The Atheist Challenge

01. Where do you get your morality from? Please explain your morality.
Moral constructs begin with reason. You have to consider what would be the consequence of an action if everyone could all do the same thing in a civilized society. For instance, I don't think reasonable people would sanction violent, indiscriminate actions being performed on people like rape and murder as though this were 'normal' behavior. I personally wouldn't want to be beaten up (again) for being gay, so I apply the same logic and would not beat a person for being straight.

02. Why do you believe in evolution? Explain how you came to your conclusions
This question presupposes that the counter to evolution is creationism/intelligent design, which I don't think is fair or accurate - but more on that later. The easy answer as to why I believe in evolution is evidence - overwhelming evidence, that supports the theory as plausible. Let's start with the fossil record. Within it, we can see evolutionary transitions between beings. Whales evolved from terrestrial mammals. There is evidence in their genetics and skeletons to support this. When you have a fossil that seems to link the two, how do you know it is an intermediate form between land mammals and whales? The changes in the record, that's how. Take the middle ear for example. The hearing of land mammals in the air is very good, but not as much underwater whereas the hearing of whales underwater is excellent. When looking for an intermediate form in the record, you will need to find a difference in the middle ear structure bridging the two - and that is exactly what is found in the record, overwhelming evidence of such transitions.

Creationists love to dispute the notion that we came from monkeys, which is a complete fabrication of the actual idea. In reality, we actually do share a common ancestor with the great apes. When the genetic code of the chimpanzee was published we were able to compare our genome to theirs. The similarites were undeniable, but there was a difference in chromosomes. Humans have 46 while the great apes (chimps, gorillas, orangutans) have 48. We have 23 from each parent where they have 24. In order for us to share a common ancestor, a pair of chromosomes must have been fused, which we would see in our genome - and we do - it is in our chromosome 2 that we see the difference in our lineage and points to where the fusion occurred. Mind you, this is just in the fossil record, this doesn't even take into account the discovery of DNA, which supports evolutionary theory. You could also take into account bio-genetics, homology, embryology, observed speciation, and observed natural selection. If you ignore all of these things then you could say there is no evidence for evolution, but if making an argument for creationism, there is no evidence - only unsupportable theory and suggestion. The bible is not evidence, nor is faith.

03. What is the meaning and purpose of your life?
I'm not sold on the notion that there actually is a meaning or purpose to life. That is not to say that I don't live as though I have no meaning or purpose. I am constantly motivated by a sense of purpose and driven by meaningful things that provoke me to act.

04. What is the greatest thing you have done for others?
That is a very subjective question and I don't think I am the one to answer. I think anyone who has benefited from something I have done is the more appropriate person to ask. Let's assume you save the life of a person who unbeknownst to you is completely despondent. You may feel as though the greatest thing you ever did for that person was to save their life, however within a month they inevitably commit suicide. In that context, you may not have saved their life, you may have in fact only prolonged their agony. Consequently, you may do a random act of kindness for someone that at face value seemed insignificant to you, but a decade later is still remembered fondly by that person as a turning point in their own life. Reality is subjective. It's all about perception and perspective.

05. Would you kill for atheism?
Of course not.

06. Why are you an atheist and why do you consider your position valid?
The idea of an invisible, intelligent, omniscient, omnipotent, all powerful being controlling the universe is completely ridiculous to me. Further, the idea that he/she/it wants to be worshiped, disapproves about people working on the Saturdays and Sundays, cares if I say 'motherfucker' or 'goddamnit', is preoccupied about me having buttsex, and doesn't like me chowing down on crab legs is beyond ridiculous. There is no proof to believe in such things, and no logic either once you really start thinking about it.

07. If you died and discovered god existed, what would you say to him/her/it?
"Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine." Patti Smith said it best, and you don't fuck with the best. There is a lot I could say and would want to say, but it wouldn't make the slightest bit of difference in swaying my opinion of god.

08. What religion is the most dangerous both today and/or in the past?
As for the past, I think it is probably Christianity, in particular Catholicism. Today, it has to be Islam. In countries that are governed by Islamic law, there is no separation of church and state which is always dangerous.

09. Name three peaceful religions you have no issue with.
Buddhism is more philosophy than religion (as is Taoism), which I would consider, but it doesn't really fall under the category of religion. Therefore I have to say Wicca (which states as a commandment "Harm none"), Jainism, and Satanism. Jains are rooted in a path of nonviolence against all sentient beings. Satanism is one of the most vilified religions of all, and also one of the most misinterpreted and misunderstood. What is widely considered by many to be Satanism is actually ignorant propaganda, mostly from Christians, and has little or nothing to do with actual Satanism. Furthermore, in reality Christians are far more violent than Satanists.

10. What would it take for you to believe in god?
Valid proof, empirical data, actual evidence. Even with those things, I would only acknowledge his/her/its existence, I would never follow or worship.

11. Would the world be a better place without religion?
Absolutely. You don't need religion to do good in the world, but it becomes a very convenient excuse to legitimize a lot of atrocity against other humans with whom you disagree.

12. How do you feel about government and politics?
Like religion, there is power here for tremendous good and tremendous evil.

13. If you could go back in time and kill Hitler and/or Stalin as babies so they would never be able to kill millions in the future, would you do it?
I struggled for days answering this question because it merited a lot of scrutiny and introspection because it is bigger than simply Hitler or Stalin, but I'll focus on Hitler. He was guilty of the mass murder of millions and for that alone I would GLADLY kill him as a baby to prevent it. Of course, if you killed Hitler then you would have prevented the holocaust - but if the holocaust never happened as a result of Hitler, there is no guarantee it wouldn't have happened at least in some form with another ruthless madman at the helm. I reasoned that if the holocaust had never happened, as horrifying as it is to say, there might not be such an awareness of the evil of antisemitism, fascism, xenophobia, and genocide. That might be a plausible argument were it not for Pol Pot and the Cambodian genocide, as well as Srebrenica, Rwanda, and Darfur - all of which have taken place in my lifetime. I don't see any guarantee that preventing the holocaust from happening would have prevented other genocides from occurring, possibly worse and with greater numbers of victims. All of that dwells within what is possible, not what is historic fact. In conclusion, yes I would kill Hitler and/or Stalin as babies to prevent their atrocities from occurring.

14. Why is stem cell research so important?
Stem cell research proponents assert that the science behind the research opens new paths to treating difficult to treat diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's, among others. The pro-life movement's argument as the chief opponents of stem cell research is in the use of embryonic stem cells, which must destroy the embryo in order to create the stem cell lines. Their argument is that the embryo is a human life and therefore entitled to protections. My personal argument is that an un-implanted (in utero) embryo is no more a viable human life than a footprint is a boot, or a wall switch is a light bulb.

15. Is abortion evil?
No, but it is necessary sometimes. I am pro-choice second and pro-responsibility first. If more people were sexually responsible and more pro-lifers advocated for education and birth control, abortion wouldn't even be an issue except for the most dire of cases where the mother's life is in danger. What is referred to as partial birth abortion is just pro-life propaganda and not the reality of what actual late term abortion is. Doctors who perform abortion services within the third trimester of pregnancy only do so in cases where there is fetal death or when the mother's life is at stake. The notion that women and their doctors engage in this practice simply because the woman decides she doesn't want to have to take care of the child is as absurd as the notion that women walk into abortion clinics with smiles on their smug faces. In my view, there really is no such thing as pro-abortion, regardless what the pro-life movement would have you believe. In fact, if you're a woman and you choose NOT to have an abortion when you concieve a child, you ARE pro-choice because you've made that decision. If you're a man and you're pro-life, that's fine - just please do yourself a favor and shut the fuck up about it until or unless you get cramps, and then I'll personally buy you the Midol.

16. What would the circumstances need to be in order for you to approve of torture, as an individual?
I don't know that I can honestly answer this question because at first glance I cannot imagine sanctioning torture. On second glance, I know full well that I am capable of inflicting unbelievably cruel methods of torture that would change the way people would feel about me on a personal level on anyone that raped or murdered someone I love. In fact, I would delight in doing it and my rage would know no limits until I was absolutely certain they were dead. That is not hyperbole, exaggeration, or me talking shit - I mean every word of what I just said as honestly as I am capably of being.

17. Should we try to save animals from going extinct?
If we as humans are the reason their numbers are dwindling to the point of extinction, absolutely - otherwise, I believe nature should take its course in the natural world.

18. Do you approve of capital punishment? If so, explain why.
Yes. I do not believe that rehabilitation is possible for those who rape, torture, and murder innocent human beings. I do not believe that their choices merit sustained living at taxpayer's expense, especially when some of those taxpayers are the loved ones of the murderer's victims. The costs to keep inmates on death row alive and taken care of are exorbitant, and in my personal view, a waste of money. Unrepentant murderers cease to be human beings as far as I'm concerned and I have no more compassion for them than I have for a cockroach under my shoe. They deserve no compassion and therefore should receive none.

19. Do you believe in aliens, ghosts, spirits, souls, or any supernatural forces?
I don't believe that aliens necessarily fit into this equation along with the others mentioned, but I do believe in the possibility of life beyond out own planet. I suppose you could say I'm an agnostic where aliens are concerned. As for ghosts, spirits, souls and other supernatural forces, no. I enjoy the stories of haunted places and creepy things like that, but I do not believe such things are real.

20. Would you sacrifice yourself for a loved one with the chance you might end up in hell for being an atheist?
Absolutely, and without reservation. Concern for the consequences of sacrifice is self defeating for the purpose.

21. Explain in detail the process of death.
The organs begin to cease working and production within the context of natural death, by age or final progression of fatal disease. Respiration slows and eventually stops altogether resulting in cardiac/pulmonary/respiratory arrest occurring. The muscles of the body go slack. The muscles controlling bowel and bladder may release and the pupils become enlarged and fixed. The eyes may remain slightly open as is the jaw, because those muscles can no longer support the mouth remaining closed. Brain death occurs from the lack of oxygen in the blood and the living cell tissue within the body essentially shuts off.

Liking this guy more and more - the fact that he bitchslaps 1.) Falwell's life, 2.) Sean Hannity, and 3.) Ralph Reed (even calling him out on his friendship with Abramoff - PRICELESS!) makes his stock go way up.

Goddamned right.

I know that there are a large number of Christian people who read this blog and consider me a friend, either in real time or here on EmoLiveJournal. It's no secret that I am not a fan of religion, Christianity's Catholic faction in particular, and I have a lifetime of reasons for it. I've had issues in the past with people who felt a need to convert me to their way of thinking in order to even accept me in conversation, and these sorts of people fail to understand that such things are not going to fly. Not just the door-to-door proselytizers, I always invite them in and offer something to drink and a snack if I have one and then have a conversation about religion and state my oppositions clearly and concisely in a nonthreatning and respectful manner. I have the luxury of knowing people on LJ and in my personal life who are devoutly religious and although I couldn't be any further from that thinking, I'm still appreciated and loved and respected as a human and as a friend because we're NOT the labels we wear, we're NOT the designs for living we choose, and there are many variables in life. This isn't a totalitarian state (not yet, anyway) wherein faith rules the land and dictates your thoughts and such, there is nothing tantamount to Sharia law here in the US - though the fundamentalist factions of Christianity would have us there if they stood any opportunity to bring it into fruition.

I find hypocrisy staggering and the refusal to question unacceptable, which is why I am the lone atheist in a family of devout believers. We never see eye to eye, because no matter how much I accept them as individuals in spite of our differences I'm always looked down upon because there's a truth I don't find that meets with their worldview - something I am denying just to spite them, their delicate sensibilities cannot handle anything but carbon copies of themselves. Religious superiority. I suppose it is only fair to be forthright in stating that I believe as an atheist that I am truly more evolved than they are, if only because I have no need or desire to tear their belief systems down in order to accept them. I can embrace them wholly as individuals without requiring them to be of a similar mindset to my own and not have to hold them at arms length based on such things. It's just my lot in life and I accepted it long ago so this is no big deal to me. Sooner or later I get "You need to get right with God" or "You're just rebelling against God because of X reason or Y reason, you'll see the truth one of these days". I think my father and oldest brother (practicing Catholic) are the only two that are evolved enough to find respect in my 10+ years of independent theological study and have a healthy measure of respect for WHY I believe as I do. They disagree with me wholly in the broadest senses of religion and its benefits versus its costs to humanity, but at least they come to hear me out when I point out inaccuracies and contradictions as part of the basis for my lack of faith, and the invariable failure of the concepts of religion and God to meet my standards of logic and reason. It all falls apart like a virus under ultraviolet light, something so seemingly perfect and methodical and complex just torn into pieces when you shine a certain light on it. I can only get so far in conversations with them, because once the wheels start to turn and actual ponderance and consideration for finding even a modicum of truth or logic/reason in what I have to say enters into it, they begin to question and that is when the walls come slamming down. Challenges of faith are difficult to reconcile, I suppose because for the religious mind it creates guilt and some kind of interpreted betrayal against God. I don't pretend to understand that, but I can at least see how powerful it is in one's heart and mind.

So here I've found a good bit of backstory to support why I think Christianity is such an unhealthy thing in my view - histrionically speaking, that is. Read and keep an open mind. I issue no challenges to anyone's faith, just presenting the things I don't believe many people consider about the history of certain branches of religious faith.

VICTIMS OF THE CHRISTIAN FAITH

(Originally posted at Fuck the Lord!)



A religion of peace my ASS.

How many people have been killed by Christians since Biblical times?

by Kelsos

“WONDERFUL EVENTS THAT TESTIFY TO GOD’S DIVINE GLORY”

Listed are only events that solely occurred on command of church authorities or were committed in the name of Christianity. (List incomplete)

Ancient Pagans
* As soon as Christianity was legal (315), more and more pagan temples were destroyed by Christian mob. Pagan priests were killed.
* Between 315 and 6th century thousands of pagan believers were slain.
* Examples of destroyed Temples: the Sanctuary of Aesculap in Aegaea, the Temple of Aphrodite in Golgatha, Aphaka in Lebanon, the Heliopolis.
* Christian priests such as Mark of Arethusa or Cyrill of Heliopolis were famous as “temple destroyer.” [DA468]
* Pagan services became punishable by death in 356. [DA468]
* Christian Emperor Theodosius (408-450) even had children executed, because they had been playing with remains of pagan statues. [DA469]
According to Christian chroniclers he “followed meticulously all Christian teachings…”
* In 6th century pagans were declared void of all rights.
* In the early fourth century the philosopher Sopatros was executed on demand of Christian authorities. [DA466]
* The world famous female philosopher Hypatia of Alexandria was torn to pieces with glass fragments by a hysterical Christian mob led by a Christian minister named Peter, in a church, in 415.
[DO19-25]
( Read more... )

In a post I wrote a couple of years ago I expound on why I am an atheist. There are always more reasons than the ones given there, which is in part what motivated this. I think it is a given (unless you subscribe to the opinions of the religious Reich) that being Godless makes you a worldwide minority. Common sense dictates that there are always going to be more religious adherents in every flavor imaginable than there will ever be atheists, agnostics, and/or nonspecific deity oriented religious philosophies combined, so given this obvious fact, we really aren't capable in numbers, resources, and general power to be any real kind of threat to the devout, their belief systems, and their general lives. The problem is in the religious person's rejection (of God's own teaching in any religious text, no less) of the notion that we all have free will. Part of the problem is the slim margin for error in fundamentalist circles which does not allow for religious moderates, let alone heathen infidels and the otherwise wicked and wayward. What never fails to amaze me is the ways in which fundamentalist Christians in this country look with derision at fundamentalist Muslims, never once seeing the startling parallels echoed in their collective methodologies. A suicide bomber is driven by a force they truly believe is a calling from God, and their reward is martyrdom in heaven - it makes no difference in reality if the target of choice is a mosque in Tikrit or an abortion clinic in Topeka, it's the same thing when you distill off the bullshit - yet explaining this to fundies is rather like pissing up a rope. Pay close enough attention and you will find little difference between the core rhetoric of Osama Bin Laden and that of Pat Robertson in televised news clips shown around the world, if anything they are frighteningly similar. This should be a red flag to most people, yet sadly the sheep continue to sleep soundly.

In her piece on atheist extremism, self avowed Jewess Melinda Barton makes a good case for illuminating the fears and concerns of the devout, however ridiculous and based in nonsense they may be. It is precisely this sort of dramatic posturing that breeds fundamentalism and makes pariahs of the faithless, all of whom really just want to live a good life on their own terms without it having to affect the status quo. Fundamentalists are stunningly hypocritical, blissfully ignorant (if not outright stupid), and wholly baseless on every issue imaginable in deference to anything that isn't a carbon copy of themselves. Fundamentalism is an insidious form of sickness, not unlike Alzheimer's disease, attacking and destroying logic and converting an otherwise reasonable person into an automaton nourished on completely hysterical paranoia. Laid bare another way, not all assholes are fundamentalists, but certainly it can be argued that all fundamentalists are assholes.

I have personally spent countless hours musing over religious subtext, dogmatic law, theological teachings, scripture, and essays/articles/books that are at times scathingly critical of it all. Michael Shermer, Sam Harris, Søren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, George Smith, J. Krishnamurti, Aleister Crowley, Anton Lavey, even Camille Paglia and Simone De Beauvoir - both of whom have made observational criticisms of the how and why people believe. As with all critics, philosophers, academics, even mystics and outright con men - there are elements in their assertions where the whole of it comes off as something close to religious fervor, some ascension towards higher belief, a light on a path for us to walk. I personally cannot find the total of anything I've read to be wholly digestible, but that's my nature as a skeptic. I glean from this stuff the things that resonate with me and that I can accept, the rest is inconsequential. That is not to say it is without merit on some level, just that if it doesn't wash then it doesn't wash.

AND YET STILL, this is not why I don't believe in God. It does reinforce my non belief, and it is absolutely what drives my dislike of all self righteous, sanctimonious sheeple - and especially my incendiary hatred of fundamentalist preachers. I don't believe in God quite simply because I think that even the mere idea of God is ridiculous, intangible, and incapable of being proven real by evidentiary support and/or fact. This notion that a truly omnipotent deity that loves humanity but allows for such suffering, conveniently (and also weakly) relegated to "His Plan", and I think that it is anything but divine. Put simply, I have no reason to believe.

I began reading up on Positive Atheism in my late teens. I flew between different philosophies and read as much as I could find in the way of defending my thoughts, as I grew up in the bible belt and trying to achieve intelligent conversations with the general populace was challenging. The thing that most intrigues me about faith is what propels people to believe or not believe.

If you believe in God, why do you believe? If you don't believe in God, why not? Comments welcomed by anyone and everyone.