The future of theism in an atheist world.

[Tank]

If atheism becomes the predominant world view, how would the remaining theists feel? Also how could they react to this reversal of majority support?

I have some thoughts on this subject but rather than bias the discussion I'd like to hear some other peoples thoughts first.

[pinkocommie]

Whenever I think of atheism becoming the predominate world view, I think of illogical humans chopping down trees for tables when they have perfectly good tummies to eat on.

[KDbeads]

Hmmm... interesting question.  Personally I don't think we will ever get there due to the large number of weak minded persons we share this planet with that need that sense of someone 'taking care of them'.

However, in the spirit of the question.....
This could go 2 ways, the intelligent theists choosing to live normal lives among the rest of us know that it's their choice to believe as it is our choice not to or a mass exodus of fanatics to their own country where they can feel safe from us 'evil, god hating' people.

[elliebean]

Moderate theists would probably be won over pretty easily, which would leave the fanatics. I think they would all become terrorists.

[Asmodean]

or a mass exodus of fanatics to their own country where they can feel safe from us 'evil, god hating' people.

...Followed by a massive war that ends up in evil (being us) emerging victorious  

[KDbeads]

or a mass exodus of fanatics to their own country where they can feel safe from us 'evil, god hating' people.

...Followed by a massive war that ends up in evil (being us) emerging victorious  

[Tank]

Whenever I think of atheism becoming the predominate world view, I think of illogical humans chopping down trees for tables when they have perfectly good tummies to eat on.

 Okay I've read this a few times and you appear to be saying that people are too dumb to think really deeply and thus atheism will always be a minority word view?

[JillSwift]

Whenever I think of atheism becoming the predominate world view, I think of illogical humans chopping down trees for tables when they have perfectly good tummies to eat on.

[pinkocommie]

Whenever I think of atheism becoming the predominate world view, I think of illogical humans chopping down trees for tables when they have perfectly good tummies to eat on.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Go_God_Go

[Tank]

Hmmm... interesting question.  Personally I don't think we will ever get there due to the large number of weak minded persons we share this planet with that need that sense of someone 'taking care of them'.

Funnily enough that's what my wife thinks is the ultimate flaw in an atheistic world future. That a large number of people need the comfort blanket of superstition.

However, in the spirit of the question.....
This could go 2 ways, the intelligent theists choosing to live normal lives among the rest of us know that it's their choice to believe as it is our choice not to or a mass exodus of fanatics to their own country where they can feel safe from us 'evil, god hating' people.

Option one would be ideal, however that still leaves the fundamentalists to deal with. I also doubt that in option 2 the 'residuum' would leave willingly.

[KDbeads]

Hmmm... interesting question.  Personally I don't think we will ever get there due to the large number of weak minded persons we share this planet with that need that sense of someone 'taking care of them'.

Funnily enough that's what my wife thinks is the ultimate flaw in an atheistic world future. That a large number of people need the comfort blanket of superstition.

Unfortunately most everywhere I've lived people seem to be this way, they can't think for themselves nor can they accept fault for their own actions.  Most of them would be lost without a god to call on.

However, in the spirit of the question.....
This could go 2 ways, the intelligent theists choosing to live normal lives among the rest of us know that it's their choice to believe as it is our choice not to or a mass exodus of fanatics to their own country where they can feel safe from us 'evil, god hating' people.

Option one would be ideal, however that still leaves the fundamentalists to deal with. I also doubt that in option 2 the 'residuum' would leave willingly.

Not thinking they would leave willingly enough either but history proves they can if the really really want to, we just need some serious religious oppression for them to escape from to their new world

Hadn't really thought about the fundies in this equation....  Maybe they'll go back to their caves and die out from lack of breeding material?

[Tank]

Moderate theists would probably be won over pretty easily, which would leave the fanatics. I think they would all become terrorists.

This would be my concern.

[Asmodean]

This would be my concern.

Well, since we would be the ones sitting on the intellectual power, they'd probably run out of ways of making bombs pretty quickly... After all, although it takes only one fundie to mix fertilizer with diesel, it takes a helluva' lot more to manufacture the named components

[Tank]

This would be my concern.

Well, since we would be the ones sitting on the intellectual power, they'd probably run out of ways of making bombs pretty quickly... After all, although it takes only one fundie to mix fertilizer with diesel, it takes a helluva' lot more to manufacture the named components

Isn't that the current situation anyway? Al-Qaeda is a parasitic organisation relying on high-tech components (mobile phones etc) that it has no capability to manufacture. I don't see an essential change in that part of the equation.

What does concern me is that as the balance between rationalism and irrationalism tips towards rationalism (hopefully) then the feelings of persecution and isolation of the remaining irrationalists could possible grow to dangerous levels.

[Asmodean]

I don't see an essential change in that part of the equation.

If theists had a country, we wouldn't have to trade with it. Let them manufacture their own things. AND we could have two guards for every meter of the border

Stopping trade with Al Quaeda is a bit harder since they, like theists today, are everywhere.