These are some thoughts I've had lately as a result of debate forum topics, NPR broadcasts I've heard recently and conversations with theists. I may expand on some of them in later posts. At this point they're only snippets of the the thoughts I've had.
It truly saddens me that so many theists think that atheists are immoral, satanic (doubly ironic), evil, hateful, worse than murders and ineligible for public office. What could possibly have given them such ignorant, misinformed and mean-spirited opinions? Primarily doctrinal churches.
It's obvious why churches consider us the enemy and delight in spreading malicious imaginings disguised as informed opinion; the only way churches can stay in business is to keep all their contributors in line. Questioning and doubting have to be nipped in the bud. Imagine how a magician would feel about someone standing nearby explaining how every trick was done.
There are so few self-proclaimed atheists, the theist leaders don't have to worry too much that one of the believers might actually get to know an atheist and realize the fallacy of the nonsense they've been fed.
The only thing that can open the mind of anyone about religion is disbelief. God is the wizard of Oz and atheists want to pull back the curtain. Once the sham is exposed, disbelief sets in. That cannot be allowed to happen. Churches, and especially their very human leaders, enjoy the good life. Their lust for wealth should be a red flag for the followers. But somehow they manage to justify this behavior to themselves. Blind faith is such an accurate term.
Most Christians aren't aware of knowing any atheists. That's because atheists rarely make a point of discussing things that are of no concern to them. Obviously we're not very immoral, or we'd stand out more. In that respect, atheism is similar to homosexuality. The people you know to be one or the other are the flamboyant ones. The less spectacular of us tend to blend right in. Atheism says nothing about a person's political beliefs, stand on abortion or drug legalization. Gay or straight, white or black. An atheist is a working woman and a stay-at-home mom. You can't tell by the outside. We don't have tails or horns, despite what you may have heard.
There are those who contend that atheists hate god. How in the world can anyone seriously think that we are capable of hating that which doesn't exist? The concept of gods was thought up by humans to meet certain needs of society. Those needs no longer exist, so we don't need to maintain the myths of gods. The idea served its purpose, for good or ill, but it is 2000 years old at best (although Scientology is fairly new and its weirder than some of the old beliefs) and totally irrelevant. So if I dismiss the entire notion of gods, what is there to hate? You might as well accuse me of hating Superman.
There are things associated with religion that I do hate, or at least really dislike. Fanatics of any faith I find not just annoying but actually harmful. They fuel the fires of hate. Yet it's undeniable that fanatics are what a literal interpretation of any religion gets you. When it comes to practicing their faith, whatever their faith may be, fanatics put the rest of them to shame. That's what makes them dangerous to everyone, not just those of us they claim their gods don't love.
I hate the fact that something I consider a delusion is so widespread. I hate the wars fought in the name of gods, I am deeply saddened to think about all the people killed in the name of gods. I hate the dictators who have hidden behind the skirts of theism. And yes, I even hate the dictators who have been avowed atheists as well. Just because we share a common opinion regarding religion does not excuse their behavior toward their fellow humans. Atheism is no more common among the general population of dictators than it is among the general population of the country.
I hate the fact that to be an avowed atheist guarantees you a zero chance of getting elected to office in the United-we don't endorse any one religion but we do endorse the concept of religion in general- States.
