Im not saying that Protestantism created atheism. Im saying there is a link, a bridge from Protestantism to atheism. One such bridge sits in the parallels of sola scriptura and relativism. Anyone who holds to this belief is in danger. I’ve know people who had done just that because their belief in sola scriptura ultimately undermines divine truth, undermining God.
I would second this. Say what you will, people like Calvin, Luther, Knox, et al - to say nothing of the various evangelical strains of belief that have arisen, would be quite hard to link to an evolution to atheism. To my way of thinking, atheism is far more a product of culture than of Protestanism per se.
I’m sure there are certain beliefs within any Church that has led any number of people to any number of different beliefs.Im not saying that Protestantism created atheism. Im saying there is a link, a bridge from Protestantism to atheism.
Please elaborate?One such bridge sits in the parallels of sola scriptura and relativism. Anyone who holds to this belief is in danger. I’ve know people who had done just that because their belief in sola scriptura ultimately undermines divine truth, undermining God.
I expect that you are correct. In both sociology of religion and anthropology of religion, quite a lot of work has been done on the much-hyped phenomenon of falling church attendance rates, and what has been demonstrated is that the general movement away from church is not necessarily a movement away from belief, just a movement away from the traditional regulation of belief. In other words, we are seeing more diversity than before.So in your search and whatever surveys you conduct, you may find that the connection between Protestantism and Atheism is the opposite of your hypothesis-- and the conclusion may show that the former more often than not prevents the latter instead of leading to it.
That is very much what I think the OP will find.In fact, if you research this…I’m thinking you may find the opposite is true.
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One just needs to look at the various protestant communities that believe in woman ordination, accept homosexual 'marriage, contraception and even abortion never mind the various interpretations of His Word as proof of what you are say. The result of separating Jesus from His Church.Im not saying that Protestantism created atheism. Im saying there is a link, a bridge from Protestantism to atheism. One such bridge sits in the parallels of sola scriptura and relativism. Anyone who holds to this belief is in danger. I’ve know people who had done just that because their belief in sola scriptura ultimately undermines divine truth, undermining God.
Yes, as a private interpreter of Scripture, man still remains the arbiter of truth, the course Adam effectively set us on.Im not saying that Protestantism created atheism. Im saying there is a link, a bridge from Protestantism to atheism. One such bridge sits in the parallels of sola scriptura and relativism. Anyone who holds to this belief is in danger. I’ve know people who had done just that because their belief in sola scriptura ultimately undermines divine truth, undermining God.
Quoting this but also asking this question to the OP because as the discussion has continued other issues have arisen.One just needs to look at the various protestant communities that believe in woman ordination, accept homosexual 'marriage, contraception and even abortion never mind the various interpretations of His Word as proof of what you are say. The result of separating Jesus from His Church.
You’re right of course; faith is alive and well in the larger part of Protestantism. But, due mainly to the doctrine of Sola Scriptura, the possibility to create one’s own rules by interpreting Scripture according to one’s own agenda is quite open in Protestantism, resulting in many cases with doctrines or practices heavily influenced by or imbued with modernism, anti-supernaturalism, a rejection of mystery, hyper-rationalism, contemporary cultural values, etc., ultimately not possible in Catholicism due to the teaching authority of the Magisterium.Quoting this but also asking this question to the OP because as the discussion has continued other issues have arisen.
Is the premise that Protestantism leads to atheism, the lack of belief in any god, or to apostasy.
From the very term used to describe it, Protestantism is a different belief in God than Catholicism, perhaps with a few exceptions. As the basic belief of Catholicism is that the Catholic Church is the only valid church as decreed by Christ. So to believe anything else is to disagree on the characteristic of God establishing Catholicism as the one and only true faith.
But that is very far from actual atheism, believing in no god at all.
Unless one uses the term atheism to apply to lack of belief in their own understanding of God I don’t see any logical or actual progression from Protestantism to atheism.
Like several others have posted, I have known far more self described atheists that used to be Roman Catholics than Protestants. this may stem from being taught in the Church that it’s Catholicism or nothing. That teaching that it is a particular denomination or nothing, is less common among Protestant denominations.
hit the nail on the headYou’re right of course; faith is alive and well in the larger part of Protestantism. But, due mainly to the doctrine of Sola Scriptura, the possibility to create one’s own rules by interpreting Scripture according to one’s own agenda is quite open in Protestantism, resulting in many cases with doctrines or practices heavily influenced by or imbued with modernism, anti-supernaturalism, a rejection of mystery, hyper-rationalism, contemporary cultural values, etc., ultimately not possible in Catholicism due to the teaching authority of the Magisterium.
So, you have a conclusion and then you will tailor your data to fit this conclusion?I want to write an article or even a book about how Protestantism leads to atheism. But I need some help. If anyone has any (name removed by moderator)ut about their connection please let me know. I haven’t looked into it but have countries that stayed mostly catholic kept faith in God vs countries that became mostly protestant? And I feel relativism is one bridge between them
Seconded. I think a careful definition of terms would be beneficial before embarking on further research to ensure that you find the appropriate answers. To argue that protestantism, in particular sola scriptura leads to a lack of belief in God will require a strong hypothesis as to how the transition occurs if you are going to attempt to provide evidence that it is true. Otherwise objective readers will see anything less as at best an unfounded assertion or at worst a smear job of other believers.Is the premise that Protestantism leads to atheism, the lack of belief in any god, or to apostasy.
From the very term used to describe it, Protestantism is a different belief in God than Catholicism, perhaps with a few exceptions. As the basic belief of Catholicism is that the Catholic Church is the only valid church as decreed by Christ. So to believe anything else is to disagree on the characteristic of God establishing Catholicism as the one and only true faith.
But that is very far from actual atheism, believing in no god at all.
Again asking for clarification (this is a very interesting discussion and I want to make sure I am following it correctly)You’re right of course; faith is alive and well in the larger part of Protestantism. But, due mainly to the doctrine of Sola Scriptura, the possibility to create one’s own rules by interpreting Scripture according to one’s own agenda is quite open in Protestantism, resulting in many cases with doctrines or practices heavily influenced by or imbued with modernism, anti-supernaturalism, a rejection of mystery, hyper-rationalism, contemporary cultural values, etc., ultimately not possible in Catholicism due to the teaching authority of the Magisterium.
Yes, again for clarification. Is atheism, in the context of this discussion (and the proposed book) a lack of belief in God, or in any god or gods at all.Seconded. I think a careful definition of terms would be beneficial before embarking on further research to ensure that you find the appropriate answers. To argue that protestantism, in particular sola scriptura leads to a lack of belief in God will require a strong hypothesis as to how the transition occurs if you are going to attempt to provide evidence that it is true. Otherwise objective readers will see anything less as at best an unfounded assertion or at worst a smear job of other believers.
The two bastions of Catholicism in Europe used to be Spain and Poland. Attendance at Mass has dropped off a cliff in Spain and now the same is happening in Poland.I want to write an article or even a book about how Protestantism leads to atheism. But I need some help. If anyone has any (name removed by moderator)ut about their connection please let me know. I haven’t looked into it but have countries that stayed mostly catholic kept faith in God vs countries that became mostly protestant? And I feel relativism is one bridge between them
I agree that Protestantism leads to atheism. That is, the spirit in Protestantism of protest and reform, which, when once started, does not stop, but has continued through the centuries.I want to write an article or even a book about how Protestantism leads to atheism. But I need some help. If anyone has any (name removed by moderator)ut about their connection please let me know. I haven’t looked into it but have countries that stayed mostly catholic kept faith in God vs countries that became mostly protestant? And I feel relativism is one bridge between them
You largely miss the point. First philosophically and doctrinaly there already is a link between Protestantism and disbelief of God. I mentioned one of them being relativism and sola scriptura. There’s nothing wrong with one wanting to see if this has effected populations etc. If it doesn’t I would simply not write about it so please don’t assume. Your example of mass being boring causing kids to leave doesn’t prove your point. You’ve mad an observation that kids leave the church, and a possible cause for this and now you’re asking if anyone else has supporting data or insight. There’s no problem with that. Such a study may have been done and is why youth masses exist. You’re in effect telling me not to go in search for further info on the subject.
Non sequitur.You largely miss the point. First philosophically and doctrinaly there already is a link between Protestantism and disbelief of God
Excellent points!You’re right of course; faith is alive and well in the larger part of Protestantism. But, due mainly to the doctrine of Sola Scriptura, the possibility to create one’s own rules by interpreting Scripture according to one’s own agenda is quite open in Protestantism, resulting in many cases with doctrines or practices heavily influenced by or imbued with modernism, anti-supernaturalism, a rejection of mystery, hyper-rationalism, contemporary cultural values, etc., ultimately not possible in Catholicism due to the teaching authority of the Magisterium.