As a life long atheist of 58 years, I see the trend without the stats. The difference from the late 60's/70's when I was a kid and now is palpable. It can be difficult to see, especially in the last few years with a large push from the religious right, but I see it as a last gasp to be honest. Great video, though I was satisfied with the gospel freethinker theme song in the beginning. Gave me goose bumps! 😏
Yeah I have audible too. I'm a trucker and listen to books as I drive across the country. I have 150 books but I listened to Godless again and again and again......
Dan Barker, you really made a difference for me! I really enjoyed your videos! I wish people that were not religious were a clear majority, maybe someday.
I think we are getting there. Religious extremism is really repellent to so many rational people, as are their attempts to try to take over our country.
Look at the northern countries of Europe. Where religion loses all its power. Where you have a lower crime rate. Less poverty. And at the same time a high sense of well-being. The highest life expectancy. Because: Clear separation between church and state.
Here in Canada, religion is dying very quickly. At the current rate of decline, most of the mainline protestant denominations will be all but gone by about 2050. The head of the Anglican church said the quiet part out loud back in 2019 when he stated that the Anglican church in Canada will be gone by 2040. That statement coupled with Covid, caused them to lose 20% of their members in two years. Now 2040 looks optimistic.
For me, hope is the belief in positive outcomes without regard to evidence to the contrary. It is a word and concept I do my best to eradicate from my vocabulary and consciousness.
Our world is far too complex to possibly know all the variables at play that might affect an outcome. The more complex the project the more luck, or random chance, plays a part. JWST is one example. We do our best to eliminate the unknowns that might hurt our chances. Hope lies in what is possible, despite the knowns, or even unknowns, that may work against that.
If we do the work of democracy we will get close to the desired results. I get Phil's point, that fewer people are thoughtlessly accepting religious doctrine without examination, and that seems to be why the fundies are pushing so hard, they know they do not weild the control over minds and lives they once did.
That's why the so-called parents' rights laws are so dangerous. The sponsors have already made plain that parents with one viewpoint (usually homophobic and transphobic but sometimes also racist) are to be respected above those parents who are LGBTQ+-affirming and antiracist or of a racial minority. Some are more equal than others is the guiding principle of these laws.
This was a really good discussion! More like this one. I feel the hope when you give me the numbers. Are there enough Freethinker Establishments(churches?! haha)? I would attend to do good works in the name of humanity and the earth.
I now live a secular life make my own decisions for me, I use critical thinking more than ever but most importantly I want to be a better person NOT because god tells me so but because I want to Being religious sets you up to believe in the most fantastical beings that never existed
Only 60 % of eligible voters vote.. Each year 4 million new eligible voters. "TO BE HOPEFUL in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places-and there are so many-where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction. And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory." Howard Zinn
I never think and had all the time in the world for hope and still it never did but nothing ? so critical thinking would not be necessary ? only thing any thing in life did with religion causing Disfunctional family is make any thing i do including projects or talents just made me more OCKWORD turning every one off from my experiences..
Horticulturist ….vegetables crops in Rome, Ga stopped growing past 3 years because nights were 80 but days were 75. Nights warmer than days will shut food crops down…only takes 1-2 warmer nights to do it . No earthworms or fly larvae in trash cans for 2 years. No more hope. Accept the asteroid coming this way that I can now see.
As a life long atheist of 58 years, I see the trend without the stats. The difference from the late 60's/70's when I was a kid and now is palpable. It can be difficult to see, especially in the last few years with a large push from the religious right, but I see it as a last gasp to be honest. Great video, though I was satisfied with the gospel freethinker theme song in the beginning. Gave me goose bumps! 😏
I am currently listening to ‘Godless’ on Audible and I am so thankful for Dan Barker as a recovering fundie! Looking forward to this episode!
Yeah I have audible too. I'm a trucker and listen to books as I drive across the country. I have 150 books but I listened to Godless again and again and again......
This was so enjoyable to listen to! Let's remain hopeful that more people will think critically.
I read Living the Secular Life a few years back. Great book.
Dan Barker, you really made a difference for me! I really enjoyed your videos! I wish people that were not religious were a clear majority, maybe someday.
I think we are getting there. Religious extremism is really repellent to so many rational people, as are their attempts to try to take over our country.
Thanks for the positive view point Phil. I'm looking forward to reading some of your books!
Look at the northern countries of Europe. Where religion loses all its power. Where you have a lower crime rate. Less poverty.
And at the same time a high sense of well-being. The highest life expectancy.
Because: Clear separation between church and state.
Here in Canada, religion is dying very quickly. At the current rate of decline, most of the mainline protestant denominations will be all but gone by about 2050. The head of the Anglican church said the quiet part out loud back in 2019 when he stated that the Anglican church in Canada will be gone by 2040. That statement coupled with Covid, caused them to lose 20% of their members in two years. Now 2040 looks optimistic.
For me, hope is the belief in positive outcomes without regard to evidence to the contrary. It is a word and concept I do my best to eradicate from my vocabulary and consciousness.
Our world is far too complex to possibly know all the variables at play that might affect an outcome. The more complex the project the more luck, or random chance, plays a part. JWST is one example. We do our best to eliminate the unknowns that might hurt our chances. Hope lies in what is possible, despite the knowns, or even unknowns, that may work against that.
Stay away from hope
If we do the work of democracy we will get close to the desired results.
I get Phil's point, that fewer people are thoughtlessly accepting religious doctrine without examination, and that seems to be why the fundies are pushing so hard, they know they do not weild the control over minds and lives they once did.
That's why the so-called parents' rights laws are so dangerous. The sponsors have already made plain that parents with one viewpoint (usually homophobic and transphobic but sometimes also racist) are to be respected above those parents who are LGBTQ+-affirming and antiracist or of a racial minority. Some are more equal than others is the guiding principle of these laws.
Really enjoyed this. Thank you!
Stay away from hope
I hope that optimism is warranted. The question is, how deep is the valley before we get there?
Better not be the bottomless pit or the Marianas trench!
This was a really good discussion! More like this one. I feel the hope when you give me the numbers. Are there enough Freethinker Establishments(churches?! haha)?
I would attend to do good works in the name of humanity and the earth.
Good news indeed...
Recently saw a figure that 3M Americans are leaving church every year. Good times
I now live a secular life make my own decisions for me, I use critical thinking more than ever but most importantly I want to be a better person NOT because god tells me so but because I want to
Being religious sets you up to believe in the most fantastical beings that never existed
Are you planning to do coverage regarding Denmark and Sweden and their anti blaspheme legislation?
Ashburn, Virginia
10:18 I’m curious as to why during 2007 more people believed in the devil than in hell. 😅
Only 60 % of eligible voters vote..
Each year 4 million new eligible voters.
"TO BE HOPEFUL in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty, but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, kindness.
What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places-and there are so many-where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us the energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction.
And if we do act, in however small a way, we don’t have to wait for some grand utopian future. The future is an infinite succession of presents, and to live now as we think human beings should live, in defiance of all that is bad around us, is itself a marvelous victory."
Howard Zinn
I never think and had all the time in the world for hope and still it never did but nothing ? so critical thinking would not be necessary ? only thing any thing in life did with religion causing Disfunctional family is make any thing i do including projects or talents just made me more OCKWORD turning every one off from my experiences..
🫶
I joke that Hope is the worst thing to have in life.
Bearing that in mind, I do feel that religion is dying. Can't be fast enough for me.
Despite some biased evidence, atheism does NOT make you bald !
Oh yeah, I am an atheist with a ton of hair.
We don’t have to endure anything from these right-wing dominionists.
Horticulturist
….vegetables crops in Rome, Ga stopped growing past 3 years because nights were 80 but days were 75. Nights warmer than days will shut food crops down…only takes 1-2 warmer nights to do it .
No earthworms or fly larvae in trash cans for 2 years.
No more hope. Accept the asteroid coming this way that I can now see.
Really appreciate your supporting Freedom! Keep Progress Growing!!!
Nonsense stay away from Hope!
Hope for the best but expect the worst. You can't overestimate the stupidity of superstitious people in groups.
Stay away from hope