As expected ‘tis the season for vilification by Christianity of Atheism. Pulpits remonstrate against an evil humanity with religion the only saving antidote. What is wrong with this picture? Everything!

Humans are not inherently bad. The notion that we are in need of a set of instructions from a god enabling goodness to rule, is not only false, it has produced a self loathing civilisation trapped by its own manufactured narrow tenets. In the name of pious absolutism, hurt and oppression continues unabated, wreaking havoc on those falling outside of its arbitrary precepts.

Yes, there are good religious people, but they exist not because of belief in a supernatural realm and deity but despite such beliefs. The negatives of religion outweigh the benefits to the point of being a danger to the survival of life on earth.

Love, respect, compassion, cooperation, etc are evolutionary traits built on common desires. Therefore freely chosen Atheism is the default position for a more just and equitable society.

Atheism does not require an indoctrination process, as it contains no beliefs. Its only demand is that those with religious conviction supply evidence if they wish to manipulate the public to their way of thinking. So far, that evidence has not been forthcoming.

Contact:

David Nicholls
Phone: (08) 8835 2269

Head Office:
Atheist Foundation of Australia Inc
Private Mail Bag 6
MAITLAND SA 5573

Phone: (08) 8835 2269

Website: www.atheistfoundation.org.au
E-Mail: info@atheistfoundation.org.au

Dear David,

Reading your post, you sound quite embittered. I can only speak from my own perspective and experience. I grew up as a Catholic. And, I remember the times when a person who differed with the party line stole quietly away. Now faith has passed from the passive and complete acceptance of a body of teachings to the honest search for total commitment.

The world has become man-centered, meaning-centered, and the individual measures the traditional teachings in terms of personal value. Today they refuse to accept irrelevant sermons, a sterile liturgy, a passe and speculative theology which explores publicly dry and distant formulas, a law which does not explain its own origins.
Today, they demand a priest who reaches them in honest dialogue. They will not be bullied by an authoritarian demand for observance, nor by moralizing which ignores the true and complex context of modern life.

Today's believers demand a more open view of mixed marriages, a more understanding discussion of the birth-control problem and of the dilemma of Catholic education. Believers have recognized the human face of the Church which is being forced to change its expression or die. The Church cannot continue to be arrogant and inhumane.

Today you have a request for honest dialogue, an open hierarchy, a
Church which does not have all the answers or expect all of its followers to walk in the wooden cadence of frozen categories. Because today, a religion which expects its followers to march in identical step and to chant a univocal dotrine ceases to draw the modern follower.

I shall continue to be a Catholic, one who follows her conscience, and demands meaning and relevance from her church, and will not permit her God to be reduced to empty ritual and all-absorbing law.

I do not fear hell because I can't fathom it. I do not seek heaven because it offers no image I can grasp. I only struggle to find myself, to love my fellow human beings, and to hope that in this way I am truly loving God.

Have a Healthy, Safe, and Prosperous New-Year!

David, - perhaps simply because of the season, you do sound somewhat bitter and twisted about things.

I do agree that its a bit much to expect the minority opinion to carry weight in legislation, but as to the opinions of others? Well, as Scarlett O'Hara says, Fiddle de dee. If certain people don't consider one inferior because of one's theological leanings or lack thereof, they will do so because of one's political affiliations, or ethnic background or sexual proclivities. It truly IS impossible to please all of the people all of the time.

I think that growing up and achieving maturity is about realising this, and having enough confidence in oneself not to get one's knickers in a knot about it. If society actually is full of "self-loathing" persons, then one just steers clear of those that one can and accepts those one can't. Sure, there will be the occasional blow-outs (had one recently) but I consider there are enough positive people - both believers and unbelievers - in our incredible and diverse universe not to lose any sleep over it.

Don't want to join any societies, organisations, cults, or clubs to prop up this viewpoint either.

"The negatives of religion outweigh the benefits to the point of being a danger to the survival of life on earth"

Some might argue you could subsitute "religion" with "human nature" and the accuracy (and indeed sense) is much the same.

It also seems to me just as realistic to wish for an end to religion as it is for a type of religion that is overwhelming beneficial, and the latter is surely easier to sell.

Is Christmas "the season for vilification by Christianity of Atheism"? I think Christmas is a time where all people could celebrate family, friends, loved ones and assess & evaluate ourselves and what we did during the past year.

Whether Jesus existed is very relevant to some and quite irrelevant to others. It makes no difference - even if he didn't exist we are discussing him anyway.

I find many athiests struggle because they can't rid themselves of the baggage that religion has created.

But why not be objective. The Christian religions have also done many good things along with the many bad things.

Not believing in evil as the Bible presents it, I choose Christmas to think of others, to help people where I can, to hope for better things for everyone. I don't pray to a God I try to bring it about via personal actions in helping people.

Religious teachings may have helped me to consider these things but I am certainly not religious and I don't trying to find favour with an alleged God is not my motive. I don't know whether God exists and I certainly can't say for sure one doesn't. To me it is a pointless argument with three answers Yes, No and Maybe!

I can't see much evidence of prayer being terribly effective "Apparently a starving child prays quite fervently" but often that prayer isn't answered unless the answer is "No go without".

And yet God allegedly helps push golf balls into holes in America and he seems to have delivered Academy Awards or Grammy's to many... Well he gets praised for it anyway.

If Athiests aim to get people to question their religion then their approach and people skills need work.

If everyone's motive was the question "Have you considered ... my philosphy"? Then I wouldn't mind at all. I could reply with 3 simple answers Yes, No or Maybe ... and choose to listen or not.

My philosophy is based on my life's experiences - Perfect!

Merry Christmas or Merry Non-Christmas everyone... I hope you have a fantastic 2008!

Good People,

Both the Pope and his Australian hatchet man, Pell, and others of the frock, have recently directly vilified Atheism. No big deal, as it is expected. Trouble is, the vilification is propagandist nonsense and totally misses the message of Atheism, which is:

Children have blank minds and can be indoctrinated into just about any religious or other system of belief. Cultural ideational expectation, adult authority, repetition and either subtle or overt threats and promises accomplish this. (Heaven and hell)

Adults so conditioned can accept these induced precepts, not on evidence but on rote induction. Adults vote.

The results include the denial of Legal Voluntary Euthanasia if required, and all people have potential need. Women afforded second class status, clearly evidenced in highly religious countries but working backward shows ours to be of the same strain. Take abortion rights: always under threat by the religious, denial of female priests, harsh prostitution laws against women and not men etc. Lesbians and gays do not have equal rights financially and socially. Christian chaplains have been introduced into State schools. Religions have numerous tax breaks, which is an impost on all citizens, even Atheists. The money thus accumulated is not accountable.

Of course, religious folk see no wrong in the above. They are used to the ways of a theocracy. In accepting such things, they certainly have failed to understand and appreciate, we live in a democracy.

This is not about bitterness; it is about social and democratic justice. Most Atheists I know, and that includes me, are far from being bitter. Their state of Atheism is acknowledged by them, and by me, as the luckiest happenstance that can occur to a human.

May the New Year be kind to you all,

David