Can you believe this?

Question

someone recently brought to my attention that israel is one of the most atheistic countries on earth.

http://www.adherents.com/largecom/com_atheist.html

does it surprise anyone else that a state which came into existence solely on the basis of a religious belief (and within living memory) is now among the world's most secular countries?

i have no antipathy toward israel, i think one could make a fair case for continued western support in the area simply on the grounds that israel is currently the nearest thing to a democracy in a region where notions of secularism and tolerance are desperately needed.

but it surprised me that the faith which built the nation was so soon dissipated once it was no longer needed.

andrew_wiggin: i have other sources, but i don't know how to link to a book from hypertext.

Answer 1

I am not surprised in the least. The West's support of Israel as a sovereign state has allowed it to develop nicely along "natural" lines (much like the early years of the US), so their economy has grown strong, the quality of their education system has consequently improved, and they find themselves surrounded by a less-educated, less-informed, and less-secular population willing to DIE for their non-secular beliefs. When you watch an otherwise reasonable human being actual DIE for an imaginary deity (albeit one that your parents did not believe in), it is hard for an educated person to believe in ANY imaginary deity.

The greatest irony, of course, is that the imaginary deity the Palestinians believe in, and the imaginary deity the Israelis DON'T believe in...is the SAME nonsensical story!

Answer 2

NO, ITS NOT it ranks 19 not even in the top ten. All that means is that there are more educated people per capita, and there is not as much discrimination there. The countries with the highest percentage of university grads have the highest amount ofatheism. And, you are bigoted.

Answer 3

I'm not terribly surprised. I've seen surveys that show a big shift that direction among Jews in the US, so it doesn't really surprise me that it is the same in other countries.

Answer 4

Atheistic does not equal secular.

Israel is not the most Atheistic country in the world just because some yahoo says it is. This is not something that can be measured.

(Ay, yay yay! Has no one ever heard of Communism--a form of government that bans all religion?)

Answer 5

Very ironic indeed. It's because Israel disobeyed God in the Bible times and they aren't God's chosen people anymore.

Answer 6

the west has to support Israel because they made it. they don't want to seem wrong for making it, it has nothing to do with their religion.

Answer 7

cool. i guess the saying is right " people are getting smart as time moves on".

i guess im kinda surprised, as i would of thought they would believe in a religion, but as they dont its pretty interesting.

Answer 8

yes, I can believe it.. having rockets fired at you, weak minded idiots blowing themselves up in the hope of taking you out with them, being shot at,... all because of your religion or because of their religion's hatred of your religion and any others.

Answer 9

Consider the source of your information.... And, you'll have your answer.

Also,... Please don't be yet another one of those people who reads ONE THING and forms an opinion from that. It's so sad, and such a waste of the brain that God gave you. (And she'd be really upset if you wasted the brain she gave you.)

Answer 10

Good for it,them!