End Of Religious Conflict

[beso]

Not going to be a fight between atheism and religion after all. Everyone is simply losing interest.

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg22229671.500-god-notbotherers-religious-apathy-reigns.html#.U2Ile_mSxfM

[naomi24]

//Across the developed world, people are losing interest in god without becoming atheists. //

What a pity the undeveloped world doesn't swiftly follow suit.

[Old_Geezer]

They lose interest until some tragedy. Then they clutch at the possibility of divine help. And who knows for sure it isn't helpful ?

[atalanta]

I am very much offended by the suggestion that religion is required for society to have and uphold a moral code. I have no fantasy/supernatural beliefs, but I have a strong moral code and work ethic. I don't see why others can't turn their backs on religion, and at the same time remain upright citizens.
"Godfearing" is quite unnecessary.

[emmie]

doesn't look like that from where i'm sitting.

[Old_Geezer]

The puzzling thing is why, if one does not believe in a diety or continued existence after bodily death, one would want to adopt any philisophical/moral viewpoint other than Hedonism. Nothing matters in the long run, we are all here today and gone with no need for anything to be any way tomorrow, the greatest good must therefore surely be to enjoy yourself whilst you are here to enjoy it. It won't last forever after all.

[emmie]

because many have to justify their existence, otherwise its a case of live then you die..

[Old_Geezer]

Surely the live & die thing is a truism for non-believers ?
There can be no justification, everything just is.

[emmie]

but they want something to hang on to, some justification for all the turmoil of life.

[beso]

Old_Geezer //The puzzling thing is why, if one does not believe in a diety or continued existence after bodily death, one would want to adopt any philisophical/moral viewpoint other than Hedonism. Nothing matters in the long run, we are all here today and gone with no need for anything to be any way tomorrow, the greatest good must therefore surely be to enjoy yourself whilst you are here to enjoy it. It won't last forever after all.//

What a sad reflection. Sadder still is the fact that it takes religion for some people to refrain from outright self indulgence. I have even met people who admit to this. One of them is a preacher.

Meanwhile some of us get enjoyment from making it a better place for everyone.

[ludwig]

// The puzzling thing is why, if one does not believe in a diety or continued existence after bodily death, one would want to adopt any philisophical/moral viewpoint other than Hedonism //

It's because we have something called empathy - at least those of us who aren't psychopaths do. We're born with an innate capacity to develop it, probably because there was an evolutionary advantage in not living a totally self-centred existence, but being able to bond with other humans, so that you can form social groups which support each other.

Morals, ethics, and what we call humanity naturally follow on from that.