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Why Atheism Replaces Religion In Developed Countries
July 27, 2011 at 9:51 am
Nigel Barber.Biopsychologist; Blogger, Psychology Today's 'The Human Beast'
Atheists are heavily concentrated in economically developed countries, particularly the social democracies of Europe. In underdeveloped countries, there are virtually no atheists. Atheism is a peculiarly modern phenomenon. Why do modern conditions produce atheism? In a new study, I provide compelling evidence that atheism increases along with the quality of life (1).
"In life you can never be too kind or too fair; everyone you meet is carrying a heavy load. When you go through your day expressing kindness and courtesy to all you meet, you leave behind a feeling of warmth and good cheer, and you help alleviate the burdens everyone is struggling with."
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RE: Why Atheism Replaces Religion In Developed Countries
July 27, 2011 at 9:57 am
(July 27, 2011 at 9:51 am)Judas BentHer Wrote: Nigel Barber.Biopsychologist; Blogger, Psychology Today's 'The Human Beast'
Atheists are heavily concentrated in economically developed countries, particularly the social democracies of Europe. In underdeveloped countries, there are virtually no atheists. Atheism is a peculiarly modern phenomenon. Why do modern conditions produce atheism? In a new study, I provide compelling evidence that atheism increases along with the quality of life (1).
My line of thought at the moment is that:
1. Atheist is a facet of the rejection of irrationality
2. Humans being inherently irrational, being rational requires education
3. Education usually requires a decent or even high quality of life
4. Being an atheist usually requires a decent or high quality of life.
You can't blame someone for being irrational if they have never had the chance to learn how to be rational, in my eyes.
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RE: Why Atheism Replaces Religion In Developed Countries
July 27, 2011 at 10:04 am
(This post was last modified: July 27, 2011 at 10:07 am by The Grand Nudger.)
Who's blaming them? There are those who don't know, and those who should know better. It is the second group I have an issue with. 
You know I once had the opportunity to impart some science based knowledge on a pretty primitive bunch of folks. Ag stuff, they were relieved to be shown a way to have more control over their crops. These guys were still making ritual crop rotations and offerings before hand. Probably still do, but at least they use some bpm now too. Nothing wrong with those guys for not knowing. Now, if they had decided that continuing the crop rituals after they had been better educated instead of bpm......then there would be a problem.
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
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RE: Why Atheism Replaces Religion In Developed Countries
July 27, 2011 at 10:23 am
One wonders what the statistics are regarding Christianity and it's influence in 3rd world countries.
Which then poses the question, if Christianity is true why are there still third world countries?
Oh I know, probably because missionaries blame the third world impoverishment on...atheism!
"In life you can never be too kind or too fair; everyone you meet is carrying a heavy load. When you go through your day expressing kindness and courtesy to all you meet, you leave behind a feeling of warmth and good cheer, and you help alleviate the burdens everyone is struggling with."
Brian Tracy
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RE: Why Atheism Replaces Religion In Developed Countries
July 27, 2011 at 10:54 am
I think it's quite simple really. Religion has the ability to act as a crutch for those who have a pretty poor quality of life. If you have nothing, live in poverty and have no real chance to better yourself, at least religion offers you some sort of hope and meaning.
In many ways, although you may not have much of a life here it can give you a perceived moral superiority over those who have more than you, make you feel special and wanted. You can then tolerate the life you have in the knowledge that there are far better things to come.
It should also be noted that many of the poorer countries of the world are not only very religious but also very tribal, especially the Muslim countries. Religion and tribalism go hand in hand with each other.
So, the more prosperous and educated people become, the less they rely on this crutch and the less relevance it has in their lives. If there really were revealed truths that these religions cling to then it should not matter one jot what kind of society you hale from but of course as we observe, the opposite is true.
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RE: Why Atheism Replaces Religion In Developed Countries
July 28, 2011 at 4:27 am
Well, it's just as I thought. Poor people have to relay more on God that rich people do. While the poor one prays always for the daily bread, the rich man doesn't think he needs God, since he has his needs covered.
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RE: Why Atheism Replaces Religion In Developed Countries
July 28, 2011 at 4:39 am
How wealthy a person is has nothing to do with it.
A well developed country allows great education. Great education leads to very educated people.
Sweden has a 85% non-religious population and it happens to be among the most peaceful nations in the world. It also has one of the highest levels of education and equality. It's not the money, it's the mind. Countries that are underdeveloped and quite violent tend to be very religious.
It seems secularism does encourage peace, education and development. Religion seems to do the complete opposite.
Also it shows that without education they fall to religion. And with education they see the delusion of it. 
Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence - Carl Sagan
Mankind's intelligence walks hand in hand with it's stupidity.
Being an atheist says nothing about your overall intelligence, it just means you don't believe in god. Atheists can be as bright as any scientist and as stupid as any creationist.
You never really know just how stupid someone is, until you've argued with them.
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RE: Why Atheism Replaces Religion In Developed Countries
August 3, 2011 at 8:53 pm
So how do you explain the almight USA on this theory of yours?
Where do I find meaning? ----> pleasure -----> hedonism
Where do I find meaning? ----> Wikipedia -----> lazy
Depends on what you mean by meaning.
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RE: Why Atheism Replaces Religion In Developed Countries
August 4, 2011 at 1:17 am
(August 3, 2011 at 8:53 pm)Salty Amy Wrote: So how do you explain the almight USA on this theory of yours?
The USA is an outlier in many areas among Western nations.
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RE: Why Atheism Replaces Religion In Developed Countries
August 4, 2011 at 1:34 am
Quote:While the poor one prays always for the daily bread, the rich man doesn't think he needs God, since he has his needs covered.
And the rich man is fine and the poor man gets it shoved up his ass!
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