Why Is This?

[Bodineian]

Why no atheists nor agnostics in Shamanic/ingigenous cultures around the world?

[Duer 157099]

1. How do you know? n/t

[Book Lover]

2. Care to offer any proof of your assertion? (nm)

[Deep13]

3. While I don't concede the point, here is one explanation.

Atheism seems to be the outgrowth of the understanding that the world can be explained through naturalistic causes and without the need of directing, supernatural personalities. Scientific understanding is very late in coming and only societies with a high degree of formalized education seem to have it. Consequently, it should not be surprising that people who still adhere to belief systems left over from paleolithic times tend to rely on spiritual rather than scientific explanations for how the world works.

[Book Lover]

5. Somewhat agreed; however I would also add

that the quality of detection in any human's bullshit detector does not necessarily depend on one's level of scientific understanding.

[Deep13]

7. True in ordinary human interaction.

People generally know how to read each other and certainly know what claims are outlandish when the subject matter is familiar to them. Beyond that, knowing how things work really does need critical thinking and that is an acquired skill.

[kiahzero]

8. I think I might be understanding your post incorrectly.

It seems to me that you are arguing that, for instance, Native Americans as a group do not have the same level of scientific understanding as Christians.

[Deep13]

10. Not true.

As a group both both have the same level because they both reside in an industrial nation with scientific, formal education. Now some may have better schooling than others and some may choose to ignore science in favor of superstition (i.e. Creationists). It has nothing to do with race or religion. I understand most American Indians are presently Christians, at least in name. Among those that choose indigenous, shamanistic religions, naturally there will be no athiests any more than they is in any other religious group of choice. Still, scientic understanding is the product of formal, scientific education. Consequently, athiests are far more likely to be the products of societies with that kind of education than of societies with primarily religious education.

[immoderate]

12. I don't buy that.

Skepticism preceded science as we know it. A theme in classical Greek plays is about people not believing in the gods. I'm sure the notion is older than that.

--IMM

[Der Blaue Engel]

4. Why no fundamentalist xians in "Shamanic/ingigenous" [sic] cultures around the world?

What do Starbellied Sneeches have upon thars that you don't?

[jgraz]

17. THAT is the real question: where are all the xians?

IF: The Bible is the Word of God
AND IF: There is only on True GOD

Why are there NO Christians in indigenous cultures? Why do they have to wait for the great white missionaries to show up before they "see the light"? Why has God never revealed himself to these cultures? Does he just not like them as much as the Jews and the Catholics?

If Christianity is the one and only true path to God, why is it that so many innocent, indigenous people have been allowed to live and die without hearing the Good News -- thereby condemning them all to HELL??

[Finder]

6. I think many Shamans are atheistic/agnostic...

and it helps them to use people's beliefs to heal in many cases...

Just as most faith healers and psychics are psychology experts...

[kiahzero]

9. That's a rather large assertion to be made absent any evidence

If it is true, it could be because indigenous religions, as I understand them, tend to have much more separation between historical time and sacred time.

[immoderate]

11. I would guess there have always been non-believers.

Someone doesn't follow the rules and -- nothing happens.

--IMM

[and-justice-for-all]

14. Yes, there are always skeptics...

They may not voice their questioning, but in their own thoughts they do post challenges to their cultural belief system.

[and-justice-for-all]

13. Shamans, Evangical Preachers, Priest....

..I do not see any difference between them. All work in mystism and all function on the same primesis, its not the Tribal Leader that runs the show, its the Shaman/Preacher or Priest that does. GWB is motivated by a base that consist of Fundamentalist leaders, Kings and Queens always did as the Priest instructed them to do.

To say there are no doubtors in Indigenous culture is a question for people in those cultures. First they need to be given the opportunity to be exposed to an alternative view outside of their culture, Which is more then likely so isolated they almost never come into contact with people outside of their culture. This is temporary, because as the world population grows the more contact is made with previously isolated communities as can be observed with Native American Indiana. They have been assemilated into moderen society, even though some Indians still practice some of their ancient rituals. This is the same process that will occure for the isolated cultures in South America.

Also, the more educated a person is, the more likely they will be Atheist or Agnostic, less spiritual and more realistic. Those scientist who claim to believe in "g-d" I have to question, it seems to be more of a "saving face and funding" statement rather then a truely religious one. Einsteins' or Hawkins' use of the word "God" should be taken lightly and only metaphoricly because that was the intended use of the word.

[beam me up scottie]

15. Same reason there are no atheists in my "christian" workplace.

:eyes:

Atheism is the default position, we've always been here.

[Az]

16. Unfounded premise

Going to jump on the bandwagon with this one. Please present your evidence that there are no atheists in such communities.