Topic: Is religion dying? A new study suggests so.
Fuchs !!4KU9PSdLG started this discussion 15 years ago #3,728
I really do enjoy statistics, and these are some interesting numbers:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12811197
> Dr Wiener continued: "In a large number of modern secular democracies, there's been a trend that folk are identifying themselves as non-affiliated with religion; in the Netherlands the number was 40%, and the highest we saw was in the Czech Republic, where the number was 60%."
> The team took census data stretching back as far as a century from countries in which the census queried religious affiliation: Australia, Austria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Switzerland.
> but it's interesting to consider what a future without religion might look like, especially in a place like Ireland, whose history is hideously and inextricably linked to religion.
Thoughts? Please try to refrain from pointless religion bashing.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12811197
> Dr Wiener continued: "In a large number of modern secular democracies, there's been a trend that folk are identifying themselves as non-affiliated with religion; in the Netherlands the number was 40%, and the highest we saw was in the Czech Republic, where the number was 60%."
> The team took census data stretching back as far as a century from countries in which the census queried religious affiliation: Australia, Austria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand and Switzerland.
> but it's interesting to consider what a future without religion might look like, especially in a place like Ireland, whose history is hideously and inextricably linked to religion.
Thoughts? Please try to refrain from pointless religion bashing.
Anonymous B joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 1 minute later[^] [v] #67,633
fuck reliogion
advi !!3gpAcg/hF joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 1 minute later, 3 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #67,636
consumerism is the new religion
discuss
discuss
(Edited 10 seconds later.)
Namj joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 4 minutes later, 7 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #67,638
> Dr. WienerNamj double-posted this 15 years ago, 16 seconds later, 7 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #67,640
Triptych !!DP4/G/5A6 joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 46 seconds later, 8 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #67,641
Money is the new religion, really. :3
advi !!3gpAcg/hF replied with this 15 years ago, 6 minutes later, 15 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #67,648
Anonymous F joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 4 minutes later, 20 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #67,653
I wouldn't be surprised. There's little to no need for religion with the world advancing in medicine, technology, new discoveries in Science, etc.
Is religion dying out a good thing or a bad thing? is what I wonder.
Is religion dying out a good thing or a bad thing? is what I wonder.
Namj replied with this 15 years ago, 3 minutes later, 24 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #67,654
dreamworks4mayor '11 !Ep8pui8Vw2 joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 2 minutes later, 26 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #67,658
Anonymous F replied with this 15 years ago, 4 seconds later, 27 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #67,659
!5qPJGR/JRI joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 1 minute later, 28 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #67,662
I always figured it would. At some point atheism is going to hit a critical mass, and become accepted (no more "you need god for morals"), at this point atheists will be seen as rational, and theists as delusional.
I suspect there are many closet-atheists, as most people don't care about church or seem to worry about hell or any of that, never having read the bible, and call themselves Christians because it's more acceptable. When atheism hits a critical mass many of these people will stop pretending.
"God" was a great answer when no one knew how things worked, and was a universal cover for the gaps in human knowledge, now though we are understanding more about the world, and religion seems more foolish than ever.
It was a matter of time. I say this is a good thing. Religious people pray and act like they are helping out, which is absolutely worthless. Without religion you actually have to do good to seem good. Do something bad? With religion you just have to confess, without religion you have to actually do something. Crusades, witch hunts, inquisitions, stifling progress, etc.
I suspect there are many closet-atheists, as most people don't care about church or seem to worry about hell or any of that, never having read the bible, and call themselves Christians because it's more acceptable. When atheism hits a critical mass many of these people will stop pretending.
"God" was a great answer when no one knew how things worked, and was a universal cover for the gaps in human knowledge, now though we are understanding more about the world, and religion seems more foolish than ever.
It was a matter of time. I say this is a good thing. Religious people pray and act like they are helping out, which is absolutely worthless. Without religion you actually have to do good to seem good. Do something bad? With religion you just have to confess, without religion you have to actually do something. Crusades, witch hunts, inquisitions, stifling progress, etc.
Namj replied with this 15 years ago, 14 seconds later, 28 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #67,664
@67,658 (dreamworks4mayor '11 !Ep8pui8Vw2)
The thirties aren't very recent dawg
@67,659 (F)
Not anymore, it doesn't. Not at all really.
The thirties aren't very recent dawg
@67,659 (F)
Not anymore, it doesn't. Not at all really.
dreamworks4mayor '11 !Ep8pui8Vw2 replied with this 15 years ago, 26 seconds later, 28 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #67,666
Namj replied with this 15 years ago, 2 minutes later, 30 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #67,669
@previous (dreamworks4mayor '11 !Ep8pui8Vw2)
Not new in the sense that consumerism will become more prevalent than religion.
Not new in the sense that consumerism will become more prevalent than religion.
!5qPJGR/JRI replied with this 15 years ago, 21 seconds later, 31 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #67,670
@67,659 (F)
Of course.
Want to help someone? Talk to yourself (pray)! Suddenly, all their problems disappear. (Actually doing something isn't fun anyway)
Hurt someone? Steal? Confess, and you are A-OK! (Don't bother trying to make it up to the person you hurt, or avoiding it in the first place).
Religion is how the how lazy people find a way to feel good about themselves.
Of course.
Want to help someone? Talk to yourself (pray)! Suddenly, all their problems disappear. (Actually doing something isn't fun anyway)
Hurt someone? Steal? Confess, and you are A-OK! (Don't bother trying to make it up to the person you hurt, or avoiding it in the first place).
Religion is how the how lazy people find a way to feel good about themselves.
(Edited 2 minutes later.)
Anonymous F replied with this 15 years ago, 4 minutes later, 35 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #67,674
@previous (!5qPJGR/JRI)
Religion teaches the act of forgiving. As long as you're truly sorry for your sins and promise not to repeat again... It's A-OK!
Religion teaches the act of forgiving. As long as you're truly sorry for your sins and promise not to repeat again... It's A-OK!
Namj replied with this 15 years ago, 2 minutes later, 37 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #67,679
@previous (F)
> Society teaches the act of forgiving. As long as you're truly sorry for your TRANSGRESSIONS and promise not to repeat again... It's A-OK!
ftfy
> Society teaches the act of forgiving. As long as you're truly sorry for your TRANSGRESSIONS and promise not to repeat again... It's A-OK!
ftfy
dreamworks4mayor '11 !Ep8pui8Vw2 replied with this 15 years ago, 1 minute later, 39 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #67,681
Anonymous F replied with this 15 years ago, 1 minute later, 40 minutes after the original post[^] [v] #67,683
@67,670 (!5qPJGR/JRI)
On an unrelated note, I do highly reccomend you take yourself a visit to the Sunday mass. It can really take a lot of things off your mind. Heck, talk to a preist if you must!
On an unrelated note, I do highly reccomend you take yourself a visit to the Sunday mass. It can really take a lot of things off your mind. Heck, talk to a preist if you must!
Anonymous I joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 20 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^] [v] #67,701
@67,659 (F)
> Religion plays a big role with morality!
Most nations have a body of laws that pretty clearly trace out what is commonly acceptable social behavior and draw a line between right and wrong. In most western nations, religion is just an added layer of "morality" that addresses silly things like how often you should talk to yourself, useless dietary restrictions, what you should put on your head, or what kinds of things you can wear on your penis. Hopefully, the church's role as a moral compass will fade as people start basing morality on reason and social well-being.
@67,662 (!5qPJGR/JRI)
> Religious people pray and act like they are helping out, which is absolutely worthless.
There was a time when religious organizations handled most of the charity work, and they still do a lot of it today. Historically, religion has been a great way to get people to unite behind a charitable cause with churches acting as a centralized collection and distribution point for charity. The financial and organizational structure of churches and other religious organizations made them a convenient standing infrastructure for such ventures in the past. As communication becomes more rapid and widespread, religious organizations will no longer be needed in this context. Churches and temples will still organize charity events, but I doubt they will not be viewed as the most convenient or trustworthy solution in the future.
> It was a matter of time. I say this is a good thing.
Yes, I agree with you that it is probably a good thing. The traditional social roles filled by religion are slowly being replaced by other things, and people don't need a bunch of stories to rally around anymore.
> Religion plays a big role with morality!
Most nations have a body of laws that pretty clearly trace out what is commonly acceptable social behavior and draw a line between right and wrong. In most western nations, religion is just an added layer of "morality" that addresses silly things like how often you should talk to yourself, useless dietary restrictions, what you should put on your head, or what kinds of things you can wear on your penis. Hopefully, the church's role as a moral compass will fade as people start basing morality on reason and social well-being.
@67,662 (!5qPJGR/JRI)
> Religious people pray and act like they are helping out, which is absolutely worthless.
There was a time when religious organizations handled most of the charity work, and they still do a lot of it today. Historically, religion has been a great way to get people to unite behind a charitable cause with churches acting as a centralized collection and distribution point for charity. The financial and organizational structure of churches and other religious organizations made them a convenient standing infrastructure for such ventures in the past. As communication becomes more rapid and widespread, religious organizations will no longer be needed in this context. Churches and temples will still organize charity events, but I doubt they will not be viewed as the most convenient or trustworthy solution in the future.
> It was a matter of time. I say this is a good thing.
Yes, I agree with you that it is probably a good thing. The traditional social roles filled by religion are slowly being replaced by other things, and people don't need a bunch of stories to rally around anymore.
psychopath !PAHVpsycho joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 5 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^] [v] #67,704
Netherlands is only 40% because it has many Mudslimes.
Anonymous K joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 6 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^] [v] #67,707
yay
Mister Misanthrope !NPN/W33CeE joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 36 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^] [v] #67,723
I can't tell which I despise worse - the major religions of today or the hedonistic nihilism that replaces it wherever it dies out.
Instead of sky genies we get buying things, talking about freedom and hipstershit. Instead of the wife and kids, we get porn and cats.
Lovely.
Instead of sky genies we get buying things, talking about freedom and hipstershit. Instead of the wife and kids, we get porn and cats.
Lovely.
Triptych !!DP4/G/5A6 replied with this 15 years ago, 2 minutes later, 1 hour after the original post[^] [v] #67,726
dreamworks4mayor '11 !Ep8pui8Vw2 replied with this 15 years ago, 15 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #67,737
Mister Misanthrope !NPN/W33CeE replied with this 15 years ago, 8 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #67,743
@67,726 (Triptych !!DP4/G/5A6)
Cats are great. They're natural born murderers, they're soul dead killing machines. They look at any animal that they don't currently have an attachment to like something between a windup toy made of food that only needs to be roughed up accordingly before it can be eaten. My respect for cats is immense.
I just like to mock people who use cats as an emotional replacement for friends and offspring. What makes the arrangement even funnier is knowing that Crazy Cat Lady's "babies" would gladly eat her brains right out of her skull if they got hungry enough and saw an opportunity.
I agree though... heil cats.
Cats are great. They're natural born murderers, they're soul dead killing machines. They look at any animal that they don't currently have an attachment to like something between a windup toy made of food that only needs to be roughed up accordingly before it can be eaten. My respect for cats is immense.
I just like to mock people who use cats as an emotional replacement for friends and offspring. What makes the arrangement even funnier is knowing that Crazy Cat Lady's "babies" would gladly eat her brains right out of her skull if they got hungry enough and saw an opportunity.
I agree though... heil cats.
Triptych !!DP4/G/5A6 replied with this 15 years ago, 10 minutes later, 2 hours after the original post[^] [v] #67,754
@previous (Mister Misanthrope !NPN/W33CeE)
Yes. But, fuck, they're cute.
That, combined with the fact that they're agile as hell, and, as you said, murderers, makes them my favourite.
Yes. But, fuck, they're cute.
That, combined with the fact that they're agile as hell, and, as you said, murderers, makes them my favourite.
!5qPJGR/JRI replied with this 15 years ago, 5 hours later, 7 hours after the original post[^] [v] #67,973
@67,704 (psychopath !PAHVpsycho)
The Netherlands is only 6% Muslim, so the Netherlands has only 40% non-religious because of the Christian majority.
The Netherlands is only 6% Muslim, so the Netherlands has only 40% non-religious because of the Christian majority.
(Edited 16 seconds later.)
Anonymous M joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 3 hours later, 11 hours after the original post[^] [v] #68,070
> but it's interesting to consider what a future without religion might look like, especially in a place like Ireland, whose history is hideously and inextricably linked to religion.
Ya it's history, i.e. Past tense. It's already a lot more different these days especially since we now know all the priests are paedos.
Ya it's history, i.e. Past tense. It's already a lot more different these days especially since we now know all the priests are paedos.
Anonymous N joined in and replied with this 15 years ago, 15 minutes later, 11 hours after the original post[^] [v] #68,073
lol mountainman.
@67,670 (!5qPJGR/JRI)
>
> Hurt someone? Steal? Confess, and you are A-OK! (Don't bother trying to make it up to the person you hurt, or avoiding it in the first place).
>
Very few religions actually accept this as a solution.
> 29 replies
> minimal trolling
Nice...
@67,670 (!5qPJGR/JRI)
>
> Hurt someone? Steal? Confess, and you are A-OK! (Don't bother trying to make it up to the person you hurt, or avoiding it in the first place).
>
Very few religions actually accept this as a solution.
> 29 replies
> minimal trolling
Nice...
(Edited 2 minutes later.)