Will The Internet Kill Religion?

[John V]

I'll believe that the internet is killing religion when atheists quit bitching about all the religious stuff that comes to them via Facebook, email etc.

[MJ the Skeptical]

I'll believe that the internet is killing religion when atheists quit bitching about all the religious stuff that comes to them via Facebook, email etc.

But that's exactly why religion is dying via the internet. More exposure to religions bullshit by more people.

[ThePinsir]

I think the internet meme will embarrass religion into endangerment. But push it to extinction? Probably not.

The meme, plus YouTube satire, will drive it right to the edge of non-existence.

The meme, plus YouTube satire, plus the proliferation of popular science programs and publications, plus a few more generations...maaaaaaaybe.

[John V]

But that's exactly why religion is dying via the internet. More exposure to religions bullshit by more people.

So, tons of people sharing religious information shows that religion is dying...

[Coffee Jesus]

I think the internet meme will embarrass religion into endangerment. But push it to extinction? Probably not.

It might also push religion to become less untenable.

Maybe they'll finally move past the over-simplified "Which religion is right?" format.

[Silver]

I'll believe that the internet is killing religion when atheists quit bitching about all the religious stuff that comes to them via Facebook, email etc.

You state that as though theists never have a near aneurysm from viewing Facebook content of the non-Christian variety.

[John V]

You state that as though theists never have a near aneurysm from viewing Facebook content of the non-Christian variety.

If such people then claim that the internet will destroy atheism/other religions, I'll make the same point to them as I make here to atheists.

[*Deidre*]

Interesting take on it, Diamond.

I'd say it is possible that it has caused more awareness as to the lies of religion, from an ease of accessing information stand point. But, to me? Religious people themselves are destroying religion. I actually foresee Islam surpassing Christianity globally in numbers, sooner than later. The reason is because most Muslims are devout and take their faith more seriously than Christians.
In general. Exceptions of course.

Christians have so many conflicting and competing denominations and many are just bigoted hypocrites using religion as a political or societal tool to separate themselves from us heathens.

So, I actually foresee Islam and Atheism growing as time goes on, with Christianity eventually fading away into a very small number. Doubt it will become extinct but one can only hope.

[RobbyPants]

I actually foresee Islam surpassing Christianity globally in numbers, sooner than later. The reason is because most Muslims are devout and take their faith more seriously than Christians.
In general. Exceptions of course.

Well, that, and all of the countries that have apostasy as a capital offense are Muslim. It's more an issue of Islamic countries and cultures being more religiously oppressive than it is necessarily a level of devotion on an individual level of adherents.

Given that a handful of those countries also restrict Internet use, as well, it wouldn't surprise me if your prediction about Islam surpassing Christianity is correct.

[John V]

So, I actually foresee Islam and Atheism growing as time goes on, with Christianity eventually fading away into a very small number.

You might find this surprising, but I predict pretty much the same thing.