MrVicchio

It dawned on me yesterday why Atheism is a growing movement in western cultures. It took me a while, I used to believe that man had moved away from Religion because of the natural progress of science as a central fact in our lives. Science provides many answers that we once called "Acts of God" and well, that's just how things have always worked.

I then took on the theory that it's just God fulfilling prophecy, and really I think that still plays into it. At the end times there will be far fewer believers in God, that's just that. Read Revelations and its' quite clearly spelled out. I believe that it just plays out that way.

But really, what is the REASON behind the move of Atheism in Western Culture?

Well it's actually a very simple progression from what our society was 250 years ago, to what it is today, heck one could say it's a direct off shoot of the '60's turmoil and resulting changes to our culture. What is the one thing, aside death and taxes all people try to avoid? As a general rule?

Consequences for ones actions. And we raise our children that way today. Kids are not failed and held back in school, we have a victim-society where nothing is "your fault", politicians get away with murder but because they are who they are... they get reelected.

Where once we held the belief that you do the crime you do the time, now... not so much.

And this naturally leads to the big one. The Bible teaches that you must live within certain boundaries or you will suffer judgment when you die. This is directly in conflict with how so many are raised today. "Who is this God to judge me? Why should I suffer for living how I want too? How DARE he? GOD! Come down here at once and answer me! I'm waiting! Ha! See no God!"

And thus the young atheist is born. It's very easy to be seduced by such a mentality once you accept that getting away with it is normative mode of living, and our culture embraces it.

With the rare exception of Communist/Marxist societies that try to stamp out all religion, societies that hold people accountable for their actions also tend to be religious. The Japanese, despite their advances still hold their beliefs, the Middle East can be argued as one of the most religious regions on the planet. In both cultures, ones actions are held against you, and you must live accordingly.

I do not believe that Western Culture will be able to dislodge itself from the "get away with it" mentality without some major upheaval in society that brings back this thinking. And without that, Atheism is going to spread.

winston53660

Yes certainly the eating of shrimp, the wearing of blended fabrics, etc. is leading o the down fall of civil society.

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Adrian

Whatever works for you.

I'll make you a deal. I won't pretend to know how a religious person thinks, and in return you don't pretend to know how an atheist thinks.

rivrrat

Ditto.


Not to mention that I'm an atheist who is a die hard advocate of personal responsibility (and rights). Which apparently is an oxymoron in the OP's worldview.

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The Supreme Court has ruled that they cannot have a nativity scene in Washington, D.C. This wasn't for any religious reasons. They couldn't find three wise men and a virgin.

WI Crippler

Atheism is not particular to any political leaning. Atheism has been able to flourish in America for a reason, and thats because we have a freedom of religion which also includes the right to not believe in a god. But too many times atheists get caught up in the same superiority complex that has plagued religion throughout time. Atheism is just a different path to exploring and explaining the unknown. Rather than ascribe the unknown to an omnipotent being/beings, we choose to believe that we, as humans, can discover new and exciting things that make up the splendor of the universe. We seek answers to new questions, we explore phenomenon that is not easily explained and are able to better shape the world and explore the solar system by our methods.

Are there militant atheists out there? sure. But they are morons. They need to learn to coexist with religious people, just as religious people should co-exist with atheist.

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"What Jesus fails to appreciate is that it's the meek who are the problem."- Reg

MrVicchio

You can say what you want, but I firmly believe this is the crux of the issue, the reality behind it. Look at history. As American and Western Cultures have moved away from holding people accountable for their actions which we have we have also seen a corresponding rise in Atheism.


So are you going to debate the issues raised here are you going to try and make me look bad?

Your choice.

MrVicchio

No it's not. There are with people exceptions to every rule. You believe in holding people accountable, awesome. Good for you! That does not disprove my hypothesis on this matter one whit.

NICE TRY though. I'm making a valid argument now are you going to debate the merits or argue "well IM NOT like that"

rivrrat

I fail to see what atheism has to do with personal responsibility or lack thereof. If anything, they'd be more apt to attribute success and failure to themselves as opposed to saying "it was god's will" or the "devil made me do it".

So what does atheism in and of itself have to do with personal responsibility aside from not laying blame on a mythological being?

MrVicchio

What on earth does this have to do with the subject at hand?

chevydriver1123

I thought conservatives believed in personal choice but I guess if your not a Christian that doesnt apply.

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