I said something about the proverbial straw that broke the proverbial camel's back in the intro post. Well, I've been debating, if you could call it that, with religious people since I became an atheist a few years ago. I've mostly been debating on youtube or random religious forums. I've been called every name in the book (literally) from evil lying atheist, to fool, to satanist.
Now, I'm a patient man, I've sat through the drawl of religious maniacs trying to defend their faith many a time, much of the time I have to answer the same argument over and over again with the very same person; and this thing that has set me off has actually happened before. There have been Christians who have wished for my beliefs to be disallowed in this "Christian Nation," and to be honest I really don't care because it's always been on a website where anyone -- including 12 year old children who have had their brains run through the grinder a few times by their parents, pastors, and creationist websites -- is allowed to post. I support that wholeheartedly. But it's when this kind of crap comes from people who are supposed to be reasonably intelligent human beings that it gets me ticked off, more on that in a moment.
I came close to making a blog after the first time I debated on youtube when I ran into a Michael Behe brown-noser, but I resisted, as other people were there to refute him, including Kenneth Miller. I came close again when the ignorance known as Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed was released, but again, I kept quiet because I knew others would do it for me and do it better than I could. But this case has at last snapped my last nerve and now it's time to start speaking up for myself.
Now, I was listening to the non-prophets radio show yesterday and it was brought to my attention that a person by the name of Tristan Watson, a student at Texas State University, published an opinion peice in his/her university's newpaper titled Atheism alliances dispel others' choices. Now, even the title is enough to send any reasonably intelligent atheist into an immediate facepalm - but don't worry! It gets worse. This person is not only willing to readily stereotype over 12 million people - according to the figures that he provides - but he is happy to show his profound ignorance of how the United States was founded (yes, another one of those "Christian Nation" people), and just how much he cares about "others' choices" and the freedoms that our founding fathers fought for. But, I'm glad this article was posted, not only because Tristan has chosen to exercise his/her freedom of speech, but because it gives atheism some much needed attention, and it will be good attention if us atheists can handle it the right way. I'll deconstruct this point by point:
War, crime, drugs, economic downfall and poverty are a few problems we face in today’s society. Where would someone find peace and contentment with troubles in our world?
Some find it through family and friends, while others through the love of God.
Pretty reasonable so far. Some do indeed find peace and contentment with the troubles in our world through the belief that God loves them. I don't see what this has to do with God's existence, but I agree.
People in society who believe God doesn’t exist take a radical approach as to dealing with religious issues. I find it peculiar how the atheistic ideology promotes denying God, but has no solid evidence to disprove the existence of God. There are smart people in this world who know man didn’t create the world, sun, moon and stars, nor give humans the breath of life.
And here the stereotyping begins. First of all, not all people who believe God does not exist take a radical approach when dealing with issues that involve religion. Some simply just don't care or don't find religion to be particularly important. Second, correct, atheism is the lack of belief in a God, however I do wish you would stick with this definition, Tristan, because that's all that atheism is. Unfortunately, you are very inconsistent throughout this article. There is no such thing as the "atheistic ideology." Atheists don't have an official church, there are no tenets, there is no dogma or doctrine. Atheism is a position, not an outlook on life, it does not "promote" anything. Thirdly, I would love to hear your evidence for the existence of your God that would not also prove the existence of Zeus; Vishnu; Krishna; Russel's Teapot; the Flying Spaghetti Monster; and Matt Dillahunty's Transcendent, Science-Loving, Universe-Creating Pixies. Most atheists that I know, and probably most that I don't know, do not claim to have complete proof that God does not exist, and therefore they don't claim such a thing. An atheist who says God does not exist is saying so in the same way that one would say that elves, to use Guy P. Harrison's example, do not exist. Nobody knows for sure. Lastly, I would wager that the majority of people, regardless of their IQ, realize that man did not create "the world, sun, moon and stars." I do believe, although I don't wish to speak for the entire atheist community, that the world, sun, moon, stars, and life came about by entirely natural processes.
According to a recent report conducted by Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, 92 percent of U.S. residents believe in God or a universal spirit, and atheists only consist of about four percent of the population. Atheism may be a minority in our society, but there are still organizations that seek advocating the belief God is not real, such as the Atheist Community of Austin. They’re a nonprofit educational corporation used to develop and support the atheist community and encourage positive atheist culture."
First, Tristan, may I extend my thanks for advertising an organization that I am a big fan of, and even giving out their mission completely free of ad fees! Now, I'm not going to challenge you on your figures, in fact I'm glad you placed atheists as high as you did, although I don't think numbers matter. In the words of Amanda Bloom, "An idea does not gain truth as it gains followers." But let's keep in mind that there are 300 million people currently living in the good ol' United States. That means you are talking about 12 million people. Let's remember that figure, and let's also remember that the only thing that every single one of these people has in common is this: the lack of belief in god(s). One thing to note is that the Atheist Community of Austin, while it does promote the lack of a belief in god(s), the number one thing that they advocate is reason. Above all, they want people to be critical thinkers. Atheism is simply the flag they unite under.
There are those who worship and depend on God in their everyday life and to know there is an organization trying to refute the being of God is utterly disappointing. Denying the existence of God is saying this world is the work of some other being and this is not the case.
There are also those who depend on reason and logic in their everyday life. To know that people like you who gladly toss reason aside in exchange for a security blanket is horribly disappointing. Now, denying the existence of God can be saying many things. In the case of many other religions, they are saying that this world is the work of some other being. How you know that this is not the case is a mystery to me. However, denying the existence of God can also mean that one believes that this world arose naturally and did not need to be created, and unless I'm mistaken, you're supposed to be discussing atheists here, and according to you, "the lack of belief in God is known as atheism." So I think that constitutes a contradiction. Moving on.
Atheists choose not to accept God because they believe they make their own destiny and trusting in prayer and having dependence on God is not how they want to live. Some believe God to be a mythical character and others may have lost their faith and stopped believing. Atheism is a choice, and this philosophy of having no God diminishes the foundation on which our country was built.
This is where your figure comes in, Tristan. 12 million people. Think about that. Twelve. Million. People. How in the world can you claim to know the motivations behind the beliefs of 12 million people? Atheists are individuals, not robots. We don't become atheists for the reasons that your alleged sacred book says we do. We become and/or remain atheists for various reasons. Why? Because we're people, it's what we do. And back to what atheism is. There is no such thing as an atheist philosophy. We go back, once again, to your definition of atheism. It is no more than the lack of a belief in supernatural deities. You don't get to tell 12 million people, many of whom are freethinking individuals, how they want to live or why they believe or reject what they believe or reject. Oh by the way, have you happened to read through the United States Constitution recently? How about the first amendment? Surely you must have read that in high school. Have you ever heard of something called the Establishment clause? Oh and how about the Treaty of Tripoli? This country was not built on a Christian foundation. This country's foundation was built on a much more noble principle: E Pluribus Unum.
The Atheist Alliance International states they focus the power of diverse independent groups to facilitate common purposes and give atheism a growing voice in public affairs. The Alliance said they can persuade legislators and educate the public with a nationwide united effort to recognize the threats to freedom from basing laws and policies on religious doctrines. The goal is to establish strong, democratic atheist organizations in every state and worldwide.
I hope this day never happens. Pushing the idea there is no God is morally and spiritually wrong. Atheists know in their hearts there is a God, so they work extra hard to endorse the notion he doesn’t exist. It may help some atheists get through life not worrying about Judgment Day, Heaven and Hell, but those who believe in God and the Bible know the truth. God is not a mean and unfeeling spirit seeking to harm the world, as some may believe. Atheism should not be embraced because the last thing we need is more negative energy in our society.
Great, I'm glad to know that the minority is ensuring that its voice is heard. That's what democracy is all about. Now, this section of the article made me pretty angry, Tristan, I'll admit that. Most of it is opinion-based, but I do have to say a couple things. First of all, you do not get to tell 12 million people what they "know in their hearts." I don't care what your pastor says, I don't care what your holy book says, I don't care if the Pope himself told you this, atheists are people, they are individuals. Just because they happen to agree on one thing, that there is no supernatural deity, does not mean that they automatically all share the exact same worldview and morality. That is stereotypical and prejudice. Also, I would argue that God, if he does exist and the Bible is an accurate representation of him, may conceivably be a mean and unfeeling spirit seeking to harm the world. In fact, I would label him as the most detestable character in all of literature. We're talking about the same guy who, while claiming to be all loving and merciful, killed everyone on Earth but eight people because they didn't satisfy his ego. We're talking about the same guy who sent two bears to kill 42 children for mocking a prophet's baldness (2 Kings 2). The belief in and worship of this deity has arguably brought more "negative energy" to the world than anyone can probably concieve of before the Age of Enlightenment. So let's not discuss who is bringing what energy to society here, because it has no impact on the truth of the matter.
Dependence on God is how individuals cope with the problems of the world and having committees or alliances trying to dispel their belief shouldn’t be allowed. God does exist, and it’s up to each individual to accept him.
Shouldn't be allowed? What the heck ever happened to freedom of speech and freedom of expression? Whatever happened to the founding fathers whom you know so much about? Organizations, committees, and yes, even individuals, have every right to denounce, mock, question, and/or ridicule your beliefs. This may or may not affect others' choices, but it does not prevent anyone from making a choice, which is truly what our forefathers fought for.
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Now, Tristan, I'm not trying to insult you or call you stupid, although there are points where I just can't resist, I just want to get the point across that atheists have a variety of lifestyles, beliefs, and values. Some may be critical thinkers, some might just not care about religion at all. But there is one thing that unites us all, every person on Earth. One thing that every single one of us has, and one thing that I hope we all come to learn one day, and that is that we all share the common ground of humanity.
Best wishes,
Fed
