The Jewmanist

I agree with Sam Harris:

My point, with respect to the term “atheist” (or any other), is that the use of a label invites a variety of misunderstandings that are harmful to our cause. There are many people in this country who do not believe in God and who understand that there is conflict between science and religion, but who do not feel the slightest inclination to join an atheist group or to label themselves in opposition to religion. These people are “atheists” by any measure, but you will never meet them at one of our conventions. They have read the writings of the “new atheists,” sent us letters and emails of support, are quite fond of criticizing religion whenever the opportunity arises, but they have no interest whatsoever in joining a cult of such critics. And there is something cult-like about the culture of atheism. In fact, much of the criticism I have received of my speech is so utterly lacking in content that I can only interpret it as a product of offended atheist piety.

But, then again, isn’t “atheist piety” close to that of a religion. In a way, yes. I don’t think atheists should go around trying to deconvert everyone in the same way many Christians do. It implies atheists are a unified one-thought group who won’t let outsiders in… which is kind of the opposite of how it is. I like the way Harris puts it in the following example:

Imagine President Bush announcing his veto of federal funding for embryonic stem-cell research at a White House press conference. A reporter for a major television network can ask one of the following questions. Which would you choose to best strike a blow against religious ignorance in this country?

1. Mr. President, what rational basis is there to worry about the fate of three-day-old human embryos? These embryos do not have nerve cells, much less the nervous systems they would need to suffer their destruction on any level. Your veto, frankly, seems insane to any educated person, and it is painfully obvious that it was the product of religious metaphysics and superstition—not science or morality. Do you ever worry that you may be dangerously misled by your religious beliefs? What can you say to the tens of millions of Americans whose suffering will be needlessly prolonged by your faith-based thinking?

2. Mr. President, as an atheist, let me ask what rational basis is there to worry about the fate of three-day-old human embryos? These embryos don’t have nerve cells, much less the nervous systems they would need to suffer their destruction on any level. Your veto, frankly, seems insane to millions of atheists in this country, and it is painfully obvious that it was the product of religious metaphysics and superstition—not science or morality. Do you ever worry that you are failing to represent the interests of millions of atheists who also vote, or that you may be dangerously misled by your religious beliefs? What can you say to the tens of millions of Americans whose suffering will be needlessly prolonged by your faith-based thinking?

Stem cell research, as mentioned in the above example, is not an ‘atheist’ issue at all. (The only ‘atheist’ issues that come to mind could be laws purposefully discriminating against the godless and other such discrimination.) Stem cell research is important to the scientific community, as well as many others…even to some in the Republican party. Societal and medicinal growth are important to just more than us godless folks.

While atheism is a movement of sorts, I don’t think it should be treated as such. Personally, I stand up for myself in every way possible but I’m not on a mission or crusade. There’s a lot to me besides my unbelief and there are a lot of battles more important, at any given, time than just godlessness. Like I’ve said before, god-belief is not the problem, religion in general is. Ideas, thoughts, and philosophies aren’t a problem, following groupthink because its what your ancestors would have wanted is.

I see hope in Earth’s future without religion. Can we work together and be one lame-ass hippie family holding hands in the shape of a peace symbol? People are people and the masses are asses …so maybe not. But we sure would have a chance at world peace without religion holding us back.

Related posts:

• The Four Horsemen [Part 2] (1)
• The Four Horsemen [Part 1] (1)
• “Is Religion Man-Made?” (1)

Posted in Essays, News, Rants

Tags:atheism.Sam Harris.stem cells