I think it's because of greed and power.

About a year ago I decided atheism would be the best fit for my existence and since then I feel as though I am on more solid ground than I ever felt trying to fit in with the religious people. The people who declare their atheism are fine people, free thinkers and have a solid belief in the right to freedom of expression even when the message is something we totally disagree with..with the exception of hate, racist.. that sort of thing. One thing that can give atheism a bad image is the sociopathic atheist predators who pose as religious people who rip off the overly trusting real believers with their ponzi scams- as well as probably some of the televangelists. So to answer your question I would say atheism is good for the moral intelligence of the world.

We are differently educated certainly but 'better' is debatable. I am an atheist but I do not find it to be a particularly moral viewpoint. It certainly doesn't explain why I shouldn't murder people and take all their stuff. . As for moral intelligence, Communism is completely non-religious, even anti-religious. It might be unfair to equate it with atheism but it would be safe to say most Communist leaders were and are atheists. . Gratuitous Link to Death by Communism Stats: http://www.digitalsurvivors.com/archives/communistbodycount.php

It seems to me that America is becoming less and less atheist, and indeed seems to be sinking into a mire of medieval thought. You have only to look at AB to see questions similar to the 'angels dancing on the head of a pin' conundrum.

Britan has been secular for a long time. As for the US, it's about time that it starts to catch up although you wouldn't be able to tell by the number of fundies fucking up the country Atheism is far superior for the wellbeing of the world than any voodoo something which they themselves have been demonstrating since the beginning of time

Knowledge is power, and if one is not selfish enough then this power could lead to atheism. In fact logic is a great factor which we muslims have been missing for a long time.

That's a viable theory. My personal opinion is that secular beliefs are good (even better) for the moral intelligence of the world.

Britain, and the rest of the developed world except for the US, has long been "Post Religious" with self identified believers numbering around 5% of their populations. . The US, I hope, is becoming more so but the numbers are far higher in favor of belief in god - well over 50%. . But to answer your question, yes it's a good trend. Blind faith, superstition and legislated or intentional ignorance of science are never good. . +5

Maybe not necessarily atheism qua atheism, but I think that a move away from religious dogma toward a more secular or at least pluralistic style of government is the best hope for moral intelligence.

It's because the kids have been taught athiesm in schools. John Adams and John Hancock: We Recognize No Sovereign but God, and no King but Jesus! [April 18, 1775] John Adams: We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other." --October 11, 1798 "I have examined all religions, as well as my narrow sphere, my straightened means, and my busy life, would allow; and the result is that the Bible is the best Book in the world. It contains more philosophy than all the libraries I have seen." December 25, 1813 letter to Thomas Jefferson John Quincy Adams: “The Law given from Sinai [The Ten Commandments] was a civil and municipal as well as a moral and religious code.” John Quincy Adams. Letters to his son. p. 61 Charles Carroll - signer of the Declaration of Independence | Portrait of Charles Carroll " Without morals a republic cannot subsist any length of time; they therefore who are decrying the Christian religion, whose morality is so sublime and pure...are undermining the solid foundation of morals, the best security for the duration of free governments." [Source: To James McHenry on November 4, 1800.]

I live in Texas and here you would be hard pressed to find more than a handful of atheists in one city block anywhere. These brain dead zombies here want to teach creationism in schools as fact and many want evolution taken completely off the public school systems academic agenda. Here in Irving there are more churches than pizza shops, gas stations, grocery stores and beauty shops combined so I'm going to begin a campaign to bankrupt the bastards by turning every thing they do to raise funds into the IRS as possible tax fraud and let my tax dollars go to work for something good.

US and Britain both are currently becoming MORE theistic, not less. And (as usual) for all the wrong reasons: a) Financial crises and declining wealth makes it tempting to abdicate responsibility. "Gods will be done. Halleluja." b) Pollution and Climate change dont really matter. "We don't have to protect the environment, the Second Coming is at hand." c) Justification for hatred of others (fx moslems) regards JakobA