Wednesday 4 January 2012

Agnosticism / Atheism: Weak Theism Today Leads to More Atheism Tomorrow

Agnosticism / Atheism
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Weak Theism Today Leads to More Atheism Tomorrow
Jan 4th 2012, 12:00

Why has theistic religion weakened in Europe while it's remained strong (if not grown stronger) in America? In a word: threats. Following World War II, European countries became safer and more secure. This weakened people's commitment to traditional religion and that, in turn, caused succeeding generations to begin abandoning religion altogether.

In America, commitment to traditional religion has remained relatively strong because American society has been relatively less safe and secure.

Work by Joseph Henrich from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada, myself, and others suggests that humans believe the statements of others to the extent that they back those statements with actions. That is, rather than believing everything authority figures say, we believe to the extent that they "walk the walk" and not just "talk the talk".

The implication is that if parents and others believe in supernatural agents but do not show these beliefs through attendance, self-sacrifice, rule obedience and/or emotional displays, they will find their children sceptical of these beliefs and their society less theistic.

This is what happened in Scandinavia in the 20th century as governments instituted extensive welfare policies for ethnically homogenous populations. Fewer economic and social threats meant less religious action and, in the span of a generation, levels of theism fell. The US, on the other hand, instituted comparatively weak social welfare policies for a more divided population. Consequently, it saw little decline in theism.

Source: New Scientist, March 26, 2011

So in Europe governments created more secure, stable societies which made reliance on churches less necessary. People continued to profess Christianity, but they stopped attending church as often and stopped demonstrating real commitment to Christianity through their actions. Over time, the messages sent to succeeding generations was that these beliefs and these organizations didn't matter much -- and as a consequence, professed and actual beliefs dropped as well.

In America, however, government has not created a more secure, stable society. Reliance on churches has continued to be necessary. People don't just profess Christianity, they attend church and demonstrate real commitment to it. The message that is sent to succeeding generations is that the beliefs and organizations really are necessary -- thus professed and actual belief continue.

Conservative Christians and conservative churches are the biggest opponents of welfare, food stamps, and just about every social service or social safety net which the government might provide. And this is one reason why: when the government provides such services in a comprehensive enough manner to make people more secure and safe, the need for churches is reduced.

When the people get together to provide for each other via the government, the power and influence of Christian leaders is reduced. When the people provide for each other, they aren't dependent upon unelected priests and ministers. When the people work together democratically, they aren't reduced to begging from authoritarian institutions.

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