Trouble With Atheism?

[Rez]

If as has been claimed Atheism is in decline how could this be so, is science and darwinian evolution now in doubt? If yes, is Intelligent Design and Religion now set to rise? Are there flaws at the heart of Atheism and should we as skeptics be worried? In the enlightened twenty-first century will faith win out over reason??

Interesting times ahead it seems...

[Janet W]

well, not if that programme was anything to go by..

also being discussed here:
http://forums.lablit.com/viewtopic.php?t=718

[Phil McKerracher]

I'm not sure atheism *is* in decline. Compared to, say, 100 years ago, I would say society as a whole is less superstitious and more scientifically literate. But in the 50s and 60s there was a popular post-war boom in enthusiasm for science and technology, followed by a backlash and loss of trust resulting from things like the thalidomide scandal, nuclear accidents, pesticides, pollution etc., resulting in a "back to nature" movement, a move to alternative medicine etc. I think the current rise in fundamentalist religious attitudes are a part of all that, but not a real long-term trend.

I do see a worrying trend in that fewer students are taking science subjects, and this seems likely to continue as we move to a more service-oriented economy (in Britain).

[Killer Blob]

I don't know whether atheism is in decline. I do know that I meet many more atheists than some people would have you believe are out there.

I'm quite sure that religionism is in decline in the UK. I've talked to many people who call themselves "Christian", "C of E" or whatever, but actually have no interest in religion and don't care if there is a god or not. Many of them have only ever been in a church for weddings and funerals and have no interest in the particular faith of the church. These people aren't atheists; they'll often say that, er, um, they think that there's probably something. But they're not real Christians/Muslims/Jews. They can sometimes be convinced by watching Dawkins or having a few conversations in the pub with me, but mainly they just don't care either way, religion doesn't matter to them.

[Killer Blob]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/religion/Stor ... 45,00.html

[arthurchappell]

If as has been claimed Atheism is in decline how could this be so, is science and darwinian evolution now in doubt? If yes, is Intelligent Design and Religion now set to rise? Are there flaws at the heart of Atheism and should we as skeptics be worried? In the enlightened twenty-first century will faith win out over reason??

The evidence is that the Worlsd is getting increasingly secular, and the various Humanist and atheist societiesare steadily growing. Atheism isn't in decline. Darwinism tends to get short shrift inthe media which inevitably listens tothe viewsof crackpot creationists and the churches in the interest of balance, and sees only the undoubtedly ecxcellent Dawkins as if if he wasthe one and only defender of the science angle. Thereis no flawin atheism as such - it just neess to pressurethemedia for more attention than it has at present. Radio shows like Thought For the day stillexclude non-religious moralists. http://www.arthurchappell.clara.net/lin ... manism.htm
http://www.arthurchappell.clara.net/con ... essays.htm

[Tessa K]

I don't know whether atheism is in decline. I do know that I meet many more atheists than some people would have you believe are out there.

I'm quite sure that religionism is in decline in the UK. I've talked to many people who call themselves "Christian", "C of E" or whatever, but actually have no interest in religion and don't care if there is a god or not. Many of them have only ever been in a church for weddings and funerals and have no interest in the particular faith of the church. These people aren't atheists; they'll often say that, er, um, they think that there's probably something. But they're not real Christians/Muslims/Jews. They can sometimes be convinced by watching Dawkins or having a few conversations in the pub with me, but mainly they just don't care either way, religion doesn't matter to them.

I agree, there are a lot of 'fingers crossed' type people who think if would be nice if there was 'something more to life' but have never given it considered thought. They were raised Christian and may still identify as such culturally, but if you quesiton them about their beliefs, there is nothing to pin down.

i once had a conversation on a bus with the husband of a vicar who said they much preferred us atheists as we had a considered position they could take on, rather than the wooly sort-of-C-of-E types who can hardly remember the Lord's Prayer.