# What difference would it make if Atheist ruled the world? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 2, 2013, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188 "2013-10-02T15:48:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Mickiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/0ea827/32.png) [@Mickiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mickiel)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/41 "2013-10-02T16:39:18Z")
> [@simster](#): > > \ > > This is your inference - it is not the meaning of the word ‘rational’ as stated in the response - it also has nothing to do with ‘being reasonable’ - it has to do with using ‘reason’ (or logic). > > They would be more rational by definition - that doesn’t mean they will all be ‘rational’ people. > > Bolding mine - this usually equates with anti-gay messages as well as anti-abortion rights - who’s “traditonal family values” and why should they be promoted? How would Atheism change family values? ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/42 "2013-10-02T16:39:30Z")
> [@Mickiel](#): > > Who are these Atheist who do good? If you cannot give me some legit Atheist groups, I am willing to see the Individuals too. After all, if you would rule the world, we need to see examples of what such a world would be like. Let me give you a hint - they are all around you. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/43 "2013-10-02T16:39:42Z")
> [@Mickiel](#): > > I am more interested in the values of Atheist and how that would change this world. If you think that atheists are a monolithic group with a common set of values, you are mistaken. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/44 "2013-10-02T16:40:54Z")
> [@Mickiel](#): > > I am more interested in the values of Atheist and how that would change this world. No. You gave a list and asked what atheist groups emulate those on the list. As far as the Family Research Council is concerned, in what way should atheists be like them? What makes the Family Research Council something to look up to? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/45 "2013-10-02T16:41:21Z")
> [@Mickiel](#): > > How would Atheism change family values? Which specific family values are you asking about? ---
**Author:** ![Mickiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/0ea827/32.png) [@Mickiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mickiel)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/46 "2013-10-02T16:41:33Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > If you think that atheists are a monolithic group with a common set of values, you are mistaken. Would Atheism make monolithic changes in this world if it were the majority? And what changes would they be? And would the world be better off and why? ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/47 "2013-10-02T16:42:04Z")
> [@Mickiel](#): > > How would Atheism change family values? Thats not the question, now is it? the question is what do you mean by “traditional family values” and why are they a ‘good thing’ ? ---
**Author:** ![Mickiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/0ea827/32.png) [@Mickiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mickiel)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/48 "2013-10-02T16:43:28Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > No. > You gave a list and asked what atheist groups emulate those on the list. As far as the Family Research Council is concerned, in what way should atheists be like them? What makes the Family Research Council something to look up to? I am not interested in emulation, I am interested in " Replacement", that type of reasoning; what Atheist groups can replace these groups or offer something better than they do to society? ---
**Author:** ![sentrix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac8455/32.png) [@sentrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sentrix)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/49 "2013-10-02T16:43:39Z")
go inverse. religions rule the world. give atheists a go. just think if we had no religious restrictions what a wonderful world it would be. ---
**Author:** ![Mickiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/0ea827/32.png) [@Mickiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mickiel)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/50 "2013-10-02T16:45:11Z")
> [@simster](#): > > Thats not the question, now is it? the question is what do you mean by “traditional family values” and why are they a ‘good thing’ ? Well explain the Atheist view of family values; if there is a common one. In theory, if Atheist ruled the world, how would that effect family life? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/51 "2013-10-02T16:45:39Z")
> [@Mickiel](#): > > I am not interested in emulation, I am interested in " Replacement", that type of reasoning; what Atheist groups can replace these groups or offer something better than they do to society? That question cannot be answered until you tell us, specifically, what those organizations on your list actually offer society. Start with the Family Research Council. ---
**Author:** ![Mickiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/0ea827/32.png) [@Mickiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mickiel)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/52 "2013-10-02T16:46:33Z")
> [@sentrix](#): > > go inverse. religions rule the world. give atheists a go. > > just think if we had no religious restrictions what a wonderful world it would be. Then explain why you believe that. Show me what such a world would be like; explain that and give me a picture of it. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/53 "2013-10-02T16:47:35Z")
> [@Mickiel](#): > > Well explain the Atheist view of family values; if there is a common one. In theory, if Atheist ruled the world, how would that effect family life? Do you even know what an atheist is? Your questions give us no indication that you do. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/54 "2013-10-02T16:48:35Z")
> [@Mickiel](#): > > Then explain why you believe that. Show me what such a world would be like; explain that and give me a picture of it. well, the unicorns would come back, and there would be rainbows - and I think Hell would cease to exist. ---
**Author:** ![Mickiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/0ea827/32.png) [@Mickiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mickiel)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/55 "2013-10-02T16:48:51Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > That question cannot be answered until you tell us, specifically, what those organizations on your list actually offer society. Start with the Family Research Council. I am more interested in what Atheist organizations would offer society; I am curious as to what would change, I am not asking for Atheist evaluation of the groups on the list, I am requesting an Atheist list to replace what ever they are doing; what is the alternative? ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/56 "2013-10-02T16:48:51Z")
So would the world _be_ atheist or just _run_ by atheists, because those are pretty distinct scenarios. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/57 "2013-10-02T16:49:31Z")
> [@Mickiel](#): > > Would Atheism make monolithic changes in this world if it were the majority? And what changes would they be? And would the world be better off and why? No, because atheism is not monolithic. But one noticeable change would be the abolition of laws based on religious beliefs. And that would make the world a better place to live. As to why… I believe the bar would be set hire for those proposing certain laws because they would need to be based on rational reasons and not just predominant religious family values. ---
**Author:** ![Mickiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/0ea827/32.png) [@Mickiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mickiel)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/58 "2013-10-02T16:50:41Z")
> [@simster](#): > > well, the unicorns would come back, and there would be rainbows - and I think Hell would cease to exist. Strange, how you are hesitant to explain such a senerio as Atheist rule. I am curious as to what such a world would be like. ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/59 "2013-10-02T16:51:00Z")
> [@Mickiel](#): > > I am more interested in what Atheist organizations would offer society; I am curious as to what would change, I am not asking for Atheist evaluation of the groups on the list, I am requesting an Atheist list to replace what ever they are doing; what is the alternative? you still don’t get it - ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/60 "2013-10-02T16:51:44Z")
> [@Mickiel](#): > > I am more interested in what Atheist organizations would offer society; I am curious as to what would change, I am not asking for Atheist evaluation of the groups on the list, I am requesting an Atheist list to replace what ever they are doing; what is the alternative? No. It’s your list, so you have to back up their supposed worth to our society. In this poker game you show your cards first. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188.md?page=4)