181 replies to this topic

[Still Waters]

A new report on global religious identity shows that while Christians and Muslims make up the two largest groups, those with no religious affiliation — including atheists and agnostics — are now the third-largest “religious” group in the world.

http://www.washingto...05a7_story.html

[ealdwita]

The days are gone when gods were 'necessary'. No longer do we need them as scapegoats for ill-fortune, plague, crop failure and just plain bad luck. The threat of eternal damnation no longer has the power to keep most of the flock in line and ensure a 'Right Hand of God' seat to watch the 'unrighteous' suffer eternity in the flames of hell.

I wonder how many of those questioned replied "I think there must be something 'up there' but I don't believe in organized religion."? And were they counted as 'unbelievers'?

[eight bits]

Those who are interested in this aspect of the report may also be interested in the exisitng thread on the report as a whole,

http://www.unexplain...howtopic=239529

which also includes direct links  to the report, and value-added query features hosted by Pew.

[Colonel Rhuairidh]

Is it any wonder, seeing how the Churches of the world only seem to be interested in bickering about silly, pointless issues and give the impression that all they want to promote is God as a vindictive monster who hates just about everybody, really.

Edited by 747400, 23 December 2012 - 03:21 PM.

[Lion6969]

Those who claim their unbelief is not a religion, they are kidding themselves because their unbelief is also built on the foundations of faith, ie they have faith in the belief that there is no god, because it cannot be proven definitively, their whole belief of unbelief is faith based just like a believers. Lol, the irony is sweet!

[HavocWing]

Lion6969, on 27 December 2012 - 12:54 AM, said:

Those who claim their unbelief is not a religion, they are kidding themselves because their unbelief is also built on the foundations of faith, ie they have faith in the belief that there is no god, because it cannot be proven definitively, their whole belief of unbelief is faith based just like a believers. Lol, the irony is sweet!

It's not a religion, religion is based upon "god" existing and being the center of the universe (figuratively speaking).

[Diablo Blanco]

If atheism is a religion, then NOT collecting stamps, is a hobby!

[AquilaChrysaetos]

Apathy. The global pandemic.

[Lion6969]

HavocWing, on 27 December 2012 - 01:00 AM, said:

It's not a religion, religion is based upon "god" existing and being the center of the universe (figuratively speaking).

In religion god is central figure and centre of existence, in atheism it is the self who is god and centre of their existence. Nothing different really. Their belief in no god is based on faith, so atheism is a religion based on unbelief in god and one requires faith for it too, scientist are the cleric and clergy, what they say is gospel

Edited by Lion6969, 27 December 2012 - 01:13 AM.

[HavocWing]

Just because one doesn't believe in the psycho abrahamic god, doesn't  mean athiests place themselves at the center of the universe.  Belief (or un-belief) in something doesn't make it faith or religion.

[Arbenol68]

Lion6969, on 27 December 2012 - 01:12 AM, said:

In religion god is central figure and centre of existence, in atheism it is the self who is god and centre of their existence. Nothing different really.

That's a whopper of a strawman you've built yourself there.

[Lion6969]

No faith makes a religion and your unbelief is entirely based on faith

Nor did say believe in Abrahamic god,  I said those with unbelief remove god from the centre to replace it with themselves. The religion if atheism centres on the individual and was derived from philosophical foundations such as atomism!

[little_dreamer]

Sorry Lion6969, it's not as black and white as you make it to be.

[Hasina]

I place other people at the center of my world.

[AsteroidX]

a few stories are decent