Impotent Atheism
How can a logically negative claim-that God does not exist-overcome the overwhelmingly positive assertion that God does exist? What incentive exists for disbelieving anything that feels good to believe?
Fast forward a hundred years. Belief in the supernatural still exists. Fast forward a thousand years. God is still alive and kicking in the minds of millions. One billion years later, if our species hasn't yet destroyed itself, a large percentage will undoubtedly still be worshiping "the almighty".
Why? Because, simply put, positivity survives while negativity does not. Negative assertions are not attractive to the opposite sex. They don't help us find partners in life. Negativity doesn't attract friends either. Raising the flags of disbelief and skepticism doesn't endear you to anyone but others who have done the same. Embracing one's own atheism may provide the means of finding people who are also proud to call themselves atheists (because, in part, it pumps up their egos), but those who become friends will do so in spite of their disbelief, not because of it. Or at least this is my assertion at the moment: that a negative claim-the denial of something-cannot provide the positivity needed for friends to bond, families to grow close, and society to prosper.
As a truth claim, the denial of the existence of God is a desert wasteland compared to the fertile garden made up of religions' myriad claims. In the vast menu of ideas, atheism is a measly one-bite appetizer whereas religious claims are a satisfying full course meal. And in the ongoing war over hearts and minds, religion is a superpower unleashing its military might on the impoverished third world country of disbelief.
As an idea, "God does not exist" just can't compete. Throughout human history, atheism has failed miserably to win a foothold in human consciousness. Atheism exists only as a parasite to religion. Religions bleed divisiveness, extremism, abuses of power, fear, and hatred-all things inherently offensive to the common person. Atheism gains much of its strength from these wounds.
The disbelief in God is presently finding some success thanks in part to religion's failings, as well as recent (the last 100 years or so) efforts to link atheism to scientific discovery and the morality of humanism. Prominent intellectuals have worked hard to imbue atheism with nobility, respect, and morality. They have painted belief in God and loyalty to religion as choices devoid of these positive attributes.
These tactics have worked to a degree, but unfortunately they do not have staying power. Atheism remains impotent in the lives of real people. The problem is, it is not a religion. I use the word "religion" in this case to mean an organized collection of specific sayings and rituals that offer adherents purpose, joy, guidance, and peace throughout life's difficulties and in the face of their own mortality. Modern religion is also the primary means of intimate, emotional expression of a tribe or nation. Its positive social component is perhaps its most powerful tool.
Until atheists admit that their claim will continue to lose the war of ideas without some kind of "religion" to enshrine it in a positive light, supernatural belief will continue to hold the minds of future generations captive for millennia to come.
Fast forward a hundred years. Belief in the supernatural still exists. Fast forward a thousand years. God is still alive and kicking in the minds of millions. One billion years later, if our species hasn't yet destroyed itself, a large percentage will undoubtedly still be worshiping "the almighty".
Why? Because, simply put, positivity survives while negativity does not. Negative assertions are not attractive to the opposite sex. They don't help us find partners in life. Negativity doesn't attract friends either. Raising the flags of disbelief and skepticism doesn't endear you to anyone but others who have done the same. Embracing one's own atheism may provide the means of finding people who are also proud to call themselves atheists (because, in part, it pumps up their egos), but those who become friends will do so in spite of their disbelief, not because of it. Or at least this is my assertion at the moment: that a negative claim-the denial of something-cannot provide the positivity needed for friends to bond, families to grow close, and society to prosper.
As a truth claim, the denial of the existence of God is a desert wasteland compared to the fertile garden made up of religions' myriad claims. In the vast menu of ideas, atheism is a measly one-bite appetizer whereas religious claims are a satisfying full course meal. And in the ongoing war over hearts and minds, religion is a superpower unleashing its military might on the impoverished third world country of disbelief.
As an idea, "God does not exist" just can't compete. Throughout human history, atheism has failed miserably to win a foothold in human consciousness. Atheism exists only as a parasite to religion. Religions bleed divisiveness, extremism, abuses of power, fear, and hatred-all things inherently offensive to the common person. Atheism gains much of its strength from these wounds.
The disbelief in God is presently finding some success thanks in part to religion's failings, as well as recent (the last 100 years or so) efforts to link atheism to scientific discovery and the morality of humanism. Prominent intellectuals have worked hard to imbue atheism with nobility, respect, and morality. They have painted belief in God and loyalty to religion as choices devoid of these positive attributes.
These tactics have worked to a degree, but unfortunately they do not have staying power. Atheism remains impotent in the lives of real people. The problem is, it is not a religion. I use the word "religion" in this case to mean an organized collection of specific sayings and rituals that offer adherents purpose, joy, guidance, and peace throughout life's difficulties and in the face of their own mortality. Modern religion is also the primary means of intimate, emotional expression of a tribe or nation. Its positive social component is perhaps its most powerful tool.
Until atheists admit that their claim will continue to lose the war of ideas without some kind of "religion" to enshrine it in a positive light, supernatural belief will continue to hold the minds of future generations captive for millennia to come.
posted by Josh at
10:42 PM
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