Monday's Mirror: Reflections on Religion--Losing It
Many atheists and agnostics have been feeling the heat lately from fellow-citizens who would prefer to force non-theists to accept social standards dictated from pulpits and who would block them from consideration in a public square increasingly accustomed to hearing religious rather than rational appeals for decisions affecting public policy. An understandable reaction by non-theists is to call for a rejection of religious appeals as a basis for public policy discussions. More extreme reactions include an almost zealous rejection of religion and spiritually-minded individuals as ignorant, dangerous or both, without any concession that spirituality in general and cultural rites or religious services in particular serve any useful purpose whatsoever. For the latter group, any benefits of religious activity are seen as insufficient to offset the damage done by religion to believers and nonbelievers alike.
Richard Dawkins seems to reflect this strictly anti-religious stance, but does it help or hurt his cause? A new ad campaign running on British buses has provoked mixed reactions. If his cause is to reduce religious prejudice, promote civil discourse on politics and ethics or to win "converts" to atheism, how effective has his approach been? Even Dawkins seems unsure according to this article from The Guardian, "People Say I'm Strident."
Today's Fresh Air was a well-timed rebroadcast of Terry Gross's interview with Julia Sweeney following the release of her monologue "Letting Go of God." Sweeney discussed the development and changes in her spiritual practice throughout her life and her final decision to become an atheist, following a series of personal challenges and tragedies. She described how her interpretations of spiritual experiences changed as she learned more about science, psychology and the brain. She also described a sense of loss regarding the social customs and sense of community traditionally promoted through religion. In spite of these losses, she emphasized she feels a greater sense of comfort, responsibility and civic duty since becoming an atheist.
Finally, here's one YouTube link--thanks, kittymel--to a video by an atheist passionate about the study of religion and about the need for non-theists to take it seriously. And apparently, many viewers are just as passionate about her passion for the subject. To find out why, just watch.
Richard Dawkins seems to reflect this strictly anti-religious stance, but does it help or hurt his cause? A new ad campaign running on British buses has provoked mixed reactions. If his cause is to reduce religious prejudice, promote civil discourse on politics and ethics or to win "converts" to atheism, how effective has his approach been? Even Dawkins seems unsure according to this article from The Guardian, "People Say I'm Strident."
Today's Fresh Air was a well-timed rebroadcast of Terry Gross's interview with Julia Sweeney following the release of her monologue "Letting Go of God." Sweeney discussed the development and changes in her spiritual practice throughout her life and her final decision to become an atheist, following a series of personal challenges and tragedies. She described how her interpretations of spiritual experiences changed as she learned more about science, psychology and the brain. She also described a sense of loss regarding the social customs and sense of community traditionally promoted through religion. In spite of these losses, she emphasized she feels a greater sense of comfort, responsibility and civic duty since becoming an atheist.
Finally, here's one YouTube link--thanks, kittymel--to a video by an atheist passionate about the study of religion and about the need for non-theists to take it seriously. And apparently, many viewers are just as passionate about her passion for the subject. To find out why, just watch.
Click to view