# 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:** 4
**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, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/61 "2013-10-02T16:52:02Z")
> [@Mickiel](#): > > 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. nothing I say will make any sense to you - you do not have a firm grasp of the concept. ---
**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, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/62 "2013-10-02T16:52:05Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > 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. So can you list these " Religious Laws" and explain why we would be better off without them? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/63 "2013-10-02T16:52:15Z")
> [@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. I’m an individual! Nice to meet you! (Now what?) It’s not that hard to find charities that are either secular, meaning not religious or avowedly atheist, or openly secular. Really, just Google it. Of course atheists can and do participate in some religious organizations - there are plenty of atheist Unitarians, for example. > [@](#): > > After all, if you would rule the world, we need to see examples of what such a world would be like. Atheists ruling the world is your premise. If you think atheists are trying to rule the world, you’re mistaken. The main thing atheists want at this point is respect for having a legitimate point of view instead of being persecuted or scorned. ---
**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, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/64 "2013-10-02T16:53:50Z")
> [@simster](#): > > nothing I say will make any sense to you - you do not have a firm grasp of the concept. Well lets suppose that the world is like me, and you are in position to change that; explain to us why your way would be better? Help us to grasp this way of yours. ---
**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, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/65 "2013-10-02T16:54:20Z")
> [@Mickiel](#): > > So can you list these " Religious Laws" and explain why we would be better off without them? Explain your already posted list first. ---
**Author:** ![Human\_Action](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@Human\_Action](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Human_Action)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/66 "2013-10-02T16:54:59Z")
> [@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? Well, let’s see: The YMCA -\> various community centers & such Crisis Pregnancy Centers -\> Planned Parenthood Promise Keepers -\> not needed Family Research Council -\> not needed Rutherford Institue -\> ACLU Habitat for Humanity -\> other charities World Vision -\> UNICEF Salvation Army -\> other charities American Red Cross -\> other members of HAP International Note: Secular isn’t the same as atheist. ---
**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, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/67 "2013-10-02T16:55:01Z")
> [@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? My afternoon is packed with meetings so I’ll miss much of this discussion. But may I suggest you start with a little group called, **The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation**. ---
**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, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/68 "2013-10-02T16:55:27Z")
> [@Mickiel](#): > > Well lets suppose that the world is like me, and you are in position to change that; explain to us why your way would be better? Help us to grasp this way of yours. _Do you know what an atheist is?_ ---
**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, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/69 "2013-10-02T16:55:33Z")
> [@Mickiel](#): > > Well lets suppose that the world is like me, and you are in position to change that; explain to us why your way would be better? Help us to grasp this way of yours. You assume ‘God’ exists - I do not - imagine what would change in your world if you decided that ‘God’ was a myth. extrapolate from there. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/70 "2013-10-02T16:55:46Z")
> [@simster](#): > > well, the unicorns would come back, and there would be rainbows - and I think Hell would cease to exist. [clueless pedant] Unicorns are avatars of Christ. Why would they come back to a word that has rejected him? [/clueless pedant] ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/71 "2013-10-02T16:56:10Z")
If atheists ruled the world… If the large majority of the populace was atheist, it would mean fewer people would be under the just world delusion that God has created the universe to be fair. Because of that, I’d assume there would be a better social safety net. And monetary policy would be aimed at improving the lives of the most people, instead of demonizing the poor as lazy. Science would flourish, because as it stands now, potential good scientists are under the delusion that the world is six thousand years old, and that it at one time had talking snakes. Sundays would have more free time. Priests and clergy would have to be involved in actual productive work, instead of pushing nonsense delusions that make the world a worse place. Mostly it would be similar, just in general happier and more comfortable. Like those atheistic Scandinavian countries. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/72 "2013-10-02T16:56:40Z")
> [@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. Me! > [@Mickiel](#): > > After all, if you would rule the world, we need to see examples of what such a world would be like. All that I would want from an “atheist ruled world” is non-intrusion by theists into my daily life. ---
**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, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/73 "2013-10-02T16:57:26Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Atheists ruling the world is your premise. If you think atheists are trying to rule the world, you’re mistaken. The main thing atheists want at this point is respect for having a legitimate point of view instead of being persecuted or scorned. Interesting and sounds eriely similar to the first " Christians in Rome", who said the same thing basically. They were persecuted as well. It is not my premise to claim that Atheist are trying to take over the world, my speculation is what would a world ruled by Atheist be like, and what difference would it make. ---
**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, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/74 "2013-10-02T16:58:10Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > [clueless pedant] > > Unicorns are avatars of Christ. Why would they come back to a word that has rejected him? > > [/clueless pedant] Unicorns only left after having been unfairly chosen as avatars of this “Christ” - rejecting that myth allows them re-entry into this dimension. THey weren’t even invited to the meeting where the avatar was chosen - BigFoot got the final vote. ---
**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, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/75 "2013-10-02T16:59:06Z")
> [@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. i believe it because without religion the world would be free. take a look at the political situation globally. more wars have been started in the name of religion or who is goring who’s gawd then anything else. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/76 "2013-10-02T16:59:46Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > [clueless pedant] > > Unicorns are avatars of Christ. Why would they come back to a word that has rejected him? > > [/clueless pedant] Because He’s into BDSM and humiliation? [Cite](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/Joachim_Beuckelaer_-_Christ_on_the_Cross_-_WGA2107.jpg). ---
**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, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/77 "2013-10-02T16:59:49Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > If atheists ruled the world… > > If the large majority of the populace was atheist, it would mean fewer people would be under the just world delusion that God has created the universe to be fair. > > Because of that, I’d assume there would be a better social safety net. And monetary policy would be aimed at improving the lives of the most people, instead of demonizing the poor as lazy. > > Science would flourish, because as it stands now, potential good scientists are under the delusion that the world is six thousand years old, and that it at one time had talking snakes. > > Sundays would have more free time. Priests and clergy would have to be involved in actual productive work, instead of pushing nonsense delusions that make the world a worse place. > > Mostly it would be similar, just in general happier and more comfortable. Like those atheistic Scandinavian countries. Well thank you, a reasonable response . Yet you puzzle me, in an Atheist ruled society, you are still allowing for Priest? Explain that. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2013, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/78 "2013-10-02T17:00:59Z")
> [@Mickiel](#): > > Interesting and sounds eriely similar to the first " Christians in Rome", who said the same thing basically. They were persecuted as well. I can’t help noticing you didn’t respond to the first half of my post, so you probably didn’t do a Google search for secular or atheist organizations. Try it, maybe. I remember that after Moore, OK was devastated by tornadoes some moron went on TV and trashed atheists for not getting involved in the relief effort. Of course it immediately turned out that atheists were there and were organized; they just didn’t put “WE’RE ATHEISTS!” on their t-shirts. Anyway: everybody who is being persecuted wants the persecution to stop. That’s not eerie, it’s common sense. > [@](#): > > my speculation is what would a world ruled by Atheist be like, and what difference would it make. That’s a question, not speculation. I think if you could understand your preconceptions and put them aside you might get better answers. ---
**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, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/79 "2013-10-02T17:01:59Z")
> [@Mickiel](#): > > Well thank you, a reasonable response . Yet you puzzle me, in an Atheist ruled society, you are still allowing for Priest? Explain that. Do you mean “priests”? This lack of pluralizing is very confusing sometimes. ---
**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, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188/80 "2013-10-02T17:02:37Z")
yeah mikiel. i want to ask. what do you need from religion? what has it given you? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-difference-would-it-make-if-atheist-ruled-the-world/670188.md?page=5)