I came across an interesting article on BBC through reddit that talks about how, based on mathematical modeling, religion is expected to die out in nine countries. These countries are
- Australia
- Austria
- Canada
- the Czech Republic
- Finland
- Ireland
- the Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Switzerland
The result was reported at the American Physical Society meeting and you can read the full paper here. Being in the academic research field myself I know how a lot of research could be bogus and meaningless (while a lot is very useful and valuable) and since I don’t have much knowledge of the techniques these scientists used I can’t come up to conclusions of my own.
That being said, I think the idea they propose is very interesting. Looking at how the prominence of religion has slowly faded away over the past few decades, do you think we will one day live in a fully religion-free society?
Please keep the responses constructive and respectful to other people’s beliefs.
thats interesting because at the same time…theres lots of people coming back to religion or converting/reverting every day….wonder where that falls in the research.
I hope not, extremists aside, I think the world would be terrible without religion, and the work force would be slave to their jobs because the government may as well do away with any of the statutory holidays that are based on religion.
I suspect ‘religion’ is a bit too cagey to define and many people would not identify their beliefs with a specific system due to the personal customizations of faith. The study links language in the same way and the major difference is for language to survive communication is required, whereas with faith it is not. Perhaps more specifically it would be that rigidly defined religions will become extinct?
It’s a good deal!
I find the idea really sad, that complete countries could turn their backs on God. What empty, futile lives people would have. I’d like to believe it would never happen, but then it did back in Noah’s day, so it’s possible.
Agreed… Happy, Rich, Educated people are less likely to associate with religion… those countries largely fit into that…. in the year 2100 religion will exist, but the majority will not be associated with it…
Not a chance. Not necessarily specifically for organized religion, but even the very early peoples had their spirits that they would give their hopes and thanks to. Humans need beliefs or something to believe in, something to hope in, to keep on going.
I absolutely agree with you AmberLab.
Won’t happen, but one can only wish.
No, that will never happen. There will always be “religion”. People are made to worship. They will always believe in something. Where we are now, sadly that someone is themselves.
I got this from Dictionary.com
Religion
a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
i doubt it will happen, especially in our life time or our kids. I myself am a religious person but i don’t go to church. My church is a 2 hour drive, i could go to a different one in town, but i don’t feel comfortable there. I know lots of ppl who don’t feel welcome in church so they just practice their religion at home. Like myself. I think ppl need it, and ones religion and beliefs are very personal, so i think ppl will always practice it, if not in public but at home.
MAX wrote “Agreed… Happy, Rich, Educated people are less likely to associate with religion… those countries largely fit into that…. in the year 2100 religion will exist, but the majority will not be associated with it…”
I disagree with Max. Religion may very well be correlated with Happiness.
Based on a survey, the happiest person would be: male, Asian-American, a religious Jew, self-employed, living in Hawaii, married, has children, receiving a household income of at least $120,000.
http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/07/the-happiest-man-in-america-annotated/
I don’t think religion will be extinct but rather it may not be called religion per say. I rather people believe in something that they really beileve in vs told that this is what you believe type of thing. Of course the religious folks will fire back and said they believe it cause they do yadda yadda. I was raised in a religious household but I am not religious. I believe certain things like facts and evidence. I also think certain things about my religion are bull$h!t that prey on people with very little critical thinking ability. Meh some might think I’m a wacko but I consider the bible a good book. A very old book that’s so good that millions of people follow it. Who knows if we’ll follow the next good book for all we know.
Nicothepickle, I don’t see anything wrong with believing in oneself. I cannot control a belief but I can control my actions. My actions will yield me results.
I don’t think religion will die out, I am muslim and I can tell you a lot of the signs of the end of times have come forward, but one of the scariest signs mentioned in the hadith (Sayings of the Prophet Muhammad Peace and Blessing be upon him) is the Sun rising from the west and the coming of Prophet Jesus. It is the Sun rising from the west or what we may know as Retrograde motion (more scientific term) after which the doors of forgiveness will be closed. And then everyone will know what they are dealing with. There is also the coming of Dajjal or Anichrist (christian term) and that will be a time of havoc on earth where people will accept him as god. May God Protect us all from evil and guide us to the straight path, Ameen.
Peace.
Professor Reginald Bibby is Canada’s leading expert on the topic — I strongly reccomend his books.
Basically what I got was that religion will change and evolve, and those denominations that do so in a way that meets people’s needs will survive. Although some people are able to meet their needs without religion, others are drawn to it to as there are some questions that Science alone cannot answer. Even if religion can’t answer those questions, it does provide comfort to some.
If I recall correctly, the current trend is Polarization. People either do or do not have a religious affiliation, as opposed to in the past where individuals may have considered themselves part of a denomination regardless of whether they were attending church. Also, the number of children who have never attended church is on the rise. If this trend continues, let’s hope that people are finding other ways to fulfill the needs that religion once met – ie. socialization and moral education.
I’m not religious, but I find this hard to believe. I moved here from the UK where the teaching of religion in school is mandatory up to age 16 years. Over here it isn’t taught in schools, but people are way more religious/spiritual than in the UK.
Religion won’t go away
People like to believe there is something bigger
Something that can solve their problems
Something that caused their problems so they can blame it
Something to believe in when things are going poorly
There has always been some sort of religion out there – not necessarily the “god” that is widely accepted today.
Many people can’t accept that there may not be any god
Those people will have children and teach their children their beliefs
It would take many generations of parents who are atheists before religion as we know it today would cease to exist – but likely it would be replaced by something else.
I’m not religious
I’m happy
Very interesting.
Its good to note that all of the countries on that list have high standards of living. Might have some correlation, because if you look at people in India for example, have a lower standard of living (generally speaking) but rely on their religion heavily.
in developed countries I do believe the religion spark is fading out. In the hard to cope places its not the case though. I do think that a lot of religions are diminishing in followers like christianity and its numerous branches. Islam on the other hand seems to be on the rise. The article talks about religion affiliation being part of social status and community binder which is very true in many cases. In India people are converting to Islam to avoid castic division, in some Middle Eastern countries you can gain support of some influential people/organisation, if you are an active muslim and so on. The core of religion, any religion, is very good and teaches morals and love. But unfortunately a lot of times religion is used to fulfill needs other then spirituality and harmony.
No, I don’t think that will happen at all!
I think a definition of religion from their perspective would be of benefit.
I strongly disagree with the results of the BBC’s research. I have been witness to the opposite, that religion is becoming sought out more and more.
Consider that both Canada and the US are considered to be Christian countries, based on Christian beliefs. Whether you like it or not, our law system is based on a Christian set of laws. I realize that this has no bearing on where “religion” as a whole is going, but those roots are very much evident in everyday transactions.
I am a practising (and well educated) Christian, and would hate to see the world devolve into a population that wants little to nothing to do with God. Religion tends to encourage humanity to live in community with one another, as opposed to each person living for his or her own benefit. (I am NOT saying that anyone who is not religious is incapable of this.) Our western society is embarrassingly guilty of this individualism, despite our religious roots.
Even if religion ceases to be a part of the lives of the rest of the population, it will always be central to my and my family’s existence. Therefore, it cannot be extinct so long as I am alive! :p
No I don’t think so. Paranoid end of the world theories are really annoying though.
I definitely hope not!
I think some people are becoming fed-up with the hypocrisy in churches but are not necessarily turning their backs on God.
i’m not hating, just curious: when did smartcanucks make the decision to post articles not about deals?
Since Canada is a country based on immigration, I don’t think this’ll happen as newcomers will always bring their religion with them!
@ curious, it’s a long standing tradition 🙂
as for religion, i’m sure every few generations someone makes the same predictions.
We were all supposed to be driving hovercars by now too, though. lol
The research is interesting, but it does leave out an important distinction in the language it uses. Many people would not like to identify themselves as ‘religious’ because of the negative connotations that has taken on in a largely secular society. The same people who would not say they are religious might tell you that they are ‘spiritual’, or ‘have a relationship with Jesus’ or ‘have belief in a Source’.
If I told you I thought blue was disgusting and asked you if you were wearing a blue shirt to the party (and you were), you might tell me it was aquamarine in order not to offend me or to make yourself more acceptable – but you’re still in a blue shirt. I think that what we used to identify as religion hasn’t really decreased, people are just more submissive and conditioned not to say what they really believe – tolerance above all in some cases.
Why dont we all believe that there is a higher power – Nature – who we all call God and go with that? Would that not bring peace and harmony to all and we can say God bless you and not worry about who is going to take offense? Just my tuppence worth here 🙂
MHK says… “Why dont we all believe that there is a higher power – Nature – who we all call God and go with that? Would that not bring peace and harmony to all and we can say God bless you and not worry about who is going to take offense? Just my tuppence worth here”
The reason that will never work is because too many people have a very definite idea of who God is and what God’s attributes, traits, and characteristics are, many of which go far beyond the power of Nature. Many people would also argue with you that Nature is a passive power, which can be guided and manipulated and which in itself has no agenda (other than possibly to survive), versus God’s power which is (according to the scriptures which describe God), active and cannot be manipulated. Also, very many people who believe in God believe that God created Nature, so it would be difficult from that perspective as well.
🙂
Religion will never die out. As long as there is poverty and sickness religion will remain. When you have nothing or you are about to die, the only thing you have left is a higher power. Stupid 1st world countries – just wait until rug is pulled out from underneath you.
One can only hope Organized Religion dies away. Personal faith is fine, but the corporation of the church is a shame.
wow great deal! just bought 4 of them for the price of what one would usually cost!! great find
Religion is based on a belief system, mostly meant to give comfort to people. There will come a time, hopefully soon, when the truth will be more important to people than nurturing a false sense of understanding.
the bible actually predicts that the polital world will turn on religion in the time of the end.
Religion? Perhaps it will be gone–but God and those who follow Him will not! All of life begins and ends with our awesome Creator and Saviour, and He has not, nor will ever change…………..so wonderful to know, in our unpredictable world, that there is a constant to count on beyond what we can see :o)
I dont’ believe that it is turning away from God. It is turning away from the dogma associated with religion though.
The etymology of the word ‘religion ‘ carries the ideas of tying, binding, connecting, re-connecting. It is, therefore, odd that such a rich concept as religion has suffered ridicule when many people are seeking ways to see life as all of a piece. True religion reconnects us internally, making us more our selves than ever we could be otherwise. It connects us with others for the essence of true religion is community, communication, communion with those who find that in relationship with many, we are brought back together.
It also connects us with the Divine(divine), relieving us from the disintegrating fiction that the universe is somehow separate from who we inherently as individuals and communities. Let there be a moratorium on casting religion as an epithet to be hurled; let there, instead, be a growing effort to practise being present to our inner selves, our surrounding communities, our expansive universe — as a manifestation of what it means to live as whole persons: religare, reconnecting.
Quote CaseysCoupon:
Many people would not like to identify themselves as ‘religious’ because of the negative connotations that has taken on in a largely secular society. The same people who would not say they are religious might tell you that they are ‘spiritual’, or ‘have a relationship with Jesus’ or ‘have belief in a Source’. Unquote
Indeed I myself am not “religious” but am “a Follower of Christ”.
“Organised Religion” may become extinct, unless it evolves with
time. However, there will always be those who believe.
As humans, we are each entitled to have our own beliefs . . .
you to your’s & I to mine. . .
Neat article thou, my peace be with you!
As a 1st-generation Canadian to Finnish parents and also having lived in Finland myself when I went to university in the early 90s, I find it odd that Finland is one of those countries where religion will disappear. The reason being is that 92% of the country is Lutheran and the remainder is either Pentecostal or Jewish Orthodox. That being said, I can see why that religion might be assumed to be diminishing as the majority is the same denomination, but that being said, it doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t religious, they just have a religion that is practiced by the majority hence lower key. Finland, a one nationality nation, has also had a surge of immigration in the last 15 – 20 years, meaning that other ethnicities and their religions are coming to the forefront and that Finland doesn’t want to necessarily dominate with their sole religion. In any case, interesting stats and an interesting conversation piece.
What nonsense.
Ask yourself how a physics organization is funded to conduct a study on religion. It’s not an economics organization or something like that. I’ve got to think that this is an atheistic driven study, and being so, is pretty much meaningless.
Can we not get back to the deal finding, I don’t come here to talk politics or faith, I’ll take those thoughts to other websites and forums.
Interesting thought….
I was taught BIBLE stood for
(b)asic (i)nstruction (b)efore (l)eaving (e)arth…
But, the older I get, the more I question…could have something to do with the fact we have a high cancer rate in the family…16 members come and gone in the last 11 years, including my childrens father.
“God does not give cancer, we do it to ourselves”
Fact: we are having less children nowadays, equals less bodies in pews.
Here on the Island we closed alot of the “hugh” churches because of low attendance and skyrocketing fuel costs.
On the other hand…the baptist church has opened a new one, my family has attended and the program for young people is amazing.
Live music, the local radio host is the drum player and the music is so loud the windows rattle….I was moved by the way Amazing Grace sounded.
You know the feeling when the marching band passed by in the parade.
Anyhow, the young people flock to the service…
Is this a case of simply evolving?
Reach out to the young people and it will survive.
Is “religion” the ten commandments?
My personal belief is that formal religion will change. What we have been taught all these years and come to accept will no longer be enough for many people. People will feel a sense of dissatisfaction with formal religions and instead begin to crave something more. I believe that people will continue to practice their own idea of spirituality and instead of following a certain “religion” people will be more spiritualy aware and will gain a sense of understand of who they are in the universe.
Well, personally I would welcome the day.
I don’t mind other people’s believes, but I really do mind the need to proclaim them or even worth, go on a mission. I do not bug others about my not-being religious, I do not want to be bothered by the opposite.
However, I have to agree with previous posters: As long as there is poverty and misery, people will feel the need to hold on to “something more powerful”.
Not everyone needs religion to get through their day…if you have an open mind watch Zeitgeist (the documentry) and look at the FACTS about religion. If you believe that there is a God(s) by faith alone without proof, then logically speaking the possibility that there is no God(s) must also be considered.
I don’t think a lack of religion would make the world a bad place.I’m an atheist and live a very fulfilling life. I don’t believe in a heaven after death but that just motivates me more to make the best impact I can with the life I have.
However our world was created, it ended up a very beautiful place and we should try our best to enjoy and sustain it :]
i would be glad to see alot of organized religions gone.many wars have been caused in part due to religion.we are fighting right now for religious ideals.it is nice to believe in a higher power,but killing over it is nopt ok.i have been a catholic raised person but i have been atheist for over 12 years.i really just wish war over religion would end.just my two pence
muchly agree with you xxtiggerxx.do what you can with this life.i have lived a better life as an atheist than i did as a forced catholic.i am not damned or have no soul.i have a very rich life with lovely people in it.you do not need to look elsewhere but within
It took me years to find a church that I was comfortable in. I knew I wanted to be apart of a ‘family’ that worshiped together. I had a little bit of church in my early years however I started to search when I was about 15. In my experience, I found that churchs in larger cities seemed more ‘sterile’. I attened an Anglican church now, it gives me the type of worship I want, where a priest can be married or a woman or gay or pink with purple polka dots!
We are not a rich church but that isn’t what matters. Everyone is accepted, and that is not so in all churches.
In this day of when churches are closing and religion is taken out of schools so that no one is offended, (each day a different religion was presented in my son’s school), I have to wonder who is truly behind it all. Will religion die, no, as tammysyb says…
God and those who follow Him will not! All of life begins and ends with our awesome Creator and Saviour, and He has not, nor will ever change…………..so wonderful to know, in our unpredictable world, that there is a constant to count on beyond what we can see :o)
In a survey done within the church, people said they would come if invited. September 25th is back to church Sunday this year….. see ya there!
I agree with Sally, Really find these paranoid end of the world theories so annoying…Sun rising from west and what not. Lets just concentrate on saving money 😉
“organized religions” Noah, Mosses and the first century christians were organized, what needs to go is false religion.
But i throw out there why is there so much damage done on earth
Gods? or Man?
I am Christian and Belive very strongly in our creator and what he and his son have done and will do for us.
Well, this is very, very, good news!!
It seems that we are starting to become smarter.
We don’t necessarily need anything to believe or put faith in.
We don’t need god to keep going. When has he ever helped?
We need friends, family, and the great change of mankind.
Not the words of a 4 thousand year old book written by farmers.
What does this have to do with deals or saving money? I don’t think this article should be on here.
Religion aside…let’s get back to deals. I find it very disappointing to have personal opinions even posted within the deals, let alone full articles on a total tangent.
I understand that this blog has several contributors, but there really should be a stipulation on how posts how written up: unbiased and to-the-point.
Not to knock religion (I am a practicing Catholic) but there are other venues for these issues. May I suggest a separate SmartCanucks forum? This way conversation-starters like this don’t get sent out in email blasts supposedly relegated to deals only.
Interesting question. I’m amazed that folk aren’t astounded and full of awe at the natural world around us on its own merit and find the need to assign this to some presence. Same way folk abdicate responsibility for their actions and again put the onus on some invisible presence. Much easier to do that than to take responsibility for their actions. With any luck, religion will vanish.
Here’s to hoping it does. It would be nice for people to take responsibility for their own action, goals and their futures instead of waiting for their god to help them through life. Try setting and reaching goals with hard work and dedication and not waiting for a god to put you on a path…make your own path.
“the bible actually predicts that the polital world will turn on religion in the time of the end.”
Very true, and exactly what I believe. We have seen this happen on a smaller scale before (Nazi Germany) and it makes sense that this could happen on a bigger scale in the future.
“Here’s to hoping it does. It would be nice for people to take responsibility for their own action, goals and their futures instead of waiting for their god to help them through life. Try setting and reaching goals with hard work and dedication and not waiting for a god to put you on a path…make your own path.”
I understand what you’re saying, but not everyone who is a member of a religion behaves like this. I have certainly always taken responsibility for my own actions and I have never relied on God to help me through life. Yes, I firmly believe that he has helped me through difficult times, but I have never waited around for God to choose my “path”….sounds very much like predestination which I don’t believe in.
agreed! its kind of turning into a newspaper article comment engine… maybe just stick to coupons?
the poster had to know religion would receive controversial responses. is smartcanucks looking for more hits?
Curious, I’ve been posting off-topics on SmartCanucks since 2006, nothing new:
http://smartcanucks.ca/category/other-canada/
I personally enjoy these discussions and I still think of smartcanucks as my personal blog (although I have to admit it’s not really only mine anymore). I love reading people’s comments on interesting topics and I don’t see any harm from going off topic every now and then.
Thought this was a site about savings not about you posting articles that YOU find interesting. If you are going to start posting these things then give the other side of the story.. an article that defends the fact that religion is here to stay! How about catholic.com for more info.
“Mayzilla says…
March 22, 2011 at 10:15 pm Not everyone needs religion to get through their day…if you have an open mind watch Zeitgeist (the documentry) and look at the FACTS about religion.”
Wow, the ZEITGEIST? is an absolute fabrication, take a moment to check the sources. Mayzilla, do you believe everything you see on the internet? If so, Experts day that your house is going to implode!!! So please shut of your computer and take cover.
This is an amazing deal. I’m going to buy two!
I look forward to a day when there is no religion and people will not be judged on what belief system they follow.
It is known that some churches have declining congregations i.e. worshippers tend to be older and not have as many young adults or youth involved.
Part of the bigger picture about religion, as it relates to Christianity, is what becomes of the missions overseas that provide maybe the only schools kids know/have access to or medical clinics for basic care? Service clubs do fund projects and build wells/schools but what of ongoing operating costs to keep the wells maintained and water checked or fix things that break at the school? It does not solve the matter that some countries always have money for its leaders and army but not for things people need like clean water, food, schools and teachers. The schools aspect is important in cities or communities where kids can be at risk of being trafficked by adults, whether their own parents or someone who pays the parents for the children they cannot feed/house.
Anyways, my first thought on seeing the topic yesterday was that is was about the True Religion line of denim–I thought the economy was affecting the brand.
While having Faith is a good thing, organized religion causes way too much anger, hatred, and fighting between so many.
Wow! Just think of the money we’ll save from not having to tithe!
Just kidding, folks. Afterall this is a money saving forum. 🙂
Heavens and earth will pass away but not the word of GOD.
ppl’ve been worshiping GOD for 1000s of yrs…These are just signs of last days!!!
STAND STILL Believers-Maranatha!!!
Sick and tired of the hellfire and brimstone folk (both muslim and non muslim) forcing their paranoid beliefs on everyone else….keep that nonsense to yourself…if you’re so convinced the world is going to end, then quit your jobs and move to a secluded area wearing a tinfoil hat and set up tents. Leave the rest of us alone.
I don’t understand why people are getting so offended by this no one is forcing you to comment on this page about religion.
And believing in God doesn’t mean you have paranoid beliefs, I think I will go have my dinner now with my family without our tinfoil hats thank you.
Tinfoil hats and religious fanatics do not go hand in hand. The tinfoil hats prevent aliens and government from controlling your mind. The hardcore religious fanatics don’t believe in aliens or government and their mind control comes from whichever book they follow.
Then there are the regular religious folk who choose to live their lives and let other live theirs (respect thy neighbours?). These are people I like to call “sane.”