why many people are becoming atheists nowadays ?

 I don't think so/ Sounds like mocking to me.ShadowsDemon

[QUOTE="ShadowsDemon"] I don't think so/ Sounds like mocking to me.silentobi

I'm from a religious family and I spent most of my life believing a god and going to church. I can't recall when I stopped believing, I just stopped because it felt forced upon me, like it wasn't my own thoughts and opinions. So I research online and read the bible and after that long period of *soul* searching I just couldn't believe in religion anymore.

I told my family that and oh boy the backlash, my mom cried and told me I broke her heart and my dad called me stupid, my sister took it with an open mind, but was still hurt. 

[QUOTE="silentobi"]

[QUOTE="ShadowsDemon"] I don't think so/ Sounds like mocking to me.ShadowsDemon

He doesn't advocate that, but of course you would twist things that way

So someone who keeps to himself, beliefs in god, goes to church on sunday, leads a normal life, should be mocked? Right.ShadowsDemon

[QUOTE="ShadowsDemon"][QUOTE="silentobi"] Dawkins has done nothing but respect everyone who disagreed with him. Watch any of his documentaries and you will see that he's a gentle and reasonable man. I personally think that religon should be mocked because it has caused much harm to society and is fundamentally outdated. 

wis3boi

He doesn't advocate that, but of course you would twist things that way

[QUOTE="ShadowsDemon"]So someone who keeps to himself, beliefs in god, goes to church on sunday, leads a normal life, should be mocked? Right.Zeviander

[QUOTE="wis3boi"]

[QUOTE="ShadowsDemon"] So someone who keeps to himself, beliefs in god, goes to church on sunday, leads a normal life, should be mocked? Right.ShadowsDemon

He doesn't advocate that, but of course you would twist things that way

If someone claims their religion to be right, they indeed need to be questioned on how they got to such an extraordinary conclusion.

Still the same thingShadowsDemon

[QUOTE="Zeviander"][QUOTE="ShadowsDemon"]So someone who keeps to himself, beliefs in god, goes to church on sunday, leads a normal life, should be mocked? Right.ShadowsDemon

so because you treasure something with zero evidence, you are exempt from all criticism? Oh lord

[QUOTE="Mithrandir50"][QUOTE="kingkong0124"]

The internet, hipsters, New Atheism.

Don't necessarily have a problem with people being irreligious as long as they don't follow the hatred and bigoted variant espoused by idiots like Richard Dawkins

ShadowsDemon

[QUOTE="ShadowsDemon"][QUOTE="Zeviander"] You didn't read what he wrote. He said nothing about mocking the individual, but the beliefs. You have been missing that distinction this whole time.wis3boi

so because you treasure something with zero evidence, you are exempt from all criticism? Oh lord

[QUOTE="Zeviander"][QUOTE="ShadowsDemon"]So someone who keeps to himself, beliefs in god, goes to church on sunday, leads a normal life, should be mocked? Right.ShadowsDemon

They keep their views to themselves ShadowsDemon

I have a new favorite word.  Religiosity.

[QUOTE="wis3boi"]

[QUOTE="ShadowsDemon"] Doesn't matter. Still the same thing - he's mocking the beliefs of the person that they treasure.ShadowsDemon

so because you treasure something with zero evidence, you are exempt from all criticism? Oh lord

Actions are based on beleifs, so it's hard to impossible to truely keep it to yourself.

[QUOTE="ShadowsDemon"][QUOTE="wis3boi"]

so because you treasure something with zero evidence, you are exempt from all criticism? Oh lord

wis3boi

Actions are based on beleifs, so it's hard to impossible to truely keep it to yourself.

for myself personally I was raised with a pretty conservative Christian upbringing as a child. But even as a child I had my doubts. Somethings just didn't make any sense to me. But anytime I brought these things up, in the hopes that I might gain a better understanding, I was shut down. I was told "it's not our place to question God". That always confused me. If God didn't want me to ask questions then why did he put these questions in my head? When I was 10 I came to the realization that we're discouraged from asking questions because it can't hold up to questioning. If it can't hold up to questioning then it's bullshit. That was it for me and Christianity. So essentially I was an atheist at 10 year-old, long before it was possibly "hip" for me to be an atheist. But yeah, clearly I've spent 25 years as an atheist because it's trendy, not because I actually put no stock in faith.

Shadow is not a good spokesperson for OT's theists

[QUOTE="ShadowsDemon"]Still the same thingZeviander

the bible has been proven to be not 100% of the story too many times, thats why.

Once upon a time there were two white people in a jungle with a talking snake.

[QUOTE="ShadowsDemon"][QUOTE="wis3boi"]

so because you treasure something with zero evidence, you are exempt from all criticism? Oh lord

wis3boi

Actions are based on beleifs, so it's hard to impossible to truely keep it to yourself.

 That person doesn't owe anyone anything to explain themselves. They keep their views to themselves and believe what they want. If you can't agree on that then you are a very sad person.ShadowsDemon

Religion demands people to live a certain lifestyle and makes outlandish claims about life and existence. Its good practice to provide evidence when making statements or demands about someones livelihood. Religion does not so it should be tested, question, or mocked. Its a simple pragmatism that modern society should adopt. 

Stop criticizing my beliefs! You're making me doubt them!ShadowsDemon

[QUOTE="wis3boi"]

[QUOTE="ShadowsDemon"] That person doesn't owe anyone anything to explain themselves. They keep their views to themselves and believe what they want. If you can't agree on that then you are a very sad person.ShadowsDemon

Actions are based on beleifs, so it's hard to impossible to truely keep it to yourself.

Please answer the fallowing question.

Who was Jesus Christ?

A. The son of god.

B. Our lord and savior.

C. A cult leader

D. Darwin

[QUOTE="Zeviander"][QUOTE="ShadowsDemon"]So someone who keeps to himself, beliefs in god, goes to church on sunday, leads a normal life, should be mocked? Right.ShadowsDemon

[QUOTE="ShadowsDemon"] That person doesn't owe anyone anything to explain themselves. They keep their views to themselves and believe what they want. If you can't agree on that then you are a very sad person.silentobi

Religion demands people to live a certain lifestyle and makes outlandish claims about life and existence. Its good practice to provide evidence when making statements or demands about someones livelihood. Religion does not so it should be tested, question, or mocked. Its a simple pragmatism that modern society should adopt. 

[QUOTE="wis3boi"]

[QUOTE="ShadowsDemon"] That person doesn't owe anyone anything to explain themselves. They keep their views to themselves and believe what they want. If you can't agree on that then you are a very sad person.ShadowsDemon

Actions are based on beleifs, so it's hard to impossible to truely keep it to yourself.

When people stop voting and doing other shit based on an ancient immoral barbaric book I might care less about the topic.  I don't care if someone is religious or believes in a god on that fact alone, but it's nigh impossible to not act on said beliefs. Half the population of my country is a prime example

[QUOTE="silentobi"]

[QUOTE="ShadowsDemon"] That person doesn't owe anyone anything to explain themselves. They keep their views to themselves and believe what they want. If you can't agree on that then you are a very sad person.ShadowsDemon

Religion demands people to live a certain lifestyle and makes outlandish claims about life and existence. Its good practice to provide evidence when making statements or demands about someones livelihood. Religion does not so it should be tested, question, or mocked. Its a simple pragmatism that modern society should adopt. 

I think what some people fail to get is that people don't just change their religious beliefs on a whim. Regardless how much a Christian tries to convert an atheist, chances are that the atheist has heard all of that $*** before and is still gonna be an atheist at the end of the day. No matter how much an atheist tries to convince a christian that religion is stupid and evil, the christian has probably heard all that before as well. If anything, he's just gonna end up more entrenched in his beliefs. Usually, trying to convince someone that their religion (or lack of religion) is bull$*** just ends up in a fight. So unless you're just looking for a fight, it's usually best to not even talk about it except when it's affecting you directly. Hell, if nothing else, at least bring something new to the table. There's one thing that's always annoyed me when people try to spread their views, when they take something obvious or common and act as if it's some profound truth. Like when atheists try to gain converts by mentioning how many wars were fought over religion, or how Christians try to get converts by talking about how Christ died for our sins. Regardless of if you think the other side is wrong, at least give them a little credit. If all you can bring to the table is $***that everyone has heard by the time they're 10 years old, then you've got no business arguing over this. If that $*** was gonna convince people, then they would have changed their minds a long time ago. You're wasting your time. Go back home, do some more learning yourself, then come back in a few years when you can bring something new to the table. MrGeezer

I've been a part of various religious discussions that lead a couple christians to non belief.  it wasn't overnight, and it wasn't about the core religion either. It was about the big questions: "What do you believe and why do you believe it?"  That "why do you believe" can really get people thinking, as long as they are at least a little bit open....because many people can't even answer the 'why' part.

logic.

People are finally coming to their senses.

 

I've been a part of various religious discussions that lead a couple christians to non belief.  it wasn't overnight, and it wasn't about the core religion either. It was about the big questions: "What do you believe and why do you believe it?"  That "why do you believe" can really get people thinking, as long as they are at least a little bit open....because many people can't even answer the 'why' part.

wis3boi

[QUOTE="wis3boi"]

[QUOTE="ShadowsDemon"] That person doesn't owe anyone anything to explain themselves. They keep their views to themselves and believe what they want. If you can't agree on that then you are a very sad person.ShadowsDemon

Actions are based on beleifs, so it's hard to impossible to truely keep it to yourself.

That would be fine, but the beliefs of the religious are closed and unwelcoming of new ideas, facts, additional beliefs, and fun things like that.  In fact, religion is down right intolerant and hostile at times.

Because religion isn't being forced nearly as hard as it was. A lot of people in medieval Europe pre-30 years war were Christian because they didn't want to get persecuted and possibly killed because of a belief system. Since we are more open about that in the U.S it tends to let people make their own choices, which the trends show.

I can't speak for others, but I didn't "become" an atheist, I just have always been one. My folks, although holding their own religious beliefs, never pressed them on me or my siblings and allowed us to choose for ourselves. I remember going to church with a friend and his family when I was a kid and laughing when I found out what they actually believed( feel bad about that disrespect now, but I was a kid).dagreenfish

pretty much same story.  I gave Santa thought.  I gave the monsters in the closet thought.  But I never gave God thought.  I don't know if, at the time, it was out of denying his existence or simply not really knowing of religious teachings, but I just was not into it.

I dont even like the term atheist, to be honest.  To me it implies that I actively deny the existence of a god or something.  Its not even that.  To me, it is simply not a factor.  Never was, never is, never will.  Might as well try to comprehend the size of Jupiter before trying to comprehend someone's belief in God.

Because cymicism is cool.

Angie7F

As we learn more about the world around us, the more it seems unlikely that a higher power exists.JasonDarksavior

Please answer the fallowing question.

Who was Jesus Christ?

A. The son of god.

B. Our lord and savior.

C. A cult leader

D. Darwin

Jebus213

Rationalization. As modern populations become richer, more developed & more educated they tend to value things like efficiency, material wealth, .etc which religion naturally acts as a barrier to, and being further away from functional poverty makes the populist message of religion much less attractive. It doesn't help religious institutions that they haven't had significant levels of control over Western governments for half a millennium and so have very few means of imposing their belief system on large populations.

Fundamentally there's also the fact that being religious is simply less "logical" than being irreligious, due to the real world providing no strong evidence for the existence of supernatural entities let alone the truth of any one religion, so less people today (relative to population) are willing to suspend their use of rational thought in favour of blind faith as compared to a few centuries ago. Especially not youths who tend to be rather rebellious and wouldn't be very willing to conform to the messages of belief systems that insist on them not doing stuff that youths like to do.