"Atheists are heavily concentrated in economically developed countries, particularly the social democracies of Europe. In underdeveloped countries, there are virtually no atheists. Atheism is thus a peculiarly modern phenomenon. Why do modern conditions produce atheism?"
Yeah, but isn't there also the social norm argument as to why the behaviour of the majority can appear self-perpetuating. Of course it's always easier to 'go with the flow' and fit in.
ReplyDeleteBut in western Europe, for example, many have an equation between 'having a religion' and 'going to church'. Ever since the rise of television fewer people have bothered to go to church - simply not feeling it was either the social norm nor something they wanted to do. We have a fatter, lazier, couch potato culture which mitigates against going to church.
Mind you - is it still true that even in western Europe - most people are baptised, marry and are buried with the help of the church?
And no, I don't think 'sport' is the 'new religion' as she argues in another article - but I think the watching of it on Sky Sports perhaps is for a number of lager-drinking twenty- and thirty-somethings. But are Sky Sports a prime cause of our high divorce rates?
This is a can of worms!