Polytheistic Atheist vs. Monotheistic Atheist

It's very possible. Atheism might be a coping mechanism for dealing with some deeply held beliefs instilled earlier in life. I'm not one to believe that man's relationship to God is static, or that everything that can be known is already known. Progress in religion will continue just as it does in science, and in the distant future, there will probably be a deeper understanding of the relationship between God and man than there is now.

 

or we will all realize we can never know and all become agnostic I will welcome you all to the fold when that day comes...and I wont even say 'I told you so'

 

Are there any countries that have a majority of atheists in the population and also in position of political/ruling power?

My own thinking is that one's moral belief system is heavily dependent upon the society and culture that you are brought up in whether you are a believer or non-believer. Some things are forced upon you consciously or unconsciously. It is fine to say that one is an atheist and have developed their sense of right and wrong and act accordingly. But, society probably has a huge affect on that system. And most societies and cultures are quite religious. What are the stats for the US? Somewhere around 90% or better believe in a God or higher being from the polls/studies I have seen.

It would be tough to survive in a society if your sense of right and wrong did not closely mirror the society that you live in.

 

I would agree with that Stu...as for me...I was raised Roman Catholic...I dont think that had as much to do with my morals as the example set by my parents who are, and remain, extremely kind, good people.

Even with them as examples I became a thug...a punk without doubt who did not care about those around me...pretty selfish....what turned me around was philosophy and reading about the inherent rights of man and the social contract which allows animals to live in groups without harming each other...in animals it is inherent and I think in humans it is as well as we are social animals...it is our nature to have empathy...as Zeno the Stoic said...follow where reason leads...and be true to nature...

Also experience taught me...as things were done to me by others, I realized what I was doing to them and how it feels...

I think, for me, very real people around me and wise thinkers set me on the right path more than religion though I must say that the example of Jesus Christ...whether he is the son of god or not, also was an inspiration...as well as siddhartha, the Buddha. I think I learned better without the confusion and unanswerable question that arose when God is thrown into the mix...I soon realized I didnt need to put aside my doubts and believe, that I could see that even without god in the mix, there were very real reason why laws are in place and why there are certain expectations on us...and maybe god was just needed to reinforce these truths at one time...or even now some need that extra reason...as cloudsweeper says...to keep on the right path. For that I am glad it is there...for those who need it for one reason or another...whether it is for the extra reason to follow a moral life, or just to put ones mind at ease and give them purpose...

but you are right...most, if not all societies have fostered some form of religion and certainly one cannot live in that society without learning what they offer.