Actually, we'd have many fewer ideologies to fight over,
since there'd be no Catholics, Protestants, Sunnis, Shias, etc.
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If the whole world were atheist, would the world be a better place?
- Thread starter Spiderman
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since there'd be no Catholics, Protestants, Sunnis, Shias, etc.
All else being equal, when I think about public policy, I think we'd have more motivation to get stuff done if we all agreed that we shouldn't expect any deities to swoop down and solve our problems for us.
I also think that people who indefensibly but intractably insist that their god(s) want us to do this or not do that get in the way of useful dialogue and reaching consensus about how to address our common problems.
However, I'm not sure that magically getting rid of theistic beliefs by itself would do much unless we also address the mindsets that result in theistic beliefs.
The % of convinced atheist is 9%. However 30% worldwide are agnostic or apatheist with no spiritual entity belief playing any role in their lives.
The 2016 survey shows
• 62% of people in the world define themselves as religious.
• 74% of people globally believe we have a soul and 71% believe in God; while 56% believe in heaven, 54% in life after death and 49% in hell.
• There is a connection between religiosity, beliefs and socio-demographic characteristics- such as age, income and education level. In general, as education and income levels grow higher, religiosity levels tend to diminish. On the other hand, the expression of different beliefs is higher among young people.
• The most religious countries are Thailand (98%) and Nigeria (97%), followed by Kosovo, India, Ghana, Papua New Guinea and Ivory Coast (all of them with 94%).
China is the least religious country, where almost 7 out of 10 people are atheists, more than double than any other country, and 23% consider themselves non-religious people.
• As for the different beliefs that were analyzed: God, soul, life after death, hell and heaven; the most believing countries are Bangladesh, Indonesia, Ghana, Pakistan and Papua New Guinea.
What if God is very big and cute looking cat with a Cheshire cat like smile.
If the whole world were atheist, would the world be a better place?
I'll go with 'No'. It would be a more boring depressing place to me.
I'll go with 'No'. It would be a more boring depressing place to me.
Atheism doesn't make people better, but atheists can be better and more fulfilled neighbors than many types of theists if they adopt a godless worldview with a reasonable epistemology, metaphysics, and ethical system such as some Eastern philosophies and secular humanism rather than a theistic one which misdirects their intellectual and moral development.
Remember, atheism says very little about what the atheist is and much more about what he is not. Atheism also allows for failed worldviews like astrology and Stalinism, both of which can also be godless.
There'd still be plenty to fight over. Capitalism, socialism, communism, White nationalism, Veganism... etc.
Looks a lot like my earlier list.
You just made an enemy for life!
SabahTheLoner
Master of the Art of Couch Potato Cuddles
I don’t think athiesm is what defines a good or moral person from a bad or immoral person. Action is more important than belief. Most people choose poor actions on the pretense that they won’t be responsible for the aftermath.
Not my list of the worst qualities in people. Pride is often a good thing. Lust is a survival instinct. Anger is often justified and helpful. Sloth is acceptable if one's responsibilities are being met. Envy doesn't have to hurt you if you don't act on it.
Covetousness is destructive. It undermines the search for satisfaction.
And gluttony is unhealthful.
To me, the cardinal "sins" would be closer to cowardice, lack of integrity (dishonesty, hypocrisy, disloyalty, etc.), willful ignorance, disregard for the truth, irresponsibility, unkindness, and the like. Right there is a nice illustration of the differences between a particular religious system and several atheistic ideologies.
Incidentally, Christianity doesn't seem to do a good job teaching its values. It just states them, such as do unto others as you would have them do unto you and love one another. I'd say that the humanists embody both of those values better than typical American Christians, with whom I am most familiar.
And humanists do it without holding the belief that their minds are being read, their thoughts and actions tabulated, and divine reward or punishment resulting from those choices. Which is better? Which is the higher moral position - doing good for goodness sake, or doing good in a self-serving way? Who is the more complete person and better neighbor and citizen?
A lot of us don't need faith to want to find honorable values that make lives better for ourselves and those around us, and it is not hard to do so if so motivated. It seems that there is no positive benefit to religion not available without it, whether than be community, charitableness, or moral upbringing.
The Kilted Heathen
Crow FreyjasmaðR
I think Stalin's regime shows that no, the world would not be better if everyone was Atheist. People are s**t, regardless of doctrine or creed.
Yes, finding common ground makes going to war a necessity.
They're all atheists to me if they don't have a god belief, however they self-identify. The word atheist has been pejorated such that many atheists shun the term.
Basic human nature does not change when one goes from some form of theism to atheism.
I think the world would be a better place if people were more rational. That might (or might not) translate to significantly more people being atheists. But a simple change from theism to atheism need not be necessarily made for rational reasons -- so I don't think atheism in itself is efficacious in making the world better.
I think the world would be a better place if people were more rational. That might (or might not) translate to significantly more people being atheists. But a simple change from theism to atheism need not be necessarily made for rational reasons -- so I don't think atheism in itself is efficacious in making the world better.
I've never found that there's a shortage of stuff in my godless worldview to inspire interest, wonder, awe, and happiness. I have trouble understanding a mindset that considers the natural world "boring and depressing."
That's because you don't worship erotic dancing girls. Just sayin'.
jonathan180iq
Well-Known Member
Counter question, would a world with God look any different than a world without God?