Firstly, get rid of the attitude. Why are you trying to ruin what seems to me a perfectly reasonable discussion? You did it with your first response to me by implying I didn't have an open mind and have carried on in the same vein ever since.
I'm open to the evidence, of course. I've provided a whole bunch of things in my posts that explain why I feel a gradual marginalising of religion/growth of atheism over the course of decades has already begun (I'm happy to provide sources for the figures if that would help), why it would be a good thing, and why I don't feel it would leave us in chaos, which is something you've asserted would happen.
I did agree that if you removed religion from people that currently hold it dear, there could be negative effects, but since it would be impossible to do that, I don't really see why it's a worthwhile discussion. As I have stated many times, I am talking about a gradual process lasting generations, and I dispute that people who don't already have religion drummed into them require it to keep them from chaos. And in fact, many of the 'stupid' people who supposedly need it, and have it, are perfectly capable of causing chaos even with their religion.
I'm happy to agree that there is evidence to suggest that people are susceptible to religious and supernatural claims, but I don't think that's the same as needing them. If atheists can manage without them on an individual basis, I don't see why the same can't be said at a societal level.
I'm open to the evidence, of course. I've provided a whole bunch of things in my posts that explain why I feel a gradual marginalising of religion/growth of atheism over the course of decades has already begun (I'm happy to provide sources for the figures if that would help), why it would be a good thing, and why I don't feel it would leave us in chaos, which is something you've asserted would happen.
I did agree that if you removed religion from people that currently hold it dear, there could be negative effects, but since it would be impossible to do that, I don't really see why it's a worthwhile discussion. As I have stated many times, I am talking about a gradual process lasting generations, and I dispute that people who don't already have religion drummed into them require it to keep them from chaos. And in fact, many of the 'stupid' people who supposedly need it, and have it, are perfectly capable of causing chaos even with their religion.
I'm happy to agree that there is evidence to suggest that people are susceptible to religious and supernatural claims, but I don't think that's the same as needing them. If atheists can manage without them on an individual basis, I don't see why the same can't be said at a societal level.
