Non-random Rant on Religion
Alex Godden (OJ), Viewpoints Editor
Issue date: 2/11/08 Section: Viewpoints & Humor
Am I overreacting? After all of the horrors perpetrated in the name of religion; after centuries of persecution of various religions by other religions, sects and governments, I'm annoyed because someone's widdle webpage got deleted? Well, yes, because in many cases the ability to freely discuss one's religious beliefs is one of the first things to go. Then it's the freedom to practise your religion, and finally the freedom to believe. Or not, as the case may be.
I am coincidentally* writing this as I am halfway through reading Richard Dawkin's 'The God Delusion', which I personally believe should be a required text for anyone who wishes to express a religious opinion. I don't agree with Dawkins 100% percent, but at least he is prepared to a) defend his beliefs with logical argument b) agree to change his mind if presented with compelling evidence and c) take a remarkable amount of vitriolic, inaccurate and occasionally frightening criticism with good grace. He also prefers to describe himself as a scientist rather than an atheist, as he does not seem to believe that the questions are at all separate.
The events on MySpace were originally brought to my attention through a mailing list I inadvertently ended up on last year after attending the Harvard Humanists Chaplaincy conference last year, to which several of the most active members of the Atheist and Agnostic Group were also invited.
This conference was an extremely eye-opening event for me in many ways. I attended along with a broad variety of my friends who classify themselves as, variously; agnostic; Christian but curious; tentatively atheist; humanist; secularist; and 'I don't know what I call myself, but it looks interesting and Salman Rushdie is going to be there'.
The discussion was equally varied: an ex-Rabbi talking about the difference between community, morality and faith; a Humanist Chaplain talking about humanist funerals and 'birth celebrations' as a way of bringing families together and many people confessing to missing the traditions of holidays such as Easter and Christmas, which they feel as atheists they may not have a right to enjoy. This wasn't a place for people who hated religion, but people who loved intellectual inquiry and valued honest scepticism, and wanted to explore different ways of leading a fulfilling and moral life.
I am coincidentally* writing this as I am halfway through reading Richard Dawkin's 'The God Delusion', which I personally believe should be a required text for anyone who wishes to express a religious opinion. I don't agree with Dawkins 100% percent, but at least he is prepared to a) defend his beliefs with logical argument b) agree to change his mind if presented with compelling evidence and c) take a remarkable amount of vitriolic, inaccurate and occasionally frightening criticism with good grace. He also prefers to describe himself as a scientist rather than an atheist, as he does not seem to believe that the questions are at all separate.
The events on MySpace were originally brought to my attention through a mailing list I inadvertently ended up on last year after attending the Harvard Humanists Chaplaincy conference last year, to which several of the most active members of the Atheist and Agnostic Group were also invited.
This conference was an extremely eye-opening event for me in many ways. I attended along with a broad variety of my friends who classify themselves as, variously; agnostic; Christian but curious; tentatively atheist; humanist; secularist; and 'I don't know what I call myself, but it looks interesting and Salman Rushdie is going to be there'.
The discussion was equally varied: an ex-Rabbi talking about the difference between community, morality and faith; a Humanist Chaplain talking about humanist funerals and 'birth celebrations' as a way of bringing families together and many people confessing to missing the traditions of holidays such as Easter and Christmas, which they feel as atheists they may not have a right to enjoy. This wasn't a place for people who hated religion, but people who loved intellectual inquiry and valued honest scepticism, and wanted to explore different ways of leading a fulfilling and moral life.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Ned Jacobs
posted 2/11/08 @ 11:57 AM EST
Is this article by Alex Godden or someone else? It is not clear if he is simply the editor of viewpoints or simply its editor.
It does not logically follow that just because fewer than 50% of the people polled would vote for an opening atheist presidential candidate that this country "that prides itself on upholding freedom of religion [is less concerned] about people's right not to have a religion. (Continued…)
rity
posted 2/18/08 @ 4:38 PM EST
well said.
Post a Comment