Just a little rant:

[Chris.Roth]

It's clearly not required for individuals to survive. I don't think it is for society either. I think Japan has about a roughly 60% atheist population (that's from memory, it may be higher or lower) and their society isn't crumbling, so I can't see how it's required. There's plenty of examples of atheism in individuals and in societies, it just seems early societies (which, although linked, are distinct from present day societies) are more (perhaps exclusively) religious. It could be that religion of some kind is a helpful glue for early societies.
[/quote]

Sigh, I hate you--and not even for a good reason lol.

The point you bring up is one that I actually believe in. I think you're completely right. However, I do get fairly disappointed when I see how unwilling much of our worldly culture is to accepting the concepts of secularism, I am disappointed. Can Japan and countries like it hold out on their secular viewpoints? Can they hold themselves strong against nations which seem to "require" religion to survive? ("Require", meaning most of the population for some reason believes that a belief in a specific God is necessary to the survival of a nation.) I just can't seem to get my mind around an optomistic aspect of any of this. I'm not saying it's wrong because it's not optomistic, but by all means--if there is any optomism in the position (which I think anyone reading this will agree is "truth") I would be welcome to hear your viewpoint.