5 replies to this topic

[advancedatheist]

Is Faith Good for Us?
by Phil Zuckerman

In sum, countries with high rates of organic atheism are among the most societally healthy on earth, while societies with nonexistent rates of organic atheism are among the most destitute. The former nations have among the lowest homicide rates, infant mortality rates, poverty rates, and illiteracy rates and among the highest levels of wealth, life expectancy, educational attainment, and gender equality in the world. The sole indicator of societal health in which religious countries scored higher than irreligious countries is suicide.

[John Schloendorn]

organic atheism

I used to think that's a term for bio-carrots?

[Live Forever]

Organic atheism is so much healthier than that the regular, chemical laden atheism. When I go to the market I don't mind paying a little bit more for the organic atheism, cause I know that the benefits are worth it.

[Mind]

In the article, "organic atheism" is defined as "being free to choose atheism". This in contrast to "coercive atheism", such as is the case in communist countries, like North Korea, Cuba, and the former Soviet Union.

The author claims religious belief in the U.S. is very robust. I would say it is relative. Belief is stronger here than in western Europe and Japan, but much less than in the middle east. A recent survey found that less than half of the U.S. population regularly attends church and that the numbers are falling. Sure, 90% claim to believe in god, but it is a pretty weak belief.

[advancedatheist]

"Organic atheism" refers to nonbelief that has arisen in many countries spontaneously, without an effort to bring it about, unlike the case in many communist countries.

[kylyssa]

The lowered homicide rate makes perfect sense to me. Believing that there's only one shot at life might tend to increase its value in one's mind. Mind you, I got that idea from Harry Harrison's Stainless Steel Rat when I was very small.

Perhaps some doors of the mind are better left shut? If you get bogged down in certain rooms you might lose track of the myriad paths available. Delving into mystical realms seems to do that to some people. They get so wound up in their seeking for "something more" that what is actually real gets passed over. There is just so much amazing and incredible "stuff" in the real world that I can't grasp why you'd need "something more" to make you whole.

I think atheism leads to greater respect for, reliance on, and responsibility for your fellow persons and your self. Maybe when you stop reaching up to the sky in loneliness you start reaching out to the people standing all around you?