NOT SO FAST
http://abcnews.go.com/US/Story?id=8111485&page=1
I have a problem with this article. I'd like to explain a few things. Go ahead and read it and then continue.
First is the title. I'm not thrilled with the word "faithless" - I suppose I understand why it was used but obviously I describe myself as hopeful and feel like using a word like "faithless" not only implies an absence of faith in any kind of god (fine, true) but an absence of faith in anything. Any admirer of the eloquent Carl Sagan knows there's such an abundance of hope to be found in science and people and life. Hope needs to be a word we DO associate with the ones the article calls "the faithless." I have tremendous faith in people (see my previous entry titled "Skeptical Optimism" below on this very topic).
Don't misunderstand me - it's fine and wonderful that atheists are connecting and finding like-minded people, coming out of the closets and getting together to do good works. I'm okay with that on a basic level - but some of the activities not only defeat the purpose, but mimic religious activities and also validate superstitions and practices of (I'll say SOME to be fair) religions.
For example, take the practice of "de-baptism" :
"In Florida, atheists are pioneering a new ritual: de-baptism. Since last year, American Atheists' Florida state director Greg McDowell has been donning a mock clerical robe and officiating at services where family and friends come to watch the baptized renounce their baptisms.
The events spoof baptisms by using blow-dryers in the place of baptismal waters. They culminate in certificates for the "de-baptized" and letters to churches requesting that the names of those de-baptized be removed from baptismal rolls."
Well, fine, you don't want to be in the church records. Write a letter, make a call. To mock and judge (the things many atheists hate most about religious groups) is the wrong approach. To don robes and blow a hair dryer in each others' faces sends the wrong message. All these practices do is reinforce negative stereotypes and give fuel to the fires of the "holier-than-thou." It IS a "holier than thou" behavior. It also recognizes the practice of baptism as a valid and purposeful practice. It's something you have to "undo."
It's fine to disagree with something, but so much of this just rings as bitter. It's great that more people are seeing the light of reason, but disappointing that so many of them adopt this kind of attitude about it. Setting up another Cool Kids Club isn't going to help anything. What we need are people who do good things because they're the right things to do, not people who do good things to get attention so that they can use their press to dump on the groups they don't agree with.
So get together, atheists. Put on a roast and vent if you need to. Talk it out. Whatever, even meet for Sunday brunch if you absolutely must... just don't start a new religion in the name of non-religion. You'll be just as bad as the rest of them.
And please read. Keep reading and read some more. History and science and even reading a bit of scripture will help you to know what you're saying on these matters. Be able to back yourself up and argue these things in an articulate and still respectful manner. Anger won't help anyone to see where you're coming from, but a calm, rational discussion just might.
"It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness." (Adage)
I have a problem with this article. I'd like to explain a few things. Go ahead and read it and then continue.
First is the title. I'm not thrilled with the word "faithless" - I suppose I understand why it was used but obviously I describe myself as hopeful and feel like using a word like "faithless" not only implies an absence of faith in any kind of god (fine, true) but an absence of faith in anything. Any admirer of the eloquent Carl Sagan knows there's such an abundance of hope to be found in science and people and life. Hope needs to be a word we DO associate with the ones the article calls "the faithless." I have tremendous faith in people (see my previous entry titled "Skeptical Optimism" below on this very topic).
Don't misunderstand me - it's fine and wonderful that atheists are connecting and finding like-minded people, coming out of the closets and getting together to do good works. I'm okay with that on a basic level - but some of the activities not only defeat the purpose, but mimic religious activities and also validate superstitions and practices of (I'll say SOME to be fair) religions.
For example, take the practice of "de-baptism" :
"In Florida, atheists are pioneering a new ritual: de-baptism. Since last year, American Atheists' Florida state director Greg McDowell has been donning a mock clerical robe and officiating at services where family and friends come to watch the baptized renounce their baptisms.
The events spoof baptisms by using blow-dryers in the place of baptismal waters. They culminate in certificates for the "de-baptized" and letters to churches requesting that the names of those de-baptized be removed from baptismal rolls."
Well, fine, you don't want to be in the church records. Write a letter, make a call. To mock and judge (the things many atheists hate most about religious groups) is the wrong approach. To don robes and blow a hair dryer in each others' faces sends the wrong message. All these practices do is reinforce negative stereotypes and give fuel to the fires of the "holier-than-thou." It IS a "holier than thou" behavior. It also recognizes the practice of baptism as a valid and purposeful practice. It's something you have to "undo."
It's fine to disagree with something, but so much of this just rings as bitter. It's great that more people are seeing the light of reason, but disappointing that so many of them adopt this kind of attitude about it. Setting up another Cool Kids Club isn't going to help anything. What we need are people who do good things because they're the right things to do, not people who do good things to get attention so that they can use their press to dump on the groups they don't agree with.
So get together, atheists. Put on a roast and vent if you need to. Talk it out. Whatever, even meet for Sunday brunch if you absolutely must... just don't start a new religion in the name of non-religion. You'll be just as bad as the rest of them.
And please read. Keep reading and read some more. History and science and even reading a bit of scripture will help you to know what you're saying on these matters. Be able to back yourself up and argue these things in an articulate and still respectful manner. Anger won't help anyone to see where you're coming from, but a calm, rational discussion just might.
"It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness." (Adage)