My Own Thoughts and Quotes about Religion and Faith

“Delusions are still delusions, whether they are socially acceptable or not.”

                                                                                                           

“The early church leaders purposely created a God that is unfalsifiable.”

“You can’t disprove an invisible, quiet God that allows evil, unless of course, you do so with common sense.”

“There’s a certain level of confidence that goes along with asserting the truth.  Call it arrogance if you want, but I prefer to call it confidence.”

“Religious belief is an escape from rational thought – a magical place where those in need of something can find exactly what they are looking for.”

“The “moral wisdom” of the Bible has been far outdone by current thinkers not claiming to be ‘inspired by God.’”

“It isn’t God that inspired the Bible, it is belief in God that inspired the Bible.”

“I am absolutely astonished at the number of individuals who actively engage in the mass delusion called faith.  Religion is perhaps the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on mankind.”

“There is something seriously wrong with the individual that uses faith instead of evidence to form the basis of their beliefs.  To do so is a demonstration of ignorance at the highest level.” 

Science holds those that challenge it in high regard, while religion holds those that challenge it as evil or blasphemous!  Now I ask…which has more integrity?

To me, faith is sort of like the opposite of being “in denial.”  Instead of “denying” something for which there is plenty of solid, concrete, and/or obvious evidence, a person of faith instead “accepts” something for which there is a complete lack of evidence.  Both individuals reject what is obvious to the outsider and instead believe what they need to believe, regardless of the evidence.

Designed? I Don't Think So...

My naturalistic view on life...

Okay, so there are probably going to be a lot of people who disagree with me on this topic, but that isn't going to stop me from saying what I want to say.  It is, after all, MY blog, right?

To sum up my overall view on our existence, I would have to say that there is a natural explanation for everything we see, feel, and experience around us.  Earth, animals, memories, plants, beautiful sunsets, pretty landscapes, and yes, even Spam (the wonder-meat!) are all products of nature.

I once had a gentleman (that I didn't know) ask me how I could believe such a thing.  We were drinking a few beers on a boat off the coast of Cabo San Lucas and taking in the beauty of the ocean, which included some amazing rock formations.  He gestured towards our surroundings and commented that this was all too beautiful NOT to have been created by an intelligent designer (obviously he was referring to his own personal version of God).  I told him that it was indeed beautiful and certainly impressive, yet I reminded him that despite all of the beauty that was before us, there was an equal amount of ugliness in the world...and I wasn't just talking about the woman who served us our beer! 

I reminded this man that he was probably in Cabo because of the beauty.  I'll bet he wouldn't have been so impressed with his God's work had we been sitting in a Volkswagon and looking out at the vast frozen tundra while traveling through Northern Canada.  Or how about if we were having a picnic in one of the drought-ridden tribal areas of Central Africa?  Would his God have appeared as spectacular if we were floating on a log in the middle of the Florida Everglades?  My guess is...probably not.

My point is simple:  The same "God" that created all of the beauty in the world also created some pretty terrible things.  We never talk about the tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes, mental illnesses, diseases, birth defects, or droughts that this supposed Creator has bestowed upon us.  We never mention the crime, hunger, or wars that he has allowed to occur.   We fail to recognize that the great majority of our "well-designed" planet is actually inhospitable to humans (or is it more accurate to say "Humans weren't designed to live on a great portion of this planet"?).

I guess I get frustrated with people that ignorantly assert the "fact" that we were all  "intelligently designed!"  I use the word "ignorant" to describe the specific people that I have discussed this issue with because it is out of ignorance that they take their stance.  Not even one of the three people that I have discussed this topic with has ever picked up a book that discusses or explains evolution.  The response to my suggestion to do so was simply, "I don't need to know about evolution to know that it is wrong."

Huh?  Is that so?  Let's use a little analogy here:

Let's suppose that last night the best team in the NBA played the last-place team in their division.  Let's also suppose that you score some tickets and end up enjoying a night out at the game.  The next day you decide to call me up to tell me about how exciting the game was.  You then go on to tell me that the last-place team ended up winning the game in overtime!  I refuse to believe you because "there's just no way that the last-place team could have won."  I don't believe you because your statement defies "common sense."  You insist that you are telling the truth then suggest that I watch the news or pick up a newspaper to verify it...but I won't do it because "I already know that it isn't possible for the last-place team to have won."  I therefore go about the rest of my day believing that it was indeed the first-place team that won.  End of story.

This is exactly the same logic that the majority of Creationists (IDers) use when they ignore the FACT of evolution...they refuse to even "look into it" even though the evidence speaks for itself. 

I, too, used to believe the story of Creation.  I was told as a child that that is how the world (and all the life on it) began.  I had no reason to question it...that is, until I acquired a level of reasoning equivilant to that of a third-grader (I was probably in second grade!).  Since then, I knew there was something more to our existence...but I never took the time to investigate.  I have started doing so recently and I must say that I have been truly intrigued and fascinated by what I have discovered.  I recommend that everyone do the same thing.  After all, knowledge is better than speculation.

Evolution vs. Ignorance...where do you stand?

I Have Been Saved!

That’s right!  After 30+ years of accepting and conforming to the illogical teachings of my inherited faith, I am finally free!  I have truly been saved!

I have abandoned the shackles of Christianity and decided to embrace logic and reason.  My beliefs are no longer based on ignorance, misinformation or superstition.  I no longer feel guilty for seeking out the truth about the world around me.  There’s no longer a need to blindly accept as truth the obvious falsehoods taught by the church.  I will never again feel pressured to engage in silly ritualistic behavior for the sole purpose of demonstrating my devotion to a god that almost certainly doesn’t exist.  I no longer need to consider myself a “sinner” simply because some prehistoric woman made from a man's rib chose to eat an apple off of a tree after being convinced to do so by a talking snake (what’s that all about?).  I no longer feel the need to believe in a magical world where angels and demons fight for the salvation of mankind.  I can chuckle at the thought of “burning in hell” for the rest of eternity because I know that hell is nothing more than a scare tactic invented by early church leaders to elicit belief in the god that they themselves created.  I no longer need to believe in the silly, impossible stories that are told in the Bible…most first-graders are smart enough to realize that the story of Noah’s Ark simply could not have happened.  I no longer have to get up early on Sundays (and miss football) in an effort to “keep the Sabbath holy.”  I’ll no longer need to answer questions about life and the universe with “God did it.”  I can instead give logical explanations that are based on scientific evidence…and if I don’t know the answers, then I can seek them out on my own without feeling “blasphemous.”  I can now take personal responsibility for my actions without believing in the false notion that they are being controlled by “some higher power” (God/Satan).  I now realize that I don’t get a second chance at life…that this is the only one I get and I must do what I can to make it as fulfilling as possible.  I know that I need to be a good person…not because I have an invisible sky-daddy looking over my shoulder 24/7, but because it is the right thing to do (that makes my good character even more genuine!).  I am no longer in blind servitude to the ancient and outdated beliefs and traditions that religion continues to promote...in an age when people should know better.  I'm an Atheist now…and it feels good to be saved!

Why I Dislike Religion...

1.  It divides people.

Religion brings people together much like racism brings people together.  It creates an “Us vs. Them” mentality that divides people…leading to discrimination, fighting, and even war.

2.  It misrepresents scientific facts and gives people a false understanding about the world around us.

3.  It brings about unnecessary guilt and shame.

Christianity teaches us that we are all “born sinners.”  That is a bit of a burden for some people to have to carry.  It also teaches us about the concept of “sin” which makes us feel guilty and/or shameful for doing such non-harmful things as lusting after someone, engaging in premarital sex, masturbating, and missing church on Sunday…not to mention a whole host of other trivial matters. 

4.  It stifles progress.

The Dark Ages…need I say more?  If we just answered all of the “unknowns” with “God did it” then we would never have any reason to seek out the true answers to those questions.

5.  It gives unscrupulous people something to hide behind.

Certainly nobody would suspect that a “man of God” would be capable of doing something inappropriate, immoral, or illegal…right? 

6.  It uses fear (hell) and the promise of rewards (heaven) to keep its followers.

The good news:  There is no hell.  The bad news: there is no heaven either.  Some people just can’t accept the fact that when they die there will simply be nothingness…just like before they were born.

7.  It gives people false hope.

It makes people think that their prayers will be answered and that after they die, they will be reunited with their loved ones.  It promises “eternal life” to those that believe, yet there is no evidence that this is the case.  In fact, science has pretty much squashed the idea that a “soul” even exists.  You can’t really have an eternal life if you don’t have a soul!

8.  It interferes with people’s personal lives.

If two consenting adults want to have premarital sex, then let them.  It isn’t any business of the church to tell them that they are “sinners” for doing so.  Religion also prevents consenting adults from doing a lot of other things that are none of the church’s business.  The Catholic Church’s insistence that its members abstain from using condoms/birth control makes it responsible for overpopulation and the spread of AIDS in poor countries, such as in Africa…what a great legacy!

9.  It makes people believe strange things.

Religion makes people believe that they have guardian angels looking after them, that the earth was created in 7 days, that “man” was created from dirt, that heaven and hell are real…not to mention a lot of other hokey things!

10.  It tries to force its questionable morals onto the rest of society.

Not everybody agrees that homosexuality or same-sex marriage is wrong, or that assisted suicide is wrong, or that abortion is wrong, or that birth control is wrong… 

11.  A certain number of people become obsessed with their religion and do crazy things as a result.

…like 9/11, killing of abortion doctors, honor killings, etc.  Remember Waco and Jonestown?  Ever talk to a “Jesus Freak?”  I’d rather speak to a schizophrenic; at least they have an excuse for their delusional beliefs.

12.  It cheapens life.

As an Atheist, I value my life more now than I ever did while I considered myself a Christian…because I know that this is the only life I get and that I need to live it to the fullest, leaving no unfinished business.  Believing that there is an afterlife cheapens the one and only life that we actually get.

13.   It confuses people.

So why did God have to send Jesus to earth to be killed so that he could save us from him?  Also, the Bible is so full of contradictions that I can’t imagine most Christians really know what is truly expected of them (of course, most Christians haven’t read the Bible so maybe that’s irrelevant).

What Religion Taught Me...and What Atheism Made Me Realize...

Religion taught me…that the Bible is the word of God.

Atheism made me realize…that the Bible is the word of ancient scribes who knew nothing of a man named Jesus.

Religion taught me…that I am a born sinner in need of salvation.

Atheism made me realize…that I am basically a good person, but certainly not perfect.

Religion taught me…that God answers prayers.

Atheism made me realize…that “hoping” is just as effective.

Religion taught me…to have faith.

Atheism made me realize…knowledge is better.

Religion taught me…that God created man from dirt.

Atheism made me realize…that man evolved from lower life forms over billions of years.

Religion taught me…that I have an eternal soul.

Atheism made me realize…that my brain is the basis of my consciousness.

Religion taught me…to fear hell.

Atheism made me realize…hell is just a scare tactic created by early church leaders.

Religion taught me…that it is wrong to miss church on Sundays.

Atheism made me realize…it’s okay to sleep in and watch football on Sundays!

Religion taught me…to turn the other cheek.

Atheism made me realize…people need to be held accountable for their actions.

Religion taught me…that the earth is between 6-10 thousand years old.

Atheism made me realize…the earth is over 4.5 billion years old.

Religion taught me…to love and worship God above all else.

Atheism made me realize…it is a waste of time to love and worship something that doesn’t exist.

Religion taught me…that I am nothing without God

Atheism made me realize…that I am nothing without my family and friends

25 Reasons Why I Reject Christianity (and Religion in General):

1.       The God of the Bible is evil, cruel, unjust, tyrannical, deceitful, petty, and unworthy of worship.

2.       No Christian apologist has ever satisfactorily answered the question “Who created God?”

3.       Religion is based on tradition and has a cultural/geographical component to it.  If a Mormon were born in Saudi Arabia, then that Mormon would now be a Muslim.  Our religious affiliation is usually related to our geographical location.

4.       The character of Jesus is nothing more than a composite of previously worshipped pagan gods.  He shares many of the same characteristics as Osiris, Mithra, Krishna, and Horus (plus many others).  Jesus was simply an updated version of these gods for the Christians to believe in.

5.       Prayer works at the same rate as chance.  Even people of other faiths that pray say that their prayers are answered…yet they pray to a different god.

6.       The bible is filled with scientific errors.  If it was truly inspired by God, then I doubt he would allow for all of these inaccuracies.

7.       Heaven and hell are not real.  These concepts were created by early church leaders to manipulate people into following their teachings.

8.       There is no afterlife.  Once our brain dies, there is no longer a capacity to store or experience thoughts, memories, emotions, or any other brain function.  We simply cease to exist, just as we did before we were born.

9.       The Bible contains absolutely no information in it that wasn’t already known to the ancient men who wrote it.  If god had inspired it, don’t you think there would be a wealth of information in it that would be at least a little bit more impressive? 

10.   There is absolutely no reason for God to hide from us.  If he were real then we would know it and we wouldn’t have to speculate about it.

11.   Too much evil exists in the world for there to be an all-powerful, all-knowing, benevolent God.  Either god is not all-knowing, not all-powerful, non-benevolent, or he simply doesn’t exist.

12.   Evolution is real and there is an overwhelming amount of evidence for it.  Intelligent Design is not real and there is not one shred of evidence for it.

13.   It is more likely that matter always existed rather than a highly complex creator. 

14.   There is a complete lack of reliable evidence for the existence of God.

15.   There are too many different religions, all claiming to be the “one true religion”…it’s more likely that none of them are “true” and all are false.

16.   According to the Bible, the second coming of Jesus was supposed to have already happened…yet it has not (and never will).

17.   The accounts of Jesus (from the first four books of the New Testament) were not even written until at least 40 years after his death.  None of the accounts are from eyewitnesses.  These accounts are nothing more than hearsay.

18.   There is not even one writing in existence that is attributed to Jesus…not one.

19.   The Bible is full of tall tales.

20.   Original sin makes no sense.

21.   Christianity talks so much about “sin” yet most of what it considers a ’sin” is not even harmful or hurtful to anyone else.

22.   “Personal experiences” of god are nothing more than psychological or physiological experiences that have nothing to do with God.  People of every faith (even atheists) have these experiences…they can be explained naturally.

23.   The Bible is morally reprehensible.  Sure, there is a lot of good stuff in the Bible, but it is scattered amongst a lot of terrible stuff.

24.   The story of creation makes no sense…how could God have created light before he created the sun and stars?  Did he create artificial light first?

25.  Archeological evidence has never been found to support many of the supposed events in the Bible…evidence that should be found quite easily.