Being outbred by the religious

[Esquilax]

I'm not attacking or defending either position. I'm just suggesting that it would be better for you guys to consider it and reach a consensus than to talk out of both sides of your collective mouth.

Oh, come on: one thing any time around atheists will tell you is that we don't feel particularly bound to reach a consensus on any issue, barring the god question that makes us atheists to begin with.

[CapnAwesome]

I'm not attacking or defending either position. I'm just suggesting that it would be better for you guys to consider it and reach a consensus than to talk out of both sides of your collective mouth.

We don't have a collective mouth. You should know that by now, Atheists like to argue with each other almost as much as with the opposition. However even if most people retain the beliefs of their parents (which is true) it isn't contradictory with Atheists siphoning off enough people over time to win the war of ideas so to speak. None of this is going to happen tomorrow, it's a matter of multiple generations. I guess people who think that the world will end within their lifetime have a hard time comprehending that.

[John V]

We don't have a collective mouth. You should know that by now, Atheists like to argue with each other almost as much as with the opposition. However even if most people retain the beliefs of their parents (which is true) it isn't contradictory with Atheists siphoning off enough people over time to win the war of ideas so to speak.

Yes, it is contradictory. If most people retain the beliefs of their parents, then a difference in breeding rates could indeed maintain theism. You can't have it both ways. To suppose that you win the war of ideas, you need to also suppose one or more of the following:

1) The premise that most people retain the beliefs of their parents is not true.

2) The premise that most people retain the beliefs of their parents is currently true, but is going to change.

3) The premise that theists reproduce more than atheists is not true.

4) The premise that theists reproduce more than atheists is currently true, but is going to change.

I haven't read the entire thread but it seemed that (2) was most popular.