I not only would disagree that religion is the best source of morality I would go so far as to say it is not a source of morality at all. I do not believe that people actually get their values and ethics from religion. Theists may believe that they do but if you examine what each religion's doctrines and scriptures pass off as moral lessons it becomes clear that they can not be where individual believers are actually getting their morals. There is a huge disconnect even among the more fundamentalist theists. All believers interpret and pick and choose what they accept and apply.
In regard to monotheism I do not even accept that it is possible to gain morals from faith. I see monotheism as being amoral by its nature. I would emphasize that is amoral not immoral. I am in no way implying that monotheists lack morals, they do not. Most monotheists I know have excellent values and ethics. Despite what they themselves see as the source I would argue that it is not from their faith.
As I see it, to have morality requires two main components; knowledge of right and wrong and the ability to act on that knowledge. Monotheism fails on both counts. God as portrayed in scriptures is a hideous and quite hypocritical monster. The more abstract version of the God concept is too amorphous to be of any practical use. The moment you contemplate this God beyond a very basic definition you ended up running into all sorts of inconsistencies and contradictions. The more you attempt to describe/explain the more limitations you place on God. Since God is supposedly perfect this is self-defeating. I fail to see how such a vague and frequently divisive concept can lead to any practical knowledge of right and wrong.
It is also difficult to see how any true monotheist would have the ability to act on any knowledge they do gain about right and wrong. I do not see that the concept of free will is in any way compatible with the concept of God. This, of course, assumes God being defined as perfect and all powerful. Despite claims to the contrary, such a God would negate the notion of free will. For God to grant free will would require giving up both omnipotence and omniscience but that would immediately negate God itself by definition. An individual can not act in a way that is contrary to God. Since theists can not act contrary to God they have no free will and no responsibility. Basically, if God exist we are merely meat puppets. If you can not choose and can not be responsible you can not be either moral or immoral. Each theist simply is and must do what God has determined.
Theists like atheist gain their ethics and values from a wide variety of sources. Genetics, environment, socio-cultural factors, and parenting among others all play a role. And yes, indirectly religion as an aspect of culture and social interaction can play a role. It is not, however, the religion in itself but rather the ways the individual adherents interact.
Monotheism is amoral.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Lobbying for God
$390 million a year! That's how much money is spent on lobbying for "religion-related advocacy" according to the Pew Research Center. Why? Doesn't it strike any of these theists as a little odd that so much money is needed for matters they themselves claim God wants? Doesn't it ever occur to them that the effort is a complete waste and for a variety of reasons. If God intended things to be a particular way why wouldn't they be that way already? If it is not God's intention how can you possibly succeed? Isn't it a tad bit arrogant to assume you know better or can do better than God? Unless, they aren't really lobbying for God but rather are just using religion as an excuse or a ploy to do what they themselves want to do.
Righteous Vote Rigging?
Republican, Conservative, Religious Right; these terms are not synonymous but there is a considerable amount of overlap. All three are certainly interested in gaining power by any means. Over the past few years they have routinely pushed for restrictions on voting. Sometimes these restrictions are in the form of regulations (which they usually oppose rather vocally) or laws. Sometimes it is in the form of social activities. They have pushed politics in the pulpit. It is also not uncommon for many voting wards/precincts in "red" states to be locating in places of worship. This seems to contradict the view that the "almighty" is actually all powerful. After all if God wanted a specific politician elected or law passed why would they need to try rigging the results?
An article in this month's American Prospect, "Who Stole the Election?", summed up the Right's need for vote tampering pretty well. The quotation from Paul Weyrich is quite telling, "I don't want everybody to vote. As a matter of fact, our leverage in the elections quite candidly goes up as the voting populace goes down."
If you don't know who Weyrich is I would encourage you to look him up. He was a longtime Republican/Conservative activist and a founding figure in the rise of the Religious Right.
An article in this month's American Prospect, "Who Stole the Election?", summed up the Right's need for vote tampering pretty well. The quotation from Paul Weyrich is quite telling, "I don't want everybody to vote. As a matter of fact, our leverage in the elections quite candidly goes up as the voting populace goes down."
If you don't know who Weyrich is I would encourage you to look him up. He was a longtime Republican/Conservative activist and a founding figure in the rise of the Religious Right.
Christians Don't Own December
Why do some Christians think they own the whole concept of Holidays. While surfing radio stations the past few weeks I have heard some rather obnoxious whining about how terrible phrases like, "happy holidays", "seasons greetings", and "holiday tree" are supposed to be. Really? What a bunch of arrogant cry babies. These ignorant assholes seem to think that not only is Christmas the only holiday that occurs in December but that everyone should bow down to their personal whims.
Just for clarification there are a number of other holidays that are occurring this month. Among them, in no particular order, are Hannukah, Omisoka, Muharram, Ashura, Bodhi Day, Winter Solstice, and Kwanza. I haven't heard any Hindus, Muslims, or Buddhists whining that no one is wishing others a happy Ashura or some other specific holiday.
Most of the traditions these same pinheads bitch about not being taken seriously anymore are not even exclusively or originally Christian. The tree was used as a religious symbol long before Christianity ever formed. It is also not as if Christianity doesn't already dominate our culture. We can't even get through Halloween anymore before being barraged by all sorts of Christmas themed ads and "news" puff pieces on the networks and every other media outlet.
It also seems a pointless rant since if they want to use the term Christmas nothing is stopping them. No one is even attempting to ban the word. So why complain? Do they have to be so arrogant as to insist everyone, whether Christian or not, conform to their narrow ways? Maybe non-believers should start a holiday label campaign. What about happy incestuous adultery day? After all, God the "Father" knocked up a young woman who was at the time either engaged or married* in order for her to give birth to himself, the "Son." That's right he slept with another man's bride who ended up being his own mom. There's a festive thought for the holidays.
*Scripture does not seem to support Mary being married at the time but I've heard a few religious right windbags trying to make the case. I assume they got fed up with jokes about her being an unwed mother. It's amazing the contortions that the "literal word of God" variety of Christians go through to make the Bible say what they want it to say.
Just for clarification there are a number of other holidays that are occurring this month. Among them, in no particular order, are Hannukah, Omisoka, Muharram, Ashura, Bodhi Day, Winter Solstice, and Kwanza. I haven't heard any Hindus, Muslims, or Buddhists whining that no one is wishing others a happy Ashura or some other specific holiday.
Most of the traditions these same pinheads bitch about not being taken seriously anymore are not even exclusively or originally Christian. The tree was used as a religious symbol long before Christianity ever formed. It is also not as if Christianity doesn't already dominate our culture. We can't even get through Halloween anymore before being barraged by all sorts of Christmas themed ads and "news" puff pieces on the networks and every other media outlet.
It also seems a pointless rant since if they want to use the term Christmas nothing is stopping them. No one is even attempting to ban the word. So why complain? Do they have to be so arrogant as to insist everyone, whether Christian or not, conform to their narrow ways? Maybe non-believers should start a holiday label campaign. What about happy incestuous adultery day? After all, God the "Father" knocked up a young woman who was at the time either engaged or married* in order for her to give birth to himself, the "Son." That's right he slept with another man's bride who ended up being his own mom. There's a festive thought for the holidays.
*Scripture does not seem to support Mary being married at the time but I've heard a few religious right windbags trying to make the case. I assume they got fed up with jokes about her being an unwed mother. It's amazing the contortions that the "literal word of God" variety of Christians go through to make the Bible say what they want it to say.
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