chose between living in a Christian nation or a muslim nation, I'll pick the former alternative.

A third-generation freethinker

Answer 1

Your contention that western European nations are going to be Islamic Islamic republics after rejecting Christianity doesn't sound convincing.After rejecting a well tested,familiar and tried out religion like Christianity,why would they even consider to adopt another religion leave aside Islam?All religions are either reaching their peak or have already reached it and have no future,say about 100 years(about two or three generations) from now.No,Christianity can never be a counterweight for Islam as it's too mild and no nation shall allow open confrontation or blood bath.A deeper contemplation would lead us to another out come ie Islam ,as and when collapses, it shall be under it's own weight of inconsistencies , excesses and finally irrelevance.As far as choice under compulsion is concerned,I think many Muslims would also like to join you in selecting to live in a Christian society with freedom of religion than in many Muslim countries,including me(a Hindu from India).(note:-Thanks for a thought provoking question.)

Answer 2

Islam is filling a void, but it is not a religious one; it is a socio-economic one. Wealthy societies always have fewer children than poor ones, and eventually are overtaken.

"The meek shall inherit the earth," so to speak. Such was the case with the Roman Empire and Christianity, and you would have likely chosen a Roman society over Christianity then for exactly the same reasons you state a preference for Christianity over Islam now.

To your point of Christianity being a counterbalance, there is some merit in "the enemy of my enemy is my friend," but everything I see is not Christianity and Atheism joining together against Islam, but rather people of faith joining together against atheists.

Answer 3

Hold on a second! The nations of western Europe are NOT going to be Islamic republics. No freaking way! ~shudders~

I'm afraid I can't decide between these two evils. Don't know which is worse really.

EDIT: ~giggles~ Don't you find Dave's answer amusing?

Answer 4

As a former chistian I'll chose christian too. However a religion counterweights itself but I do fear that in the absence of religion humanity might turn to politics as a point of worship and adoration, it already shares a similar kind of fanaticism.

Answer 5

I am not an atheist, however, I have studied many religions...I would say that if I was forced to choose where I would live it would be with the Christians....I dont like the Islamic values and treatment of women..

Answer 6

Well since both religions have been used by political as a means of controlling people they are both evil. I would have to choose neither. People forget the history of terrorism that Christianity poured forth in its early years. I think that's called selective reading.

Answer 7

thus the words " imagine no religion " i think we could live good and constructive lives without religion. But i think society would be much harsher on people especially criminals since there would be no hell to punish them after death. much like the Roman era. i would also pick Christian nation because that's what i am use to

Answer 8

I'm an Atheist too and I would prefer the Christian one because at least the fanaticism is less prevalent in Christianity than in Islam.

Answer 9

it is not about chosing to live in a religion nation but finding out the truth . with your stinking ideas, it seems you are looking for best clothes to fit you . you are not interested whether god exists or does not exists. this is the question before you start to choose.

Answer 10

the obvious answer would be yes but the government wouldnt survive without religion it is a system of control an ilusion which tries to side track people from the truth.