Religion May Not Survive The Internet

[betsy]

You don't think most people prefer news and commentary that tends to support their beliefs?

EH???

News is news! What's belief got to do with it???

Edited January 22, 2013 by betsy

[betsy]

In your opinion, what is behind the accelerating drop in religious affiliation?

I've already given my opinion on that. Read again. Don't just skim over.

[dre]

Other religion may not survive.....but I can pretty much say that the Christian religion will endure. If the Bible endured thousands of years, to come out still strong in the present times....what's there to worry about? Of course it's moot to tell you guys that God will see to it.

Ironically, the advancing technology will assure that. The survival of the Christian faith, that is.

The internet actually helps the Christian faith. Now, there is a venue to be heard. Sources are available to counter false claims! Whereas before, our unprepared Christian youths are easily stumped when inundated by attacks on our beliefs, now Apologetics is easily available. Only a few clicks away.

And we can watch videos. Like Expelled! And debates! And we can seek answers from sites by Christian Apologists like William Lane Craig! Without the internet, I wouldn't have known how Dawkins ran away from Craig! I probably wouldn't know about Bible Archeology....and see all these findings throughout history. I've learned a lot from the internet over the years! We don't need to rely on biased mainstream media alone....

We're shut out from schools and other places......but with the internet, we have an even playing field.

GLOBAL! We can reach farther....we can reach those that we couldn't before. Soon everyone will be reached. The Great Commission to preach the Truth to everyone in the world can be completed.

I suppose you think God has nothing to do with the internet.

Furthermore, if you hadn't noticed, Hollywood's been churning up faith-based movies, that now - contrary to a few years ago - portray the Christian religion in a positive light. That means there's an appetite for it. Tho I hate to use Hollywood as one of the telling signs - it is.

Also, with helplessness from disasters of every kinds - not to mention the state of society - out of desperation, people will tend to drift back to God.

Holy cow! Its the Iraqi information minister!

[Guest Manny]

Sorry but it takes more than a study by some college atheists to persuade me of anything. I can dredge up some studies too that show the number of people turning to religion in some regions of North America are increasing. Whether or not the internet influences it? I say no. The internets a resource for everyone. Equal opportunity. Not just for you atheists! Its like saying telephones are gonna turn people into sinners and make them not believe anymore. Just try that. And two minutes later- televangelists are on the phone to you. Saved! It's as simple as that.

[guyser]

Holy cow! Its the Iraqi information minister!

Now that is apropos

[Mighty AC]

I suppose you think God has nothing to do with the internet.

Did you mean Gore?

[Shady]

I remember the good old days, when atheists believed what they believed, allowed others to believe what they believe, and weren't the prosthelytizing type. They're becoming more and more like an organized religion, that come with their own extremists.

[GostHacked]

I remember the good old days, when atheists believed what they believed, allowed others to believe what they believe, and weren't the prosthelytizing type. They're becoming more and more like an organized religion, that come with their own extremists.

I think only because of the way others treat atheists and atheism that they as a group had to push back on others.

Atheism is not a religion and is not a belief.

[Shady]

I think only because of the way others treat atheists and atheism that they as a group had to push back on others.

Atheism is not a religion and is not a belief.

Of course it's a belief. You're thinking of agnostic.

[GostHacked]

Of course it's a belief. You're thinking of agnostic.

How is it a belief? I'd like to hear your explanation.

[Shady]

How is it a belief? I'd like to hear your explanation.

How is it not a belief?

[GostHacked]

How is it not a belief?

Answer my question first.

[Mighty AC]

Of course it's a belief. You're thinking of agnostic.

The two terms are not not mutually exclusive.

Atheist/Theist - Statement of belief. Theists have a belief in deities, atheists have no such belief.

Agnostic/Gnostic - Statement of knowledge. Gnostics claim to know a god exists, Agnostics do not claim to know.

I am an agnostic atheist. I have do not have a belief in gods, but I do not claim to know they do not exist. Hence, agnostics are really also atheists.

Edited January 23, 2013 by Mighty AC

[Shady]

The two terms are not not mutually exclusive.

Atheist/Theist - Statement of belief. Theists have a belief in deities, atheists have no such belief.

Agnostic/Gnostic - Statement of knowledge. Gnostics claim to know a god exists, Agnostics do not claim to know.

I am an agnostic atheist. I have do not have a belief in gods, but I do not claim to know they do not exist. Hence, agnostics are really also atheists.

Good post. That's what I was getting at, the knowing that there is no god claim.

[Canuckistani]

The two terms are not not mutually exclusive.

Atheist/Theist - Statement of belief. Theists have a belief in deities, atheists have no such belief.

Agnostic/Gnostic - Statement of knowledge. Gnostics claim to know a god exists, Agnostics do not claim to know.

I am an agnostic atheist. I have do not have a belief in gods, but I do not claim to know they do not exist. Hence, agnostics are really also atheists.

So you're an agnostic. Pretty well any thinking person is, even one who thinks there is a God. Atheist is usually applied to people who are sure there is no God, which of course can't be substantiated any more than the belief there is one. God is outside the limits of objective proof.

[Shady]

So you're an agnostic. Pretty well any thinking person is, even one who thinks there is a God. Atheist is usually applied to people who are sure there is no God, which of course can't be substantiated any more than the belief there is one. God is outside the limits of objective proof.

Well said.

[Mighty AC]

The term atheist is often used incorrectly. Religious sites like to equate the term with anti-theism or angry gnostic atheists. This misuse is why most non-believers are reluctant to call themselves atheists.

Edited January 23, 2013 by Mighty AC

[betsy]

The term atheist is often used incorrectly.

No. The term atheist has been twisted around to suit the purpose of some so-called "atheists", who are actually confused agnostics.

[Guest Manny]

I have do not have a belief in gods, but I do not claim to know they do not exist.

You have do not have belief, but you don't claim to not know something?

No wonder you people are confused

[Mighty AC]

A typo comment from you?

[Guest]

I am an agnostic atheist. I have do not have a belief in gods, but I do not claim to know they do not exist. Hence, agnostics are really also atheists.

Exactly describes my position. It's impossible to know there is no God, just as it is impossible to know there is a God, but I'm betting my eternal damnation on it.

[Guest Manny]

Whats a "god".

[Guest]

Well, exactly!

[Guest Manny]

A typo comment from you?

Sure, why not. I can go that low...

[Mighty AC]

No. The term atheist has been twisted around to suit the purpose of some so-called "atheists", who are actually confused agnostics.

Agnostics are atheists. Anyway, I'm sure we're all a little confused in some respect. It really just depends on your point of view. I know people that consider themselves atheists; yet they buy in to that Deepak Chopra, the universe will provide, power of positive thinking, BS. I'd day 6 out of 5 are batshit crazy and also struggle with math.