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RE: What's the best country to be an atheist?
August 7, 2015 at 5:50 am
(This post was last modified: August 7, 2015 at 6:03 am by Alex K.)
Being an atheist in Germany is a total non-issue, no one cares and there will usually be plenty of like-minded people around - all you have to deal with is the anger you feel realizing how many privileges the two big churches have secured for themselves, complete with narratives about how great they are which are deeply ingrained in society. This might also be the reason why accomodationist attitudes are widespread. Unfortunately, the power they are given because they get to run hospitals and social facilities (mostly on tax money) allows them to discriminate in places. Vocal atheism is often met with a slightly irritated look and comments to the effect of "ok, so what's your problem exactly *shrug*", but overt displays of religiosity outside the clergy are even more frowned upon and considered suspect, so it's nothing that affects atheists in particular. Evolution denying creationists are basically a fringe group and are generally considered to be weird and also suspect. Unlike the US, politicians with extreme religious views usually don't gain any significamt power
The fool hath said in his heart, There is a God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.
Psalm 14, KJV revised edition
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RE: What's the best country to be an atheist?
August 7, 2015 at 6:28 am
We don't generally have religion in politics in the UK, but there are several unelected bishops in the House of Lords. I think that is prime bullshit. But I suppose it's seen as a compromise, since we're technically a theocracy, to have a few of those nobs in there.
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RE: What's the best country to be an atheist?
August 7, 2015 at 6:38 am
Japan is dominated by Shinto and most people worship their ancestors. It's pretty much the privileged religion. I don't know why people see it as an atheist paradise.
Best? Probably Sweden or just about any decently secular country.
Worst? Any theocracy
Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you
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RE: What's the best country to be an atheist?
August 7, 2015 at 9:35 am
The ideal country for an atheist would have constitutional secularism and a percentage of atheists high enough for them not to be an easily-ignored novelty, but low enough that they're not drawn into throwing their weight around.
I'm not anti-Christian. I'm anti-stupid.
