[TRIGGER WARNING] how does religion exist in educated first world countries?

[Machaty]

is there any cencus data or something to show exactly how many people do change from athiest to christian? that would be pretty interesting to see

I was born Christian, but then became an atheist. I wonder what the statistics on that are as well.

[Ad Bot]

[Moppy]

Mainly because the idea of settling on a belief rather than trying to prove something with irrefutable evidence is a flawed way to answer the most important questions and most folks want more than "God did it" when they wanna know how something works.

A lot of intellectual and cultural stagnation occurs that way and this has been the case for a long time. It's not a case of wanting to destroy religion out of spite, but rather trying to break the mold that's been set for ages.

I partly agree, actually. People like Galeleo were super held back by the old Catholic church simply because they wanted to believe that God is constantly magicing eveything always. Of course, scientists have found that its not so simple, and society has benefitted from that immeasurably.
However, if we look at how amazingly tbe world and the universe works from the grandest galaxy to the most miniscule interaction of particles, it.becomes harder for me, and others like me, tbat the universe merely spawned into existance by chance and that you and I stand here today typing on computers about this debate and thinking so deeply about this because we just happened to spawn into existance some millions of years ago against all odds. To me, it makes sense that some grand, inomprhensable being has created the world because of how inexplicably well it is designed.

I cannot speak for everyone, but I think the more we know science, the more magnificent we see God. I think that the pursuit of knowledge is quite noble, yet the more we learn about the universe, the more we know that we know nothing about how the universe. Science does ot disprove God, it only makes him more amazing.

Also, please give me some time to gther the statistics. I'm still poking at my tablet in bed an Ive got a place to be in like an hour. If you want to track them down youself for now, you can. Heres an article about chrisianity in China I happen to have open, though: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/christians-in-china-feel-full-force-of-authorities-repression/2015/12/23/7dd0ec5a-a736-11e5-b596-113f59ee069a_story.html

[Dionysusan]

lol scientology

[Moppy]

lol scientology

Scientology is freaking nuts, bro. It makes no sense.

[IkeTheGeneric]

I partly agree, actually. People like Galeleo were super hld back by the old Catholic church simply because they wanted to believe that God is constantly magicing eveything always. Of course, scientists have found that its not so simple, and society has benefitted from that immeasurably.
However, if we look at how amazingly tbe world and the universe works from the grandest galaxy to the most miniscule interaction of particles, it.becomes harder for me, and others like me, tbat the universe merely spawned into existance by chance and that you and I stand here today typing on computers about this debate and thinking so deeply about this because we just happened to spawn into existance some millions of years ago against all odds. To me, it makes sense that some grand, inomprhensable being has created the world because of how inexplicably well it is designed.

I cannot speak for everyone, but I think the more we know science, the more magnificent we see God. I think that the pursuit of knowledge is quite noble, yet the more we learn about the universe, the more we know that we know nothing about how the universe. Science does ot disprove God, it only makes him more amazing.

I can definitely understand why it would seem more likely that a super complex existence that we live in would be the result of intelligent design. This is why religious debates always devolve into namecalling and insults because of the very subjective nature of religion in the first place.

I agree with the second paragraph, in that in the pursuit of knowledge, our idea of a deity will become more magnificent. I just hope in the generations to come that our religions can adapt to society rather than stagnate and hold us back.

[Nonnel]

It doesnt account for why many people, who are athiest born into a secular socety, find that being a part of a religeon as a good and viable option.
People still turn their life to christ pretty often, you know.

I never said religions are inherently bad, but instilling morals by using the fear of spending eternity being burned alive is. Morals are important, believing a magic space man controls the earth isn't.

[#Jeetlor]

I never said religions are inherently bad, but instilling morals by using the fear of spending eternity being burned alive is. Morals are important, believing a magic space man controls the earth isn't.

Bruh

[IkeTheGeneric]

Also on the topic of morals, I hate that idea that Steve Harvey perpetuates, that non-religious people don't have 'Moral Barometer'.

If religion is the only thing keeping you from murdering innocent people and stealing, you need professional help, not faith.

[Badger]

instilling morals by using the fear of spending eternity being burned alive is.

at the christian camp I work at we discourage this as its not genuine faith, we try to teach in a neutral way that let's kids choose for themselves what they will do.

[Moppy]

I never said religions are inherently bad, but instilling morals by using the fear of spending eternity being burned alive is. Morals are important, believing a magic space man controls the earth isn't.

I partly agree, in that focuing on the eternal consequences of faith is not a good idea. If the ony reason one is a christian is because they are afraid to go to hell when they do bad things, then no wonder so many people fall away from christianity in this day and age.
Its also partly what makes Christianity so great. To get to heaven, you need only to believe that Jesus died for your sins, and to accept his gift. Morals and the religeon part come afterwards as something you wish to do rather than being forced to do.
That belief is what keepsthe few dozen denominations together. Sure they disagree on many things, but to be a part of the church, that is the core belief.
A reign of fear can only last so long. Christianity ought not be a reign of terror.

[Path]

People have nothing to lose by following a religion. Non-religious people are mostly misguided in their lack of faith. Keep in mind religion has been a part of human nature since the beginning of recorded history.

[Siren]

People have nothing to lose by following a religion. Non-religious people are mostly misguided in their lack of faith. Keep in mind religion has been a part of human nature since the beginning of recorded history.

So if I join the religious belief that CIA has I wont loose anything?

[IkeTheGeneric]

Non-religious people are mostly misguided in their lack of faith.

Misguided how?

[Moppy]

So if I join the religious belief that CIA has I wont loose anything?

If you gain the worldview of any terrorist group, of course youll lose something.

[Path]

Misguided how?

Humans need a god figure in order to feel confident about their choices or feel forgiveness for morally degrading actions. Every religion in one way or another establishes a greater power or creator, whether it's one being, more than one, or the creator is the human soul itself. Either way the lack of said faith is a huge emotional blow. You can look at countries that have a huge non-aligned or non-religious population and probably find a way to relate it to depression or Self Delete cases.

Even if you're a life-long atheist or non-religious being, you'll eventually find god in yourself or something else, given you don't suffer an untimely death. You can doubt it and be stubborn, but eventually it'll hit you.

It's the largest debate of existentialism, after all,