When did it become somewhat accepted to not accept religion?

Question

To my friend Angie, and other religious people out there, this is not a stab at you. I respect your believes and your religion, I am not a religious bunny however and know many who are not. I was wondering, when did this belive come common and it was not almost mandatory to follow any form of religion?

Answer 1

When democratic republics ruled by the commoners allowed freedom of religion rather than forcing the king and pope's religion.

Answer 2

People are just moving into a new state of mind. For one thing, a lot more countries are adopting a democratic policy, saying they're free to believe anything they want. Another is the new scientific discoveries we're making, as well as technology. There's also the theory of star signs, saying that we're leaving the Age Of Taurus (or was it Pisces..? I can't remember =S), where we rely on some structured belief to get us through, to the Age Of Aquarius, where free and independant thinking is encouraged. It's almost like....moving forward. I mean, there was a time where everyone believed in multiple gods, then it switched to one all-powerful God or whatever, and now...it's gone all the way to no god whatsoever. Just another religion popping up, and soon, we'll probably start worshipping the planet or something.

Answer 3

Well, since you mentioned how other bunnies may feel about religion, I decided to confer with MY bunnies, Red, Fred, Ned, Ed, Ted, Jed & Daddy.........

I'm glad I did, because I agree with their answer......

I think it happened in reverse. People are sick & tired of the religious right, their hypocrisy & their negative moral stance on everything that does not conform to their "standard" of acceptability.

This stance, which is taken by almost all organized religions, has come to represent being rigid & JUDGEMENTAL, rather than accepting & LOVING - which I am sure, is exactly the OPPOSITE of the message that Jesus intended...........

Answer 4

Back in the old days the church could fine you a week's wages for not attending services. Also, if you spoke against God, the church had the right to kill you. Naturally, under those conditions, most unbelievers decided to keep quiet.

Then the church lost its political clout and deciding for or against religion was no longer a matter of life and death. Not surprisingly, the unbelievers became much more vocal in the opposition to religion.

Answer 5

That's going to vary from country to country, and religion to religion, and on exactly what is meant by "accepted"

Sweden repealed compulsory church attendance in 1858, but it was compulsory in the British army until 1946...

From the Pope's latest outcry against atheism, it's not supposed to be acceptable wherever Roman Catholic writ runs. He's happy to find a rapprochement with Islam, but not with me...

Answer 6

The change has been slow and only recently seems to be more accepted. There is still a long way to go though. In some states, you still can't hold public office if you are an atheist.

Answer 7

Many higher class ancient Greeks didn't really follow the religion at the time.

Answer 8

When the Christians were no longer able to get away with slaughtering non-Christians. There have ALWAYS been atheists - atheism existed BEFORE any religions. It simply wasn't safe to admit it during the times of the Crusades, Inquisition, witch burnings, etc.

Answer 9

Most people today use the term "religion" to refer to organized religion or the institutions of religion. One should follow God, not religion as it's understood to be today. The "religion" we should follow is...

James1:27
Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

Answer 10

I think it was the norm not to have a religion before someone invented religion, and sucked everyone in.