Comments on: What Happens When Atheism is the Norm Instead of the Exception? http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/02/28/what-happens-when-atheism-is-the-norm-instead-of-the-exception/ by Hemant Mehta Tue, 14 Feb 2012 18:32:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.3 By: Litesp33d http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/02/28/what-happens-when-atheism-is-the-norm-instead-of-the-exception/#comment-827286 Litesp33d Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:13:00 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=9093#comment-827286 @d1fbd9eb7a321e77207f49a30640c5cd:disqus A quick trawl of the web will show that the incidence of suicide in Denmark is not dissimilar to the USA.  I did not have time to research the other negative notes on humanity you made but I would suggest they are too complex to put down to whether a nation is classified as religious or not.  And also doubt that they are all particularly any higher in Denmark than the USA (I know both countries having family in both) which has all those issues and more.  Gun crime, per head in prison, especially incarcerated illegally. @d1fbd9eb7a321e77207f49a30640c5cd:disqus
A quick trawl of the web will show that the incidence of suicide in Denmark is not dissimilar to the USA.  I did not have time to research the other negative notes on humanity you made but I would suggest they are too complex to put down to whether a nation is classified as religious or not.  And also doubt that they are all particularly any higher in Denmark than the USA (I know both countries having family in both) which has all those issues and more.  Gun crime, per head in prison, especially incarcerated illegally.

]]> By: David Larsen http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/02/28/what-happens-when-atheism-is-the-norm-instead-of-the-exception/#comment-483717 David Larsen Mon, 31 May 2010 21:38:54 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=9093#comment-483717 Here in Denmark, people are considered stupid if they believe in a god. And with Denmark (and scandinavia in general) being among the happiest places on earth... Well, it makes you wonder. Here in Denmark, people are considered stupid if they believe in a god. And with Denmark (and scandinavia in general) being among the happiest places on earth… Well, it makes you wonder.

]]> By: Rotting in Denmark http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/02/28/what-happens-when-atheism-is-the-norm-instead-of-the-exception/#comment-461699 Rotting in Denmark Thu, 29 Apr 2010 23:26:04 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=9093#comment-461699 Denmark, my home, is an amoral nation of atheists. Thanks for pointing that out. It is also a nation marked by some of the highest per capita rates of chronic depression, suicide, alcoholism, drug addiction, low self-esteem, and petty thievery in the world. Denmark, my home, is an amoral nation of atheists. Thanks for pointing that out.

It is also a nation marked by some of the highest per capita rates of chronic depression, suicide, alcoholism, drug addiction, low self-esteem, and petty thievery in the world.

]]> By: Anna http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/02/28/what-happens-when-atheism-is-the-norm-instead-of-the-exception/#comment-366849 Anna Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:30:06 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=9093#comment-366849 I just finished <strong>Society Without God</strong> and found it completely and utterly fascinating. Hemant, I'd love to see you do a book review of this one! I definitely learned a lot, and it's a compelling look at a society that is so different from what most of us are used to. I just finished Society Without God and found it completely and utterly fascinating. Hemant, I’d love to see you do a book review of this one! I definitely learned a lot, and it’s a compelling look at a society that is so different from what most of us are used to.

]]> By: CelticBear’s Musings » Blog Archive » Grumpy Christians, and grumpier atheists. http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/02/28/what-happens-when-atheism-is-the-norm-instead-of-the-exception/#comment-278092 CelticBear’s Musings » Blog Archive » Grumpy Christians, and grumpier atheists. Tue, 03 Mar 2009 21:00:01 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=9093#comment-278092 [...] What Happens When Atheism is the Norm Instead of the Exception? [...] [...] What Happens When Atheism is the Norm Instead of the Exception? [...]

]]> By: Polly http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/02/28/what-happens-when-atheism-is-the-norm-instead-of-the-exception/#comment-277443 Polly Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:08:45 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=9093#comment-277443 I have a colleague who grew up in Japan. He told me that society is based purely on what's reasonable, there are no religious considerations in public policy. OK, we probably all knew that, but what really struck me was when I asked him about his own religious beliefs (Xian): Me: Wait a minute, you're a Christian? Do you believe in Noah and that Jesus Christ rose from the dead? Him:You mean ACTUALLY happened? No, that's crazy. Nobody thinks those things actually happened. They're just stories making a moral point. me: Do you think Jesus is the son of god, and god himself.? him: What?!? No, he's just a man teaching good things. He really couldn't fathom that people take this stuff LITERALLY. He didn't BELIEVE me when I told him so! I swear I almost packed my bags for Tokyo! :) I really had fun imagining living in a society not pervaded with the AUTHORITY of religion. I know they have religion and even rituals. But, I don't think it's the same. I have a colleague who grew up in Japan. He told me that society is based purely on what’s reasonable, there are no religious considerations in public policy. OK, we probably all knew that, but what really struck me was when I asked him about his own religious beliefs (Xian):

Me: Wait a minute, you’re a Christian? Do you believe in Noah and that Jesus Christ rose from the dead?

Him:You mean ACTUALLY happened? No, that’s crazy. Nobody thinks those things actually happened. They’re just stories making a moral point.

me: Do you think Jesus is the son of god, and god himself.?

him: What?!? No, he’s just a man teaching good things.

He really couldn’t fathom that people take this stuff LITERALLY. He didn’t BELIEVE me when I told him so!

I swear I almost packed my bags for Tokyo! :)

I really had fun imagining living in a society not pervaded with the AUTHORITY of religion. I know they have religion and even rituals. But, I don’t think it’s the same.

]]> By: gribblethemunchkin http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/02/28/what-happens-when-atheism-is-the-norm-instead-of-the-exception/#comment-277281 gribblethemunchkin Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:03:20 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=9093#comment-277281 I live in England but follow American politics regularly, one thing that always makes me laugh is the way right wing types (well hello Fox news) go crazy at the idea of socialism. And yet social deomcracies seem to have the best standard of living, health care, education, etc of any nations in the world. I know many Swedes and have been to Stockholm and far from being a grotty dark hellhole i have to say that the city beats anything England has to offer. Swedes live longer, healthier, happier lives than Americans and Brits. Its definately the culture to emulate. Indeed on getting back to Blighty my girlfriend and I immediately swore we would return to Sweden, we liked it that much. As for the religion angle. I believe that state religions combined with an enlightnment such as many European nations (England included) helped deal a grevious blow to religion. I also believe that when the living is good, there is less desire for god. America is a very capitalist country and while some people do very well for themselves, they are the few. I am very much shocked by how little Americans have in the way of workers rights, job protection, healthcare, education, etc. I think that maybe religion provides a stable anchor for the lives of many people who otherwise live lifes of great uncertainty. For those of you who have not been to Sweden, i cannot recommend it enough. I am reliably informed that Denmark and Norway are also lovely (although my Swedish chums were quick to point out that they were less lovely than Sweden). I live in England but follow American politics regularly, one thing that always makes me laugh is the way right wing types (well hello Fox news) go crazy at the idea of socialism. And yet social deomcracies seem to have the best standard of living, health care, education, etc of any nations in the world. I know many Swedes and have been to Stockholm and far from being a grotty dark hellhole i have to say that the city beats anything England has to offer. Swedes live longer, healthier, happier lives than Americans and Brits. Its definately the culture to emulate. Indeed on getting back to Blighty my girlfriend and I immediately swore we would return to Sweden, we liked it that much.

As for the religion angle. I believe that state religions combined with an enlightnment such as many European nations (England included) helped deal a grevious blow to religion. I also believe that when the living is good, there is less desire for god. America is a very capitalist country and while some people do very well for themselves, they are the few. I am very much shocked by how little Americans have in the way of workers rights, job protection, healthcare, education, etc. I think that maybe religion provides a stable anchor for the lives of many people who otherwise live lifes of great uncertainty.

For those of you who have not been to Sweden, i cannot recommend it enough. I am reliably informed that Denmark and Norway are also lovely (although my Swedish chums were quick to point out that they were less lovely than Sweden).

]]> By: i am a dodt http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/02/28/what-happens-when-atheism-is-the-norm-instead-of-the-exception/#comment-277058 i am a dodt Mon, 02 Mar 2009 00:14:09 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=9093#comment-277058 Maybe it's a matter of state-supported power versus self-supported power? I don't know. Maybe it’s a matter of state-supported power versus self-supported power? I don’t know.

]]> By: Ada http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/02/28/what-happens-when-atheism-is-the-norm-instead-of-the-exception/#comment-276966 Ada Sun, 01 Mar 2009 18:25:30 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=9093#comment-276966 Felicia is spot on for Denmark as well. Most people are members of the Church of Denmark and pay the "church tax" which keeps it all in business. My husband (one of the few who happily calls himself an atheist and has consciously thought about these things) was a member until a couple of years ago, defending his decision by saying it keeps the buildings in good shape to preserve history. As an American atheist living in Denmark, the "religion" here is glaringly obvious. I mean, American atheists would never send their kids to church to sing hymns for fun, and though they may still put up a "solstice tree," they weed out the songs that reference Jesus. Danes don't care about these things. Sure, teach them Christianity in public schools. No one takes it seriously anyway. That attitude doesn't work in America. In my experience, openly being an atheist in Denmark is about on par with openly being a Christian in Denmark. Everyone is still asking, "why do you care enough to mention it?" Felicia is spot on for Denmark as well. Most people are members of the Church of Denmark and pay the “church tax” which keeps it all in business. My husband (one of the few who happily calls himself an atheist and has consciously thought about these things) was a member until a couple of years ago, defending his decision by saying it keeps the buildings in good shape to preserve history.

As an American atheist living in Denmark, the “religion” here is glaringly obvious. I mean, American atheists would never send their kids to church to sing hymns for fun, and though they may still put up a “solstice tree,” they weed out the songs that reference Jesus. Danes don’t care about these things. Sure, teach them Christianity in public schools. No one takes it seriously anyway. That attitude doesn’t work in America.

In my experience, openly being an atheist in Denmark is about on par with openly being a Christian in Denmark. Everyone is still asking, “why do you care enough to mention it?”

]]> By: Felicia Gilljam http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/02/28/what-happens-when-atheism-is-the-norm-instead-of-the-exception/#comment-276930 Felicia Gilljam Sun, 01 Mar 2009 16:16:42 +0000 http://friendlyatheist.com/?p=9093#comment-276930 Justin - Denmark still has a state church and the Church of Sweden only separated from the state about ten years ago. 7 out of 9 million Swedes are still more or less unwittingly members of our former state church (having been enrolled as infants back when that was automatically done) and pay hundreds of dollars to it every year in membership fees, sneakily collected through the same governmental body that collects taxes (hopefully this will change eventually). Also, all sufficiently old churches - I can't remember exactly how old - are protected by the state as "cultural mementos" and hence receive extra money for upkeep. That's why we have so many churches, still. We just see them as pretty buildings, mostly. Justin – Denmark still has a state church and the Church of Sweden only separated from the state about ten years ago. 7 out of 9 million Swedes are still more or less unwittingly members of our former state church (having been enrolled as infants back when that was automatically done) and pay hundreds of dollars to it every year in membership fees, sneakily collected through the same governmental body that collects taxes (hopefully this will change eventually). Also, all sufficiently old churches – I can’t remember exactly how old – are protected by the state as “cultural mementos” and hence receive extra money for upkeep. That’s why we have so many churches, still. We just see them as pretty buildings, mostly.

]]>