The ironic end of chrisitianity

[Ben Davis]

It's already happening in the UK really, christianity is so toned down as to be non existent everywhere I have been.

There are 2 big aspects to this in the UK. Firstly, the majority of us really are tolerant of other beliefs. Brits have a strong social paradigm that 'everyone should pull together when it's really needed'. That means we're taught, from a very young age, to focus on what people have in common rather than what our differences are and that we should limit the impact that our beliefs have on others so that our differences don't get in the way of achieving common goals. This paradigm is pretty recent, developed over the 20th century in response to the world wars but it's now an ingrained part of the British national identity.

Secondly, extravagant displays aren't generally encouraged (empty barrels make the most noise!). That's impacted the evangelical side of religious expression meaning that indoctrinal reinforcement isn't as powerful as in the US and most believers keep their beliefs to themselves, by and large. Consequently, we tend not to identify people by their beliefs but by their actions.

[MJ the Skeptical]

I'm a pessimist and I think there will always be people stupid enough to cling to absurd fairy tales.

A manageable proportion of the population believing in gods ( say 20%) should be attainable.

Of course there will be still always be absurd beliefs but wouldn't you say the future belongs to the intellectuals if we don't destroy the planet?

[Ben Davis]

If much of religion did fade away, then what will take its place, atheism ?.

It shouldn't because atheism isn't a value-system in its own right, it's the word for the absence of the theistic value-system. It's possible that the definition of atheism could change to become a value-system (like in the South park episode) but that would be a misuse which is currently opposed by the majority of atheists (remember the failure of Atheism+?)

Instead we could see uptake in humanistic or pragmatic systems, maybe some new ones will emerge. Assuming tribalistic needs stay as strong as they are at the moment, people might switch to labels based on political ideologies instead of ethical ones. There are many options other than 'religion' but 'atheism' most likely won't be one.

[robvalue]

Yes, that's the difference between religion and atheism. Atheism can try and find the best possible way of doing each individual thing in a society, whereas religion just dictates an arbitrary set of values with no actual morals behind them.

[Lek]

I think you're right about western Europe and the US moving toward atheism lately. It's probably the biggest reason for their decline in the world during the same time period. I think it's going to get worse.

[Minimalist]

You would. Fortunately no one pays attention to you.

[ignoramus]

I'm a pessimist and I think there will always be people stupid enough to cling to absurd fairy tales.

A manageable proportion of the population believing in gods ( say 20%) should be attainable.

Min, then those 20% are going to scream persecution!
(Aren't we better off just putting the remaining few out of their misery, as humanely as possible of course!)

[psychoslice]

If much of religion did fade away, then what will take its place, atheism ?.

It shouldn't because atheism isn't a value-system in its own right, it's the word for the absence of the theistic value-system. It's possible that the definition of atheism could change to become a value-system (like in the South park episode) but that would be a misuse which is currently opposed by the majority of atheists (remember the failure of Atheism+?)

Instead we could see uptake in humanistic or pragmatic systems, maybe some new ones will emerge. Assuming tribalistic needs stay as strong as they are at the moment, people might switch to labels based on political ideologies instead of ethical ones. There are many options other than 'religion' but 'atheism' most likely won't be one.

Yes that makes sense, humans seem to need to believe in something beyond themselves, be it football and the gods that play it, and yes I think in time even atheism will become a strong belief system, it could even become a dogma, and hence fundamentalism will sneak in.

[Zack]

As much as I want the OP's claim to be true, I can't agree. There are too many other factors to consider than just holy book fallacies.

The rate of reproduction among religious people is astonishing. Just look at the recent comments from Pope Francis on the "bitterness of loneliness", the population explosion in the Middle East, Catholic views on contraception, the cast of 19 and Counting, etc. If the birth rate should decline there is still missionary work to be done. See evangelicals in Africa or spies for Christ in China.

There is the whole immortality and "theme park in the sky" belief to contend with as well. I don't see that being set aside until humans figure out how to conquer death.

Who is to say different religions won't spring up after the demise of the Christianity, Islam, Judaism, or any of the other major religions. We (humans) have been worshipping something or other for thousands of years.

I think the most we can hope for, in this country anyhow, is a world in which religion no longer plays such a prominent role in the state or society. Like the UK? I can't say because I don't live there.

[Jenny A]

I much of religion did fade away, then what will take its place, atheism ?.

Only in a perfect world. Ironic that since that's what a divine creator would have made.