This isn't the same thing as what you titled the thread.

Then why do you say that we should "rid the world of religion"? Are you implying that all religious people are creationists? Also, uggh, you still sound like a fascist. I'm not saying you are. But using language like "ridding the world" of a religion you don't like is extremely stupid.

I actually don't agree with you on getting rid of religion. I was just making the point they can't really complain you want to raise some funds for that goal.

If you want to raise some money to protect non believers rights or to speak out against some of the negative aspects of religion than i might agree. Depending what you consider negative.

as long as there's ignorance there's going to be religion, crime, profiteering, etc

the apocalypse is the only way out

Its endemic on here for people to regard all theists as either creationists or fundamentalists.

Totally reactionary imo and puzzling that you can claim to be rational like Dawkins does yet act in such an undiscriminating and reactionary manner.

Reason is about drawing distinctions not about giving up the right to do that. But that's what I get when I read the New Atheists. They essentially set up a platform that encourages all or nothing thinking.

Reason is never all or nothing thinking....that's a no brainer for anybody that reflects on it. Yet that's what a lot of the threads on here are: all or nothing topics.

Smart atheists are very good at making not-so-smart and religiously confused people think they're smart by writing some mediocre books about atheism. The result is something along the lines of this thread.

And other atheists are very good at making posts like this.

FYP

Tell God to stop creating people with His innate sense built in.

You will never rid the world of religion, because we dont like the idea of being no more.
Nothing wrong with giving people hope, its the fanatics/ bigots that spoil religion.

My goal wasn't to raise money to rid the world of religion, that would take an endless supply of money. I was thinking more of a fund to donate to a free thinking cause. Something that would help the movement out a little , I didn't really lay out any outlines in my post. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also money isn't the only way to help, services would be nice as well. I am a web developer so I can help in that area.

I think I am on safe ground to say that God will be destroying the world by fire pretty soon and judging from the actions and words of Jesus I think also that He isn't too keen on religion either.

He did offer a way out though.

PS...without trying to use other people's money either!

No, they just don't like that most of the world has serious delusions about the nature of reality and that these delusions also strongly shape the philosophical, moral, social, and political views of these people.

The world can't be rid of religion. Most humans don't (or very rarely) think logically, and therein lies the problem. People do not take the time to analyze their own assumptions, are not skeptical with regards to their own beliefs, are not open-minded, do not engage in discussion in an open or intellectually honest manner, and generally tend to have their own beliefs reinforced when they are challenged, regardless of the absurdity of their beliefs. Theism isn't the only "religion" that most people believe in, and even some atheists are guilty of being "religious" in the same way.

time will rid the world of religion. in my country 90% are atheists already, US lagging behind a bit but the trend is positive:

That stat isn't convincing.

It's an "identification" poll.

At one time people strongly identified with either the Democrat or Republican party but today a lot of people are now Independents. The system didn't change at all its just people became more fluid. The underlying ideas are all still there.

From wikipedia:
Demographics of atheism:

The latest statistics show that a lack of religious identity increased in every US state between 1990 and 2008.[37] However less than 2% of the U.S. population describe themselves as atheist.[38]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_atheism

that stat isn't convincing, but mine is!

Religion, all things considered, is probably not a significant causal factor for the evil things you attribute to it. Besides, it keeps emotionally disturbed or unintelligent people happy. So, you do not want to get rid of it.

If you insist on getting rid of it though, here is your best bet: Educate the women.

Cheers

Gee...you keep chippin' away at the notion that atheists some how are women's rights champions. The women are so stupid...they need educating....It never occurred to you they could be every bit as educated and came to a different conclusion?

So you don't want women to really have rights to freely express themselves? Just mirror identical ideas believed by men...hmmm....reminds me a bit of...yes that's right: Big Brother.

Cut the crap please. And stop imagining things or putting words in my mouth as I do not have any objection to people freely expressing themselves or being religious for that matter.

On the other hand, in every respectable social scientific analysis of religion that I know of, being religious is positively correlated with being poor, being uneducated and being female. The original poster asked a legitimate question and I gave an honest answer.

Yes Christ is the champion of the underdog and usually extolled for it.

Now I know why I'm religious.

Personally, I think if you eliminate all the bull**** that comes from religion--the worshiping of jealous vindictive gods, having to believe in ridiculous claims (Noah's ark, tricky snakes, parting seas, gays are bad, people dying and coming back to life, heaven, hell, etc)--what you have left is exactly what you just said: being a champion of the underdog, looking out for the poor and less fortune. And that to me is what religion should be all about. Recognizing the horrific fact that there is an immeasurable amount of suffering happening all over the world, and deciding to do something about it.

We won't have to tear down churches. We can use them as community centers to help organize people to action on various projects to help others, things like charity drives to help starving people, or building support for local workers who go on strike, or organizing anti-war protests, ect. Anything that can help society. The churches can also have speakers come and tell their inspiring stories (slide shows and everything) about how they are making a difference. Various other festivities can be imagined. That to me should be what religion is all about. Who would want to rid the world of religion then?

Interesting survey showing atheists at 1.6 percent of the U.S. population and that men are significantly more likely than women to claim no religious affiliation. Nearly one-in-five men say they have no formal religious affiliation, compared with roughly 13% of women.

Statistics on religion in America:

http://religions.pewforum.org/reports

Do you think this means damaci was correct? (Coupled with the well known education-religion negative correlation?)