Essay on Atheism and the New Generation

Recent trends show a fast decline of religious beliefs in contrast to the quick rise of

atheism. This holds true not only in Western nations but in Asian countries alike due to

Communist dogmas and because some religions do not entail belief in a god. Current books, blog

articles and other publications by and about nonbelievers and other “freethinkers”—have gained

prominence over the years. Publishers, on the other hand, unanimously view them as hot sellers

and crowd-pullers for sure-fire media coverage and awards.

Existential Security Hypothesis

Nigel Barber in his article, Atheism to Defeat Religion By 2038, elaborates the existential

security hypothesis which elucidates the notion of religious belief giving way to Atheism. The

fundamental idea is that as people become more affluent, they are less worried about scarcity for

basic necessities, or premature death from violence or disease. This allows for security in their

own existence which gives them the luxury of opting out from the help of deities and

supernatural entities to appease their fears and anxieties. (Barber, 2012)

Mounting evidence attests to the notion that successful living conditions are linked to a

decline in religious belief. The most apparent method to approximate when the world population

becomes majority atheist is based on economic growth. This is only rational since economic

development is the keynote factor accountable for secularization.

No Shame in Nonbelief

Mainstreaming of the New Atheists movement in recent decades has led to the de-

stigmatization of nonbelief. According to the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, the

number of “nones” or Americans who admit to having no religion is 1:5, a considerable 20

percent.

The question remains, is the forfeiture of religious dogma a cause for fear? Opposing the

claims of sectarian leaders, Godless nations are highly moral states with an unusual degree of

public trust, economic parity, minimal crime rate and a high level of community participation.

Among societies where belief in God is muted, minimal, and marginal, people live decent lives,

raise their children, hold jobs, meet their obligations, face their strains and struggles—without

God and without religion. (Zuckerman, 2008)

Religious Intolerance

For a number of centuries, people were either executed or socially reprimanded for

confessing to Atheism. Thanks to the escalation in religious tolerance, more Atheists are coming

forward to declare their lack of faith - and to say their honest opinion about religion. In

summary, the encouragement of religious tolerance among modern societies around the world

has permitted for a fresh, more forceful shape of Atheism to flourish. Countless adherents of the

New Atheism movement identify themselves to combat the lack of clemency in religion. This is

particularly true against churches that denounce atheists to Hell upon refusal to believe.

With the upsurge of religious freedom and the reinforcement of man’s sense of self-

sufficiency, the emancipation of the people to state what they wish to believe in invariably

increases. The New Atheism movement is just one illustration of this. Regardless of one's

subjective stance about this undertaking, the reality of its existence exhibits that society is able to

withstand criticism about extremist beliefs and deeply-rooted traditions. This in itself is a victory

from which the new generation can largely benefit.

References

Barber, N. (2012, June). Atheism to Defeat Religion By 2038. Retrieved February 26, 2015,

from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nigel-barber/atheism-to-defeat-religion-by-

2038_b_1565108.html

Zuckerman, P. (2008). Society without God: What the least religious nations can tell us about

contentment. New York: New York University Press.