Should atheism be illegal?

[Exalt]

Atheism is quite possibly one of the worst sins in the eyes of the Church. It includes a complete rejection of Jesus, the authority of the Church, the love of God - almost every single Catholic doctrine about the divine. It most certianly is a mortal sin, if the other two conditions for a mortal sin are met.

Other grave sins are illegal, such as murder, rape, theft, etc. Atheism, which is just as bad (if not even worse) than those sins, ought to be illegal too. Also, it would be a deterrant to conversion to atheism and most likely result in significantly fewer atheists.

So, why shouldn’t atheism be illegal? Where is my logic wrong?

 

[goofyjim]

Atheism is still a belief structure, albeit lack thereof. How could we make it illegal? And it would never fit the requirements for mortal sin because if they don’t believe in Christ they don’t believe in sin.

 

[NewUlm1976_2000]

No, we are not a theocracy. People should have the right to have no religion if they choose. No religion does not mean no spirituality, atheists are often good people too.

 

[bjmiller100753]

So, why shouldn’t atheism be illegal? Where is my logic wrong?

Ummmm, how about the fact the United States is a democracy, not a theocracy, and one of the founding principles was freedom of religion. That INCLUDES the freedom to have no religion at all. Your proposal would never even make it to the ballot; it would be struck down as illegal long before voting day ever rolled around.

 

[Exalt]

Atheism is still a belief structure, albeit lack thereof. How could we make it illegal?

Enforcement would be extremely difficult, as would pinning down a penalty. But it being illegal, regardless of levels of enforcement or penalty, would serve as a deterrent and result in less atheists. Which is a good thing, right?

 

[Kevin42]

No. The very consideration of it is repulsive. God gives the gift of faith, you do not force it onto people by outlawing non-belief. If people ignore this gift, it is something that God will deal with in His perfect Justice and Mercy.

 

[cecilia97]

Ummmm, how about the fact the United States is a democracy, not a theocracy, and one of the founding principles was freedom of religion. That INCLUDES the freedom to have no religion at all. Your proposal would never even make it to the ballot; it would be struck down as illegal long before voting day ever rolled around.

Absolutely. The monarchs who outlawed the saying of Masses in the past were certain they were doing the right thing and protecting people from themselves. Outlaw atheism and some form of theism will be the next to go! There are people in our own country that would probably like to see Catholicism outlawed because we’re all devil worshippers.

 

[Laurence_of_PA]

Atheism is quite possibly one of the worst sins in the eyes of the Church. It includes a complete rejection of Jesus, the authority of the Church, the love of God - almost every single Catholic doctrine about the divine. It most certianly is a mortal sin, if the other two conditions for a mortal sin are met.

Other grave sins are illegal, such as murder, rape, theft, etc. Atheism, which is just as bad (if not even worse) than those sins, ought to be illegal too. Also, it would be a deterrant to conversion to atheism and most likely result in significantly fewer atheists.

So, why shouldn’t atheism be illegal? Where is my logic wrong?

Is this some sort of sardonic joke about Church, Christian, or Theistic logic? Cause I know from seeing you in the past that you’re certainly not a theist (or so I believe).

I know that I myself am occasionally frustrated by Church actions and the smugness of many Catholics, but I doubt you’re going to help the cause of logic by basically saying “the Church says everything else that’s bad should be banned, so why not Atheism?”

**Honestly, what’s this all about? **

 

[btnewgent]

I smell a troll!

 

[Exalt]

Is this some sort of sardonic joke about Church, Christian, or Theistic logic? Cause I know from seeing you in the past that you’re certainly not a theist (or so I believe).

I know that I myself am occasionally frustrated by Church actions and the smugness of many Catholics, but I doubt you’re going to help the cause of logic by basically saying “the Church says everything else that’s bad should be banned, so why not Atheism?”

**Honestly, what’s this all about? **

To be honest, I was just curious. Just because this seems like such a clear issue to you doesn’t mean it seems like a clear issue to everyone else. I’ve been surprised by some answers before, and not surprised by other answers, and the overwhelming response here definately surprised me, especially after the response to my “Should homosexuality be illegal?” thread (where about 35% of respondants said yes before the thread was hidden from public view). With a much clearer issue morally, regarding a group of people who are much less respected publicly - and who are condemned more heavily in your scriptures - I assumed that the response would be even more so. But it’s not, and that’s surprising. I can’t say I know why.

 

[Filius99993]

Atheism is quite possibly one of the worst sins in the eyes of the Church. It includes a complete rejection of Jesus, the authority of the Church, the love of God - almost every single Catholic doctrine about the divine. It most certianly is a mortal sin, if the other two conditions for a mortal sin are met.

Other grave sins are illegal, such as murder, rape, theft, etc. Atheism, which is just as bad (if not even worse) than those sins, ought to be illegal too. Also, it would be a deterrant to conversion to atheism and most likely result in significantly fewer atheists.

So, why shouldn’t atheism be illegal? Where is my logic wrong?

God gave us freewill. You can’t force someone to believe in God. It’s different for other issues, though.

 

[PenguinsFan]

Atheism is quite possibly one of the worst sins in the eyes of the Church. It includes a complete rejection of Jesus, the authority of the Church, the love of God - almost every single Catholic doctrine about the divine. It most certianly is a mortal sin, if the other two conditions for a mortal sin are met.

Other grave sins are illegal, such as murder, rape, theft, etc. Atheism, which is just as bad (if not even worse) than those sins, ought to be illegal too. Also, it would be a deterrant to conversion to atheism and most likely result in significantly fewer atheists.

So, why shouldn’t atheism be illegal? Where is my logic wrong?

You can’t put people in jail because of beliefs. I guess u could just change your story when it came to trial.

 

[SeekerJen]

What purpose would illegalizing atheism serve? You can’t force people to have faith.

 

[vern_humphrey]

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances

.
(My emphasis.)

And how can you make people believe if they will not? Do we have mindreaders who can tell unbelievers from believers?

 

[mapleoak]

Ummmm, how about the fact the United States is a democracy, not a theocracy, and one of the founding principles was freedom of religion.

This is a crag in the foundation of our country, not a benefit. Though there are ‘apparent’ benefits, the disadvantages of this type of government are little by little undermining its foundation. The fact that abortion is legal in our country, the fact that promiscuity is becoming the norm, the fact that unjust taxes levied, and the fact that morality is basically on an unstoppable downward sprial, are all testament to the falacious idea of a Godless government. God will allow man to be foolish in his pride to his own ruin.

 

[PenguinsFan]

Valid points. Not to mention, just because I say I believe in God, doesn’t mean my actions will follow. There are tons of people in prison who believe there’s “a god.”

 

[mapleoak]

You can’t force people to have faith.

But legislation can mandate that the actions of its citizens be ordered to moral conformity. It has this as a responsibility. This is different than mandating what someone can believe.

 

[SeekerJen]

But legislation can mandate that the actions of its citizens be ordered to moral conformity. It has this as a responsibility. This is different than mandating what someone can believe.

This is where you’re not following the OP’s intent. From the OP:

Atheism is quite possibly one of the worst sins in the eyes of the Church. It includes a complete rejection of Jesus, the authority of the Church, the love of God - almost every single Catholic doctrine about the divine. It most certianly is a mortal sin, if the other two conditions for a mortal sin are met.

Other grave sins are illegal, such as murder, rape, theft, etc. Atheism, which is just as bad (if not even worse) than those sins, ought to be illegal too. Also, it would be a deterrant to conversion to atheism and most likely result in significantly fewer atheists.

The OP was certainly talking about legislating against atheism as a belief system, and yes, that would be mandating personal beliefs.

 

[goofyjim]

This is a crag in the foundation of our country, not a benefit. Though there are ‘apparent’ benefits, the disadvantages of this type of government are little by little undermining its foundation. The fact that abortion is legal in our country, the fact that promiscuity is becoming the norm, the fact that unjust taxes levied, and the fact that morality is basically on an unstoppable downward sprial, are all testament to the falacious idea of a Godless government. God will allow man to be foolish in his pride to his own ruin.

We are not a Godless government. But we are a democracy and I prefer it that way.

 

[BlaineTog]

What?! No, of course not. That’s ridiculous. Those other crimes are crimes against someone else, which you have no right to do, but you have every right to choose what you believe (suicide usurps God’s right to choose when life ends).

And I hardly think atheism is the worst sin.