Attention Atheists i have questions.

I'm nearly as non-believing of science as I am of religion. Like the big-bang, the universe appears to be expanding and certain things point to that conclusion, but to believe it all-out as certain is to disregard any other possibility.

Religion (namely Christianity) agitates my senses because of its blatant self-serving fictions. But I'm not a militant atheist. I don't talk much about it except when I'm having one of my existential crisis moments and ask a friend why he/she is theist (which never seems to help).

OP, your post was super long... What was your question? Why does atheism seem to be growing in popularity?

Maybe because Christians (exploited by the media) seem to hate gay people and want to deny them rights and things like that that grate on a reasonable person's nerves.

 

Unfortunately, I've run into some close-minded atheists who stereotype Christians on the basis of the beliefs of Bible-thumpers, accuse Christians of starting almost all wars, think Christians do or should all believe in predestination, etc. You can check out some of the recent posts on this Forum to confirm that. Some of the early Christian leaders were relatively open-minded, rational and ready to engage in dialogue with people of other faiths: Saint Justin Martyr, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, etc. It's true that developments in the fourth and fifth centuries made Christians increasingly dogmatic and intolerant--a process detailed in Charles Freeman's excellent history The Closing of the Western Mind. There's always a danger that we'll return to those dark days, and some of the posts on the Christian forum make me worry. But there are plenty of other Christians besides religious fanatics. They just seem to be the most vocal and get the most attention because of their extreme views.

On the subject of the stance of Christianity toward the sciences, some outstanding scientists in recent times have been Christian. The Big Bang theory, the prevailing scientific theory of the origin and development of the universe, was formulated by Msgr. leMaitre, a Belgian priest, astronomer and physicist. The star witness defending Darwin's theory of evolution at the Pennsylvania textbook trial was Dr. Kenneth Miller, evolutionary biologist and devout Catholic. Dr. Francis Collins, geneticist and first head of the human genome project, is am Evangelical Christian who has been outspoken in defending evolution. I could go on and on. So before generalizing about Christians, remember that not all of us are fundamentalist.

 

Yes, I agree that there are open-minded Christians, and some have done some fantastic work in the sciences, but there is a great deal of corruption in major organized religion. There will always be corruption in any human system because humans are easily corrupted. Religion is no different, and when you have the power to make millions and millions of people follow your word without question, that's a lot of power most people won't use for good.

 

Amen, brother!

 

I'm curious... Non-believers in what?

Don't you believe in Jesus and Buddh'a agenda.. ?

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Kutadan ta said: "I am told that thou teachest the law, yet thou tearest down religion. Better than worshipping gods is obedience to the laws of righteousness." - Identity and Non Identity - verse 6

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The New Testament contains many teachings and mythologies that have been taken from Buddhism.. including the destruction of organized religion..

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Jesus said: "Do you behold these great buildings (the Temple) ? By no means will a stone be left here upon a stone and not be thrown down." - Mark 13:2

Also see Isaiah 66:6... organized religion as the enemy..

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Conclusion... Both Buddha and Jesus hated organized religion

But.. Do you believe in their shared agenda..?

I'm curious..

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“Let them stand up now, and save you, the worshipers of the heavens, the lookers at the stars, those giving out knowledge at the new moons concerning the things that will come upon you. Look! They have become like stubble. A fire itself will certainly burn them up. They will not deliver their soul from the power of the flame. There will be no one to save you.”

“For into a poisonous plant you people have turned justice, and the fruitage of righteousness into wormwood, You who are rejoicing in a thing that is not; who are saying: "Have we not in our strength taken horns to ourselves?"

Isaiah 47:12 + Amos 6:13


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