I would like your opinion on a hypothetical. There are no right or wrong answers.
There is an uninhabited earth-like planet with similar animal and plant life ready for colonization. Approximately half a billion Atheists with survival gear choose to make this planet their home.
In a thousand years will...
A) Atheistism be predominant?
B) Will a faith-based religion emerge?
How do you see the evolution of this new society with an Atheist base as its starting point in a thousand years?
0
Enjoy being online again!
Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.Create your free account
7 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.
In part, the answer to your question will depend on how technologically advanced and educated the initial population is. Since you mentioned their having survival gear, it’s easy to assume they may not be technologically adept.
The less advanced (technologically adept/less educated) they are, there is an increasing likelihood that there will be those that seek to put meaning to their lives through some sort of religious belief system.
The more advanced they are, the less likely they will be to develop a religious belief system.
Even then, it’s reasonable to assume that there will always be those who will develop a religious belief system, perhaps because they are less educated or less technologically adept. In each of these scenarios, above, it’s likely some religions will be philosophically based (e.g., Bhuddists) while others will develop a theist belief system. It’s even possible that, as some sci-fi writers have posited, that technology or some aspect of it (a powerful computer) could be the basis for a religion.
Why? The primary reason (hinted at above) is the desire to find meaning in their lives, to find a reason for their existence and an explanation for chance occurrences in life, both good and bad.
Rob1948
Level 7
Feb 26, 2019
1
Yes, and as new generations emerge so do new questions. 
I wouldn't be surprised if there is always someone in a society that has "seen" something that convinces them of something supernatural. However, there is a quote from Hitch that goes: If religious instruction were not allowed until the child had attained the age of reason, we would be living in a quite different world.
Imagine a world without any religious instruction with reason and just what we know now through the sciences as a platform for resolving strange events or sightings. Unexplained things (a major gateway for theistic belief even today) would be investigated and scrutinized rather than viewed with unquestioned awe.
Individual supernatural beliefs might be sporadic but I don't think there would be groups that hold to a religion like there are today.
AtheistNews
Level 6
Feb 25, 2019
1
I see the point you are making and to an extent, I agree. In a thousand years, there would be at least fifty generations born and the population would grow exponentially. That would mean different personalities and characters, needs and wants would be different and economics would play a large role. A difference of opinion and conflicts would have some demographics feeling excluded. These would influence behavior and I'm afraid some sort of faith-based religion would have grown out of it.
@Betty Could be. My hypothesis is that ignorance is one of the biggest catalysts for starting a new religion, as a way to explain whatever is not understood. ie "I don't know how that could have happened, therefore god."
I think that as we have a better and better understanding of how the universe works the smaller the gap for religious belief to fit into.
Then again there are flat and young earthers around today. I just can't understand how that is still a thing either.
I agree.
It's not unheard of for some atheists to convert to theism. I suspect that even in an atheist society some people will eventually decide there has to be something more and, over time, a certain percentage of the population would break off and form a religion. Over the span of a thousand years, I expect it would be inevitable.
Sgt_Spanky
Level 8
Feb 25, 2019
1
I agree.
I assume that atheists will be prepared for the task at hand and write the real history of the origins of their quest. Though as we know the environment and the colonists must co-operate to a degree for successful multi generational life. I've been around for 53 years and expect to do it again tomorrow in similar fashion as today here on Earth. Interesting, will you write a storyline with this scenario? I choose A, that is if all goes well for the party.
Croebheir
Level 6
Feb 25, 2019
1
If we assume that everyone arrived in the same area then we can also assume that leaders will be chosen to coordinate groups to explore and retrieve supplies in establishing communities. Once these communities are established and a generation or two has evolved, it is also safe to assume that curiosity will influence the decision to explore new lands. Fast forward another few generations with more groups exploring. The population would have quadrupled at the very least.
With so many people spread out over vast areas, would it not be audacious to assume that imagination and creativity would not explore the possibility of the supernatural?
If we look at our own history, humans didn't start out believing in god/s, someone came up with a story that captured the imagination and those who had a hard/difficult life latched on to it first. It didn't take long for the people in power or wanting power to use it to their advantage.
I think that in a thousand years a faith-based religion would emerge. It would be different than what we have now but it would happen. Science would also evolve and we would eventually end up with the same kind of division/conflict we have now. Humans are complicated as individuals but as a large group, they are predictable.
@Betty I like your scenario. I can see how it could happen the way you describe.
Some of us think that we Earthlings have started in a similar fashion. Life comes from life.
This hypothetical can be elaborated upon indefinitely.
I think that atheism is the gateway to advancing our civilization. I mentioned the Kardashev Scale model of Type I civilization. The atheist beings that could reach a planet like the one you mention are a Type II civilization which is Galactical according to the Theory that Kardashev proposed.
I look forward to more on this post. Thanks for the question and your answer.
@Betty I'm afraid that some humans will always look to the gods for the reason for unexplained occurrences. Despite being taught the scientific method. Just think of the scams now using pseudo science.
Enjoy being online again!
Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.Create your free account
Share this post
Categories
Agnostic does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any content. Read full disclaimer.