Atheists in America...
August 9th 2009 03:21
We all know the Geico Cavemen, don't we? Fun lovin' guys just lookin' for their place in life, tryin' to avoid being constantly reminded of how Geico commercials view them. As simpletons, unable to grasp most concepts, yet still able to deal comfortably with Geico Insurance - because it's so easy.
As an Atheist, I sometimes feel like the Geico Cavemen. Getting by in a world that views me as substandard, as not quite able to understand how the universe works. When a person dismisses the illogic and ignorance of mythical belief, they suddenly are looked upon as alien by believers of those myths.
Sure, the believers wouldn't call them myths. Not their beliefs, anyway. Those of others, sure - to the Christian Islam is myth, and vice versa. Yet, when a person calls them all out, says that they are all equally wrong, that person becomes the most vilified of all. Fundamentalists from all the religions dislike each other, but they reserve a very special hatred for the Atheist.
And as an Atheist, there are reminders everywhere of the pervasive and over-reaching nature of religion in America. There is a saying that in America we have freedom from religion as well as freedom of religion. But that's not true, now is it?
Religion influences our entertainment, our national discourse, and most importantly, our politics. Any politician seeking national office need bow at the altar of religion whether they subscribe or not. We are more afraid of a breast shown during a Super bowl halftime show than we are of war rhetoric. What seems to be a basic question when removed from religion - whether or not same sex couples should be allowed to marry - becomes an entrenched national debate because of religion.
What's a "caveman" to do? Just keep on movin' looking for "that place" where they can be truly free from the tentacles of organized religion? Or stand his ground, holding out logic and reason as a shield? When I'm out and about and having fun and see fish on cars and crosses on the hill and churches on every corner, I feel for the Geico Cavemen.
I wrote this tongue-in-cheek, but just barely. I'm not really feeling persecuted, but I am troubled by the fact that we as a society can't let go of our old mythologies. For until we do, we can't really move ahead to a truly fair and free society. Once everyone realizes that we are just what we are, and for better or worse we have to live together, perhaps we can do just that.
As an Atheist, I sometimes feel like the Geico Cavemen. Getting by in a world that views me as substandard, as not quite able to understand how the universe works. When a person dismisses the illogic and ignorance of mythical belief, they suddenly are looked upon as alien by believers of those myths.
Sure, the believers wouldn't call them myths. Not their beliefs, anyway. Those of others, sure - to the Christian Islam is myth, and vice versa. Yet, when a person calls them all out, says that they are all equally wrong, that person becomes the most vilified of all. Fundamentalists from all the religions dislike each other, but they reserve a very special hatred for the Atheist.
And as an Atheist, there are reminders everywhere of the pervasive and over-reaching nature of religion in America. There is a saying that in America we have freedom from religion as well as freedom of religion. But that's not true, now is it?
Religion influences our entertainment, our national discourse, and most importantly, our politics. Any politician seeking national office need bow at the altar of religion whether they subscribe or not. We are more afraid of a breast shown during a Super bowl halftime show than we are of war rhetoric. What seems to be a basic question when removed from religion - whether or not same sex couples should be allowed to marry - becomes an entrenched national debate because of religion.
What's a "caveman" to do? Just keep on movin' looking for "that place" where they can be truly free from the tentacles of organized religion? Or stand his ground, holding out logic and reason as a shield? When I'm out and about and having fun and see fish on cars and crosses on the hill and churches on every corner, I feel for the Geico Cavemen.
I wrote this tongue-in-cheek, but just barely. I'm not really feeling persecuted, but I am troubled by the fact that we as a society can't let go of our old mythologies. For until we do, we can't really move ahead to a truly fair and free society. Once everyone realizes that we are just what we are, and for better or worse we have to live together, perhaps we can do just that.
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Comment by Moonfair
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I do understand what you are saying, and I hope you find comfort in that you are not the only one out there.
Comment by OnlineWriter
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Religion is a nice story and if implemented without all the "yer goin to heeeeelllll" crap, I don't see the harm in it. It can give hope to the hopeless and shit like that.
The problem is, it always ends up the same. "my god is better than your god" or "My god says to kill you because you don't believe in him" or other such bullshit.
Comment by Moonfair
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And I don't believe using God's name as an excuse to do something like to kill, to lie, or to judge. That is not what I was put here for.
Those people you talk about are very confused and afraid and are trying to find something to hang on too. So they invent, or rewrite what their God said in order to feel better about what they do.
We are all made up of energy, and energy does not die out, when we die, it leaves our body and goes out to the universe.
I also believe if you don't have faith in yourself, how can you have faith in anything else. And you probably have more faith then a believer.
Don't change yourself or your beliefs to satisfy anyone else. You have to be true to yourself. This is what I always tell my son.
Comment by teiku
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I haven't really experienced anybody castigating atheists except in the political sphere. I work with teens in a pluralistic Jewish school and students often proclaim themselves atheists without any negative response from students or teachers.
Obviously, Fundamentalists yell about atheists, but they also yell about Jews, Muslims, polytheists, and other Christians. I'm curious what situations you find yourself in where you face negative responses? Are they in debates or just when you walk down the street?
Comment by Morgan Bell
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i often get this sneaking feeling that Obama is an atheist, but he is intelligent enough to know it would be political suicide to declare it . . . im just basing that on a gut instinct, i have no evidence to suggest he is
Comment by Moonfair
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I have had no problem with people when I tell them I am not religious. I don't want to be Christian, or any other religion. They seem to make up their own rules, rewrite the Bible to suit them. I don't believe in that.
As for declaring yourself Christian to hold public office, I wouldn't know. I have never wanted to hold public office.
But it is not only here in the U.S. with this problem. 95% of the human population is of one kind of religion or another. The problem is world wide. Especially with the extremists.
Besides, I don't think it's anyones business how they believe. That is personal.
Comment by Morgan Bell
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which book did Obama say that in? if youve got it handy, i would love to know a page reference
apparently atheists are legally prohibited from holding public office in many states including Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi and Maryland . . . it is also written that atheists are also not allowed to participate in the Boyscouts in the USA
if that doesnt seem serious trying replacing the word "atheist" with "black" and see how backwards and oppressive it is
Comment by Moonfair
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I think it is all serious. How we are judge by each other. It really makes me angry that people have a say over my personal beliefs, or anyone's personal beliefs.
Comment by Morgan Bell
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if the Obama quote came from a forwarded email and not the actual book you may want to check out Snopes to see all the "muslim" claims debunked
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Comment by Jeff Musall
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Morgan, I share your hunch about Obama, that he is far more a free thinker than he lets on, and was smart enough to play the going to church game...as for the claims he is a Muslim and Socialist, the former would be no better or worse than being Christian, and the latter is something I would welcome if true (it's not, but it would be nice)
Comment by Moonfair
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Anyway Jeff, you are right. It's a sad thing. I truly wish you well.