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Lately, Internet atheists have been confused about the difference between identifying in name only and actually being religious. One can be Christian, for example, in name only and have religion play little to no role in their lives. Actions speak louder than words. [thread]
Another thing I find otherwise well-intended atheists do is saying that ânon-religiousâ countries do much better than âreligiousâ countries SOLELY because of how religion, or lack thereof, plays a role in society, when really, itâs more complicated than that.
Japan and Iceland are touted as âatheist majorityâ countries with low crime rates and high education rates, SOLELY because âreligion doesnât play a roleâ in their societies. In Japan, Abrahamic religions are practiced by a VERY SMALL minority in a country where Shintoism and
Buddhism are the major religions (buddhism is more of a philosophy but I digress). Let& #39;s go back to Japan: many Western atheists falsely believe lack of religion in Far East/Southeast Asia means they& #39;re atheistic countries, when really, Abrahamic religions aren& #39;t big there.
So their concept of spirituality there is different from us Westerners. Now we go to Iceland, w/ the official church being the Church of Iceland, which is Lutheran. Also, 77% of Icelanders affiliate themselves with Christianity, w/ vast majority of those a part of the nat church
Note how I said âaffiliatedâ, not âpracticeâ as in âpractice Christianityâ. While many Icelanders believe in elves and gnomes, which is no different than believing angels and devils imho, Iceland is for the most part a country full of non-practicing Xtians (Xtians by name only)
Save for a few countries like the Netherlands, Estonia, and Czechia, many secular European countries still have... Christian majorities. You don& #39;t have to attend weekly services, fast for Lent, or pray daily in order to be Christian.
But how a country become rich and prosperous? IDK, social safety nets, a mix of capitalism and socialism, more money in pockets, universal healthcare, high quality of life, robust tourism, and high education attainment tend to do the trick.
"Atheist" countries like China, Azerbaijan, and North Korea are far from rich, especially the latter. In fact, they& #39;re not even rich or atheist, but authoritarianism with a cults of personality.
*with cults of personality
Does this thread seem all over the place? It does, but spirituality in general is a nuanced subject (and I& #39;m not a so-called "militant atheist" for that reason). From current trends and experience, I think religion does more harm
Does this thread seem all over the place? It does, but spirituality in general is a nuanced subject (and I& #39;m not a so-called "militant atheist" for that reason). From current trends and experience, I think religion does more harm
particularly and especially when religion is pushed by governments onto societies and make laws based on religion. But an individual who may or may not practice a religion? Religion itself doesn& #39;t paint the entire picture.
