So it has been revealed that Mother Theresa questioned her faith for much of her adult life. Some say 40 years up until her death. I however do not view this is a victory for the ranks of us atheists who are encouraged to see another Christian leave their religion behind. What I see is the reality of a person who as a young girl was so deeply indoctrinated that when doubts and rationality kicked in years later it would only lead to mental torment and despair. As an atheist I do not feel this despair. While I did attend Sunday school as a child, I never really took it seriously and therefore rationality comes easy. But doubting god after giving your life to him must be rather like finding out there is no Santa Clause at age 4. Most of us know by age 10 or 12 but at 4 Santa is a rather important figure for much of western ... Read More »
So it has been revealed that Mother Theresa questioned her faith for much of her adult life. Some say 40 years up until her death. I however do not view this is a victory for the ranks of us atheists who are encouraged to see another Christian leave their religion behind. What I see is the reality of a person who as a young girl was so deeply indoctrinated that when doubts and rationality kicked in years later it would only lead to mental torment and despair.
As an atheist I do not feel this despair. While I did attend Sunday school as a child, I never really took it seriously and therefore rationality comes easy. But doubting god after giving your life to him must be rather like finding out there is no Santa Clause at age 4. Most of us know by age 10 or 12 but at 4 Santa is a rather important figure for much of western ...
In a forum I am active in, one of the Christian debaters while discussing the new Texas oath which includes “under god” pointed out that at least “we non-believers” have the option of not saying the oath if we choose. He on the other hand is not given the choice of learning creationism instead of evolution. I responded politely to him as I am prone to do but was so incensed by the ridiculous statement that I have chosen my Blog to vent. His assertion that forcing me (or my children) to take an oath which includes god is the same as forcing him (or his children) to learn science is absolutely incomprehensible. Do these religious people honestly have no rationality at all? Of course I should not be made to participate in anything which requires any s ... Read More »
In a forum I am active in, one of the Christian debaters while discussing the new Texas oath which includes “under god” pointed out that at least “we non-believers” have the option of not saying the oath if we choose. He on the other hand is not given the choice of learning creationism instead of evolution. I responded politely to him as I am prone to do but was so incensed by the ridiculous statement that I have chosen my Blog to vent.
His assertion that forcing me (or my children) to take an oath which includes god is the same as forcing him (or his children) to learn science is absolutely incomprehensible. Do these religious people honestly have no rationality at all? Of course I should not be made to participate in anything which requires any s ...
The following article All’s Not Quiet on The Atheistic Front by Edward Pentin begins with this paragraph: ALISTER McGRATH used to be an atheist. Now he’s an Anglican theologian. This a common argument put forth by believers, Kirk Cameron uses it as his main selling point. It is designed to make you think that a person was once an atheist and after much thought and examining evidence they have now decided that belief in a deity is the only reasonable position. Well since atheism is not actually a belief system, in fact is in a lack of belief in a specific thing; which is taught. It is safe to say that everyone on Earth was in fact at one time an atheist. Absolutely everyone was an atheist. Every baby ever born was born without a belief in a supernatural god (as well as a Sant ... Read More »
The following article All’s Not Quiet on The Atheistic Front by Edward Pentin begins with this paragraph:
ALISTER McGRATH used to be an atheist. Now he’s an Anglican theologian.
This a common argument put forth by believers, Kirk Cameron uses it as his main selling point. It is designed to make you think that a person was once an atheist and after much thought and examining evidence they have now decided that belief in a deity is the only reasonable position. Well since atheism is not actually a belief system, in fact is in a lack of belief in a specific thing; which is taught. It is safe to say that everyone on Earth was in fact at one time an atheist. Absolutely everyone was an atheist. Every baby ever born was born without a belief in a supernatural god (as well as a Sant ...
At my local humanists meet up (www.meetup.com) last week one of the questions that was asked around the room of mostly self described atheists was; "Are there any superstitions that you still hang on to in life?" Most had at least one or two unfounded beliefs which they likely knew not to be true but still followed. One guy stated that he would never let a black cat cross his path. I on the other hand over the past 3 or 4 years have consciously pushed superstition from my life. Ever since reading The Demon Haunted World by Carl Sagan, I have made an actual effort to not practice unreasonable behaviour. I have gone so far as to purposely walk under a ladder, maybe just to annoy those who think it will have some effect on me, I'm not really sure. I have also allowed a black cat to cross my path and was even somewhat pleased when my daughter’s soccer team handed her number 13 this year. You see I was above all that mumbo j ... Read More »
At my local humanists meet up (www.meetup.com) last week one of the questions that was asked around the room of mostly self described atheists was; "Are there any superstitions that you still hang on to in life?" Most had at least one or two unfounded beliefs which they likely knew not to be true but still followed. One guy stated that he would never let a black cat cross his path.
I on the other hand over the past 3 or 4 years have consciously pushed superstition from my life. Ever since reading The Demon Haunted World by Carl Sagan, I have made an actual effort to not practice unreasonable behaviour. I have gone so far as to purposely walk under a ladder, maybe just to annoy those who think it will have some effect on me, I'm not really sure. I have also allowed a black cat to cross my path and was even somewhat pleased when my daughter’s soccer team handed her number 13 this year. You see I was above all that mumbo j ...
There may be hope in casting off the chains of unreason for the next generation. I have noticed that cartoons are leading the way in the promotion of scientific ideal's, atheistic outlook and ridicule of religion. You see, I have long been of the belief that the ridicule of religion is an important step in casting out the demons of dogma. I am not talking about discrimination against followers; I am talking about the general ability of society to laugh at ridiculous ideas. This is now happening with regards to religion, and The Simpson’s and The Family Guy are leading the assault. Homer: "You know, the one with all the well meaning rules that don't work out in real life, uh, Christianity" Stewey: "I went back to visit Jesus Christ. Turns out his abilities might have been exaggerated a little bit." ... Read More »
There may be hope in casting off the chains of unreason for the next generation. I have noticed that cartoons are leading the way in the promotion of scientific ideal's, atheistic outlook and ridicule of religion. You see, I have long been of the belief that the ridicule of religion is an important step in casting out the demons of dogma. I am not talking about discrimination against followers; I am talking about the general ability of society to laugh at ridiculous ideas. This is now happening with regards to religion, and The Simpson’s and The Family Guy are leading the assault.
Homer: "You know, the one with all the well meaning rules that don't work out in real life, uh, Christianity"
Stewey: "I went back to visit Jesus Christ. Turns out his abilities might have been exaggerated a little bit." ...
Humanist meetup Toronto Read More »
Free Thought blogs first post, introduction to me and what I hope for Secular Earth. Read More »
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