I was confused by the thought too,

but while pursuing the internet I ran into this interesting video:

To be honest I had sincerely mixed feelings about it. On one hand he’s on to something with his realization of the cultural void secularization has left in the wake of its hostile takeover; and on the other he’s entirely misunderstanding the reason as to why that societal degradation has occurred.

Starting with a jarring, and almost silly, halfhearted rejection of all religious beliefs; I was fairly certain that this was headed in precisely the same direction as every other atheistic rant about religion (…Richard Dawkins). However as his argument continued, I couldn’t help but wonder, “Do you know how Catholic you’re sounding right now?” He opens the meat of his discussion with the very interesting (very Catholic) topic of education. Education is one of the primary actions of any religious groups, as organized religion seeks to educate its members on life, ethics, and morality; but the religious ties to education go much deeper than that.

Who’s the founder of the educational system? The Catholic Church.

Next he looks at calendars and their inherent necessity to remind us of important ideas and stories. This can only make me think of one thing… The Catholic Church.

Further he looks at sacramentalism “symbolism.” He justly accounts the necessity of symbolism in its reminding us of the important values we need to have a fulfilling life, and he himself admits that it’s necessary for this level of fulfillment.

He can only be describing one thing… The Catholic Church.

“Oh, sorry. Was I supposed to be surprised?”

This continues as such, but the point is that he makes a very compelling argument (over and over and over again) that having a “religious mindset” produces a better society. If this is true, as he argues it is (and defends quite well) then;

WHY ARE YOU AN ATHEIST?!

Y U NO WANT RELIGION?!





If religion gets the human results that you see as an objective good for humanity, then it must be an objective good for humanity.





This question is answered in the video with a simplistic refusal of religion, and a flimsy proposal that we ought to replace religion with culture. I say that this idea is flimsy not simply because I disagree, or because he doesn’t really back it up with proof that it’s feasible, but simply because culture, in itself, is not a separate entity to be viewed outside of a whole, philosophical, religious, and spiritual movement. Culture doesn’t just spring foreword from nothing, it depends on beliefs to inform and direct it.

..not inspired or anything, completely for the sake of culture

This is the real reason why we have “secularized poorly,” not because we have failed to implement an inherently good system, one that would bring us great prosperity and growth; but that we have followed secularization to the only logical conclusion it ever could have reached, failure.

So, it’s time for us all to face it; secularization has failed.

for culture right? no God.

Looking at this glaring fact, that secularization has ruined our culture and diluted our society I now can address his opening statement; that atheists spend too much time talking about why there can’t be a God.

Why do they do that?

Because otherwise they would have to look at the harsh reality, that their entire “advancement” in human history has brought on nothing but a lack of understanding and enjoyment. If they were to tear themselves away from their poorly written prose and angst filled Reddit posts, then they would have to stare down the barrel of the the gun which they have pointed firmly at the face of humanity; they would have to admit that their guiding hand in this “progress” into the secular has brought on only the demise of civilization.

Yes, Mr. de Button, you are entirely correct; we have secularized poorly. However, I’m afraid that I must inform you that there is no other way. There is no positive secularization. Atheism 2.0 has take that final step of it’s logical progression, back to the faith.