Atheism and Secularism Grow: Religion Wanes In Britain and Europe
by John R. Schroeder
Author Ludovic Kennedy has been
a shaper of British opinion for many years. But, until fairly recently,
he has not blatantly trumpeted his atheistic position to the general
public. Now he is making up for lost time by authoring a major book
titled "All in the Mind," as well as writing feature articles for national
newspapers.
Kennedy concluded a recent two-page
article directing the following words to the British public: "Surely,
as a people, we no longer feel a need to acknowledge and pay tribute
to a god that may have been real enough to our ancestors, but which
for most of us today exists only as an archaic, atavistic idea.
"No one has put it better," continued
Kennedy, "than German scholar Feuerbach, who said: 'Religion is a dream
of the human mind which projects on to an illusory godthe highest
dreams and aspirations'" (emphasis ours). Note that Kennedy says, "for
most of us." He assumes that his circle of colleagues feels the same
way. Clearly he is not the only one of his kind here in Britain. The
Sunday Telegraphregularly features a column called "Me and My
God." One contributor said that he "feels a better person without religion." Others
have used this column to confess their atheism.
Ludovic Kennedy's atheistic beliefs
go back to his youth. Commented The Daily Mail:"Ever since
he was a young boy Ludovic Kennedy has held an abiding distrust of
God.... The distinguished writer argues that faith is just a dream
and there is greater spirituality in nature and art." Of course, many
Britons and Europeans would not necessarily hold to such extreme beliefs,
but their continuing and growing presence is a definite sign of the
times.
