I recently began to read the writings of a
prominent atheist. I think he has some very
valid points, even though I find that he is overconfident in the evidence of
scientific observation. One only has to
consider that previous scientific theory and models have been replaced as our
understanding of the world around us has expanded to understand the concept of
overconfidence. As well, this author
should be aware that the absence of evidence is not the same as evidence of absence. But for his valid points – Christians
seemingly abandon compassion and intelligence in exchange for arrogance and
judgmentalism.
And
while I do believe that there have been atrocious acts by groups using religion
as their motivation I also know that these same groups would also use other
justifications. To think that Islam had
anything to do with 9 -11 is to totally misunderstand the political dynamics
involved. And yet, hundreds of
thousands, if not millions of people perished at the hands of Christian
Imperialism. (We can claim that it was
one particular institution, however, the inquisitions were done in the name of
Christ.)
To
many it matters not if God grieved those acts committed in his name. To many it was the belief in God that created
and propagated such violence. And it still
continues. Ignore the Westboro Baptist
Church and their “God Hates Fags.” In
the same sex marriage debate we have reached beyond our church doors in an
effort to condemn others, and deny them the right to express their lives and
loves in a manner that respects their freedom.
One should read St. Paul’s opinion on how to relate to the world outside
of our church.
We
as the body of believers, I believe, need to pay attention to what they
say. Those pesky atheists challenge our
faith in ways that we are not able to do.
They see our faith in a different light; they see us from the
outside. While we need always be
cautious as to not compromise our faith, we should appreciate their point of
view.
Yet.
For
reasons other than I am a Christian, I resist the ism of Atheism. Forget that most Atheists I know are just as
obnoxiously outspoken as most Fundamentalist Christians. (Those Atheist friends of mine reading this
blog are not those of the obnoxious ilk.)
I have sat at dinner tables where people have been compelled to hold
court about the glory of or the idiocy of the Lord. Both have taken away an opportunity for
people to grow closer to each other.
My
objection, or my resistance to Atheism, is the same that I have of
Fundamentalism of any sort. In fact,
most of what I have seen of this atheist writer is a reaction to the doctrines
of Fundamentalist Christianity, so in a very odd sense they are very similar.
My
resistance to Atheism goes further.
I
resist Atheism because of what I see. In
the brand of Atheism I see, that which ridicules the faiths and beliefs of others,
is an arrogance that everyone else is not only wrong, but deluded. That the vast majority of us on this mud ball
called earth, who have observed the world and have come to the conclusion that
some creative energy must exist, God or otherwise, are mentally ill. Atheism, as presented, is just another closed
system of philosophy. Many people’s
faith based upon scripture dismisses that which disagrees with scripture on the
basis of being wrong simply because it disagrees with that scripture, or their
interpretation of that scripture.
Atheism, simply replaces scripture with self-defined reason.
One
only needs to consider the rapidly changing understanding of our world through
the perspective of science and reason in recent decades to see that a world
view of reason, is indeed a malleable perspective. What we understood to be true in one decade
is found to be not so in this next decade.
And need I remind those who base their beliefs on science, that they
have within their spiritual heritage the absolute conviction that the earth was
flat.
I
also resist Atheism because of what I don’t see. I don’t see a sense of humility. I don’t see a respect or tolerance for the
struggle to answer the more pressing issues of life, albeit those I see as
being crucial to our existence; issues such as what am I here for, is this all
there is, what of me when I die? I don’t
see a sense of compassion. I don’t see a
sense of responsibility for those around us.
What
I do see, is simply the tired old ideology of the individual, with its
self-interest, independence and self-reliance.
I have no scripture references for my perspective or my beliefs
regarding this. Rather my knowledge that
a life independent of others is impossible.
Think about it, we would be unable to do all of what is required for us
to enjoy life if not for those around us.
We are a herd animal.
Contained
within all religion, least those that I know of, and more than just
Christianity, is a call to community.
The second Commandment that Jesus gave was to “Love your neighbour as
yourself.” Further, we are called to
tend to those who need clothes, and who are sick and imprisoned.
While
I do agree that much evil has been done in the name of religion, and from my
perspective, especially Christianity, there have been greater atrocities
committed by the belief that I am distinct and separate from you. While, I choose to be a Christian based on my
own logic and experience, if it was a matter of choosing between two evils, I
would not choose Atheism.
Later
this week I will have lunch with a good friend of mine who is an Atheist. Just as it is the more vocal of Christians that
seem to be obnoxious, so it seems with Atheists as well. My friend the Atheist laments the current
popular perception of the belief that there is no god. He finds no ire in my Christianity, and I
have much respect for his quiet belief that he has but just this life
live. We both agree that it is within
our community that we must make a difference.
