Why is Atheism so popular?

Question

Just wondering.

Just to give some background. I personally believe in God; I know many people will call me a fool for that belief. But if I try to take God out of the equation of my life, nothing at all makes sense, including life itself. And I don't have enough faith in humanity and our puny brains to believe that, eventually, we can collectively solve all our problems and all the questions of science. Many other reasons for my belief, but those are just two big ones. (Just some background; I'm not judging atheists.)

I'm just curious as to why Atheism is so popular in the 21st century. It's everywhere I look.

jrose · Accepted Answer

I think a lot of it is because people have been socialized to only believe what is empirically true- and God of course cannot be proven empircally true (doesn't mean He isn't real). But that's not all, because if it were then people wouldn't be able to believe in love or many of the values they have- those are not easily proven true/right. I also think part of the rise of aethism is because for hundreds of year people's religions were cultural as well, and they were pretty much legally obligated to follow the laws of the church, so everything in their lives told them God did exist. Also, expressing disbelief ended up with imprisonment at best, torture and execution at worst, so it was just easier to maintain an outward appearance of belief if not actually believe. Now, it's different- religion is separate (mostly) from the state (not a bad thing in my opinion), our cultures are infused with many different religions so that religion has less power sociologically, and aethism is an acceptable belief to express. People are left to choose one religion from many or if they believe in religion at all. The many atrocities committed in the name of religion and God, as well as the preservation of many customs, traditions and rules that don't fit contemporary society have made many people think that religion, at least, is not really for them. But without religion, people find it difficult to believe in God so they don't. Others, confused by a myriad of religions that all seem to basically say the same thing, SAY they're aethist when they're agnostic. Also, the definition of aethism is itself unclear.

I suppose you might call me an aethist because I don't believe in God in a traditional sense, I believe in a life force and an after life you create by your actions in this one. But no God governs with a set of rules codified and written down- you find that for yourself. That's me, aethist, agnostic or whatever you want to call it. Hope that helps a little!

cun7n1nja · Accepted Answer

I can't speak for everyone, but I just wasn't raised with religion at all. My parents broke away from their religious backgrounds, and I wasn't exposed to the concept of any kind of religion or belief in god until I was already at an age where I'd established some of my own basic beliefs on life. I was never taught that I should believe a certain way or that I'm right and others are wrong, or vice versa. And a belief in god didn't fit in there, because it didn't make sense to me. It was a foreign concept.

It's not for lack of trying. I've studied and learned about a lot of different religions and philosophies, from as young as like ten or eleven years old and onward. It's kind of a hobby. But I can't adapt to something I don't fully agree with or believe in. That's like trying to force a square peg into a round hole. I haven't found anything that encompasses all of my beliefs. So I take what I learn and store it away in memory so that someday it might be useful to me. These things might never be useful to me, but at least I learned something new and took what wisdom I could from it. Knowledge is important. I was always taught to question everything, don't believe everything you're taught or everything you read no matter who says it or where it comes from, because it's important to find your own truth and peace. Whatever form that may come in.

m3TALchick · Accepted Answer

I think Atheism and Christianity are about neck and neck. I personally believe in God, and it doesn't bother me at all what people think. But one thing that Christian need to understand is that Atheists sometimes know more about the bible then we do cause they take the time to do research and they have questions that Christian aren't prepared to answer. Plus where I come from a lot of people judge religion on how churches are run and what they say, it shouldn't be like that like; but it happens. I've always believed in God, I have my reasons and I've seen proof. I've never forced my beliefs down anyone's throat, actually I sit and listen to what others have to say and I pray. It is hard for people to believe in God, when some Christians say "You gotta do this and you can't do that!" When that's not what its about its about having a relationship with God and worshiping him. In the end they are held accountable for what they do, that is true; but the most important thing is knowing what God's love is and what it feels like to be in surrounded by it. I have friends of all types of religions and when they ask me my beliefs their shocked cause I don't sit there and shove it down their throats. But yes it is sad, when people are lost sheep in a world of merciless wolves.

Killfest400 · Accepted Answer

Before I start, I'm going to say that I'm an Atheist.

I think there are a few common misconceptions that people have about atheism.

1. Atheism lacks a set of moral guidelines (ten commandments, eightfold path, etc), so atheists are people without morals. I have morals, but I don't let others form them for me. Just because there's no commandment telling me not to kill someone doesn't mean that I'm perfectly fine with it.

2. Atheism is completely logic based. Anyone who tells you that they can prove or disprove the absence of god is full of it. The "logic base" of atheism comes from scientific discoveries (evolution, earth is round, heliocentric theory) that contradict and challenge certain beliefs held by organized religions (creationism, earth is flat, geocentric theory). Given that such beliefs are disproved, many people turn away from their organized religions, because what other beliefs could be disproved too? I think this, above all else, is what is making atheism popular today.

Some people are just gullible and will believe whatever the most charismatic person tells them. I've seen people who dogmatically follow the Christian faith because Joel Osteen said so. I've seen people who dogmatically follow atheism because Richard Dawkins said so. I think people need to come up with their own ideas instead of just accepting what someone else tells them.

I think people need to realize that there is a middle ground. You can believe in God, or whatever higher power you want to, without following all of the rules and what not set forth by an organized religion. I have plenty of friends who have their own set of beliefs, and I respect them for it. I lose respect for people when they try to push their beliefs on everyone else.

Atheism is a belief that there is not a god. That's all there is to it.

funsaurus · Accepted Answer

To answer this, you might have to read a lot of historical books about Science and Christianity.

There are various factors involved in this. I will only name 2 big ones:

1. Technology era

Nowadays, everything is instantenous.

From Instant Noodle to Instant News in the Internet.

Back then, people can wait patiently in their faith.

But now, since everything is always an instant they start to ignore God as God has His own time.

Why bother waiting in uncertainty? (Yes, we have faith, but they dont)

2. Christians behaviour

I am sorry to say, but sometimes I also get sick at those exclusive Christians who exclude non-Christians and start categorizing people as 'Believers' and 'Non-Believers'.

Because of them, people despise God.

In logical thinking, it's actually unfair.

Why despise God? It's not God who categorizes people.. it's them, the short-minded, who do that.

There are other factors, such as government involvement, family influence, etc. But I hope these 2 can give you some clear ideas about what's going on.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

FS

Note: In case this topic gets deleted, feel free to PM me. I am more than happy to chat with you =)

KERMlT · Answer

It is the constant ebb and flow. People have abandoned religion in the past centuries and returned in greater numbers. With the power of media, scandals are more well known. I'm sure they happened back in the day but were silenced easily.

The doctrines are flawed. Examining the founding documents (if applicable), one can see that stories are similar to other faiths. Also, that woman are not as seen as equal because the documents were primarily transcribed by men.

Inconsistencies made over time. Some claim that Mary wasn't a virgin after all. There was no mention of "Hell" in the bible. Mary Magdalene was not a prostitute like most people believe. Moses parted the reed sea. Dying and getting 72 "houri" which may be grapes instead of virgins.

The constant push by some religions to force their beliefs on others. Like occupying a foreign country, you tend to p*ss off more people. So this act may yield some followers but cause religious tension.

What I personally believe isn't bound by any set religion. I follow my heart and have incorporated many aspects of other faiths as my own. The key to this is not about what is the right path per say, but that of faith. Stick to your beliefs and never let anyone give you doubt. Be knowledgeable in what others believe and acceptance of their choices.

melissarose8585 · Answer

I would contribute the rise of atheism in this century to the rise of science and the scientific process being applied to all parts of human existence. Also, there is the fact that religion, specifically the Catholic church, ruled over western society for centuries, and it took until about the late 1700s for that to change fully. We're still experiencing the growth of the social rights movement from that time period, so we're probably also still experiencing a growth out of the religious fervor of that time period.

To sum it up: since the Enlightenment, there has been a switch from religion to science and reason, and that is what has caused the massive atheist movement we're seeing today.

GIntrovert · Answer

Atheism is for those who require evidence before belief. So essentially you could just step aside and opt out of theism. But now some theist are trying to shove their beliefs down our throats... the natural response to this is to get annoyed fight back, and become very vocal. Thus the reason why you see atheism everywhere...

Anonymous · Answer

Because it's the truth.

Religious people generally are the poor souls who've gotten religion jammed down their throat from a young age, which brainwashed them and prevents them from seeing through the bullsh*t.

Secretgirl · Answer

Non-conformist is apparently cool

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