atheists and agnostics

[miriam_e]

I'm convinced that if we are to survive the next several decades we must outgrow the stupidity that is religion. It poses the greatest threat to our children's survival. Each religious group hates each other with an unshakeable faith that they are the one true path. All religions justify murder and repression in the name of their illusory beliefs.

We need more non-religious heroes and heroines in books and films. More atheists and agnostics should stand up and make themselves known as honorable people ...before we become the next targets of the religious crazies.

Comments

[miriam-e.livejournal.com]

:) I actually do think what people often call a sixth sense is a real thing, but I would call it intuition -- the ability of the mind to unconsciously integrate thousands of tiny bits of information to come up with a probabilistic result. It can be right or wrong, but used intelligently is still useful. It is what we do when we read someone's body language during a conversation. Unfortunately it is also what we do when we take an instant dislike to someone based solely upon their appearance. Intuition and prejudice are very closely allied and it is often difficult to separate them.

As far as "converting" this girl, I don't know what to say. I can't think of anybody that I've met who I've turned from religion, so I'm probably not much help. I can mention a few theoretical points that might have some bearing...

We all have a compulsion to follow others. It probably evolved as a handy survival trait, and is the reason why fashion works and religious and political leaders can get people to do things that would otherwise be incomprehensible. It stands to reason that it should be possible to encourage people to think more by providing them with good examples. This is why I was pleading for more atheistic and agnostic heroes and heroines.

A trick that is commonly used by religion and politics to brainwash people is to present them with a terrible problem that there is no way out of (you are going to burn in hell for all eternity) and then when all seems lost they provide an out (god will save you if you just believe). I don't propose that the same evil trick be used (ugh!), but I do think it can be undermined to loosen the grip of the nasty meme.

[Darn! My post was too long. I have to break it in two. More to follow.]