Why Do Atheists Care About Religion?
Atheists are often criticized for criticizing religion. The argument goes like this: “If you don’t believe in God, then why do you spend so much time attacking the idea? For you, the unbeliever, isn’t attacking God like attacking Santa Claus? Why don’t you just go your merry way and leave us believers alone?”
Ah, would that I could with a good conscience. But unfortunately believers don’t often keep their unjustified beliefs to themselves: they base a whole host of actions upon them ranging from spreading ignorance, to social oppression, to political machinations, to outright war. And the more devout the believer, the more virulent their actions.
The five-minute video below only scratches the surface. For a quick read (under 100 pages) that cuts religion to the marrow, I recommend Letter to a Christian Nation, by Sam Harris. If you’re a Christian, I dare you to read it.
September 28th, 2006 at 12:55 am
A truly compelling argument. I often ask myself the question, “Why on earth do such a vast majority of people, many of which are quite intelligent, lean so heavily on religion and God.” This question is not simply answered. No two people will site the same reasons. Reasons (Ha!!! - what an ironic term) like, “I have to believe that there is something more than this, or I will loose hope.” or “God has brought meaning, fulfillment and purpose into my life.” and even “It provides a moral standard of goodness.” (Puleez….)
What self-indulgent tripe!!! Why does there have to be something more than this? Let’s get real. If there is or isn’t anything beyond this existence we call life does that really change anything about you or life in general at all? The sun continues to rise and set, and the moon is still revolving around the earth the last time I checked. I do not see where anything after this life is at all relevant to the here and now. I don’t live in my past, why the hell should I try to leap off into the unknown future. Live every moment as if it were your last. Make the most of right here and right now.
As for God bringing meaning, fulfillment, and purpose into your life, then you aren’t paying attention. There are literally millions of meaningful, fulfilling, and purposeful things to do with your life. Spend time with your family, help out at a local shelter, learning something new everyday, geez the list is boundless. Pick something!!! For goodness sake pick several.
While you are thinking about that let me just say this. As far as moral standards go, the church has had more than its fair share of moral turpitude. I for one don’t think religion has ever been able to provide a moral standard. Here is why. In every sect and every religion there are a set of standards spewed forth on the masses that fall into the trappings of God’s promise. Directly following these standards is a very precise accounting of the consequences of violating such standards. And as we are all imperfect little creatures, invariably we “all” break the rules from time to time. Suddenly you have a large mass of already somewhat delusional people doing everything they can to point the finger at one another in hopes of shunting the focus away from their own transgressions creating a rather hate filled and hostile environment, at least from a mental stand point. Well, that is franking not my idea of perpetuating good moral fiber or standards. I know what’s right and what’s wrong. And believe me, God did not tell me which is which.