Protestantism leads to atheism

[Muffled]

There might be some degree of truth in that, and atheism does seem to be more widespread in Protestant areas (although there could be other reasons for that also).

Protestantism seems pretty unique as it focuses on belief rather than ritual. This weakens people's ties to the faith making it easier to jettison.

I believe we make it easy for those who are not with us to be apart from us. That leaves us with real Christians attending church instead of a bunch of phony ones.

 

[metis]

Just a reminder that church, synagogue, mosque, etc. are not for "perfect people", nor were the apostles angels.

 

[viole]

The reformation was a rejection of Papal and priestly authority to determine 'truth', once that cat was out of the bag it was inevitable that more and more people would start thinking for themselves and ultimately (at least some would) reject all religious stupidity. But atheism was around long before @viole 's Latin-whispering, befrocked and betesticled 'Papa' primates began their long line of non-paternal patristic paternalism. 400 years before 'Christ', Socrates was sentenced to death for the crime of 'atheism' (not believing in the gods) - although they didn't call it 'atheism' then but 'impiety' and he denied the charge anyway - but the point is - the idea of 'not believing in the gods' was around long before the RC Church made it so much easier to subscribe to atheism.

Poor Socrates, victim of the usual confusion that the pious has between thinking people and atheist people.

Ciao

- viole

 

[psychoslice]

You should take your own advice.

I do and that is why I replied the way I did.

 

[whirlingmerc]

I think the secular enlightenment movement which was a reaction to the violence between protestants and Catholics is the general start of more prevelant atheism

 

[arthra]

I strongly believe the Protestant rebellion of 1517 and the current Protestant churches have created atheism, by accident because if one denies the real presence in the Eucharist and other miracles such as incuruptable saints the next step eventually is to deny the existence of the resurrection and then Gods existence it self

How then would you account for the rise of atheism say in France (predominently Catholic) or maybe Russia (Mostly Orthodox))?

 

[lewisnotmiller]

The Protestant or any other rebellion have nothing at all to do with atheism ...

You only have to read the first few verses of Genesis to know without a shadow of doubt that a god doesn't exist and never has existed.

I get what you mean, but I have to disagree.
Movements which encourage diversity of thought, and encourage reflection are more likely to lead to increased numbers of atheists than a repressive or prescriptive religious environment would.

As a way of comparison, what might happen to the number of atheists in Iran if the Shah was suddenly in charge, and various streams of Islam were all allowed free and frank expression, with the law allowing various forms of thought to be aired more freely?

Whilst I don't know the answer to that, I would suspect that many of the current decision makers in Iran would think it would lead to increased levels of atheistic thought, or non-belief, or however they would term it.

 

[Glaurung]

Moreso. It is the natural state. It existed before anyone made up gods.

Human beings observe seeming intentionality in their environments. Consequently they project agency which in primitive cultures takes on the form of elemental deities. Religion begins as an attempt to placate these elemental forces in such a way that is harmonious with human interests (such as agriculture). No one "made up" the gods. It's almost as if you actually believe that religion is a conspiracy.

It is precisely the predictability of nature that leads to the notion of the gods. This also applies to monotheism, although in a very different way as monotheism doesn't personify nature itself, it insists instead that nature is designed by one all-encompassing intelligence.

The important thing is that there has never been an irreligious culture. There's nothing inherently "natural" (whatever that is supposed to mean) about being a materialist. And in my experience, scientific materialists are often the most dogmatic and rigidly religious people around.

The rise of atheism is due to an increase in education and science. People simply do not need religious nonsense anymore to explain the world around them.

You see, everyone has their myths.

Most irreligious people I've met don't reject religion because of "science" they reject it because they don't care about religious questions. Those who prattle on about "science" (or rather their often ideological view of it) generally only do so because it post hoc justifies the materialism they were already inclined towards.

 

[Adamski]

How then would you account for the rise of atheism say in France (predominently Catholic) or maybe Russia (Mostly Orthodox))?

They have fallen into the heresy of Protestantism but remained in the church

 

[Kapalika]

I strongly believe the Protestant rebellion of 1517 and the current Protestant churches have created atheism, by accident because if one denies the real presence in the Eucharist and other miracles such as incuruptable saints the next step eventually is to deny the existence of the resurrection and then Gods existence it self

So how do you explain Socrates or, going to another hemisphere, the Carvakas of India? What about the original Buddhist sects and even many today that are atheistic? What about Jainism? What about Taoism? What about Samkhya? Or going back to the Greeks, Epicurus?

All of these predate Christianity.

So how could Protestantism create something that has existed for easily well over 2,000 years before said events? I have no doubt atheism goes back even further, however we know since at least 500 BCE there have been atheists.

 

[Shad]

How then would you account for the rise of atheism say in France (predominently Catholic) or maybe Russia (Mostly Orthodox))?

The state in both cases although not all individual cases with those states.

 

[Augustus]

I think the secular enlightenment movement which was a reaction to the violence between protestants and Catholics is the general start of more prevelant atheism

The Enlightenment wasn't specifically secular, many (mostly?) religious people were involved in it. Religion was even a driving force in the Enlightenment and intellectual traditions that led up to it.

Christianity provided motivation and a framework for scientific discovery, and the Church was a major funder of education and scientific research.

One of the consequences of the Enlightenment was an increase in atheism though.

 

[Furball]

What leads to atheism is that there is -0- evidence for christianity; be it catholicism, protestant etc.
and mountains of evidence proving theism and religions like christianity wrong.

 

[Searching1981]

I strongly believe the Protestant rebellion of 1517 and the current Protestant churches have created atheism, by accident because if one denies the real presence in the Eucharist and other miracles such as incuruptable saints the next step eventually is to deny the existence of the resurrection and then Gods existence it self

With humility love and grace, I sort of agree with you and I am Catholic (I'm being serious now). Your line of thinking is rock solid and when I was younger I would have offered a complete agreement. At this point I have changed. I'm being serious now because we are spiritual brothers.

Now, Martin Luther in my opinion was right to rebel against the Church of the time and we Catholics are better for it. My dad is a loving Staunch Catholic and has shared with me books he has read. What Martin Luther did is say, "instead of having a Mass in Latin with only the Priest having access to the real Holy Bible, the Mass should be in the common tongue with everyone having access to the Bible." Now, we as Catholics benefit from that because over time the Church agreed.

So, I genuinely see our Mainline Protestant Brothers and Sisters as whole hearted Christians. The Presbyterians, Methodist, Mainline Baptists, Anglicans, Episcopalians all broke from the Church and made reforms and we Catholics later adopted them.

Now, this is going to sound Unorthodox and don't hate me for it, but Mormons do have a Holy Book and while it is not our Holy Book it is something to explore. I'm reading it right now and you will find that maybe, maybe Joseph Smith was right and should be loved. In other words, Mormons are Christians.

Now, where I do agree with you is I think the Christian Charismatic Movement Charismatic Movement - Wikipedia

Is something to explore to get at the root of Atheism in America. The Fundamentals were started there. The Wikipedia article is not accurate (the Catholic Church was never involved in the Charismatic movement, America is not a Catholic Country but that is how Wikipedia works. You make an argument it spreads and people write Propaganda in response. Reggae has nothing to with Ska for example) but if you get a real book on it I think you can explore how the Charismatic movement, which made religion political like Shinto, and the Fundamentals really lead to many losing Faith. In other words, I'm not blaming all Evangelicals (which in my opinion are not Protestant because their response has nothing to do with the Catholic Church unless you want to call them the Protestants of Protestants) but I'm blaming bad Evangelical Churches.

Now, I will write if you pray for Jesus Christ to give you guidance and speak with you, you may hear from him. What he has told me before (we are Catholic we share Miracles) is, "is the Catholic Church keeps Christianity Progressive, the Protestants including Evangelicals keep it Pure."

Godspeed, I love you brother keep going with the Faith.

 

[FunctionalAtheist]

I strongly believe the Protestant rebellion of 1517 and the current Protestant churches have created atheism, by accident because if one denies the real presence in the Eucharist and other miracles such as incuruptable saints the next step eventually is to deny the existence of the resurrection and then Gods existence it self

I agree that the protestant revelation was a (small) step toward freeing humanity from pious overlords.

 

[FunctionalAtheist]

I strongly believe the Protestant rebellion of 1517 and the current Protestant churches have created atheism, by accident because if one denies the real presence in the Eucharist and other miracles such as incuruptable saints the next step eventually is to deny the existence of the resurrection and then Gods existence it self

If one asks for the evidence or rational for beliving in the eucharist and miracles, then the next step is to ask for evidence or rational for the resurrection and existence of god? Got it!

 

[rusra02]

I strongly believe the Protestant rebellion of 1517 and the current Protestant churches have created atheism, by accident because if one denies the real presence in the Eucharist and other miracles such as incuruptable saints the next step eventually is to deny the existence of the resurrection and then Gods existence it self

I think the infamous crimes committed in God's name by both The Catholic and Protestant churches has led many to atheism.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I think the infamous crimes committed in God's name by both The Catholic and Protestant churches has led many to atheism.

I think reading the Bible has led many to atheism.