New study shows atheism is far more common in developed countries

Linky

I'm not sure what to make of this, honestly, other than to say that there is a certain amout of sense to relying less on god(s) when you're not fighting for survival every day. Of course, the only thinig I would've done to improve this study (and, honestly, I'm just nitpicking) is compared levels of agnosticism in developed and developing countries.

Well gee, I could have told you that the welfare office is a competitor to the church.

This is kinda obvious.

Also, there was already a thread discussing Christianity's problems in adapting to social rights. That, plus muslim communities isolating themselves of sympathy, offers a lot of vacuum to be filled.

In unrelated news, the Pope has been found out to be Catholic.

^ Alongside other marvelous gems such as water is wet, the sky is blue, fire is hot and the Q'abba is in Mecca.

One of these is new to me.

Change the bloody record, will you?

I'll offer a more abstract version:

It takes energy and intellect to stand up against the ideology you were brought up in. So that will most probably happen more in rich, developed countries with a good educational system.

Maybe the reason for increase atheism in developed countries is that the development means the more spreading of ideas including that reguarding the spiritual?

Not so sure about that study but agree educated people are more likely to be athiests, because most people are brought up believing in something beyond the world they see, and educated people are encouraged to question and look outside their own beliefs for truth.

Also, I suspect:

• If you live in a desperately poor country, you're more likely to pray to get yourself through the day.
• Poor people often have less time to ponder such things as whether existance is pointless or meaningless beyond its physical nature.
• Athiests and other nontraditional theological thinkers are more likely to go into higher learning in the current global culture, whereas religious folk are often more drawn to other fields.

Edit: wording / grammar.

edited 19th Sep '11 7:23:33 AM by FrodoGoofballCoTV

In other news, atheists are more ignorant about faith.

Carry on.

edited 19th Sep '11 7:55:09 AM by Kino

Now that is not quite so. According to some, irreligious people are likely to know more about religion than religious people http://pewforum.org/Other-Beliefs-and-Practices/U-S-Religious-Knowledge-Survey.aspx

Although this one suspects that it only holds true to the countries in which religion is a "default" position

edited 19th Sep '11 8:06:43 AM by Beholderess

In other news, there is no point to this post.

Oh wow. Want to rephrase that in a way that is less insufferable and discriminatory?

In regard to the opening post, we already knew this. Bears poop in the woods, etc.

edited 19th Sep '11 8:46:34 AM by Pentadragon

As an atheist I have to ask that guy who can't find his shift key to kindly get off my side. It's embarrassing, especially when he's claiming some sort of intellectual superiority for atheists.

edited 19th Sep '11 9:01:59 AM by FastEddie

It might be because when people believe they have more control over their fate there is less of an incentive to imagine control of it is given over to someone/thing else?

Sorry just throwing ideas out there.

I'm going to go with education. Maybe it's just my personal experience, but I think it'd be quite difficult to go through a higher education without at least questioning your beliefs. If you end up reaffirming them later that's fine too, but the questioning process itself is gonna create a bunch of agnostics.

Now that is not quite so. According to some, irreligious people are likely to know more about religion than religious people http://pewforum.org/Other-Beliefs-and-Practices/U-S-Religious-Knowledge-Survey.aspx

Reading the detailed results of that are hilarious and depressing:

On the other hand, the bits about religion seem somewhat irrelevant in that they tend to be historical questions rather than theological questions.

edited 19th Sep '11 9:42:16 AM by Clarste

Religious faith, perhaps, but I think the majority of people have faith in something, whether it's a deity, a nation or even numbers. Not believing in any god doesn't necessarily preclude a person from having faith in something. I assume religious faith is what you meant, though.

In all honesty, belief is much easier than faith, and they're often confused.

edited 19th Sep '11 9:49:52 AM by TheGloomer

^x4 on phone acting wonky

edited 19th Sep '11 9:50:41 AM by vanthebaron

Eddie, you forgot a pothole.

On-topic, I'd like to see someone identify a country/region where religion isn't the default option. It seems to me (an agnostic) that religion is considered the norm in most parts of the world. Of course, my knowledge of foreign cultures probably is limited, so...

Also, I want there to be a laser that works by focusing sound waves.

According to this study, we are.

I imagine that it's probably a trend common over the rest of Europe, too.

USSR used to be, although even there situation differed among regions and social positions

Actually, I am quite curious about contemporary Russia's religious makeup.