300 years, yet atheism has not grown into a viable movement | Bart Campolo

[mralstoner]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3JIdCruIpo

[TheMonster]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3JIdCruIpo

He is absolutely right in that the sense of community is what drives religious movements, cults and many other forms of human organization


The problem with replicating that to atheism (or "humanism") is that wen you are irreligious, there is no compelling reason to congregate and give up a part of your autonomy. Atheism is not a religion. It has no doctrine, no requirement to meet other atheists, no requirement to spread the "faith" (for the lack of a better term) and atheism has no clearly defined borders (a lot of self-reporting atheists believe in bullshit spiritualism experiences). 


There are also other reasons to stay religious. A lot of families reject atheists outright. As a result, some would question the value of denouncing one's faith and putting their own relationships on the line. Religious communities also start preaching to their kids from a very young age. It is difficult for people with lower levels of intelligence to see through the bullshit. 

A lot of countries have penalties for those who denounce the state religion (eg: Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Iran etc..), some countries dont have these penalties but society as a whole is very hostile to atheists and this could make life a living hell (eg: India, Bible belt America, Turkey). Even in Western tolerant countries, atheists are among the most untrusted people. Who would want to be identified as such?
Atheism also has a bad reputation for (wrongly) being associated with autocratic communist dictatorships such as the USSR, Cuba, Vietnam and China. 

It is also easier to find a significant other when one is religious... there is also the aspect of marriage which some people might like.

It is quite interesting how atheism has not grown in 300 years post-enlightenment. You would think more people would come to their senses. I suspect a lot of people question religion and after years of Western education come to the conclusion that it is all bullshit... Yet the cost of stating such a thing openly outweighs any benefit such an identity will bring. 

I for one am an atheist and cannot think of anything conventional religion can say or do that will change my mind in any profound way. Yet, I still go through the rituals of religion when at home or with friends just so I dont raise any eyebrows or burn any bridges.
I still talk about atheism with those who have a sympathetic ear and those who may believe in a similar sort of thing as I do.

[Whateverist]

Yeah, cuz what everyone really wants is a solid movement to merge with.[/sarcasm]

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Sorry if I'm raining on your parade. Just not a joiner and sure don't need any leader.

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[Alex K]

Atheism is about not believing in God, and that's about it - atheists need not have anything in common apart from that... movements are usually about something, why would we even expect that a real movement can be based on not believing one specific thing?

[abaris]

You know what?

Individualism is what's driving humanity. We aren't in need of another pseudo religion to rally behind. There are already more than enough of these.

Apart from the fact that I have next to nothing in common with quite a number or atheists. Other than not believing, that is.

[Arkilogue]

You know what?

Individualism is what's driving humanity. We aren't in need of another pseudo religion to rally behind. There are already more than enough of these.

Apart from the fact that I have next to nothing in common with quite a number or atheists. Other than not believing, that is.

Individualism can easily turn into isolationism and we're seeing quite an uptick on that front.

[abaris]

Individualism can easily turn into isolationism and we're seeing quite an uptick on that front.

Atheims on the other hand isn't a community. I choose the company I keep. And if this board has taught me anything then it is atheism in itself isn't a value. It's just the tiny, tiny kernel of not believing. That's no basis to form any kind of community.

I much rather extend my hand to some of the theists on this board than I would to some of the atheists here.

[Arkilogue]

Individualism can easily turn into isolationism and we're seeing quite an uptick on that front.

Atheims on the other hand isn't a community. I choose the company I keep. And if this board has taught me anything then it is atheism in itself isn't a value. It's just the tiny, tiny kernel of not believing. That's no basis to form any kind of community.

I much rather extend my hand to some of the theists on this board than I would to some of the atheists here.

I think you hit the nail on the head in just the word community. There are many levels of community to interact on from local neighbor to neighbor, to a gathering of peoples who share the same universal paradigm. We can choose our level of interaction or even make a new one for others to interact in. Community = communion = a sharing of something...anything.

I like the part in the bible that says "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." Reminds me to act locally to help those in need and not to overly concern myself with world matters I cannot act upon.

[vorlon13]

Is a religion considered 'viable' if 2/3, 3/4, 90%, 99% of it's adherents can't pass even the easiest fluffy bunniest test of religious fealty ??

I'd say the vast majority of 'believers' in the US do not comport themselves as though they sincerely believed they were adherents of The One True Faith.

On the other hand, it's pretty clear the vast majority of atheists have considered religious claims far more seriously than the religious folks do themselves, and have found them profoundly lacking.

Considering atheism isn't (and really couldn't be) organized as noted in some of the above posts, nevertheless having the shared experience of evaluating those religious claims and following along to their logical resolution is a demonstration of unification religions sects and schisms can only dream about.

[Arkilogue]

If all the apples are too rotten to eat, are the seeds also "inviable"?

People are fallible. We all agree on the secular rules of driving but traffic accidents have been a leading cause of death for people under 27. https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Pub...ion/812203