Let's pretend that, through a miracle of titanic proportions, the vast majority of US citizens wakes up one day and say: "From now on I'm going to be an atheist."
What would happen? Would things take a turn for the better or worse?
I actually don't believe that would be a good thing in itself. If someone is raised to live a moral life because they fear some guy in the sky is watching them, then they won't be prepared when that fear goes away. I fear a lot of people will not be able to handle the freedom of thought at first, and problems will result.
Also, don't forget about all those televangelist who would need to find a new line of work, but have no actual job skills.
The most basic assumption about the world is that it does not contradict itself.
I think it might be a serious problem. If it’s done suddenly, you'd have tons of weak people looking to replace religion with something else... those other things might not be so good.
Add to that, the apparent lack of understanding about right vs wrong. The typical argument I hear is that atheists have no morals... it seems they think God determines that right/wrong and institutes it through a "fear of punishment" system. Is religion keeping many of these people in check? ....
Depends on whether they turn into well adjusted atheists or messed up ones.
In my experience there seem to be two kinds of atheists:
The ones that learned atheism and humanist values either as a child or as an adult. These tend to be the more adjusted atheists and the more moral ones.
Then there are those that simply lost their faith in whatever religion. They tend to be drifting in the wind and no clear cut values.
Well to quote Shrubs daddy, they shouldnt be considered Americans......so....I guess Canada gets to become a lot bigger?
"Prodesse Non Nocere." "It's all about popularity really, if your invisible friend that tells you to invade places is called Napoleon, you're a loony, if he's called Jesus then you're the president." "I'd drive more people insane, but I'd have to double back and pick them up first..." "All it takes for bullshit to thrive is for rational men to do nothing." - Kevin Farrell, B.A. Journalism. BOTM - EBC - Horseman - G&C - Vampire
Keevan_Colton wrote:Well to quote Shrubs daddy, they shouldnt be considered Americans......so....I guess Canada gets to become a lot bigger?
Noooo! Keep your ex-fundies there! Maybe ship them to Leichenstein, just not here.
I'm socttish and we've had enough non-ex-fundies exported to here already....
"Prodesse Non Nocere." "It's all about popularity really, if your invisible friend that tells you to invade places is called Napoleon, you're a loony, if he's called Jesus then you're the president." "I'd drive more people insane, but I'd have to double back and pick them up first..." "All it takes for bullshit to thrive is for rational men to do nothing." - Kevin Farrell, B.A. Journalism. BOTM - EBC - Horseman - G&C - Vampire
But the EU is becoming Fundytised or don't you remeber that story weeks back about changing your Documents to reflect Calthoic Values?
And depends what Atheists they are
IE-
Clear Thinkers-The information does not support the thesis of a invisble man in the clouds
Drifters-GOD IS DEAD YAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGH!!!!!!, Maybe I'll become a goth
Teenages-God sucks, fuck off
Not to overgenerlise but that looks like what I just did
"A cult is a religion with no political power." -Tom Wolfe Pardon me for sounding like a dick, but I'm playing the tiniest violin in the world right now-Dalton
Wicked Pilot wrote:I actually don't believe that would be a good thing in itself. If someone is raised to live a moral life because they fear some guy in the sky is watching them, then they won't be prepared when that fear goes away. I fear a lot of people will not be able to handle the freedom of thought at first, and problems will result.
Also, don't forget about all those televangelist who would need to find a new line of work, but have no actual job skills.
Sure they can, they have the bullshitting skills necessary to become New Ages gurus or UFOlogists, or something.
BoTM / JL / MM / HAB / VRWC / Horseman
I'm studying for the CPA exam. Have a nice summer, and if you're down just sit back and realize that Joe is off somewhere, doing much worse than you are.
I think we would still have the same amount of stupidity and hatred as before, but it will just be focused in different ways. Thus, the overall situation of the US probably wouldn't improve or worsen all that much.
I agree. If tomorrow morning, the typical American decided he or she no longer believes in God, then the typical American is still going to be the stupid, under-educated, apathetic sheep in manskins that those of us who vote have every right to insult because we're the ones making the decisions and they're the ones going "baaaaah." And besides, how many Americans are really that deeply religious? For many, it seems to be a thing of going through the motions.
Idiocy runs far too rampant in this little corner of the world. Though a little honesty on the parts of the population would be refreshing.
Honestly the school system here is so poorly run and so underfunded that they can't produce that many people for our little service and corporate based economy.
I'd still move to Canada.
SyntaxVorlon wrote:Idiocy runs far too rampant in this little corner of the world. Though a little honesty on the parts of the population would be refreshing.
Honestly the school system here is so poorly run and so underfunded that they can't produce that many people for our little service and corporate based economy.
I'd still move to Canada.