Civil War

I recently received a forwarded article written and recited by Ben Stein on the CBS Morning News on December 15^th, 2005, concerning his negative views toward secularism. Read it here:

http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_ben_stein_christmas.htm

For some reason, this part-time Jewish actor turned activist known mostly for his benign, mind-numbingly dull character in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and more recently, as a beach ball consoling marketing tool for Clear Eyes, has taken it upon himself to fight for the cause of Christianity, or more specifically, against secularism and atheism. Not only was I furious that such a contemptuous, pious, piece of garbage was and continues to be circulated via email and other outlets, I was most horrified that it had been forwarded to me by my own sister.

[NOTE: The author of the second portion of the article is disputed. However, I've run across a number of Christian websites which include the more heinous, anonymously authored portion. In addition, the edited version continues to circulate via email, perpetuated by the Christian community, and in my case, by my own sister. Even if Mr. Stein did not author the loathsome latter portion, that a number of Christians apparently support the appalling arguments made is a source of serious concern.]

Growing up with her religious mother (she, being my half-sister) and raised as a Christian, I never understood, but for the most part accepted that my sister was religious. On perhaps one or two occasions, we have debated our views, but for the most part, it just didn't come up in conversation, and that's been fine with me. After receiving her email, I felt our Switzerland sisterhood had abruptly been invaded. Armed with reason, I inquired how she could possibly side with such a ridiculous person. She noted my more recent attention to matters of religious bigotry and violence on facebook and myspace, available to her exclusively through news feed (Not once did I send her any articles, videos etc.) and in her anger of my criticism of religion, she vehemently felt it necessary to come to Christianity's defense, via Ben Stein and other anonymous authors. Outraged that my own sister felt it necessary to censor and spite me with such dribble, demanding that I "have respect for [her] thoughts as well even if [I] don't agree," I replied with the following response:

I hope you're not saying that I don't have the right to criticize something that I believe is dangerous, illogical and outdated - throughout history people like me have been tortured, imprisoned and burnt at the stake for daring to speak out against the church. Fortunately, "heretics" in this country, in this time DO have the right to voice such opinions. Unfortunately, there is still intolerance for doing so, and many are still targeted, leading to discrimination, death threats and sometimes (or often, depending on where one lives in the world) death. I am so very thankful that I have the right in this country to believe or not believe whatever I please, and voice my opinions. I have the right to freedom FROM religion, so please allow me that freedom. If you had actually been paying attention, you'd know that my focus has not been directed solely at Christianity - I have been addressing religion in general - predominately Islam, but also Christianity and Judaism. And don't forget that there is a common denominator between the three.

I'm quite used to the idea of being at war with the religious community in a general and disconnected sense, but for the first time I feel as though I've been intimately attacked by my own flesh and blood. It is unsettling, but it's certainly not a deterrent. By wearing my scarlet letter on my sleeve, (or by actually wearing the Out Campaign's scarlet "A" tee-shirt) in every day life, I put myself at risk of alienation, by co-workers, friends, and even family. I may not be a flamboyant atheist, but if need be, I will always fight for the cause of reason and rationality, even if it puts me at war with the people around me. It's not easy to stand out as the loathed secular minority in a hostile, theocratic-loving crowd, but somebody has to do it, and it's becoming less challenging every day as our support increases. I can only hope that people will continue to come out, reach out, speak out, keep out and stand out in the name of reason, and compassion.

The Grinch Who Killed Jesus

As atheists or secularists, we might as well paint ourselves green and steal all the trees this season, already being depicted as a kind of crossbred between The Grinch and The Devil himself. Personally, Christmas is not a battle I choose to fight with much rigor, when it comes to secular issues. I do think some Christians need to be a bit more mindful when December rolls around of the varying opinions that exist in our melting pot culture. However, perhaps to the dismay of many Christians, this atheist, anti-theistic secularist would not cut out the tongue of one who chooses to wish me a "Merry Christmas." I don't mind the tradition and aesthetic value of twinkling lights and decorative trees that we peculiarly place in our living rooms. Some of my fondest memories center on Christmas traditions that were unavoidably severed as I was abruptly ushered into adulthood. For most kids, Christmas is less about some guy named Jesus and more about an overweight white guy who wears a red suit and magically delivers presents while we sleep. Perhaps we should be more concerned with the greediness and entitlement children seem to display in our country, and less concerned with the celebration of an alleged prophet who lived 2,000 years ago.

As secularist ideas spread, many Christians in this country are now angrily speaking out against the idea of "freedom from religion," often making the argument that we live in a "Christian nation." Crossing over the religious borders of Judaism and Christianity, Ben Stein has recently come to the defense of the "Christian nation" argument, notably in his pious CBS morning news "confession," which I referred to earlier. In one portion of his commentary, Stein states:

"I don't like getting pushed around for being a Jew, and I don't think Christians like getting pushed around for being Christians. I think people who believe in God are sick and tired of getting pushed around, period. I have no idea where the concept came from that America is an explicitly atheist country. I can't find it in the Constitution and I don't like it being shoved down my throat."

If it isn't bizarre enough that this former attorney either doesn't understand or chooses to ignore the concept of secularism (Stein also advocates that creationism, deceitfully renamed "Intelligent Design be taught in public schools) I find it even more astonishing that Mr. Stein believes that atheism is being shoved down his throat, when we atheists and secularists feel the EXACT same way about Christianity; the dominant religion in our quasi-secular country.

In addition, I really haven't noticed any dramatic changes over the last few years during the Christmas season. Some businesses are now required to say, "Happy Holidays" rather than "Merry Christmas," as to not offend any potential consumers. Perhaps the religious-based activities have been limited in public schools, and nativities cannot be displayed just anywhere, but let's be honest Mr. Stein - we still very much recognize the Christmas holiday. Christmas trees are still sold on every corner; Christmas specials and movies air on various networks, and children receive a holiday break from school, lasting anywhere from two to four weeks. Even adults benefit from the Christmas holiday, as a number of businesses close their doors around the country on December 25th. Indirectly, we still all seem to be saying, "Happy birthday, Jesus."

False "Idoliots"

In addition to his anti-secular comments on the CBS Morning News, Mr. Stein voiced his concerns over the "worshipping" of false idols, noting our culture's obsession with celebrities such as Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson:

"Where did the idea come from that we should worship Nick and Jessica and we aren't allowed to worship God as we understand Him?"

Although I too, am baffled by our culture's unhealthy obsession with celebrities and our desire to achieve wealth and fame as a means to happiness, I differ in opinion from Stein in that I feel it is much worse to be mandated to worship an invisible ruler who will smite those who disobey. Christopher Hitchens compares the religious dictatorship including the second commandment to the current state of North Korea in which the citizens are forced to worship the state and it's ruler:

"A heavenly dictatorship would be like living in a celestial North Korea, except it would be worse because they could read your thoughts even when you were asleep. At least when you die you get out of North Korea, which is the most religious state I've ever seen."

So while our reverence for less than worthy celebrities may be an unhealthy reflection of our societal values, it is far less malignant than the religious dogma for which Stein advocates. In addition, I think there are plenty of people who have earned their right to fame, standing out for their academic or artistic achievements, serving as positive role models and/or inspiration. While the "worship" of such people may be a bit extreme, our respect and admiration for them is more than reasonable.

Guns Don't Kill People, Atheists Do.

In regards to the heinous content of the anonymously authored addition to Ben Stein's CBS commentary - I am amazed at how warped a perspective many religious people share. How sick and deluded does a person have to be to blame terrorist attacks, school shootings and natural disasters on secularism? Had either Reverends Jerry Falwell or Pat Roberton authored this twisted dribble, I probably would not have batted an eye. Most people would regard them as religious madmen, and shrug it off... or would they? I wonder just how many people perpetuate the circulation of the email that reached my inbox via my own sister. In her defense, she noted that she didn't agree with everything that was mentioned, but yet, by sending it to me, she indirectly put on her stamp of approval. How many other moderate Christians, I wonder, think that atheism and secularism are to blame for the atrocities we are often faced with? Just how outdated and backward is their thinking? In the wake of natural disasters, instead of looking at the evidence of global warming which can increase the severity of storms, (including hurricanes) many religious people revert back to a flat-world, geocentric mentality in which an angry, micromanaging deity has the power to part the seas and generally wreak havoc on its sinful inhabitants. But such a notion seems perfectly acceptable to those who believe that God once flooded the world, sparing only the Christians and two animals from each species. Almost everyone has heard the story. How many children continue to be taught it as truth, and really believe it?

In the email, a comment made by Anne Graham Lotz (daughter of Billy Graham) concerning Hurricane Katrina is mentioned, but it has been brought to my attention that this was actually made in regards to the events following 9/11:

"I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman He is, I believe He has calmly backed out. How can we expect God to give us His blessing and His protection if we demand He leave us alone?"

It seems the rotten apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

Again we find secularism being blamed, ironically this time for religious terrorism. This is perhaps the most absurd argument I've heard yet. As atheists/secularists/or most importantly as humanists, we strive for truth, reason and the general well being of humans. A group of Islamic martyrs fly three commercial airplanes into three buildings, killing thousands of people, and yet, atheists are to blame? Where is the logic in that?? I mean, we are talking about a group of people belonging to a religion largely borrowed from Judaism and Christianity, holding similar beliefs about the afterlife (minus the 72 virgins bit) and yet atheists are to blame? Light could not escape the gravity of the holes in that story created by the immense weight of such asininity.

The Redheaded Step-child of America

As noted in the popular video circulating on youtube, titled "Atheist" (produced by Zak Kroger) a study from the University of Minnesota has shown that "more than blacks, gays, immigrants, lesbians or even Muslims, atheists are viewed as the least American." One need not seek only statistics to verify that indeed - this is a widespread opinion. It amazes me that people of a differing faith can murder thousands of people in New York City, in addition to participating in daily suicide bombings and yet still rank above the unbelievers, because at the very least, they have a faith. It may not be one that Christians agree with entirely, but the brotherhood of theism, however heinous either faith may be, still seems unified, and bent on excluding those who seek to understand the world in logical terms.

"The origin [of religion] comes from the infancy of our species... when we didn't know that the Earth went around the sun. We didn't know that germs caused disease..."
-Christopher Hitchens

To me, the outrage from the religious community is the result of the disillusioned, perpetual inner child, desperately clutching on to the sole surviving fairy tale of their youth. First it was the Easter Bunny, then the Tooth Fairy, followed by Santa Claus and now, God? This potentially and often unhealthy, invisible pacifier must go as well. But some may argue (including some atheists who believe in belief) that we should leave the poor children alone - why take away that which gives them hope? As Christopher Hitchens has noted, it would not be necessary if they kept their "toys" to themselves, thereby, not forcing others to play with their toys, and not prohibiting others from playing with their own toys. But as we know, this is not the case. Even in a nation founded on secular values, we find the infiltration of religion. In more extreme cases, we find people tortured, mutilated and murdered for choosing to play with other "toys." Throughout history this has been the case, and only more recently has it been brought to our attention on a daily basis, thanks to media technology. We hear about Islamic terrorism every day because examples of it do occur every day, but it is certainly not the only religion that carries the potential to bring out the worst in us. Unfortunately we live in a world dominated by faith-based, outdated thinking - a fixed perspective on the world, unalterable by rational ideas.

With all the futuristic, science-fiction stories written over the last century, who would have predicted that we would still be living in a demon-haunted world in the 21^st century, alongside space shuttles and deep space probes? Perhaps we are merely in an awkward transitional period, with many people still kicking and screaming - clinging to outdated, supernatural ideas, left in the cloud of dust kicked up by the rapid progression of science. Or perhaps we will all be incinerated in the giant mushroom cloud of religious fervor... I can only hope that the majority of you will strive to prevent the latter. To those guilty of the juvenile accusations and demonization of atheists - knock it off. It's time to grow up and start taking responsibility for the errors in your way of thinking, and the imminent hazards of faith that we are now faced with.