I was looking for an illustration of a symbol of Atheism for this post and this is what I found. Talk about an identity crisis! The suggestion I like the best is just a blank space. It has far more dignity than any of the symbols represented in the religious war being fought in Olympia, Washington over Christmas displays at the Capitol.Christmas displays. Like the one a Kansas group wants to erect that states "Santa Claus Will Take You To Hell." And another that states Santa is a child molester and the cause of U.S. troop deaths. "God's hate" is the cause of our economic woes.
We still lived in the area when Christmas Trees became Holiday Trees. That was at least fifteen years ago! I'm willing to wager a sign stating "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men," is no where to be seen!
Having recently finished reading The God Delusion, by Richard Dawkins, I find the case made for non-belief in God seems more sound than most would find comfortable. If actions speak louder than words, the happenings in Olympia are a testimony to that premise!
Is it not bad enough that most wars are based on the hatred bred by religious differences? Is it not a warning when in our own country people who don't even reside within in the state of Washington are taking cases to court for the right to express their hate for those who don't share their views?
How does this apply to Atheists? At least for those who feel no need to organize? They can look at all the conflict and walk away unaffected. They don't believe in God, nor heaven, nor hell so there is no basis for hatred.
One thing I have noticed that has aroused my curiosity. All the "religions" involved have their names capitalized. Baptists, Evangelicals, Jews, Muslims, Catholics, and so on. Never atheist. Why is that?
As for Olympia and it's struggle with what to and what not to allow. Heck, let anyone put up a display celebrating whatever holiday that is meaningful to them. But leave the other guys alone. No more of this my god is better than your god nor damning others for not agreeing with your view. And send the out of state folks back to their own turf!
That just might incorporate the right tone for "good will toward men." One can only hope.
3 comments:
As an Atheist (not capital) for sixty years, I am convinced we're the peacemakers! Since I haven't got a belief to defend I'd never go to war. (Fighting for territory is another thing.) I prefer to think of myself as a Humanist, by the way.
Whatever I am, it is not anything that starts with a capital letter. It was a long time ago that I came to the conclusion that the world's religions were the cause of all the trouble in the world, past and present and I vowed to never be a part of any of them again. I'm a human being, that's all I can claim.
Preach on sister. Let everybody do what they want on their own private turf but stay off mine! Separation of church and state is a good practice. I see no need for any public displays on state or federal property. Let each group do it on their own property.
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