Just finished your article entitled "The Church of the Non-Believers" (first magazine I've purchased off the rack in a LONG time... good job) - very interesting read.
I have a Master's Degree in Philosophy, and have been an Atheist since I was fourteen years old and saw repeated "middle finger-ings" in the parking lot of church AFTER the sermon was complete. I really never believed in the first place, but to my point:
The reason why atheism will never be mainstream is quite simple - IT IS HUMAN NATURE TO BLAME EVENTS ON SOMETHING OTHER THAN ONESELF. Since other humans aren't always available, someone or something has to be the backbone for WHY things happen. Whether it be good or bad, human beings cannot stand to always blame themselves - it goes against our very nature - i.e. ego.
Thus, religion - or the belief in the divine, other-world, supernatural, spirit, whatever - will always have a place for the majority of the human population. The argument can go on and on - science can prove more and more - and religion will always have its place.... kind of like superstitions.
Humans inherently are attracted to pattern, logic, i.e. a schedule - we desire to know rather than not know. Religion offers this - in a completely illogical way. Chaos and not-knowing - which is what atheism ultimately provides - is something human beings shy away from.
Atheism offers the self up as a sacrifice to life - not a good thing for the ego.
The Church of the Non-Believers better come up with a better religion to satisfy the masses.
Kevin DowneyOverland Park, KS
