A world in which a majority of people become non-doctrinaire but practicing Buddhists would be quite nice. But that's about as likely as a majority becoming Western-style atheists.
Even if advancing knowledge and the means to it render many manifestations of religion untenable, I don't expect to see it ever extinguished. There is truth. And then there is meaning. Many people will continue to find meaning in their lives through their religious commitments. I think that's pretty much baked into the human experience for many, many people.
And what if everyone did become atheist? That doesn't necessarily mean they will become rational or peaceful. I fear the "isms" that could arise in such a world at least as much as I do the ones religion has currently given us.
Consider me a pessimist.
Even if advancing knowledge and the means to it render many manifestations of religion untenable, I don't expect to see it ever extinguished. There is truth. And then there is meaning. Many people will continue to find meaning in their lives through their religious commitments. I think that's pretty much baked into the human experience for many, many people.
And what if everyone did become atheist? That doesn't necessarily mean they will become rational or peaceful. I fear the "isms" that could arise in such a world at least as much as I do the ones religion has currently given us.
Consider me a pessimist.
