Just found this article disturbing
Submitted by m_arcedas on Thu, 06/17/2010 - 17:06.
Why Atheism will Replace Religion
Atheists are heavily concentrated in economically developed countries, particularly the social democracies of Europe. In underdeveloped countries, there are virtually no atheists. Atheism is thus a peculiarly modern phenomenon. Why do modern conditions produce atheism?
First, as to the distribution of atheism in the world, a clear pattern can be discerned. In sub-Saharan Africa there is almost no atheism (Zuckerman, 2007). Belief in God declines in more developed countries and is concentrated in Europe in countries such as Sweden (64% nonbelievers), Denmark (48%), France (44%) and Germany (42%). In contrast, the incidence of atheism in most sub-Saharan countries is below 1%.
The question of why economically developed countries turn to atheism has been batted around by anthropologists for about eighty years. Anthropologist James Fraser proposed that scientific prediction and control of nature supplants religion as a means of controlling uncertainty in our lives. This hunch is supported by data showing that the more educated countries have higher levels of non belief and there are strong correlations between atheism and intelligence (see my earlier post on this).
Atheists are more likely to be college-educated people who live in cities and they are highly concentrated in the social democracies of Europe. Atheism thus blossoms amid affluence where most people feel economically secure. But why?
It seems that people turn to religion as a salve for the difficulties and uncertainties of their lives. In social democracies, there is less fear and uncertainty about the future because social welfare programs provide a safety net and better health care means that fewer people can expect to die young. People who are less vulnerable to the hostile forces of nature feel more in control of their lives and less in need of religion.
In addition to being the opium of the people (as Karl Marx contemptuously phrased it), religion may also promote fertility, particularly by promoting marriage, according to copious data reviewed by Sanderson (2008). Large families are preferred in agricultural countries as a source of free labor. In developed "atheist" countries, women have exceptionally small families and do not need religion helping them to raise large families.
Even the psychological functions of religion face stiff competition today. In modern societies, when people experience psychological difficulties they turn to their doctor, psychologist, or psychiatrist. They want a scientific fix and prefer the real psychotropic medicines dished out by physicians to the metaphorical opiates offered by religion.
Moreover, sport psychologists find that sports spectatorship provides much the same kind of social, and spiritual, benefits as people obtain from church membership. In a previous post, I made the case that sports is replacing religion. Precisely the same argument can be made for other forms of entertainment with which spectators become deeply involved. Indeed, religion is striking back by trying to compete in popular media, such as televangelism and Christian rock and by hosting live secular entertainment in church.
The reasons that churches lose ground in developed countries can be summarized in market terms. First, with better science, and with government safety nets, and smaller families, there is less fear and uncertainty in people's daily lives and hence less of a market for religion. At the same time many alternative products are being offered, such as psychotropic medicines and electronic entertainment that have fewer strings attached and that do not require slavish conformity to unscientific beliefs.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-human-beast/201005/why-atheism-will-replace-religion
It seems disturbing and
It seems disturbing and alarming. But it's a good thing though that researchers were able to present us with statistical data. Somehow I/we can see the trend in affirmation to the findings. This is not new to me. This has been the reality, even in our own country. Some people are opting their way out of religion, becoming atheists or agnostics and some are into the 'new age' movement. The decline in religion somehow leads to the decline of morality. Sadly, people are becoming to be too independent from God that with this fast-pacing lifestyle, they tend to just go on living what they think is good for them, even sacrificing the rights of others.
I remember some time in 1999 when I attended an afternoon Mass, the priest mentioned that UPians are branded atheists, no religion, no God. I felt a little embarassed as I was wearing a UP shirt at that time. That was just a plain statement from the priest but it saddened me because I was not an atheist along with other UPians who were struggling to live a life of faith in that UP community.
I was able to converse with many atheists and agnostics right in that city, trying to convince others of their scientific explanations. With the many philosophies added with the accuracies and certainties promised by Science, it was a tempting option. I was at the point of searching. And yes, I was confused and even questioned the existence of God. It was kinda a dark moment for me. But with grace, I was able to journey back to my very self, to the very core of my being and there I found the Truth that is undeniably existing. I am grateful for such experience for it led me to claim the faith that I grow up with and to stand in a strong belief that indeed I am home with my God. I guess, atheists are missing one beautiful thing that people of God are enjoying.
Science and technology are being used to defy religion. It is a challenge for us on how to dance with the flow of this fast-changing world to fulfill the Mission. "Indeed, religion is striking back by trying to compete in popular media" and we are invited to bring the Good News to the many by maximizing technology, engaging in this digital world. Pope Benedict XVI's message for the 43rd World Communications Day, with the theme 'New Technologies, New Relationships: Promoting a Culture of Respect, Dialogue and Friendship' is one beautiful message that I would like to invite you to read.
"Reason without faith is empty and faith without reason is blind.” Faith and Science need to go hand in hand... In every moment we make choices, but I hope that faith and religion won't be just an option for us.
May God send many of his angels to guard His people and may the Holy Spirit be with each of us to accompany us in our search for God.
God bless us all,
(",)
'Love is embracing all and loving especially the unlovables.'
It is a matter of choice!
The disturbing aspect maybe is the failure to connect the good quality of life to the plan of God, as we Christians believe, I do not know with other religious tradition. What I found more disturbing are those people who profess to have faith and live a contradictory life. It is a challenge for us all believers and for Christians as such, becasue "we are the salt of the earth", and what is our foods without it? Di ba?
For me, it is not necessary that all of us should believe, otherwise, the world will be monotonous. This actually gives meaning to life. Religion gives meaning to life. If that gives meaning to them, then that is good. But beyond that, it should be a 'lived faith' not just a 'professed faith'. Thus, even if they profess not to believe in God but live a life in Godliness then it's okey because time will come that they will still long for transcendence.
On personal level, people with faith aim for higher values such as contentment and happiness. If these can be lived in social-democratic countries then they are more godly as a society compared to the third-world countries where many are believers but they don't have a quality of life. The disturbing fact is not about atheism and religion. The disturbing fact is about the contradiction for those who believe but doesn't live the life that is expected of them.
Remember what Christ said? 'Woe to you................'
between you and your God
"Lord, I believe, help my unbelief'" as the man whose son was possessed
by an evil spirit said as as response to Jesus when he said,"Eveything
is possible for him who believes."
On talks about faith and religion, I always think this: at the end of the day, it's between you and your God. All of us have different interpretations, different choices and beliefs. Even us here in this forum, as fellow Catholics, we all have different views. Most of the time I go away more confused. So I have come to simplify things for my own. Live and let live. It sounds simple but still as complicated and nevertheless rich...the way Jesus has shown it to us when he became man.
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Think of all the things that were thought impossible -- until they happened!