Atheism Rising, But God Is Not Dead Yet: 10 Ways Religion Is Changing Around the World

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/story/154738/atheism_rising%2C_but_god_is_not_dead_yet%3A_10_ways_religion_is_changing_around_the_world?akid=8500.277129.Okc43p&rd=1&t=2

For most of the 20th century, smart people assumed -- with smug certainty and probably more wishful thinking than they'd be willing to admit -- that humanity's long obsession with religion is finally winding down. God is dead -- done in at last by the forces of enlightenment and reason. Humanity is now free to chart a new course, without worrying about the Big Bad He-God In the Sky.

But, as the last 30 years have rather brutally demonstrated to American progressives (religious and otherwise), those reports of the death of religion turned out to be greatly exaggerated. Here we are, with a firm foothold in the 21st century, and it's pretty clear that God is very much alive and well and living almost everywhere on the globe (except Europe and Canada, as we shall shortly see).

God or no God, the religious landscape of the planet isn't what it was in the last century. In fact, it's changing in some essential ways. And whether you're a person of faith or no faith, those changes have deep implications for the way other important factors -- culture, technology, economics, the environment, and politics -- play out as this new century unwinds.

What follows is a quick summary of some of the key drivers that are changing the landscape of faith around the world. It's hardly comprehensive, but I did try to hit the high spots. (Agree? Disagree? Got another one to add, or a point to amplify? Drop a comment below, and let's talk about it.)

[longship]

1. Very interesting article

I am especially interested in how the Intertubes play a role in this. Where that role takes religion is anybody's guess but I'd lay money that it isn't going to work out the way most people predict. Culture is evolving more quickly than people's ability to make predictions, I think.

[Boabab]

2. I disagree with the article premise

It isn't that "god is alive", but that people are generally afraid to depart from learned beliefs and behaviors. If one admits to being wrong on a subject as fundamental and personal as one's faith, then it leaves everything in question.

In my view, any truly objective person can discern that there is no omnipotent, omniscient being that is intimately involved in the lives of people on Earth. Its just that simple.

[Big Blue Marble]

6. Please share who these truly objective people are.

I have lived many years on this planet;traveled extensively; have an advanced degree;
and have yet to meet any truly objective people or unicorns either for that matter.

[Stuckinthebush]

8. Good point

The rise of atheism is more about an increase in the acceptance for people to objectively, critically analyze learned beliefs. Those connections made in childhood are hard-wired and very difficult to de-construct. In years and decades past it was taboo at least and dangerous at worst to openly critically analyze those beliefs. Today, the taboo surrounding questioning has fallen away. Also, the ability of people to connect to other questioners via online resources has increased. This has allowed young and old alike to find a community of critical thought.

I would not say that "God is alive" but that "The belief in Gods is still strong but wanning".

[bemildred]

3. The problem is that reductive rationalism doesn't work either. nt

[xchrom]

4. hey you!

[bemildred]

5. Whut?

[GeorgeGist]

7. You assume that God is kept alive by religion.

Are you right or wrong?

[Stuckinthebush]

9. Well, just ask

Odin, Loki, Thor, Pachamac, Zeus, Posedon, Inti, Apollo, Hades, Hermes, etc.

They may be sitting sadly in their godly homes lamenting the death of their religions.

Perhaps Yahweh, Allah, and Jesus will join them one day. Of course, some new gods will likely take their places.