Ferris said:

Without a belief system to lure the hearts and minds, how does atheism stand a chance against religious institutions?  They are fighting a one-sided war, and have made it so any fight back, whether physical or psychological, becomes self-defeating as the religious become martyrs and the atheists become "militant."

Organizing or institutionalizing doesn't seem plausible in the short term.  Burning churches won't do any good.  People haven't shown a tendency to respond to logic.

As we must remain individuals, our only chance is to educate and temper ourselves and to provide an example against anti-intellectualism.

I am however open to discussion of new, creative ideas.  Atheist billboards for example, however futile, seem to have actually gotten a bit of discussion out in the open, if not any "converts."

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Why should there be any war between religion and atheism?
It just seems funny to me that people can't just accept the fact that there will always be other people who are different and want different things. It's dumb.

MushroomTrip said:

Why should there be any war between religion and atheism?
It just seems funny to me that people can't just accept the fact that there will always be other people who are different and want different things. It's dumb.

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I'm still hoping the 21st century will see the demise of religion as we know it though.  I don't think that it's an altogether foolish or improbable hope.

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I just wouldn't get my hopes too high. Delusion adapts to whatever the environment has to offer, just like it did until now.
Of course, this doesn't mean that the rest of us can't perfectly enjoy our lives, have fun, and do whatever pleases us.

MushroomTrip said:

Quote:

I'm still hoping the 21st century will see the demise of religion as we know it though.  I don't think that it's an altogether foolish or improbable hope.

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I just wouldn't get my hopes too high. Delusion adapts to whatever the environment has to offer, just like it did until now.
Of course, this doesn't mean that the rest of us can't perfectly enjoy our lives, have fun, and do whatever pleases us.

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Ferris said:

Access to knowledge has increased tenfold in just the last two decades.  The time is ripe, so it's not as if it's a COMPLETE delusion.

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Knowledge will always increase, but how is this evidence that religion will cease to exist, since a good part of the religious folks are able to find any explanation for scientific facts?
I'd love it if you were right, but, like I said, I just wouldn't get my hopes up.

laserpig said:

Long term, I think atheism is doomed. Every religion offers some degree of community, suggests some meaning to life, gives people hope, etc etc. Atheism just says "nope!"
To be clear, I'm not defending religion and I am myself an atheist ... but I think our concept of our place in the universe is gonna have to evolve. Today's atheism is not enough.

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Ferris said:

MushroomTrip said:

Why should there be any war between religion and atheism?
It just seems funny to me that people can't just accept the fact that there will always be other people who are different and want different things. It's dumb.

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I'm advocating against war, although I would side against religion if armed conflict ever became feasible or necessary, which is doubtful.

The religious are the ones abusing Democracy to create a tyranny of a majority.  Minorities have historically been made to flex their muscles when cornered.  I'm seeking a way to avoid that.

I'm still hoping the 21st century will see the demise of religion as we know it though.  I don't think that it's an altogether foolish or improbable hope.

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Some aspects of religion are noble actually.

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andrewss said:

Meh, its humans that are if were gonna analyze further... society and religion both represent their respective definition. They overlap in some sense of course but they are 2 entities.

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