Atheist Dogma


Going after religion in the name of atheist belief
Stars above, stories like this annoy me.

Only a small percentage of Americans admit to being nontheists (between 2 and 9 percent, depending on the poll), but that equates to many millions. And religionists' role in debates over stem-cell research and evolution vs. intelligent design - as well as radical religion in world conflicts - have galvanized some atheists to mount a counteroffensive.

In bestselling books, on websites, and with a national lobbying effort, atheists and other nontheists are challenging the growing religious influence in government and public life. Some are attacking the foundations of religion itself.

Two particularly provocative books, in fact, hit the top of Publishers Weekly's religion bestseller list in December. No. 1, "The God Delusion," by evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, and No. 2, "Letter to a Christian Nation," by writer Sam Harris, are no-holds-barred, antireligion polemics that call for the eradication of all manifestations of faith.

I am absolutely opposed to government sponsored religion. Matters of faith should be a personal choice. No more, no less.

But abolishing religion and faith is just as dogmatic as anything the Christian Right does.

I've read some of Dawkins and some of Daniel C. Dennett. Religion and faith are not defects, anymore than atheism is. These "top down" solutions are power over, no matter how it is dressed up. It is another attack on freedom.

Read some of these people and tell me that they do not sound like radical evangelical Christians. Or radical Muslims for that matter.

Atheism is a matter of faith, a belief system. Imposing atheism by force on those who do not choose it is just the same problem all over again. If ANY belief system has merit, then it must be freely chosen. And yes, that means that some people may not make the "right choice." Ah well.

It's a variation of the free market. Choice without coercion, even if it's not the correct one. That means accepting the consequences of that choice as well.

Government can't make the "right" choices for a free people.

Hmm, that may be another banner.

— NeoWayland

Posted: Sat - January 6, 2007 at 03:33 PM  Tag


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