Religion may become extinct in nine nations, study says

[Ptarmigan]

Religion may become extinct in nine nations, study says
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12811197

[thundley4]

Perfect places for the DUmmies to move to.

[TexasCop]

Imagine how this world will be when we no longer have a moral code by which to live.

[LC EFA]

Well - In my lifetime I've known (in non-internet land) exactly two people who identified as religious or attended church on a regular basis.

My "moral code" seems to be just fine.

[TexasCop]

Well - In my lifetime I've known (in non-internet land) exactly two people who identified as religious or attended church on a regular basis.

My "moral code" seems to be just fine.

Then you are a rarity.  Most people I see that live without moral codes are liberals.   Most liberals I deal with are criminals.

[FreeBorn]

More wallpaper hanging from the crew that brings you the unions, fiat currency and an endless progression of world crisis with no clear leaders. So what's the latest on American Idol ???

[compaqxp]

Imagine how this world will be when we no longer have a moral code by which to live.

You don't need religion to have morals. You can have one without the other despite what many think.

And which religions exactly give one morals? You can't say Christianity and not include other religions too.

I'm an atheist and I have morals, most I know do.

[thelaughingman]

But how much of atheists' morals are simply borrowed capital from Christianity?

[thelaughingman]

[youtube=425,350]1deErOCdXQ8[/youtube]

"Get out... God!"
"Go away, God!"
"We don't need you, God!"

*KATRINA HITS!*

"God!  Where are you???  Where'd you go?  Help us!"

[rubliw]

But how much of atheists' morals are simply borrowed capital from Christianity?

Christians don't really have any special powers or magical insight when it comes to moral reasoning, that other human beings do not also have.  Contemporary Christian morals also didnt just spontaneously appear out of a vacuum, pristine and untouched by the non-Christian influences in the cultures in which took root.  So sure, some atheists are influenced by Christian morals, others less so.  There's just as many parts of Christianity which have been influenced by non-Christian thinkers and beliefs. 

I think if one were to develop a moral system from scratch, based on principles that could be rationally justified - it would look similar to Christian morality in a lot of respects (and less so in others).   I think Christianity is false - but on the other hand, Christians didn't get everything wrong, either.  Its hard to find too much fault with the sermon on the mount or the golden rule.  We all borrow from one another, often in ways we do not even realize.   So... so what?

[CatholicCrusader]

Christians don't really have any special powers or magical insight when it comes to moral reasoning, that other human beings do not also have.  Contemporary Christian morals also didnt just spontaneously appear out of a vacuum, pristine and untouched by the non-Christian influences in the cultures in which took root.  So sure, some atheists are influenced by Christian morals, others less so.  There's just as many parts of Christianity which have been influenced by non-Christian thinkers and beliefs. 

I think if one were to develop a moral system from scratch, based on principles that could be rationally justified - it would look similar to Christian morality in a lot of respects (and less so in others).   I think Christianity is false - but on the other hand, Christians didn't get everything wrong, either.  Its hard to find too much fault with the sermon on the mount or the golden rule.  We all borrow from one another, often in ways we do not even realize.   So... so what?

That's the kind of nonsensical observation that arises from a purely secular observation of Christianity.

Jesus Christ is the Son of God: That is the truth of our existance. To replace God's truth with some man-made contrivance is a formula for failure & folly

[JohnnyReb]

So, soon I can screw your wife and steal your car truck and everything is going to be just fine, huh?

Hell, why not. Religion is going to be gone and no one pays any attention to laws anyway, so lets party down.

[compaqxp]

So, soon I can screw your wife and steal your car truck and everything is going to be just fine, huh?

So without religion that's what we do? It's foolish to think so.

[CatholicCrusader]

So without religion that's what we do?.....

Yep, because our laws are based on Judeo-Christian ethics, and those laws are what prevent such things.

Even none believers live in a society that was fashioned and shaped by believers.

[MrsSmith]

There are some tremendous differences between Christian morality and do-it-yourself morals.  For example, having sex outside marriage.  Many feel that is perfectly fine, it hurts no one.  However, if all people followed true Christian morals, every person would go into marriage a virgin, and your spouse would be the only person in the world that would represent complete intimacy.  Talk about a bond!!  No STDs, ever.  AIDs would disappear.

A second good example is abortion.  Many feel that is perfectly fine, it hurts no one.  However, God's word makes it very clear that a child is a child not only before birth, but also before conception, so abortion truly is murder.  If all people lived by true Christian morals, every child would be born within a family headed by his or her biological father and mother (unless there was a terrible tragedy), and would be regarded as a blessing straight from God.

Christians are not perfect people, and can't live up to God's moral code.  But, the if the entire world tried to live up to that code, how much better would be the lives of all!!

[rubliw]

Yep, because our laws are based on Judeo-Christian ethics, and those laws are what prevent such things.

Even none believers live in a society that was fashioned and shaped by believers.

Hate to break it to you, but the founders consulted Moses and Jesus.... almost nowhere when devising our form of government.  If you want to see where they got their ideas... read up on Solon the Athenian.

[rubliw]

So, soon I can screw your wife and steal your car truck and everything is going to be just fine, huh?

Hell, why not. Religion is going to be gone and no one pays any attention to laws anyway, so lets party down.

Can you think of no other good reason NOT to do those things, other than "God exists and will hurt me if I do"?

[Splashdown]

Can you think of no other good reason NOT to do those things, other than "God exists and will hurt me if I do"?

What a warped sense of religion you have.

[MrsSmith]

Can you think of no other good reason NOT to do those things, other than "God exists and will hurt me if I do"?

God won't hurt you if you do those things.  He will continue to patiently provide an earth upon which to live, water to drink, food to eat, sunlight, rain, air...and hold the door open for your acceptance into His family should you choose to open your eyes and see the truth.  On the other hand, once a person does see the truth and walk through His door, He patiently and lovingly forgives every sin and adopts that person as a co-heir with His beloved Son, cleaned and protected and assured a place in His home.  If you end up being hurt for your actions, it is either because another human has used his or her free will to sin against you, or because you have traveled your entire life span upon this earth with your eyes closed to truth and have therefore chosen to remain outside His forgiveness. 

[CatholicCrusader]

Can you think of no other good reason NOT to do those things, other than "God exists and will hurt me if I do"?

Let me answer your question with a question: Can a kid think of a better reason to obey their parents other than avoiding punishment?

[JohnnyReb]

Can you think of no other good reason NOT to do those things, other than "God exists and will hurt me if I do"?

There's two reasons people don't smite thee Wilbur, laziness and religion. When you remove Judeo-Christian ethics then the only thing between you and a hole in the ground is, laziness. I offer criminal acts and Islam as evidence.

[rubliw]

Again, I am asking - are there any reasons at all that any of you can think of, say...  not to murder someone... if no deity exists whose wrath you might incur, be it right now, or at the end of your lifetime?  

I can think of several reasons.   I'm pretty sure most  of you can think of several reasons not to murder, that have nothing to do with a deity... which is really the point of the question.

[CatholicCrusader]

Again, I am asking - are there any reasons at all that any of you can think of, say...  not to murder someone... if no deity exists whose wrath you might incur, be it right now, or at the end of your lifetime?........

That is a skewed question, because we have all been conditioned by a society that is based on Judeo-Christian principles.

What did people do in the ancient world, Mesopotamia and all that stuff? I'll bet they had no regard for human life.

[JohnnyReb]

Again, I am asking - are there any reasons at all that any of you can think of, say...  not to murder someone... if no deity exists whose wrath you might incur, be it right now, or at the end of your lifetime?  

I can think of several reasons.   I'm pretty sure most  of you can think of several reasons not to murder, that have nothing to do with a deity... which is really the point of the question.

I done toldya boy...laziness. People don't want the hassle of a trial and imprisonment. When you finally irritate people enough, your ass is worm food.