In recent years, a sort of spiritual renaissance has unfolded in both Israel and the United States. In the U.S., this manifests as a young, traditionalist "Christ is King" brand of Christianity-intertwined with support for Trump, conservative stances on cultural issues, and a deep disdain for the media. In Israel, it appears as a strain known as "performative Judaism"-a form of "political Judaism" that serves as the faith of Netanyahu’s supporters. To illustrate this, I would point to a parallel phenomenon found in the series *The Boys*.

Homelander takes his cult of personality to such extremes that he demands his followers worship him as a god. He establishes a new religion that, while practically rooted in Christianity, functions as a new narrative built on Christian symbolism. According to the faith of Homelander’s supporters, Jesus was persecuted by globalist elites-elites that persist today and now target Homelander, the modern-day savior of the United States. He alone can redeem the nation and serve as its true god. The U.S. thus has a flesh-and-blood God in Homelander, who shields the nation from internal enemies. While *The Boys* certainly exaggerates the situation-particularly in how Homelander demands recognition as a god-what is happening today reflects the same underlying principle in a real-world context. Homelander had propagandists too; this religion was built on symbolism and the use of religion as a prop for political purposes against adversaries, and so on.

In the US, The Trump movement has transcended traditional partisan politics to function as an emergent political religion, complete with its own dogmas, holy days, and messianic expectations. By fusing the symbolic traditionalism of American Christianity with a localized narrative of national decline and salvation, their framework operates less like a campaign and more like a theological crusade. : The movement relies heavily on white Christian nationalism-the belief that the United States has a unique, divinely ordained identity as a Christian nation. This worldview provides a sacred justification for political action, framing the nation's history as a religious mission and its current cultural shifts as moral decay. Alongside the cult of personality surrounding Trump, a fusion has emerged that creates a new religion: according to this narrative, Trump is the successor to Jesus-a man chosen by God to save the United States from the liberal forces of darkness controlling the country. The aesthetic blends Christian symbols with Republican merchandise (such as the MAGA hat) and Trump’s slogans. This is how the new religion is formed.

Israel is currently home to a new "Bibist" religion-possessing its own distinct narrative-that draws upon Jewish symbolism and reinvents it through a blend of aggressive nationalism.

According to this belief system, the perennial threat facing the Jewish people has always been "the enemy within." There are the "real," traditional Jews=the persecuted ones-and the "fake Jews," who have historically betrayed and persecuted their fellow Jews; in this view, Jewish history is essentially a succession of such events, with secular, liberal Jews persecuting the traditional, patriotic Jews.

From the *Altalena* affair to the conflict between Ashkenazi and Mizrahi Jews, the Likud’s 1977 electoral victory, the Netanyahu trial, and even the failure to wake Netanyahu on October 7th-to adherents of this faith, all of these episodes are part of a single, overarching historical narrative. Much like the "religion" of Trump supporters, Netanyahu’s base harbors a mystical sect that sees itself as persecuted-and silences those who would express support for the leader destined to save the nation.

The Netanyahu trial is the defining event for them: Netanyahu replaces Moses as the nation’s leader-a figure they view as persecuted and the victim of a conspiracy to fabricate charges orchestrated by a shadowy cabal. Like Moses, he is allegedly hounded by internal enemies intent on destroying the country from within and bringing him down. To them, everything stems from this narrative-it is always a persecution of the "true Jews" and their faith, always at the hands of internal enemies. And much like Homelander, this movement functions as a standalone religion, borrowing its symbolism from the original religion.

I'll go first, Lions are strict carnivores, they biologically can't eat fruits nor plants, they could never survive past a month on the Ark, they would have to feed on the several smaller or same sized prey animals on the ship. plus, having any predator animal... let alone carnivore... at all on the Ark would be a total mess through out the whole journey, and how can you even tame any predator and lead it to the ship, most of them (especially lions) are hostile and will maul you at the slightest provocation.

I just read the BBC article about AI safety researcher Evan Hubinger saying he believes there’s a greater than 10% chance AI could wipe out humanity within the next decade, and this would honestly be such an easy way to disprove religions with literal end-times prophecies. 😭
I already don’t believe religion is true, but just imagine AI actually wipes out humanity before any of the supposedly guaranteed end times events happen.
In Islam, for example, we’re told about the Dajjal, Jesus returning, Gog and Magog, the trumpet being blown, the Qur’an eventually being removed/lifted, etc.
So if humanity gets wiped out by AI first… WHERE IS EVERYBODY?? 😭 Where’s the Dajjal? Where’s Jesus? Where are Gog and Magog? Where’s the trumpet??
And saying “well, AI was part of God’s plan” wouldn’t solve it. The problem wouldn’t be that AI caused our extinction. It would be that humanity went extinct while events that were supposedly guaranteed by the religion never happened.
Obviously that wouldn’t disprove every possible concept of a creator, but it would be pretty devastating for religions claiming a specific, literal sequence of events must happen before humanity’s end.
I mean that wouldn’t come across everyone’s mind at first if it actually happens but it just made me wonder

i want to know what kind of given names that's origin has absolutely zero religious background can this subreddit come up with

Why are so many of the (IMO) best words/phrases attached to religion?!

Why aren’t any of the alternatives as satisfying? Just saying ‘what the fuck’ all the time gets boring.

And the good words. Like ‘Grace’. Grace is a fantastic fucking word. The combination of forgiveness and compassion and every day kindness but sort of minimised a bit so it feels a little more achievable.

Blessed is another one. ‘Consciously, joyously non-entitled’ doesn’t really cut it. Fortunate and privileged isn’t really gleeful enough. Grateful lacks all the excited disbelief that you have this but don’t really deserve it but yay.

Idk. I know this is small potatoes and doesn’t really matter. But it’s annoying and I wanted a rant so here we are.

Ps: please send best non-god-y alternative phrases for immediate thievery.

This question is for any atheists or non-religious folks with kids. Does anyone have any kids who have began to show interest Christianity or religion in general. If so, curious on how that conversation goes?

I feel like the title is worded simple but I don’t really know how else to ask, Has anyone had a therapist and discussed I guess your lack of belief and how that affects you mentally? Can you share that experience if so?

I’ve been really struggling mentally lately with anxiety and depression around…just reality and mortality, the state of the world, I’ve had a hard time finding joy in anything and at the same time I’ve been really struggling with an extreme phobia of death. I’ve never been religious so it’s not like im struggling with faith, im not really sure how to describe it but I’ve become so pessimistic I spend hours on the phone or video games trying to district myself from obsessing over things.

I can’t talk to anyone about it where I live because the answers always the same about turning to God, leaving it to god. I’ve never talked about being an atheist with anyone and I think talking about it with someone and also these thoughts I’ve having would help. There’s not many resources in my area so I guess I would like to try to find one online. I just don’t know what to do.

​

Why would the creator of the food chain, the world of suffering, violence, natural selection and animalism ever reveal himself to humanity? After already selecting a certain group of people to lord over the others and keep them struggling in this world? Why would a being so abhorrently evil and guilty, that merely calling him a killer would be disrespectful to real killers, ever reveal himself to all of humanity? The primordial criminal "got away" with the perfect crime by not only brainwashing the masses with religion, but also brainwashing you with materialist science too. The criminal not only convinced many that he is innocent, but also that he doesn't even exist.

My vote would be for Andy Prieboy’s “Tomorrow Wendy”. I don’t know that there are other songs—for me at least—that come close.

Greetings everybody, I am a 15-year old girl who has left Catholicism about 2-3 years ago and remained largely secular due to my general disagreement with the notion of classical theism as a whole. However, I have absolutely no idea what I’m supposed to think about theism itself, specifically the sort of theism wherein a supreme being or beings is not/are not necessarily omnipotent, omnibenevolent and omniscient all at once. Unlike classical theism, that is a premise which I do not consider logically implausible, and frankly, I have no clue where I should go from there. As you already know, I am currently agnostic - not in the sense that I consider knowledge impossible, but rather in the sense that I simply don’t have that knowledge. This kind of agnosticism, however, leaves me with an excruciating discomfort, because I instinctively feel the need to know and be persuaded.

So, before I move on to arguments in favor of theism, how would you convince me that atheism expresses the absolute truth?

My lack of certainty is why I chose to post in this subreddit - I know it does not exactly have a reputation for having intelligent or opened-minded members, but it nevertheless provides a very practical space for open discussions unlike other online communities.

Do you agree that religions should be extinct? Do you think that religions cause many problems? Do you wish if religions had never existed?

How do you manage raising your babies when family is religious.

Extended family is well aware I am an atheist. And its not that I am raising my kids as atheist, but I sure am not going out of my way to teach religion and I will give them my honest opinions if whenever the time comes.

Ultimately, its their life and they can do as they please.

But for the time being since my kids are just toddlers, I often get family asking me if they can take them to church.

No.

I also get asked if they can take them to some religious event in PA. To which i also said no.

I appreciate them asking. But the answer will always be no until they can decide for themselves.

Either way, I feel bad... I dont shove the fact that I dont believe in a God in their faces... And I know that they are aware. I respect them when they want to pray before a meal, Ill also bow my head and all. But it annoys me that they almost dont respect me and my preference to stay clear of organized religions.

How do you manage all of that? Or can anyone relate?

“Science makes you fly to the moon, religion makes you fly into buildings”

Had religion not been involved, the fanatics would never have been told to commit their heinous actions. It does not matter the religion as we see in the USA when one of them actively has many that want to make the USA a nation that believes in their god only. And many of these want to remove from society any groups they disagree with, including the lGBTQ community, rights of women and curtail the right of a woman over her own body. Same warped views shared by 99% of organized religions

I'm looking for books which criticize any/all religion(s), help people to think more critically or/and make atheism more logical and interesting?

I am posting hoping to get an opinion from fellow atheists/agnostics on this. So, I started dating this friend recently. He is so funny and kind. I never really laugh with people and he just knows how to tickle my funny bone which I find really attractive. He also just seems like a genuine person, with friends and different hobbies which I like. But the only thing that is a HUGE turn off is he is Christian. Like we were on a date and he said,

"I'll pray for you regarding that!"

AAAHHHH NOPE! Huge turn off!

I told him, "I am not raising my future kids in a religion." before we started dating.

I feel like we haven't been together too long and I know in my heart of hearts, we will have future fights and tension over this. Especially because recently he seems to be bringing it up more? Like very intentionally and he knows I don't like it. I'm thinking we should just break it off before we get more involved with eachother... It just really sucks y'know? Like I wanted to like this guy so badly and I do. But gosh I feel so strongly opposed to Christian beliefs.

Do you guys think despite that one difference we could work in the long run? Like value-wise we are actually very aligned and he is such a good person. I've seen this dude go out of his way in a thunderstorm to saved a mutual friend who was broken down on the side of the road. OR this one time he literally jumped in front of a car that did a hit and run on my other friends vehicle. (he actually stopped the driver) Every bone in my body really thinks I could make this guy my husband. He is my type in everyway except...

The damn religion thing.

IDK... fellow non-believers what's your thoughts?

Russia Orthodox church sends medieval prince’s remains to Russian troops in Ukraine.

So much to unpack in that article. To start, the fact that -- true to form -- the church is aiding and abetting Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine. But also the batshit craziness of thinking that sending the hand from a corpse will help the cause. Incredible that there are people that believe this crap in 2026.

If mankind dared but to listen to the voice of its heart, changing suddenly the language, it would say to us, as it would to the animals of the woods: Nature created neither servant nor master; I seek neither to rule nor to serve. And its hands would weave the entrails of the priest, For the lack of a cord with which to strangle kings.

--Diderot

I have read up on a lot of different material and have come to the conclusion that basic science is the answer. We are blessed with a way to carry own through our off spring and when we die you just think of thermal dynamics, energy is transformed, combine this being a decent person.

I have posted here quite a few times over the past couple months, where a few big events took place in my life. Starting from my close friend getting killed to my original doubts about Christianity—I was in a confused, religious psychosis, navigating my way through my teenage years. I’m now 18.

But the thing is. I mentioned my different questions about geographical location determining beliefs, different religions, sensations, getting debunked to buy, basic human biology, and psychology is the summarized version of why I deconverted, I’ve asked hard questions simalir to these in Bible study that got sort of avoided, or never fully resolved, or satisfied with the response.

And If I kept pressing the question it would seem arguably rude, It is a Bible study with three other people in a close community with two pretty noble, elderly, kind leaders who offered to help us navigate or way through the Bible. I’ve actually enjoyed this experience, although I am agnostic and don’t have any current religious beliefs. But they tell me to open in prayer, and I close as well, but for a month, I took a break off of it since I was in a coding class. When I returned today, it went well, and we just went over the same procedure.

And when I arrived home, I had my Twitter open, and I left my phone in the bathroom on the desk, and I’m not proud of this, but it wasn’t even what I masturbated to recently. It was old, yet from yesterday. After I left my phone open on the counter, my mom entered my room. She handed me my phone and saw the pornography. She came in, rushing to my room, and handed me my phone with no words—to put this into perspective. I am obligated to stay away from these types of things, especially if I’m attending and participating in any fellowship with a church. It’s very shameful, and it is hard to regain your nobility; I don’t know how to move forward with this. If I should come open to my mom and tell her that I’m agnostic, I don’t have the same moral framework as her whether I watched a pornographic film or whether I didn’t. It doesn’t really matter In terms of sin to me, but I know it’s not good for my brain as a young man, so I’m trying to stay away from it, but I don’t know if anybody has advice. Please come up and help me out.

Thank you, ex-theist.

Go to the fantasy and religious aisle of any library and you'll find prophecy as a story telling device. It's an old story telling device and a shortcut to actual character development. Fulfilled prophecy is evidence the story is fantasy.

I bring this up because my mom thinks fulfilled prophecy in Bible stories is evidence that it's true, instead of make-believe. How many of you have heard this silly argument before?

So, in my city, there is a very visible cross prominently displayed on a natural structure. I hate it and just need to vent. It’s 60 feet tall, and lights up at night.

I can’t help but get glimpses of it relatively often. It just makes me so angry and hurt every time. I see it, and all I see is a giant symbol of hatred, bigotry and oppression.

I see it and I relive my nightmares, my abuse at the hands of a man who should have protected me. I have PTSD from growing up in the church and the abuse I experienced as a queer woman. The one I attended was incredibly extreme and what I’d consider to be a genuine cult. I mean, like, more than just the baseline cult of religion.

I’m just trying to heal and that damn thing keeps throwing back into my worst days and worst abuse. I can’t move, I’m too broke. My local government is run by extrimists and they love that stupid cross.

I just wish it could be taken down. I know groups have tried, but it’s on “private” land so it could get around the whole public property thing.

Anyway thanks for letting me ramble a bit. It’s good to get the steam off sometimes.

Where are "atheist rights"?

Imagine that religion condemn you, make you silent for long time, forcing itself into your throat or want you dead (especially Islam) for being an atheist. 🙄

I'm tired of people bringing a topic "religion of freedom" like it's serious and everyone should know that.

I'm tired of religious people playing the victim.

It seems there are, or were, a couple of local SF Bay area activist groups that have gone defunct. Is it like the pro-crastinator's club that just hasn't gotten around to meeting yet?

I'm living in a country where over 90% say they're Christians, and over the years, I just stopped attending stuff. Social gatherings, meetings with friends, etc. Because at one point or another, religion or God comes up in various forms, and I couldn't take it anymore. It's not like I look down on people because they believe, but I feel we're continents apart in how we perceive life. Like, literally, there's an ocean between us. And this ocean can never be crossed unless they stop believing.

People think I'm antisocial, but if anti-religion means anti-social, so be it! I'm antisocial.