What does atheism mean for social and economic development?

Absolutely nothing.

Atheism is simply a non belief in the supernatural, a non belief in a god or gods. It is nothing more than that.

The detractors of atheism like to assign all sorts of conspiracy theories to it, all sorts of inaccurate descriptions of it: If an atheist is a communist, the detractors say atheism supports communism. If an atheist supports contraception, it's detractors say atheism supports contraception. If an atheist supports euthanasia, the detractors say atheism supports euthanasia. All these "assumptions" are of course total hogwash. Atheism is only what it is, and no more - - - - it's merely a non belief in God. Other than that, athiests encompass the whole raft of opinions, philosophies, politics and behaviours that ALL the rest of society practices.

Atheism is merely a non belief in the supernatural. It's nothing more than that.

I forgot to say - - - - There's even atheists who don't understand that atheism is only a non belief in the supernatural and nothing more. Some people form atheist associations/clubs/organizations and try to present attitudes/politics/philosophies as if they represent "atheism". That's about as stupid as it gets.

Atheists are just like everyone else: Some support homosexuality while some hate homosexuality, some support euthanasia while some disapprove of euthanasia, some can't stand the Pope while some admire the Pope, some vote Liberal while some vote Labor - - - etc etc etc.

Jockey

I think you're about 99% right.

Let me put something to you.

I do not know whether there exists some being or entity who could be described as the creator of the universe. I strongly doubt it. But I know of no way of settling the matter definitively. So in that sense I am what could be described as a sceptical, a VERY sceptical, agnostic.

However, of this I am certain. NONE of the "God Models" presented in humanity's various religions has any relation to this creator assuming he / she / it / they exist.

ALL humanity's "holy books" are compendia of legends, just so stories and taurine fertiliser. NONE are in any shape, manner or form messages from the creator of the universe.

So I am an atheist from Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Zoroastrianism and so on.

I am CERTAIN the creator was not incarnated as an itinerant preacher in first century Israel.

I am CERTAIN the koran is not a direct message from the creator unless he is an absent-minded one who would flunk biology 101 and geology 101.

I suspect that this is the sense in which most atheists are atheistic. Our attitude is "show us the evidence and we'll change our minds."

nairbe
you said "when trying to clearly explain the total pleasure of being able to do the right thing by or for someone just because it is a good act not because not because hell is hanging over my head."

Hell represents the waste of a life lived outside of moral principles. The word Hell in the NT is Gehannah meaning the local dump outside Jerusalem where refuse was burnt. Jesus used this picture image to indicate a wasted life.

We do not live our lives in fear of moral rejection, but in the positive assurance of love, forgivness and acceptance by grace. That is the message of the gospel of Christ. You apparently rejecteed God on the basis of poor attitudes and behaviour by people not on the understanding of the gospel. Christians ought to act out of love for God and our fellow man despite facing anomosity and bad behaviour, and never out of fear of the consequence of being a failure. Christ came to reconcile enemies, to demonstrate love and forgivness to the morally lost and social outcast. The gospel is: "our failure is forgiven and overcome" because we no longer live under law; but acceptance by grace.

Examine the life, actions and attitudes of Christ not the failures of people who call themselves Christians. Ask, is his attitudes of grace worth emulating?

philo,
I did not reject the god delusion because of my church up bringing. I rejected religious organisations for their blind faith and contradictory behaviour. Your response to my attempt to be more objective, (something that i think is very important when debating) was responded to with that very blind faith. Try truly sitting back and objectively watch what is really going on around you, you may be surprised if you can be objective.
My rejection of the god delusion came much later after exploring many religions like buddism and meditating with masters in India. The one thing that never changed was the beautiful image that was projected but the problems were the same. So i began to read and study, i found the more of science i could understand the more i could reason maters out for myself, the better my understanding of history the more i realised what religion was, then one day it just becomes so obvious to me, i just could not continue in all good conscience to support the god delusion any more. Actually it was one of the most liberating realisations of my life and remains the turning point in my life from being a very unhappy and confused youth to a happy loving father and active community member.
All the best to you, i hope your life is as fulfilling for you as mine is for me as then we can all share this wonderful experience of life without prejudice or hate, nor the need to convert anyone.
I think it is great if your faith truly brings you the contentment you say, but don't blindly believe that nothing bad happens there. The whole of our society has problems and these are a whole of community problem. They are not caused by atheists or christians or muslims. The problem is us all, we must all work to help the disaffected youth, not feed their confusion and instability by blaming each other for the problems of our communities.

nairbe,
I agree totally! I just wonder if you have understood what I last wrote. I wonder how you reconcile your last statement with the behaviour of young persons you saw in the Church. I wonder how you reconcile your position of "no blame of each other" with your condemnation of God". Do believe in a code of acceptable behaviour you teach your children and do you correct them when they have violated such? Does society need a Police Force?