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Old 05-17-2002, 07:51 PM   #1
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Post Am I fooling Myself?

In my opinion and as I would "like" to believe, the general population of the developed nations of the world is living longer and beginning to gain a more rational, non-aggressive wisdom. As more and more people live on into the years with which we loose our inherent aggressiveness and gain more understanding of what it takes for societal harmony, we are becoming quite civilized.

In my younger years, I was quick to anger and very ready to do battle over the most trivial affronts. Now, it would take an actual physical assault to rouse my ire. Through the course of my years I have come to many conclusions; one of which is that we all think differently to a certain extent. However, our most basic wants and desires remain the same, peace, harmony and love.

I believe the secular population of Europe, primarily of the northwestern areas, is leading this trend. As the roots of religion are becoming understood and no longer the domain of a few ecclesiastics, the differences between isolated or separated populations are diminishing. Knowledge, through increasing levels of education, is the key to this development.

Although the majority of the world population is still at odds, religiously, the seeds of content are being sowed and nourished in many areas and are beginning to spread. Of recent indication is the outrage being expressed at the destruction or the Buddhist statuary in Afghanistan by the Islamic fundamentalists known as the Taliban. Now, the Taliban are no more

Even in the US, non-believers and free thinkers are able to express their true beliefs without fear of reprisal by the larger, believing segment of society. Gone are the days of the inquisitions and the witch hunts and with an increasing awareness and the ability to “think outside of the box”, so to speak, they will never return.

Although the religious segment of the US still has a strangle hold over the country as a whole, I really believe that secular thinking is on the rise and will continue until religiosity is relegated to a very personal; and very private aspect of an individuals spirituality; quite possibly within the next 2 decades. This has already become the condition in the majority of the Northwestern European population and will probably pervade the entire European population within the next 20 to 25 years.
In my opinion and as I would "like" to believe, the general population of the mjority of the world is living longer and beginning to gain a more rational, non-aggressive wisdom. As more and more people live on into the years with which we loose our inherent aggressiveness and gain more understanding of what it takes for societal harmony, we are becoming quite civilized.

In my younger years, I was quick to anger and very ready to do battle over the most trivial affronts. Now, it would take an actual physical assault to rouse my ire. Through the course of my years I have come to many conclusions; one of which is that we all think differently to a certain extent. However, our most basic wants and desires remain the same, peace, harmony and love.

I believe the secular population of Europe, primarily of the northwestern areas, is leading this trend. As the roots of religion are becoming understood and no longer the domain of a few ecclesiastics, the differences between isolated or separated populations are diminishing. Knowledge, through increasing levels of education, is the key to this development.

Although the majority of the world population is still at odds, religiously, the seeds of content are being sowed and nourished in many areas and are beginning to spread. Of recent indication is the outrage being expressed at the destruction or the Buddhist statuary in Afghanistan by the Islamic fundamentalists known as the Taliban. Now, the Taliban are no more

Even in the US, non-believers and free thinkers are able to express their true beliefs without fear of reprisal by the larger, believing segment of society. Gone are the days of the inquisitions and the witch hunts and with an increasing awareness and the ability to “think outside of the box”, so to speak, they will never return.

Although the religious segment of the US still has a strangle hold over the country as a whole, I really believe that secular thinking is on the rise and will continue until religiosity is relegated to a very personal; and very private aspect of an individuals spirituality; quite possibly within the next 2 decades. This has already become the condition in the majority of the Northwestern European population and will probably pervade the entire European population within the next 20 to 25 years.

[ May 17, 2002: Message edited by: Foxhole Atheist ]</p>
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Old 05-18-2002, 06:30 PM   #2
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Even in the US, non-believers and free thinkers are able to express their true beliefs without fear of reprisal by the larger, believing segment of society. Gone are the days of the inquisitions and the witch hunts and with an increasing awareness and the ability to “think outside of the box”, so to speak, they will never return.
Well, I'm not so sure about that. I saw a recent poll (sorry, can't remember the source) that said Americans would much sooner vote for a gay president than an atheist.

There was a thread here some time ago (it's probably in the archives for '01) where some of us suggested some sort of a movement for atheists that would parallel steps taken by the gay and lesbian community in order to gain more widespread public acceptance. Granted, many TV shows with gay characters have only served to further irritate the ultra-conservative fundy-type folks. Maybe people would be more accepting of atheists if some well known atheists were exposed to them. That is, that people may not realize that these people are atheists. Like the people <a href="http://www.celebatheists.com/" target="_blank">on this list!</a>

I agree that the overall atmosphere necessary for this sort of change is on the rise, but I think it will still take some time. This post-9/11 mood of patriotism=faith is already waning. It remains to be shown that faith or the lack thereof has no relevance to one's amount of patriotism.
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Old 05-18-2002, 08:05 PM   #3
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Originally posted by Shake:
<strong>
I agree that the overall atmosphere necessary for this sort of change is on the rise, but I think it will still take some time. This post-9/11 mood of patriotism=faith is already waning. It remains to be shown that faith or the lack thereof has no relevance to one's amount of patriotism.</strong>
I agree with you Shake, and I'll wager that shortly after that change, there will be a site similar to this one where christians are the minority talking about a change(that will probably never happen)that will give them an equal voice in society. And its the fault of the Church (believers in Christ) Who are not as active (except for a few in high places) as the average person in a minority group.

I think You can fervently love your country without faith.. don't you? I also think, however, that faith CAN add to that level of patriotism though.
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Old 05-18-2002, 08:32 PM   #4
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Originally posted by Shake:
<strong>Well, I'm not so sure about that. I saw a recent poll (sorry, can't remember the source) that said Americans would much sooner vote for a gay president than an atheist.

</strong>
I saw that poll too. It was during the presidental election. 48% of the population will NOT vote for an atheist no matter what. Hopefully it's also the 48% that don't vote anyway.

We beat out everybody, even homosexuals.
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