Why do you think atheistic people tend to socialism?

Question

Not every atheistic person is socialist, and not all socialists are atheistic, however it's a pattern that repeats over and over.

Answer 1

Excellent question. Sounds complicated.

Monotheistic religions I think tend to divide the world into the righteous and the damned. There's an implied social structure there that tells us that poor people deserve to be poor, and rich people must be blessed (despite the obvious contradiction with Jesus' teachings).

Religion tends to divide along nationalistic lines. America "deserves" to be wealthy, because we are a "Christian Nation." "We are loved by god."

On the other hand, there is also the eternal reward, which the poor are supposedly the more likely to gain (yes, I note the contradiction. What can I say? It's not my club.). So if you're poor, you can take some comfort in that.

Atheists don't believe in divine favor. We believe in fairness. Equitable distribution of resources. We were all born onto the same planet, and nobody deserves to be born with a larger share. There is no eternal reward, so we damned well better make THIS life as livable as possible.

(You already noted the generalizations in your question, but I should reiterate in my answer that I am generalizing)

Answer 2

I am not sure about your assumption. The Christian Socialist movement was very highly respected in the UK for many years. Also many of the founders of the Labour party learnt to read and write through Methodist Sunday Schools.
As I believe the gospel is about justice for all and Jesus spent his time with the marginalised in society, I find socialism/liberalism fits closer to my Christianity than conservatism but some of my best friends are conservatives!

Answer 3

Some Atheists lack faith in their fellow men's altruism and see the solution in government. Libertarian Atheists excepted of course. You may have the correlation backwards though. Perhaps socialists tend to be Atheist.

Answer 4

No, that'd be Jesus...

"Capitalism is the way of the devil and exploitation. If you really want to look at things through the eyes of Jesus Christ — who I think was the first socialist — only socialism can really create a genuine society.”

—Hugo Chávez

“Socialism which means love, cooperation and brotherhood in every department of human affairs, is the only outward expression of a Christian's faith. I am firmly convinced that whether they know it or not, all who approve and accept competition and struggle against each other as the means whereby we gain our daily bread, do indeed betray and make of no effect the "will of God." ”

—George Lansbury

Answer 5

I would say most atheists lean toward libertarianism. But in varying degrees. Some like anarchy. Some just want the government to back off a bit and let them smoke a joint in peace. I'm libertarian... but I like sill like my fire dept, libraries, etc. I think socialism would smother me. I'm not a corn flake type of person.

Answer 6

Atheists are the Mr. Spock of mankind. And Theists must be the Kirk.

Answer 7

i don't think that's true. soviet russia was more communist than socialist. china is socialist and officially atheist but the people certainly have their folk religion. and the kibutzim in israel are a good example of a socialist group of religious people.

Answer 8

I don't know a single Atheist that is into socialism.

Answer 9

strange that you'd notice but I'm a socialist :D I know the avatar says otherwise, but I kind swing between the two - depends what kind of a day I'm having :D
now that you mention it, you're right prabably quite a few of us are (but there's not that many of us to begin with )

I'm not sure the two things are related though....I've got quite a few "ists"....

Answer 10

haha I think the bureau of stats is doing drugs this morning. I've seen more figures in the last few minutes than you'll ever see at a beauty pageant.