America growing increasingly Atheist

Patt Morrison (KPCC, SCPR.org)

Smile, there may be many hells and heavens yet no "God" due to workings of  karma.

  

Stephen Batchelor - atheist

The belief in God, or gods, is changing and some new research shows that the practice is on the decline worldwide. 

According to a new poll by WIN-Gallup International, the percentage of Americans who identify as “religious” dropped 13 points -- from 73 to 60 percent since 2005. The number of Americans who identify as atheists jumped from 1 percent to 5 percent in the same period. 

  

The poll posed the same question to 50,000 people in 57 countries and five continents: “Irrespective of whether you attend a place of worship or not, would you say you are a religious person, not a religious person, or a convinced atheist?”
  

“When we say religious, the definition of religious and religiosity has changed, especially for Americans. And so you ask the question, ‘Are you more religious?’ The answer may be that I’m not religious or as religious or more religious but I’m spiritual,” Dr. Carolyn Gordon, associate professor of communication and preaching at Fuller Seminary, told Patt Morrison. More

Was the Buddha an atheist?

Wisdom Quarterly

The Buddha surrounded by humans and devas

If theism is defined as a belief, faith, or reliance on a creator/controller "God," the Buddha certainly was an atheist. But the issue is not that straightforward. The Buddha spoke of (and to) many "gods" (brahmas and devas).
  
Therefore, if theism includes the belief in "gods" (devas or "shining light beings" superior to humans in happiness, beauty, longevity, and other qualities), then the Buddha was no atheist.

The Buddha pointed out the wrong-view of relying on an all-powerful God as an explanation for the universe, karma, or as a means to enlightenment and final liberation from suffering.
  

Buddha in Thailand (Dongissel/flickr.com)

Buddhism is non-theistic. That is not at all the same as atheistic. It means that whether there are or are not gods or a God makes no difference to the need to exert oneself to develop compassion, insight-wisdom, and "salvation" (liberation from ignorance and samsara, the wheel of rebirth and suffering).
  
There are worlds in space, "heavenly" planes, some subtle (rupa), some immaterial (arupa). But even in this Sensual Sphere (kama loka), there are better planes/worlds to be reborn in.

Therefore, there is sex after death, sex in lower "heavenly worlds." In the world of Brahma -- which transcends sex, sensuality, and sexual dimorphism (Great Brahma and the other Gods being neither male nor female) -- is peaceful and sublime. But it is no final end of suffering, no escape from the round of rebirth or karmic results. It is no solution to the problem of ignorance and the suffering it brings about.

Enlightenment is a solution.

The Buddha was not a god, prophet, avatar, or an advocate for the gods/God. Instead, he demonstrated what an ordinary human being can attain in terms of wisdom, compassion, and most importantly a liberation surpassing that of God/the gods. He is therefore regarded as a teacher of devas, brahmas, and human beings.

"When Brute Force Fails" (listen)

Crime may be down, but punish-ment remains a significant issue. It is compounded by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s urging to privatize prisons. Nationally, one in every 100 men in the U.S. is incarcerated — the highest number in our history and the highest percentage of any country in the world.

What’s at the root of this problem, and what are the most cost effective means of fixing it? Author Mark Kleiman joins Patt Morrison with his book When Brute Force Fails.

Listen Now - Download

Mark A.R. Kleiman (Against Excess: Drug Policy for Results & Marijuana: Costs of Abuse, Costs of Control) is professor of public policy at UCLA.

• Comedy Congress

Born to Be Good (Radio)

KPCC Public Radio (Feb. 5, 2009)

Were humans "born to be good?" UC Berkeley psychology professor Dacher Keltner thinks the evolution of "pro-social" emotions such as gratitude and compassion suggest we may have been "born to be good." The science behind this is surprising.

"Patt Morrison" (hosted by Patt Morrison, pictured) is a live two-hour public affairs radio show airing (and available to stream worldwide) weekdays at 1 p.m. PST. The program is known for its innovative discussions of local Los Angeles area politics and culture, and for its presentation of national and world news as it affects Southern California.

• Archived show 2/5/2009: Born to Be Good? [Listen: Hour 1 - Hour 2]
• Dacher Keltner talks about his new book, Born to Be Good: the Science of a Meaningful Life, and his hypothesis that humans were in fact "born to be good," evidenced by our evolving of "pro-social" emotions, such as gratitude, amusement, awe, and compassion—all of which promote ethical action and create the fabric of cooperative societies.
• Dacher Keltner, UC Berkeley professor of psychology, director of the Greater Good Science Center, and coeditor of Greater Good magazine.

Patt meets TED (TED Conference 2009)

Patt Meets TED on 2/6/09, Patt Morrison broadcasts live from the TED conference in Long Beach, California. Over its 25 years, the "Technology, Entertainment, Design" conference has pulled in some big names -- such as Al Gore and Jane Goodall -- and this year features Bill Gates. Patt Morrison invades the exclusive conference in Long Beach to interview some of the biggest thinkers of our time.

Are We Born to be Good? (Patt Morrison Blog)
Far and away, today’s favorite segment with all of you was hearing from Dachner Keltner about his new book, ”Born to Be Good: the Science of a Meaningful Life.” Against the centuries of history about human selfishness and striving, he argues that self-sacrifice, compassion and altruism are in fact part of our evolutionary and genetic map. Like our primate relatives’, our own brains reward and reinforce sharing and empathy. He’s a fascinating guest, one we’ve had on before and hope to get back in front of a microphone again soon.

Some of you were upset that we talked about the possibility of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg leaving the court or taking a medical leave after her surgery today for early-stage pancreatic cancer. She is 75 years old and survived cancer of the colon about ten years ago. Folks, this is about more than Justice Ginsberg, as she herself would no doubt acknowledge. The Supreme Court makes decisions that change the course of individual lives, from segregation to reproductive choices. Who occupies and who might occupy one of those nine seats is of vital importance to the nation, and anything affecting that is a fit subject for discussion.

We heard from our fourth Los Angeles mayoral candidate, David Hernandez. Six more to go, before the March 3 election, counting the incumbent, Antonio Villaraigosa. If he agrees to appear, he’ll get ten minutes, just like everyone else. — Patt Morrison