Why do religious groups claim atheism is a fad?

Question World

Why do religious groups claim atheism is a fad?

by seathanaich Posted October 12, 2009 19:44:55

15 answers
Read all 52 comments
+3 raves

This Catholic leader claims this, yet isn't this claim at odds with reality? At odds with overwhelming statistical data and opinion polls from all advanced nations?

What do you think is the motivation for people who make this claim? Please read this onepage article if you are going to comment.

http://atheism.about.com/b/2009/10/12/us-catholic-bishops-sca...

People who value freedom of opinion should applaud the formation of atheist clubs in high schools, even if they aren't atheists - shouldn't they? What do atheist kids need a club for? What are they being forced to react to?

Answers
Results
Recommend This

		No, I'm an atheist, and it's not a fad . . .
		No, I'm not an atheist, but it's not a fad, and here's why . . .
		Yes, it's a fad, and here's my evidence for my opinion . . .
	Other . . .

You!

Add Photos & Videos

Top Comment

+4 socokid October 12, 2009 20:48:09 (edited)

Answered: No, I'm an atheist, and it's not a fad . . .
If it was a fad, it would have faltered in many other societies long before now.

I believe, just as the article suggested, that in THIS country, it's finally becoming a viable mindset. We are seeing more people "coming out" publicly, books on top seller lists, banners on busses, etc... and the internet alone helps with providing answers to new questioners. These things were not prevalent 30 years ago.

The realization that many of the doctrines are deemed unwelcome by today's standards (bigotry against women, homosexuals, etc...) is also not helping.

It is most certainly not a fad. And unless the historically rigid religious dogma doesn't change, this will continue for quite some time. Thankfully, IMO.

I think that claiming "fad" status is a sad effort at marginalizing the trend.
View thread

Sort By

Most Raves
Least Raves
Oldest
Newest

text size

Comments

Davra October 13, 2009 22:08:41 (edited)

Answered: No, I'm not an atheist, but it's not a fad, and here's why . . .
Atheists are lost souls who have never had the opportuntiy to know Christ as the Christians do and as a result they try to destroy our belief at Christmas, Easter and other religious holidays, as they know what they are missing.
seathan... to Davra October 13, 2009 22:29:26

None of your post is on topic. And what you have written is neither attractive nor persuasive. However, you do at least know that atheism isn't a fad, so merit where it's due.

"Atheists are lost souls"

I'm not sure that I needed yet another such comment to confirm that the religous are bigoted towards those outwith their particular congregation. I already know this. Is this said to puff yourself up; to rally any fellow Christian reading; or to frighten me? Or for some other purpose?

"they try to destroy our belief"

It can't be very strong if others can "destroy" it. Personally I don't think the purpose of Christian activism is to "destroy my belief". Why do you think that's the purpose of atheist internet activism?

"as they know what they are missing"

What am I missing? A bunch of people sitting around, talking about Jesus or Yahweh? Then yes, I know what I'm missing. Nothing of interest or importance.

Talk about Yahweh or Jesus would add nothing to my Christmas or Easter celebrations, any more than they would add to the Thanksgiving dinner I had this weekend with some friends and family. What other religious holidays do you celebrate? Michaelmas? Passover? Eucharist? Yom Kipper? Ramadan? What do you do on these days that doesn't involve the special food, chocola...

None of your post is on topic. And what you have written is neither attractive nor persuasive. However, you do at least know that atheism isn't a fad, so merit where it's due.

"Atheists are lost souls"

I'm not sure that I needed yet another such comment to confirm that the religous are bigoted towards those outwith their particular congregation. I already know this. Is this said to puff yourself up; to rally any fellow Christian reading; or to frighten me? Or for some other purpose?

"they try to destroy our belief"

It can't be very strong if others can "destroy" it. Personally I don't think the purpose of Christian activism is to "destroy my belief". Why do you think that's the purpose of atheist internet activism?

"as they know what they are missing"

What am I missing? A bunch of people sitting around, talking about Jesus or Yahweh? Then yes, I know what I'm missing. Nothing of interest or importance.

Talk about Yahweh or Jesus would add nothing to my Christmas or Easter celebrations, any more than they would add to the Thanksgiving dinner I had this weekend with some friends and family. What other religious holidays do you celebrate? Michaelmas? Passover? Eucharist? Yom Kipper? Ramadan? What do you do on these days that doesn't involve the special food, chocolate egg hunting, gift giving, etc that I'm perfectly able to do without your religion? What am I missing out on that I should be envious of?

All my questions are genuine, as is my invitation to actually address the article which I originally posted, and which you completely ignored in your off-topic reply.
(more)
Baggins ~IMBIT~ October 13, 2009 19:15:56

Answered: No, I'm an atheist, and it's not a fad . . .
if they pass it off as a 'fad' then they don't have to think about it too much, or fear it *shrugs*
seathan... to Baggins... October 13, 2009 20:02:56

Hi Baggins. Do you think they do so out of ignorance, or out of dishonesty?
Baggins... to seathan... October 13, 2009 20:10:36

A bit of both. Some people may well do it purely out of ignorance, but I am inclined to believe there is a far larger group of people who do it out of a mix of both, and again, those who do it out of both, but MORE out of dishonesty. If that made sense *has a migraine atm*
seathan... to Baggins... October 13, 2009 20:15:03

Sense made. But I do find it hard to imagine how people like that think. I mean, why rationalise something you know isn't true, or real? Why not just accept reality? Why not be right? Why try to rationalise "wrong" when you know you are lying?

The odd thing is that not only do I know how atheists think, but I know more about how religionists think, and why, than they do. And that's really wrong, when you think about it. I shouldn't know more about how and why someone else thinks than they do. But there it is. Cheers.
+1
Naui October 13, 2009 16:03:58

Answered: Other . . .
Atheism has been around longer than religion. And been through fewer changes, schisms and reformations.
seathan... to Naui October 13, 2009 16:43:12

Hi Naui. It seems to me that everyone who has made up any new religious fiction has been aware that they have done so, and was therefore an atheist until that point. This does support your claim that atheism preceeds religion. Cheers.
+1
Naui to seathan... October 13, 2009 16:53:16

Thanks. I think it was Mark Twain who said that it was easier to tell the truth because you did not have to remember anything. And it fits.
seathan... to Naui October 13, 2009 20:02:14

Mark Twain was an atheist writer of great wit and sagacity. Cheers.
PSYDOC October 13, 2009 09:49:42

Answered: Other . . .
FEAR of the TRUTH!
seathan... to PSYDOC October 13, 2009 16:46:55

Hi Psydoc.
Fear for themselves? Or fear for their congregations, and children?
Russ October 13, 2009 09:23:34

Answered: Other . . .
I consider myself as agnostic. The religions that i've studied have not proven god exists, but i dont have enough evidence to say that god, in some form, doesnt exist. I'm firmly in the "i dont know" category at this time.
+1
seathan... to Russ October 13, 2009 16:45:16

Hi Russ. I'm sure I've already sent you my bit that agnostics are just one sub-set of atheists, so I won't send that again. If you don't worship a god, you're an atheist. Almost all atheists are agnostic atheists like yourself, who see no evidence for all the various man-made gods, but accept that some power or force we haven't discovered may exist. Indeed, I'd but more than 90% of atheists are agnostic atheists in this regard. Cheers.
Russ to seathan... October 14, 2009 15:42:18

Yea, we've had the discussion. I just try to keep it simple for the masses.
+2
Death October 13, 2009 08:29:07

Answered: Other . . .
Notice how atheists always provide non-insulting options for answers? Kudos.

To answer: Fear
+1
seathan... to Death October 13, 2009 16:46:18

Thanks Death. I always try to provide answers that I hope will cover all bases, and then throw in an "other" just to be sure. It's annoying when people don't, I agree. Cheers.
BiologyStudent October 13, 2009 05:02:02

Answered: No, I'm an atheist, and it's not a fad . . .
Haha they wish.
It's not a fad, it's always existed. You can't have faith without unfaith, just like you can't have light without dark, or hot without cold. It's just the opposite side of the coin. But I do think that perhaps it's catching on at a faster (or maybe in just a more open way) now that it ever has, due to a more scientific/fact-based mindset in young people.
+1
seathan... to Biology... October 13, 2009 05:06:13

Hi Biology Student.

My question was "why do you think religious groups/individuals are claiming it's a fad?" Do you think that those making such claims actually believe their own claims? Or do you think they are intentionally lying?

There is no doubt that atheism is growing exponentially over the past few decades.
Cheers.
Biology... to seathan... October 13, 2009 05:15:59

I think they hope that it's only a fad. I don't know how many are genuinely lying, but I think they -or some- wrongly believe that it's only a passing phase. And I would think that they are calling it as such to degrade the valid stance it is. In a way insulting, albeit in a very passive way, people who call themselves atheists.
seathan... to Biology... October 13, 2009 16:47:54

Thanks Bio Student.
Russ to seathan... October 13, 2009 09:28:27

I find it amazing how insulated and ignorant alot of religious people are. My sister and mother are bible thumpin christains and they amaze me n a daily basis.
seathan... to Russ October 13, 2009 16:47:35

How do you deal with it? Ignore it? Or did you used to argue with it, and no longer do?
Russ to seathan... October 14, 2009 15:46:15

At 1st I tryd to rationaly talk to them about my beliefs. My mom didnt want to here it at all. My sister listened and told me to talk to her pastor. After about 30 minutes with her pastor we left. He later asked my sister to never bring me back to church, lol.
At this point its in the "agree to disagree" realm. We really just dont talk about religion. My mom and sis are good people. They're just brainwashed. Its a harmless mental condition with them, so I dont bother to accentuate it.
+1
GR001 October 12, 2009 21:50:38

Answered: Other . . .
Fads come and go. And Atheism is know different then some religious practices'. Like bell bottoms and blue jeans, the fad comes and goes. Some may say that Atheism is popular now in this day and age. True or not, I think a majority of Atheist have seen the hypocrites in those claiming to know God.
seathan... to GR001 October 12, 2009 21:56:03

Hi Narsil. I know that when reforged, Narsil was renamed Anduril, which means Flame of the West (a great name). But what did Narsil mean, again?

Do you think that disillusion with hypocricy is the major driving force in atheists who you know? Or is this something you see beyond just the people you know? Thanks for responding.
GR001 to seathan... October 12, 2009 22:30:29

Actually, Narsil is short for Narsilion. A band my goth girlfriend plays in.

A have great many of number of Atheist who I would call as friends or good acquaintances. Most if not all experienced religious hypocrisy in their lives with their parents or a family member when they were young. Many were based on a misunderstanding of the foundations of God's will on divorce,death in the family,a terminal disease or disfunction one. Just to name a few. Most carry a hatred for God in the form of denial of his existence. That hate is often hidden on a sub-conscience level.
seathan... to GR001 October 12, 2009 22:44:52

Thanks for your opinions, based upon your experience.

Do you really think this is possible: "Most carry a hatred for God in the form of denial of his existence."? If a person "hates" a god, they are not an atheist, they are an angry theist, no? Is it not possible that their dislike is for a religion or a particular church organisation, and that this dislike lead to questioning, which lead them to conclude that the god central to that religion is not real? In other words, they do not hate any gods?
GR001 to seathan... October 12, 2009 23:35:21

I can only tell you what they believe or have express to me in their thinking and understanding. Some call themselves Atheist. Some call themselves Agnostic. Both have very similar positions. Most, if not all have had some type of instruction, theory or belief system placed upon them when they were children.

The fad statement has roots in the teenage rebellion for authority. Much like how rock&roll in the early days played on the Church.
seathan... to GR001 October 12, 2009 23:40:05 (edited)

Thanks Narsil.

It's not a surprise that atheist/agnostic positions are similar: agnostics are just agnostic atheists (as opposed to gnostic atheists). Cheers.
+1
Randy October 12, 2009 21:24:46

Answered: No, I'm an atheist, and it's not a fad . . .
I think that atheism genuinely scares religious leaders in the US, at least. Atheism becoming a norm would diminish the need for them, after all- so its stands to reason they'd do everything in their power to fight it.
seathan... to Randy October 12, 2009 21:37:20

So, Randy, do you think they are lying?
Randy to seathan... October 12, 2009 22:28:23

I don't think they'd be scared otherwise.
seathan... to Randy October 13, 2009 16:48:13

Fair enough.
+4
socokid October 12, 2009 20:48:09 (edited)

Answered: No, I'm an atheist, and it's not a fad . . .
If it was a fad, it would have faltered in many other societies long before now.

I believe, just as the article suggested, that in THIS country, it's finally becoming a viable mindset. We are seeing more people "coming out" publicly, books on top seller lists, banners on busses, etc... and the internet alone helps with providing answers to new questioners. These things were not prevalent 30 years ago.

The realization that many of the doctrines are deemed unwelcome by today's standards (bigotry against women, homosexuals, etc...) is also not helping.

It is most certainly not a fad. And unless the historically rigid religious dogma doesn't change, this will continue for quite some time. Thankfully, IMO.

I think that claiming "fad" status is a sad effort at marginalizing the trend.
+2
seathan... to socokid October 12, 2009 20:56:19

Hi Soco.
As you know, I agree that it's not a fad.
But my question is: why do YOU think that this person, and religious leaders generally, are claiming that it's a fad? Do they honestly believe this? Or is there some other motive, and they are being dishonest? Do you think the marginalising is aimed at the devout, the doubtful, or atheists?
Cheers.
+2
socokid to seathan... October 12, 2009 21:44:58

I think the marginalization is aimed at the faithful, the faltering and the young. Calling it a "fad" effectively tries to marginalize the issue by the fact that fads, by definition, always FADE. By using this word he is suggesting that the phenomenon will die out, as all fads do, so why delve in the first place and risk eternal damnation? Fads are usually met with discontent at the very moment they are claimed as such.

However, in order for this to work it would in fact have to be a fad. A "craze". I simply do not see this, at all. This is his problem. Ironically, many new atheists are so due to actions of the Church. Double whammy. ;-) So it seems they are either content with status quo, and are simply waiting for the "fad" to FADE, or are at least attempting to convince the faithful and the ones starting to question their faith that there is "nothing to see here, it will pass, please move along". I just wonder how much longer, and how many more atheists need to be created in order for them to realize that it is not a "fad"?

We shall see...
+2
seathan... to socokid October 12, 2009 21:58:53

"Fads are usually met with discontent at the very moment they are claimed as such."

That's a good point, and good way to phrase it.

"We shall see..." I think we certainly shall in our lifetime. I'll be particularly curious to see how low belief in (a) Christianity, (b) deism, and (c) superstition will sink in Sweden (the least religious society) in my lifetime. I think Sweden may be the "barometer" for the minimum levels of these things that human society may be capable of reaching. Cheers.
socokid to seathan... October 12, 2009 22:06:00

Sweden is a good barometer for many things. ;-)

They are a freer country than the US, they have a higher standard of living, they have far less violent crime, etc... and as you noted, they are void of theism in large part (only 23% believe in a personal God).

Correlation? ;-) I kid, sort of.
+3
chriswuth October 12, 2009 20:27:17

Answered: Other . . .
Thank God, I am an atheist and it is not a fad, it is a way of life!