Poor uneducated unintelligent aheists

[SleepingDemon]

If people believe that they will get their fairshare in the afterlife, then there really is no incentive to better themselves is there? And it isn't impossible to justify good behavior across the board, the problem comes when they see the rich playing zoot suit gangsters and taking more from people who have less. If you're poor, and you see Oprah robbing a bank, you're like well shit, if they can be criminals I might as well be. It's the only way to get ahead. People stick to this notion of an American dream, people want easy money and a good life without sacrificing first. Truth is the average American makes 500 a week. Why work for that when you can make 10,000 a week selling crack? But these are societal problems that exist in spite of 80% of American's believing in god. I don't see anarchy without religion, suicides and depression rates may rise drastically, but if we humans are to ever do anything truly extraordinary, this will be a necessary step in civilization.

[Minimalist]

If people believe that they will get their fairshare in the afterlife, then there really is no incentive to better themselves is there? And it isn't impossible to justify good behavior across the board, the problem comes when they see the rich playing zoot suit gangsters and taking more from people who have less.

Ssssshhh! That's libertarianism....which IS a religion.

[SleepingDemon]

That is simple class based politicking. How can we as a society expect the have nots to be well functioning citizens when the haves are gangsters in Armani suits?

[Supernaut]

Yes i disagree also, as when I first fully considered what it is to be an Atheist it made me a better person...
I wasn't really someone who cared about others, but now it is the opposite. And I believe that is due to Atheism.

Same story here. As a christian I had a rather licentious attitude when it came to how I treated others, donated time, money, and goods and so on. Since shedding my old skin, I have realized that every little thing we do counts. I have since begun to donate money to charities (the money I used to give to the church is going somewhere much better). My time is spent being a nicer person instead of just being another judgemental ass christian. Atheism has helped me to understand what it means to be human.

[djrams80]

Peace....


Many atheists I have come into contact with are people who were educated, typically above average as it relates to critical thinking, and go on from their college background to earn a relatively decent living. Atheism is not typically the poor, uneducated, lower intelligence persons disposition. But what if it was?

What if the message of Hitchens and Dawkins caught on to this demographic, how would it affect things like prostitution, drug use, home invasion, parenting, and despair as it relates to quality of life issues? Many low income, disenfranchised populations are pacified by the belief that they will receive their due in heaven, and that their greedy bosses and the rich in general will be punished for being so selfish on Earth..But what would happen when they came to grips with the reality that if they don't get it in this life, they will never see heaven? How would things changed if this group really understood that this is as good as it gets for them unless they take matters into their own hands?

Social order is contingent upon a social contract, when the poor feel as if the contract has been broken, many turn into rogues, however most turn to religion and allow God the role of Arbiter...God informs them of the next life and how good its gonna be and how He will judge the guilty..and of course it makes things a little easier to deal with for the poor and disenfranchised...Is it safe to liberate the minds of this population at this point in America knowing that there is little probabilty that things are gonna rapidly turn around for the poor and desperate?



Whirling Moat

The point you are blowing past is that Atheists are generally not these types of people. Well over 80% of humans are theists, so the vast majority of children are taught theistic views from childhood. In order to break free from what you have been taught your whole life, one must be able to think rationally and objectively. This is where your whole premise gets flushed down the toilet.

[tackattack]

And your premise gets blown out of the water when you presume theism precludes rationality and objectivity.

[Gawdzilla]

And your premise gets blown out of the water when you presume theism precludes rationality and objectivity.

Believing in the Great Sky Fairy makes a powerful argument in regard to someone's rationality.

[tackattack]

I don't believe he believes in a great sky fairy, I thought he believed in god. Perhaps we should let them get their definitions straight and set up some logical assumptions and see if they're rational. My Tu quoque still stands though.

[Gawdzilla]

tackattck, what would you say to someone who thought "Thor" was a documentary?

[tackattack]

That they were misinformed, I don't naturally assume people are stupid or delusional, until they try and answer the question why?