God forbid.
Of course, if someone made an Atheist bashing list, it would go into Top 101 Atheist bashing of 2008.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Creationism, Intelligent Design, Guided Evolution
The view of creationists is that God, for whatever reason, created the world instantaneously. Guided Evolutionists think similarly, taking a middle ground. It's clear that evolution did occur, but they believe that God gave a starting push and kept things on track during evolution's course.
Both of these views are false, in that they require a god to create the world at varying degrees. All of us agree that the world is complex. Many see that complexity needing to have a designer, in this case, God. But for God to be able to design the world and universe around it, it would have to be more complex than the universe. Therefore, where did God come from? If something designed God, then we go into where that thing came from, and how it is more complex than God.
The same scenario can be put in more manageable terms. Say an alien species, far more advanced and intelligent than our own, came to the planet millions of years ago and seeded the life on our planet. Where did the aliens come from? From another planet, where they evolved from? The same infinite trail exists.
However, if complex life is looked at as a slow buildup of simple life starting from single celled organisms, the infinite trail stops, right at the beginning of the planet.
Both of these views are false, in that they require a god to create the world at varying degrees. All of us agree that the world is complex. Many see that complexity needing to have a designer, in this case, God. But for God to be able to design the world and universe around it, it would have to be more complex than the universe. Therefore, where did God come from? If something designed God, then we go into where that thing came from, and how it is more complex than God.
The same scenario can be put in more manageable terms. Say an alien species, far more advanced and intelligent than our own, came to the planet millions of years ago and seeded the life on our planet. Where did the aliens come from? From another planet, where they evolved from? The same infinite trail exists.
However, if complex life is looked at as a slow buildup of simple life starting from single celled organisms, the infinite trail stops, right at the beginning of the planet.
Imagination
Many will say that without a god or gods, one cannot see or experience the true beauty of the world around us. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Take a Christian. They believe God only created us, on Earth. That's it. Atheists, on the other hand, can imagine the possible thousands of other planets that support life in the universe, and be in absolute awe. If a Christian looks at a beautiful tree or flower, they feel good because they think God created that plant, exactly how it is. A scientist will tell you how the plant evolved through millions of years, and is still evolving today.
Another point stressed is that without religion, the many works of art, literature, plays, and novels throughout the centuries of human history would vanish. This is a pointless argument to pursue, because religion has had such a forceful grip on the world until now that every person was religious, so it is impossible to see what the past would be like without it.
Are theists really so arrogant to suggest that without their god, no beauty would exist in the world, and that when you become an atheist it suddenly switches off? I think not.
Take a Christian. They believe God only created us, on Earth. That's it. Atheists, on the other hand, can imagine the possible thousands of other planets that support life in the universe, and be in absolute awe. If a Christian looks at a beautiful tree or flower, they feel good because they think God created that plant, exactly how it is. A scientist will tell you how the plant evolved through millions of years, and is still evolving today.
Another point stressed is that without religion, the many works of art, literature, plays, and novels throughout the centuries of human history would vanish. This is a pointless argument to pursue, because religion has had such a forceful grip on the world until now that every person was religious, so it is impossible to see what the past would be like without it.
Are theists really so arrogant to suggest that without their god, no beauty would exist in the world, and that when you become an atheist it suddenly switches off? I think not.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Atheistic Societies
A rather short piece, but I want each topic to have its own section. A frequent religious argument is that atheistic societies, being mainly quoted as Stalin, Hitler, Mao, etc. are far worse than religious societies.
First off, Hitler. Hitler was Catholic, and the majority of Germany at the time was Christian or Lutheran. Hitler used Jesus in many of his speeches, and claimed God had chosen them. His purification of the Jews was an extension to that in the Bible. So Hitler was not an atheist, so his argument is tossed out the window.
The regimes of Stalin and Mao, however, are quite similar in that they are both constructed exactly like religions are. They require the worship of a mythical figurehead, sacrifices, and if you are a 'heretic', than you must be removed from society. These societies may have been 'atheist' in the technical term, they were almost constructed exactly like a religion.
Look at Denmark, Sweden, or the Netherlands. They are doing very well for themselves, and Denmark was recently named the happiest country in the world. Denmark opposed the Iraq War, but has let in more Iraqi refugees than the United States. All those countries have around 45-50% claimed atheists. All the while religious fundamentalists in the U.S. are claiming atheistic societies commit the worst atrocities.
First off, Hitler. Hitler was Catholic, and the majority of Germany at the time was Christian or Lutheran. Hitler used Jesus in many of his speeches, and claimed God had chosen them. His purification of the Jews was an extension to that in the Bible. So Hitler was not an atheist, so his argument is tossed out the window.
The regimes of Stalin and Mao, however, are quite similar in that they are both constructed exactly like religions are. They require the worship of a mythical figurehead, sacrifices, and if you are a 'heretic', than you must be removed from society. These societies may have been 'atheist' in the technical term, they were almost constructed exactly like a religion.
Look at Denmark, Sweden, or the Netherlands. They are doing very well for themselves, and Denmark was recently named the happiest country in the world. Denmark opposed the Iraq War, but has let in more Iraqi refugees than the United States. All those countries have around 45-50% claimed atheists. All the while religious fundamentalists in the U.S. are claiming atheistic societies commit the worst atrocities.
Morality
Religious people will argue that morality was derived from basic religious principles. Morality, in fact, comes from our evolved minds and our status as a social animal.
A young child of eighteen months can display morality and affection, long before it can speak, let alone grasp the concept of religion. Chimpanzees will display morality when dealing with their groups. Morality comes from society, and a basic society will expel you if you are immoral. Morality also existed long before religion was conceived of, along with immorality. Is it true, that if religion was totally abolished today, with no memory of it ever existing, that riots and mass murders would break out? It's possible, but also unlikely. Religion and the doctrines taught by it cause enough immorality in their teachings to displace the morality gained from it.
Another reason morality is found ingrained into our natural, evolved mind resides within the holy books of Abrahamic religions themselves. Several places in the Bible and Koran are slavery supported and condoned. If someone works on the Sabbath, according to the Bible, as a dutiful neighbor you are obliged to kill him. If a woman is not a virgin on her wedding night, she is to be stoned to death on her father's doorstep. Clearly we don't use these rules today. Why not? Our minds and perception of the world and its peoples have evolved past barbaric practices. So, when any person today looks at the Bible for guidance, only sees what he wants to. Everyone should live by the Golden Rule found in the Bible, and no one should enslave another man. So our morality does not come from religion at all, and if it does, so does our immorality.
Many might argue: 'God meant for humans to move past barbarism and evolve into a sophisticated society.' Why didn't he do this in the first place? God creating humans is another topic, but it seems odd he would want all this bloodshed over nothing. Another argument, is the world was more barbaric before religion than afterward. This is blatantly untrue, as seen by countless religious wars, which outweigh all others.
So, in fact, morality does not come from religion. Religion might have made some advances to morality with new ideas, but it certainly did not create it.
A young child of eighteen months can display morality and affection, long before it can speak, let alone grasp the concept of religion. Chimpanzees will display morality when dealing with their groups. Morality comes from society, and a basic society will expel you if you are immoral. Morality also existed long before religion was conceived of, along with immorality. Is it true, that if religion was totally abolished today, with no memory of it ever existing, that riots and mass murders would break out? It's possible, but also unlikely. Religion and the doctrines taught by it cause enough immorality in their teachings to displace the morality gained from it.
Another reason morality is found ingrained into our natural, evolved mind resides within the holy books of Abrahamic religions themselves. Several places in the Bible and Koran are slavery supported and condoned. If someone works on the Sabbath, according to the Bible, as a dutiful neighbor you are obliged to kill him. If a woman is not a virgin on her wedding night, she is to be stoned to death on her father's doorstep. Clearly we don't use these rules today. Why not? Our minds and perception of the world and its peoples have evolved past barbaric practices. So, when any person today looks at the Bible for guidance, only sees what he wants to. Everyone should live by the Golden Rule found in the Bible, and no one should enslave another man. So our morality does not come from religion at all, and if it does, so does our immorality.
Many might argue: 'God meant for humans to move past barbarism and evolve into a sophisticated society.' Why didn't he do this in the first place? God creating humans is another topic, but it seems odd he would want all this bloodshed over nothing. Another argument, is the world was more barbaric before religion than afterward. This is blatantly untrue, as seen by countless religious wars, which outweigh all others.
So, in fact, morality does not come from religion. Religion might have made some advances to morality with new ideas, but it certainly did not create it.
Introduction
I'd like to welcome you to this blog. Here I hope to point out various problems with religions, and promote atheism and agnosticism. While many people do it much better than I do, I still wanted to express my personal feelings. I'd also like to share two quotes, from Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins:
"The word 'atheist' is an incorrect term, it gives the false idea of dogmatism. Atheism consists of nothing. It's like saying we have a word for someone who is a 'non-astronomer'. No word exists for such a person." - Sam Harris
"Everyone is an atheist to other religions. Most people today are atheist to Greek gods, such as Zeus and Poseidon. When you understand why you are an atheist to their gods, you'll understand why I'm an atheist to your god." - Richard Dawkins
I'll have to define some terms, to be sure you and I are on the same page. An atheist is someone who has come to the conclusion that no god or gods exist in the universe. Many try to point out that atheism is a belief, but in fact it is the lack of believing. An agnostic is someone who believes that there is a possibility that a god or gods might exist, but thinks its highly improbable or we haven't found it yet. A deist is someone who believes that a god exists, he created the world, but does not interfere in the world, at all. A theist believes that god exists and created the world, and he does interfere at a daily basis in people's lives.
"The word 'atheist' is an incorrect term, it gives the false idea of dogmatism. Atheism consists of nothing. It's like saying we have a word for someone who is a 'non-astronomer'. No word exists for such a person." - Sam Harris
"Everyone is an atheist to other religions. Most people today are atheist to Greek gods, such as Zeus and Poseidon. When you understand why you are an atheist to their gods, you'll understand why I'm an atheist to your god." - Richard Dawkins
I'll have to define some terms, to be sure you and I are on the same page. An atheist is someone who has come to the conclusion that no god or gods exist in the universe. Many try to point out that atheism is a belief, but in fact it is the lack of believing. An agnostic is someone who believes that there is a possibility that a god or gods might exist, but thinks its highly improbable or we haven't found it yet. A deist is someone who believes that a god exists, he created the world, but does not interfere in the world, at all. A theist believes that god exists and created the world, and he does interfere at a daily basis in people's lives.
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