What is the root cause of the problems in America today?

[the24fan]

I agree that we have become more selfish as a society, but I don’t think that’s strictly an atheist trait. To be honest, I think that humans thinking they are better and more important than other organisms on this planet, is the MOST selfish thing of all.
Also as an atheist, I definitely believe there is something bigger and more important than me, it’s this awesome planet we get to inhabit! I’ve hand planted over 500 trees and shrubs on our property and I’m restoring a couple acres into native prairie. It’s hard work and expensive, but it’s worth it. We’d all be better off if we put Mother Earth first. It’s where we all end up, after all, back to the earth, like every other living organism on this planet.

As someone who has an appreciation for Mother Earth , have you seriously stopped to ponder the complexity of life? To marvel at the systems in place to sustain that life?
Think of photosynthesis, the water cycle, the human brain. Think of how earths perfect position and distance from the sun makes life possible. It’s tilted just enough to make its orbit correct, and to provide the seasons .
when you stop to see how many things are in place to create this unique planet , the harder it becomes to ignore intelligent design

 

[State of Illinois]

I think you need a nap Rudy.

 

[ConvenientParking]

What is happening in America has nothing to do with politics, religion, the media or social media. Instead the problems are the result of the very basic ideas that gave birth to this country.

Freedom, capitalism and a competitive spirit.

These are generally great things and they allowed this country to grow at an amazing rate.

However, I believe that they have mutated into something ugly -

Freedom - I have the right to do whatever I want. I'm right and you will agree with me or you are an idiot. There is no reason for me to respect the opinion of others because, you know, Freedom. The key here is that it is MY FREEDOM, not yours. You do not have the right to do things that offend me. NO, you may not get an abortion, you may not own a gun! Those things are interfering with my freedoms!

Capitalism - Companies are now driven by solely by wealth creation. The owners demand high rates of return on their investments. Profit is King. Cost cutting, ruthless competition, mergers, risk taking - all business 101. If you grow 10%, well, then why didn't you grow 15%? FIX IT! You must do whatever is necessary to create wealth! If you have no wealth, you are irrelevant.

Competitive spirit - I must WIN at all costs. There is no such thing as a win/win - I must win and you must lose. Business, politics, media, social media, sports, wealth generation - even things like sharing the road with other drivers. I have to have a better house, a better car. If I don't win, I am a loser. Winning is everything today in all walks of life.


I believe we are the victims of the very thing that once made this country great.

This is better than my answer (which mine was mostly a counter troll drill).

 

[the24fan]

You better fùcking ban me right fùcking now @Mike Zierath because I am flat fùcking tired of creeping religious fundamentalism by prick motherfùcker religious supremacist assholes trying to “own” good in the word. It fúcking disgusts me. Ban me ASAP.

Thanks.

Settle down there sparky.
You going off a bender like this puts you in the same camp as the religious extremists you claim to hate. And FYI just because I believe in God Doesn't mean I have the belief I’m better than you .

 

[Mike Zierath]

@State of Illinois, no. You are just acting out!

go grab a snickers bar. You’ll feel better!

Z

 

[Aardvark86]

I agree that we have become more selfish as a society, but I don’t think that’s strictly an atheist trait. To be honest, I think that humans thinking they are better and more important than other organisms on this planet, is the MOST selfish thing of all.
Also as an atheist, I definitely believe there is something bigger and more important than me, it’s this awesome planet we get to inhabit! I’ve hand planted over 500 trees and shrubs on our property and I’m restoring a couple acres into native prairie. It’s hard work and expensive, but it’s worth it. We’d all be better off if we put Mother Earth first. It’s where we all end up, after all, back to the earth, like every other living organism on this planet.

To be clear, I did not mean to suggest that it is an atheist trait, and I applaud your work my friend. Indeed, I'd lay money that most "thoughtful atheists" are much more committed to some broader principle than most "lazy agnostics." (I'd quibble with you about your choice of broader principle over a beer, but this is neither the time nor the place for that.) The problem is, we have many more lazy agnostics, and among them, I do think there's a correlation to their consumption of the 'my truth' approach. And sadly, it's not simply that that approach leads to unselfishness, it leads to unhappiness.

 

[State of Illinois]

@State of Illinois, no. You are just acting out!

go grab a snickers bar. You’ll feel better!

Z

Your mom is eating my snickers bar and by golly I do feel a little better.

 

[joelbc1]

1. The Corrupt Media

2. The Educational System

3. Broken Families

4. Drugs, Gangs, and the lack of leadership

5. Everybody is a victim and the lack of accountability In the country.

6. Selfishness

7. Social Media

I would eliminate #1 and #2 as complete non-factors...but “crutches” for the ignorant. #3 thru #6 in some order in the Top 10. #7 is a problem because “we” choose to allow it to be....turn the damn phones off....don’t watch 24/7 “news channels”....because they ain’t news at all. They are social agendas only. And “agendas” have never solved a problem in the history of mankind.m
The biggest problem in America today is it’s disparity of wealth. Wealth = Opportunity in America with damn few exceptions...and these “rags to riches” stories are the exception and NOT the rule.
America’s lack of how it is intended To work is a horrible problem. Easily half of its citizens can’t explain how a law is made or explain the Constitutional duties of its Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches...and then throw in all the bullshit of what constitutes the nation’s history.
Boyz...study Italy and Mussolini because if we catch a break, that is where we are headed! If we don’t catch a break...think Hungary.

 

[Phenomenally Frantastic]

Ego

 

[State of Illinois]

Ego

Hubris and greed. And insatiable snickers appetitery.

 

[BelemNole]

I don't think anyone seriously suggests that not having god in one's life makes them a bad person. But, there is a very, very important underlying characteristic inherent to god-belief: that there is something bigger, and more important, than yourself. Now is it a trait exclusive to god-belief? Certainly not. But it is the loss of that, and the advancement of the self-above-all value that is the "root cause" here.

This is good stuff, you should take it on the road.
I'm assuming it's comedy material, right?
Because you sure as fuq can't be serious.
It's not the non-believers that invented the "prosperity gospel" in order to rationalize their greed and self interest. It's mainstream American Christianity.

 

[HawkFan1298]

This is good stuff, you should take it on the road.
I'm assuming it's comedy material, right?
Because you sure as fuq can't be serious.
It's not the non-believers that invented the "prosperity gospel" in order to rationalize their greed and self interest. It's mainstream American Christianity.

The prosperity gospel is relatively new.

The American worship of money goes back wayyyy before that, IMO.

 

[BelemNole]

Well, the social sciences tend to show the opposite.

For how virtuous most atheists/secular humanists describe themselves, they are much less likely to give to charity or volunteer than Christians are.

Right, but if you look at the numbers the 'charities' that the religious give to are.....their churches and groups related to their churches. That accounts for ~75% of us charity. Me giving something when I go to mass with my mom might be a write off on my taxes, but it's not helping anyone but that church.
Me writing a check to childhood cancer research is actual charity.

 

[BelemNole]

The prosperity gospel is relatively new.

The American worship of money goes back wayyyy before that, IMO.

And what was I replying to? Someone claiming that the root cause was the loss of faith. Which is new. Just like your prosperity gospel.
Try to keep up.

 

[HawkFan1298]

Right, but if you look at the numbers the 'charities' that the religious give to are.....their churches and groups related to their churches. That accounts for ~75% of us charity. Me giving something when I go to mass with my mom might be a write off on my taxes, but it's not helping anyone but that church.
Me writing a check to childhood cancer research is actual charity.

Lots of church charities are highly rated, though. Just because something is church related doesn't make it a scam.

Charity Navigator - Your Search Results

Charity Navigator, the world's largest and most-utilized independent nonprofit evaluator, empowers donors of all sizes with free access to data, tools, and resources to guide philanthropic decision-making.

www.charitynavigator.org

 

[HawkFan1298]

And what was I replying to? Someone claiming that the root cause was the loss of faith. Which is new. Just like your prosperity gospel.
Try to keep up.

I don't adhere to the prosperity gospel lol. I make 50K a year.

Here's some car listening for you:

 

[DooBii]

Right, but if you look at the numbers the 'charities' that the religious give to are.....their churches and groups related to their churches. That accounts for ~75% of us charity. Me giving something when I go to mass with my mom might be a write off on my taxes, but it's not helping anyone but that church.
Me writing a check to childhood cancer research is actual charity.

That's not true at all. Our church gives out every penny that it takes in.

 

[Aardvark86]

The prosperity gospel is relatively new.

The American worship of money goes back wayyyy before that, IMO.

And that’s a helluva nice what about Ian effort.

 

[Speedway1]

Youre agreeing with my point. We delivered both houses and the presidency to Dems and they will do nothing to counter the biggest set back of rights in 50 years.

The right to kill babies. Sick

 

[claykenny]

Pope Benedict on modern atheist societies, 2019:


"A society without God - a society that does not know Him and treats Him as non-existent - is a society that loses its measure. In our day, the catchphrase of God's death was coined. When God does die in a society, it becomes free, we were assured. In reality, the death of God in a society also means the end of freedom, because what dies is the purpose that provides orientation. And because the compass disappears that points us in the right direction by teaching us to distinguish good from evil.

Western society is a society in which God is absent in the public sphere and has nothing left to offer it. And that is why it is a society in which the measure of humanity is increasingly lost. At individual points it becomes suddenly apparent that what is evil and destroys man has become a matter of course."

- Pope Benedict, 2019

Ratzinger, you mean. He was never my pope.

 

[Fan In Black]

the same problem that has plagued humanity for its entire existence. Religion.

 

[HawkFan1298]

the same problem that has plagued humanity for its entire existence. Religion.

You prefer Nazism or Communism?

 

[HawkFan1298]

Ratzinger, you mean. He was never my pope.

You were a sedevacantist?

 

[claykenny]

You were a sedevacantist?

No, just don’t like conservative Nazis.

 

[HawkFan1298]

No, just don’t like conservative Nazis.

He wasn't a Nazi.

POPE BENEDICT XVI: THE NAZI YEARS; Few See Taint in Service By Pope in Hitler Youth (Published 2005)

Historians and Jewish groups agree that new Pope Benedict XVI's wartime membership in Hitler Youth, mandatory for high school students at time, has little if any significance now and certainly suggests no sympathy for Nazis; photo; young Ratzinger, like John Paul II growing up in Poland, turned...

www.nytimes.com

 

[claykenny]

That's not true at all. Our church gives out every penny that it takes in.

That’s pretty amazing. How do they pay their utility bills and for facilities? Pastor works for free and pays for the communion out of his own pocket?

 

[claykenny]

He wasn't a Nazi.

POPE BENEDICT XVI: THE NAZI YEARS; Few See Taint in Service By Pope in Hitler Youth (Published 2005)

Historians and Jewish groups agree that new Pope Benedict XVI's wartime membership in Hitler Youth, mandatory for high school students at time, has little if any significance now and certainly suggests no sympathy for Nazis; photo; young Ratzinger, like John Paul II growing up in Poland, turned...

www.nytimes.com

Allegedly.

What would Jesus do? Join the Hitler Youth? Or be willing to die for what’s right? Not all Catholics pretended to be Nazis to save themselves.

 

[HawkFan1298]

Allegedly.

What would Jesus do? Join the Hitler Youth? Or be willing to die for what’s right? Not all Catholics pretended to be Nazis to save themselves.

Ratzinger was forced into the German army. He was never a Nazi. He was a child. He deserted and was almost killed by the S.S.

You really should read more history.

 

[DooBii]

That’s pretty amazing. How do they pay their utility bills and for facilities? Pastor works for free and pays for the communion out of his own pocket?

Yeah, other than expenses. I thought that would be a given, but I guess this is HORT.

 

[Mike Zierath]

Your mom is eating my snickers bar and by golly I do feel a little better.

My mom is 81…..so if that’s doing it for you….more power to ya!

Z

 

[claykenny]

Yeah, other than expenses. I thought that would be a given, but I guess this is HORT.

You said “every penny” and I believe in literal interpretation of everything, including the Bible and Constitution, without exception. So, you lied.

 

[claykenny]

Ratzinger was forced into the German army. He was never a Nazi. He was a child. He deserted and was almost killed by the S.S.

You really should read more history.

I’ve read plenty of history. He should have died for what he believed. Instead he went along with the Nazis. Doesn’t sound very Christ-like.

At least you properly referred to him as Ratzinger instead of Pope Benedict.

 

[HawkFan1298]

I’ve read plenty of history. He should have died for what he believed. Instead he went along with the Nazis. Doesn’t sound very Christ-like.

At least you properly referred to him as Ratzinger instead of Pope Benedict.

He should have been killed as a child?

That makes no sense. Have you read his books? He gave so much to the world. He was indeed Pope Benedict.

You can't be Catholic and reject a Pope. Sorry you lapsed.

 

[Fan In Black]

You prefer Nazism or Communism?

I prefer that people not live by the word of fairy tales made up by people thousands of years ago. Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, all of them. If you live by the rules of primitive people you are a a dumb fu**

Ride a donkey to work.

 

[HawkFan1298]

I prefer that people not live by the word of fairy tales made up by people thousands of years ago. Christians, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, all of them. If you live by the rules of primitive people you are a a dumb fu**

Jesus isn't a fairy tail. That's an atheist myth.

 

[notlongago]

I understand the system is pretty messed up. It favors the minority party (republicans,) you can’t even argue that.

However all of the people who are complaining about the recent events and say their vote doesn’t matter, need to stfu.

We have these problems because people refuse to believe their vote doesn’t matter. Republican legislators are just doing what they are elected to do. If you don’t like the outcome, vote for the Democrats.

The root of the problem is the people who elect these officials, and those who refuse to believe their vote doesn’t matter, those who claim it’s “both sides” causing all the problems.

Y’all need to wake tfu.

Wrong - you and people with similar thoughts are the issue. Anyone who claims one of the two major parties and simultaneously cannot acknowledge the shortcomings and flaws of that party are a problem. Along with; 24hr infotainment, 2 party system where both parties are just wings of the same bird, and an inherent selfishness of the population.

 

[State of Illinois]

My mom is 81…..so if that’s doing it for you….more power to ya!

Z

To us both, Mike. More power to us both.

 

[kwik44]

Societal decay. Too much trash has festered over time. Starts with the family unit, if there is ever to be a reversal.

 

[State of Illinois]

Societal decay. Too much trash has festered over time. Starts with the family unit, if there is ever to be a reversal.

I keep hearing this all the time and I feel like it’s a cop out, honestly. Of course family is important, but without some societal stability, the stressors on people become stressors on parenting and family. Also, relating back to that article I keep posting critiquing contemporary capitalism, the breakdown of neighborhood and community also affects family. Forty or fifty years ago, generally-speaking, neighborhoods were closer or in the urban core for our small and medium sized cities. And they were more of the “it takes a village” characteristic. We’ve gone down a path of increased individualism at the expense of community, and neighborhood. Neighborhoods tended to be a little more mixed income, too, which helped strengthen the fabric of community by diversity of people, even if only economically. We’ve essentially resegregated the country, white flighting into exurban enclaves, consolidating wealth and thus rendering everything around that wealth less stable, and that’s just not good.

I’ll post it again. This article alludes to some of this.

Contemporary capitalism breeds a destructive society

amp.smh.com.au

 

[kwik44]

I keep hearing this all the time and I feel like it’s a cop out, honestly. Of course family is important, but without some societal stability, the stressors on people become stressors on parenting and family. Also, relating back to that article I keep posting critiquing contemporary capitalism, the breakdown of neighborhood and community also affects family. Forty or fifty years ago, generally-speaking, neighborhoods were closer or in the urban core for our small and medium sized cities. And they were more of the “it takes a village” characteristic. We’ve gone down a path of increased individualism at the expense of community, and neighborhood. Neighborhoods tended to be a little more mixed income, too, which helped strengthen the fabric of community by diversity of people, even if only economically. We’ve essentially desegregated the country, and that’s just not good.

I’ll post it again. This article alludes to some of this.

Contemporary capitalism breeds a destructive society

amp.smh.com.au

Not interested in blaming capitalism. That's a copout in it's own right.

Socialism doesn't reward people who want more for themselves. It hinders advancement to strictly make the unwilling feel better about themselves.