I certainly respect your choice to adopt Atheism. I myself was raised Lutheran and have relatives who adhere to several different renditions of Christianity. But I've never had a particularly fervent faith. I don't know who or what God may be, and I'm a humble enough man to admit that I don't have all the answers. If there are any who truly understand God, they are exorbitantly few. It is true, there are many examples of horrid people in the past driven to acts of madness in the name of their faith. But I sincerely hope you are open-minded enough to understand that there are very good people, and very bad people in pretty much every group you could possibly dice people into. That is the way of the world. People are often savages. The traits and traditions they adopt can be overwhelmed by hatred and dishonesty in nearly any situation.
Some of the most moral, most generous, most caring, and most peaceful human beings I've ever known have been devoutly religious. I have no doubt that their faith and their religious upbringing contributed to their goodness, as did many other factors such as good educational opportunities, principled upbringing (apart from the religious aspects), a stable family and an environment permeated by justice and peace.
On the other hand, I have known many outspoken Atheists I wouldn't spit on to put out the fire that was engulfing them. Abject scum. Hateful, dishonest, putrid.
My point is not that Atheists are bad, and religious people good. I don't believe that for an instant. Just some experiences from my life. My point is that you need to take people one at a time. You can't judge a group, unless you get to know virtually everybody in that group. Don't judge races, religious groups, nations, or people that adopt similar lifestyles together as one. Judge people one at a time as you learn something about them. When you meet somebody new, your only moral choice is to give them the benefit of doubt equal to any other. They will reveal their nature to you soon enough, and then you can rightly judge them and treat them accordingly. Keep an open mind. It is the best policy. Keep your guard up, and protect yourself, but let others reveal themselves to you before you judge them.
Fear, hatred, and madness has engulfed nations before. Religion doesn't always drive it. Don't brand all Hindus and Muslims for sins of those that committed atrocities during the partition (in my opinion one of the saddest episodes of the 20th century).
Keep in mind, atheists have committed such atrocities too. Stalin, for one.
Im not religious, but the only thing dumber then people who kill for religion are people who believe that if it was no religion it wont still be just as much if not more war and murders
While I would have worded it differently, I agree wholeheartedly with this statement. Human beings are animals, and savages. Civilization strikes the heart of seldom few in this world. If there were no religion, no faith in the supernatural, etc. people would find other reasons to slaughter and hate one another. I don't doubt this for a second.
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Sugarminx
9 years ago
@herbsuperb: that was beautifully articulated.
I have loads of time for individuals who are fair-minded and who seem to possess a balanced view of the world. Well done, sir.
So put some spice in my sauce, honey in my tea, an ace up my sleeve and a slinkyplanb
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sgtlaugh
8 years ago
One of the most thoughtful and open-minded posts I have seen here. Respect to you sir, very well said.
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