Why do you think atheists are abundant on the Internet?

[IbanezLaney]

The internet just reflects society.

Most people have simply stopped believing in fairy tales.

Science ties everything together now without magical sky fairies in a way that makes religion look like a funny sideshow that's on it's way to extinction.

Churches and all other forms of organised religion should be taxed or abolished - they ultimately divide society into opposing groups and inadvertently breed hatred and misunderstanding based on lies.
Within one generation - everyone would look back and laugh at the stupidity of those who came before them and find the idea of a god hilarious. The internet may already bring us that in 3-4 generations if poorer nations are connected and populations educated.

Just remember - the computer you are at - WOULD NOT WORK if the big bang did not happen.
If you believe in the bible's 'creation' then you are effectively denying that your are at a working computer reading this - added bonus is that those who believe the bible can't reply to my post without using computers - which don't work apparently .

The evidence is already undeniable that the churches are all scams sucking money from anyone they can con - lets move forward as a species and stop dumbing ourselves down with religion.

I haz questionz -
How long was the world flat for according to the catholic church? Do insects go to heaven?
Why do we find pottery from before the earth was created? Why did god create aids and then tell people they can't use condoms? If everyone is forgiven - is Hitler happy in heaven?
If god is real - when will she reveal herself to the world?
Can someone from the vatican plz answer me??? lol

 

[Batcomrade]

Fashion statement. Something to put on their Facebook profile.

 

[I Have No Idea]

The internet just reflects society.

If the internet reflected society, we'd all be screwed beyond recognition.

Most people have simply stopped believing in fairy tales.

False. As of 2005, only about 2.3% of the world's population is atheist. 11.9% is just non-religious (agnostic, unexposed, etc.) Encyclopedia Britannica did the study, you can look it up.

Science ties everything together now without magical sky fairies in a way that makes religion look like a funny sideshow that's on it's way to extinction.

Churches and all other forms of organised religion should be taxed or abolished - they ultimately divide society into opposing groups and inadvertently breed hatred and misunderstanding based on lies.

Within one generation - everyone would look back and laugh at the stupidity of those who came before them and find the idea of a god hilarious.

One generation is 25 years in length. Trust me, it would be stupid not to think religion wouldn't be around in 25 years.

Just remember - the computer you are at - WOULD NOT WORK if the big bang did not happen.

What? I'm confused. I could say the same thing, but say "if God didn't create man." And anyways, I'm not getting into the whole God v.s No God argument now, this isn't the right forum for it.

If you believe in the bible's 'creation' then you are effectively denying that your are at a working computer reading this - added bonus is that those who believe the bible can't reply to my post without using computers - which don't work apparently .

So since I believe in God, I don't believe in computers.....your thinking is very warped, my friend.

The evidence is already undeniable that the churches are all scams sucking money from anyone they can con

You're saying every, single church in existence on the face of this earth, right now, is a scam. Once again, it would be stupid for you to over-generalize like that.


But I digress. I shouldn't stray too much from the OT, but I felt your post needed addressing.

Could one of the American Escapists please tell me if the European stereotypes regarding conservative Christian attitudes towards known atheists are correct, namely that atheists are heavily shunned and criticised in day to day life for their disbelief, and if so, why? Or rather, what is there understanding of the cause?

It really depends on the location. For example, in the Bible Belt (the nickname for the southern portion of the States notorious for it's heavy religious population), atheists would be less in numbers of course, but it depends on where you live whether or not you'd be heavily shunned and persecuted. It all depends on your location. Where I live (Georgia), I haven't met a single person who has condemned and hated atheists. But, sadly, some Christians think it wise to shove and yell and do fire-and-brimstone sermons to atheists because they think they'll change their beliefs when in reality it only strengthens them.

 

[Harbinger_]

The internet is chock full of stupidity hence atheists.

Oh come on now, don't be that guy who starts it all....

Well people in general are really not all that smart or clever so technically it's also hence everyone.

 

[IbanezLaney]

Well, why? I'm not entirely sure, and it makes me curious. My thought is that either it's just simply that the vast majority of internet dwellers (forumites, Youtubers, etc.) are atheists, or there's a bigger religious population than everybody think but they're much less vocal.

I have nothing against atheists, by the way.

Also, I wasn't sure whether to put this in the Religion section or here since it's Internet-talk as well. So if I'm wrong, feel free to move the thread mods. Apologies.

The religious are certainly vocal and rarely quiet. They actively lobby governments and are in the media plenty of the time beating their own chests.

At least atheists they are not rudely knocking on your door unannounced trying to 'convert' you.
That is much worse then you CHOOSING to open an internet forum and CHOOSING read or talk about religion.

If you don't like the fact humanity is moving past the dark ages of fairies and devils then maybe somewhere modern like the internet is best avoided.

It's not as if atheists go to your church on a Sunday, open the bible and start complaining - but you are doing it on our internet built by SCIENCE. When you see the irony in that you are using one of sciences greatest achievements to complain about atheists, will be a step further toward 'understanding' and 'enlightenment'.

 

[Hazy992]

Probably because on the internet they have nothing to hide.

 

[IbanezLaney]

The internet just reflects society.

If the internet reflected society, we'd all be screwed beyond recognition.

Most people have simply stopped believing in fairy tales.

False. As of 2005, only about 2.3% of the world's population is atheist. 11.9% is just non-religious (agnostic, unexposed, etc.) Encyclopedia Britannica did the study, you can look it up.

Science ties everything together now without magical sky fairies in a way that makes religion look like a funny sideshow that's on it's way to extinction.

Churches and all other forms of organised religion should be taxed or abolished - they ultimately divide society into opposing groups and inadvertently breed hatred and misunderstanding based on lies.

Within one generation - everyone would look back and laugh at the stupidity of those who came before them and find the idea of a god hilarious.

One generation is 25 years in length. Trust me, it would be stupid not to think religion wouldn't be around in 25 years.

Just remember - the computer you are at - WOULD NOT WORK if the big bang did not happen.

What? I'm confused. I could say the same thing, but say "if God didn't create man." And anyways, I'm not getting into the whole God v.s No God argument now, this isn't the right forum for it.

If you believe in the bible's 'creation' then you are effectively denying that your are at a working computer reading this - added bonus is that those who believe the bible can't reply to my post without using computers - which don't work apparently .

So since I believe in God, I don't believe in computers.....your thinking is very warped, my friend.

The evidence is already undeniable that the churches are all scams sucking money from anyone they can con

You're saying every, single church in existence on the face of this earth, right now, is a scam. Once again, it would be stupid for you to over-generalize like that.


But I digress. I shouldn't stray too much from the OT, but I felt your post needed addressing.

Yes i am saying that all churches/religions are scams - every single one of them without exception.
I hope that clears it up.

 

[I Have No Idea]

you are using one of sciences greatest achievements to complain about atheists

Oh, I'm sorry. Point me to the post where I'm complaining about atheists.

 

[ConstantErasing]

Possibly it is because atheists tend to be more open minded and prone to discussion so they simply end up speaking out a bit more.

 

[Keepeas]

Well, why? I'm not entirely sure, and it makes me curious. My thought is that either it's just simply that the vast majority of internet dwellers (forumites, Youtubers, etc.) are atheists, or there's a bigger religious population than everybody think but they're much less vocal.

I have nothing against atheists, by the way.

Also, I wasn't sure whether to put this in the Religion section or here since it's Internet-talk as well. So if I'm wrong, feel free to move the thread mods. Apologies.

I'm not sure if you're confusing Atheism with Irreligious.
"Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities." -Wikipedia
"Irreligion is defined as an absence of religion or an indifference towards religion." -Wikipedia

There's also Agnosticism "the view that the truth value of certain claims--especially claims about the existence or non-existence of any deity, but also other religious and metaphysical claims--is unknown or unknowable."

I think what you mean is people with "No Religion", which, as far as I can tell, includes all three of the groups started above.

Now after a little research I found that the number of people in the category of No Religion is rising in 1st world countries(the countries with the most computer users).
Also, I believe that the younger generations are identifying more and more with "No Religion"(the group of people who are most on the internet)

So when you combine those 2 peices of information you get an internet community that has a high percentage of people with "No Religion".

Bottomline - They are abundant on the internet because they are becoming more abundant among people who can access the internet.

 

[I Have No Idea]

I'm not sure if you confusing Atheism with Irreligious.
"Atheism is, in a broad sense, the rejection of belief in the existence of deities." -Wikipedia
"Irreligion is defined as an absence of religion or an indifference towards religion." -Wikipedia

There's also Agnosticism "the view that the truth value of certain claims--especially claims about the existence or non-existence of any deity, but also other religious and metaphysical claims--is unknown or unknowable."

Don't get me wrong, I know all about those and wouldn't confuse them. The reason I mentioned atheists was that I personally see them more than the other categories.

 

[seraphy]

I think it's more the areas of the internet you go to. Youtube, 4Chan and here are all godless hives of scum and villainy, so it stands to reason most people would be atheists.

You need to check out places like [link]http://www.christianforums.com/[/link]. You know, the god-fearing hives of scum and villainy.

I used to like christian forums, I think it was that place. Down the line when they were open minded and had Wiccan and atheist moderators. Then they went all extremist, secrecated atheist and pagans to few sub-forums and ripped all non-christian moderators of their status.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

You can't censor the internet and just make everything you don't like go away (for now). That's why in every religious discussion on the internet you'll see atheists winning. It's easy to win when there's no one to silence you and you're the one holding all the logical arguments.

 

[SoulSalmon]

It's weird seeing so many people say "If you say you're an atheist here your family will disown you and you will lose your job and all your friends!"
Here in Australia, Adelaide at least, most people are atheist, and you face people treating you differently if you say you're christian.
Funny thing is, it's if you're christian, not religious. Other religions tend to just get an "Ah yeah, cool...".

Edit: Also this

You can't censor the internet and just make everything you don't like go away (for now). That's why in every religious discussion on the internet you'll see atheists winning. It's easy to win when there's no one to silence you and you're the one holding all the logical arguments.

 

[Smeggs]

There are plenty where I live, we just make a point not to go and try to shove our non-belief down people's throats. Don't want to be hypocritical when that's the thing I hate most about the hardcore bible thumpers around here. Internet offers anonymity. People can ***** all they want on a forum with virtually (ha) no chance of anybody ever finding them to retaliate.

 

[Iron Lightning]

I am a Christian, and I think it's just because many of us are not very vocal. I WILL correct people when they say something that is not scientifically (or religiously, sometimes) accurate, but that's pretty much it; a lot of people don't seem to realize that science and Christianity actually go hand-in-hand, and are NOT bitter rivals - in a personified sense, of course.

Knowledge fail! Christianity and scientific knowledge stand in firm opposition to each other.

Christianity: The Earth was created about 6000-10000 years ago by a God.
Science: The Earth came into being about 4 billion years ago due to natural processes.

Christianity: The Earth is the center of the universe.
Science: The Earth is the third planet out from the sun and is in no special place.

Christianity: Life was created just as it is now by God.
Science: Life evolved over billions of years to get to where it is now.

Christianity: Bats are birds (Leviticus 11:13 & 11:19)
Science: Bats are mammals.

Christianity: Cure for leprosy: Get two birds. Kill one. Dip the live bird in the blood of the dead one. Sprinkle the blood on the leper seven times, and then let the blood-soaked bird fly off. Next find a lamb and kill it. Wipe some of its blood on the patient's right ear, thumb, and big toe. Sprinkle seven times with oil and wipe some of the oil on his right ear, thumb and big toe. Repeat. Finally kill a couple doves and offer one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. (Leviticus 14:2-14:52)
Science: Cure for leprosy: regiment of MDT (which contains materials absolutely unrelated to the above horseshit.)

Christianity: People can live more than 600 years without modern medicine (Genesis 7:11)
Science: Jeanne Calment, the oldest person on record, only lived 122 years and 164 days. Also, biology.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head but I have barely scratched the surface of all the conflicts between Christianity and science. If you believe that The Bible is literal in even the most liberal sense of the word than you are against science.

But I don't really like to express my religious beliefs, because you can only teach people who are willing to learn. And ironically, most users in this vast, knowledge-filled web do NOT want to learn - they'll fight anything they can to the bitter end, because they're infallible. Can't teach someone that's infallible, right?

Wait a minute, I'm confused, aren't you the one here who believes in an infallible God who wrote an infallible book?

P.S.: There is no shame in changing your mind...

That's the most intelligent thing I've heard on The Escapist in months. I just hope that you apply this wisdom to yourself.

 

[spartan231490]

I think it's just that atheists are more vocal about their beliefs for whatever reason. Maybe because they feel that they need validation? It would make sense, people who operate on faith don't really need much validation, someone who refuses to have faith in the unseen might need more validation from the outside? As they are unable to believe in religion without that validation there could be a connection, or it could just be because most atheists are younger and many young people are more vocal? Or something completely unrelated.

 

[TheDooD]

Because the internet is where religion goes to die. Atheists cannot be persecuted so religious zealots cannot stone them through the web and are forced to shut up while they are in what they perceive to be "heretical territory" and rightly so because once that's out the hounds of logic and reason tear their beliefs asunder. No quarter to religion is given on the internet. Straying where they are not wanted leads to logic and reason fucking their shit up big time so they tend to avoid atheist dominated sites. Course youtube is the only place you see the religion battle hotly raging to this day. Though i think they cooled greatly with most of hardline Christians routed in the face of the likes of TJ and Thudnerfoot.

Simply put; the internet is a place where heretics cannot be silenced and their words manage to get free without someone shouting "But you cant explain the tides" every 3 seconds. Thus atheism is more prominent as it can explain why religion sucks without being interrupted. Atheists get noticed here and not in real life because here they can speak out without interruption or fear.

This also creates a cycle for younger generations; as they grow and get on the internet they are faced with atheist ideals while the iron is still hot and religion is not as strong within them. Thus it is easily toppled and the community grows.

The Emperor of Man's plan is starting earlier, yet I can see where the forces of Chaos are at work as well.

 

[OneOfTheMichael's]

Probably because no ones really christian or catholic anymore.
Of course thats an understatement but there are more just misc stuff for any and all.
Rarely do you see religious topics on browsers on websites.