Violent movies/video games have very little to do with mass shootings, the Chinese, Koreans and Japanese youth play these games up to 3 times more than Americans yet have 600 times less mass shootings.
It's the access to guns...period
I grew up playing DOOM as a kid, and Grand Theft Auto as a teen, but all the violence in video games were pure fantasy to me, there was no parallel to real life. I wonder if that would have been different though if I had grown up in a household with a bunch of AR-15's in a display case, or had parents who open carried. When guns are so common in your every day life, it must be a lot easier to imagine yourself doing the shooting in games and movies
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It's interesting that while "No religion" is obviously increasing quickly, only "mainline" has really declined. It seems plausible that the people who were christian but didn't take their religion too seriously in the 1970s and 1980s have simply shifted to admitting that they don't actually care about being Christian because social norms now permit them to hold that position.
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It's interesting that while "No religion" is obviously increasing quickly, only "mainline" has really declined. It seems plausible that the people who were christian but didn't take their religion too seriously in the 1970s have simply shifted to admitting that they don't actually care about being Christian because social norms now permit them to hold that position.
Boomer norms though.
Interesting to see denominations with an established theology hold steady.
At least it is good to see Walmart doing something to effect change since the Republicans refuse to
Quote:
New York (CNN Business)Walmart on Tuesday announced it will reduce its gun and ammunition sales, one month after more than 20 people were killed in a mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas. Walmart also pressured Congress to enact gun safety measures.
The company, America's largest retailer, said it will stop selling handgun ammunition and ammunition for short-barrel rifles after selling all of its current inventory. Walmart (WMT) will also stop selling handguns in Alaska, the only state where it still sells handguns. And Walmart will request that customers no longer openly carry guns into its 4,700 US stores, or its Sam's Club stores, in states that allow open carry.
Interesting to see denominations with an established theology hold steady.
Catholicism is benefiting from the huge influx of migrants from Mexico and South America. While the proportion of Catholics who keep with the religion is waning, a constant influx of new Catholic populations keeps their numbers up.
Many people who practice Judaism are agnostic or atheist and are in for the cultural traditions or they just identify as Jewish, although there is a rapidly growing orthodox community.
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Catholicism is benefiting from the huge influx of migrants from Mexico and South America. While the proportion of Catholics who keep with the religion is waning, a constant influx of new Catholic populations keeps their numbers up.
Many people who practice Judaism are agnostic or atheist and are in for the cultural traditions or they just identify as Jewish, although there is a rapidly growing orthodox community.
A large portion of Atheists are culturally protestant, they just don't go to church. Although many have rejected the theological aspects of Protestantism, they still embrace most of the cultural elements. There are some who go so far as to say that most 'western' democracies are not secular at all because they embody so much of the protestant beliefs that built them. An interesting book on this subject is Robert Markus Christianity and the Secular.
A large portion of Atheists are culturally protestant, they just don't go to church. Although many have rejected the theological aspects of Protestantism, they still embrace most of the cultural elements. There are some who go so far as to say that most 'western' democracies are not secular at all because they embody so much of the protestant beliefs that built them. An interesting book on this subject is Robert Markus Christianity and the Secular.
An agnostic/atheist Jewish person is more likely to continue going to a temple of worship than a protestant, as it's a way for them to connect with their community and/or affirm their identity. Although I do know many agnostic/atheist protestants who continue to go to church out of obligation to their family.
I do agree that many Western nations' notions of democracy are founded in religious views. We are seeing a transition from that though. For example, many nations have drastically changed their laws and views on homosexuality. In terms of whether these countries are secular as a whole, that really exists on a spectrum. No country's system of laws is totally devoid of religious influence. However, there are also countries where every law is founded in religion. Whether you define a country as secular or not is pretty arbitrary and also relative.
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interesting... i would not have guessed that based on the kind of rhetoric coming out of the US... of course that's the lens of the media where all the voices that get air time may not be representative of anything....
An agnostic/atheist Jewish person is more likely to continue going to a temple of worship than a protestant, as it's a way for them to connect with their community and/or affirm their identity. Although I do know many agnostic/atheist protestants who continue to go to church out of obligation to their family.
I do agree that many Western nations' notions of democracy are founded in religious views. We are seeing a transition from that though. For example, many nations have drastically changed their laws and views on homosexuality. In terms of whether these countries are secular as a whole, that really exists on a spectrum. No country's system of laws is totally devoid of religious influence. However, there are also countries where every law is founded in religion. Whether you define a country as secular or not is pretty arbitrary and also relative.
It is a very interesting topic. I agree with you generally, but might suggest in regards to the topic of church participation that going to church is not heavily emphasized in the protestant culture. The notion that it is a personal expression of faith, or relationship with God/the universe/ humanity, and not a communal one dovetails nicely with the agnostic, atheist view towards congregational faith.
Not to mention similarities in viewing the relationship between the divine and the material world. Protestant culture typically views there to be a dichotomy between the two, a kingdom of man and kingdom of God so to speak. This is typically the way that atheists view/ criticize religion. However, other faiths often emphases Immanence the view that that the divine encompasses or is manifested in the material world. In essence it is the awareness that religion permeates all aspects of life including law whether we would like it to or not.
I think for the purposes of this argument it is important to understand that that atheism is not neutral, and secularism is not devoid of religious influence, rather it is heavily influenced by Protestantism.
It is a very interesting topic. I agree with you generally, but might suggest in regards to the topic of church participation that going to church is not heavily emphasized in the protestant culture. The notion that it is a personal expression of faith, or relationship with God/the universe/ humanity, and not a communal one dovetails nicely with the agnostic, atheist view towards congregational faith.
Not to mention similarities in viewing the relationship between the divine and the material world. Protestant culture typically views there to be a dichotomy between the two, a kingdom of man and kingdom of God so to speak. This is typically the way that atheists view/ criticize religion. However, other faiths often emphases Immanence the view that that the divine encompasses or is manifested in the material world. In essence it is the awareness that religion permeates all aspects of life including law whether we would like it to or not.
I think for the purposes of this argument it is important to understand that that atheism is not neutral, and secularism is not devoid of religious influence, rather it is heavily influenced by Protestantism.
I think a portion of that has to do with protestants being the majority in many countries where they reside. For example, if you go back to the example of Judaism, attendance at temple, among non-orthodox Jews, is almost non-existent, but it's much higher outside of Israel.
I do agree that protestants are less ritual based, which probably accounts for many going to church less. You could even look at Catholicism as a more orthodox form of Christianity than Protestantism. To add to your philosophical points, Catholicism also requires communion with God via a priest. This alone might be a form of ritual that ensures their adherents keep coming back.
It is a very interesting topic. I agree with you generally, but might suggest in regards to the topic of church participation that going to church is not heavily emphasized in the protestant culture. The notion that it is a personal expression of faith, or relationship with God/the universe/ humanity, and not a communal one dovetails nicely with the agnostic, atheist view towards congregational faith.
Not to mention similarities in viewing the relationship between the divine and the material world. Protestant culture typically views there to be a dichotomy between the two, a kingdom of man and kingdom of God so to speak. This is typically the way that atheists view/ criticize religion. However, other faiths often emphases Immanence the view that that the divine encompasses or is manifested in the material world. In essence it is the awareness that religion permeates all aspects of life including law whether we would like it to or not.
I think for the purposes of this argument it is important to understand that that atheism is not neutral, and secularism is not devoid of religious influence, rather it is heavily influenced by Protestantism.
All religion is bunk (not the CP user)
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Americans are more religious than any other country, but also less spiritual. They love the community that religion provides, and the ability to cheer for one's team, but they fall so short on understanding the spirituality of faith and belief. They care more about what version of Christianity you believe in, and less on the way faith is supposed to bring us together. They care more about whose crazy interpretation of the message they follow and less on the meaning of the teaching. They don't care about the core values that the doctrine is meant to have us embrace and instead revel in determining which sect is more righteous than the next. Religion, just like everything else in the United States, has been turned into team sport with winners and losers. Sadly, if the whole lot of these idiots had to face their maker/flying spaghetti monster, they would be deemed losers and left wanting. Now god bless America, pass the ammunition, and screw poor brown people!!!
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