America and the Crisis of Religion Part III: Why Evolution Matters

Well it's certainly been awhile since I've talked about religion, but I wanted to say something brief and vital.

The fact that 55% of American citizens believe evolution is a myth stands as testament to the state of judgement in this country. It seriously worries me when I see so many people refuse to accept the clear and overwhelming evidence of the Evolutionary process. This is not because denying evolution causes deep problems on it's own, rather it's what problems are arising from other delusions that simply must arise from this warped sense of what is real. When they look at the world, what is seen? How is news interpreted differently? What questions are being asked about the state of this nation and international community?

Refuting the legitimacy of evolution is like denying that it's raining outside when it indeed is raining. And if such circumstantial evidence is so easily cast aside by individuals due to superior religious beliefs, then what other facts of the world are being neglected? Probably some important ones.

This country needs to wise up... soon.

Religion: Update and Reflections

UPDATE AND REFLECTIONS on Religion Post (9/08/08):

This post certainly stirred some debate and controversy, which I believe is part of healthy discourse. After several days of reflection, however, I'd just like to bring my thoughts back to earth.

Let me be clear: the fact that I find religion silly, does not mean that I don't respect an individual's choice to subscribe to a particular belief. I was a believer for a long time, and I am far from certain that there is nothing out there. But I will say that even if there is a higher being of some sort, is there not some point where everything just is? In other words, even if there is a god or Flying Spaghetti Monster, isn't there a line where there is nothing higher, and everything just exists for existence's sake?

Who knows, really?

Furthermore, while I am happy that I shared my opinions on religion, I should have emphasized the more important and vital aspect of it: that religion is being used by the powerful to influence the masses into going along and supporting their plots for increased (albeit short-term) power and wealth. The masterminds of the Bush Administration are not motivated purely by zealotry (though they may be in part), but by gaining strategic power and economic supremacy in the world.

RELIGION: part dos

Not too long ago one of my old buddies from the "Evangelical Students-having-fun-while-proselytizingonthebeach Club" asked if I'd follow up on one of my very early posts dealing with how fucked religion is. Here goes.

Religion is the biggest bullshit mankind EVER CREATED. If you seriously believe that an invisible man lives in the sky and talks to people via talking bushes, you are severely lacking reason. If you believe in snakes that speak, I hope you aren't in a position of power. If you think that a "merciful" god is one who sends "sinners" into the fiery pits of eternal damnation, you are nuts.

Judgmental? Sure it is. But let me put it to you this way: it's "non-believers" like me who are the minority; we are the ones who are shamed by society for not believing in the Supreme Being. We are the ones who wonder if the President would be as willing to get our soldiers killed if he didn't believe they were going to heaven.

But I'm not a "non-believer", I'm just a rationalist. There is no God, there are no virgin-births, divine sons, or giant arks. Talking bushes are simply ridiculous, just like Humpty-Dumpty and Little Red Riding Hood are only fairy-tales.

Oh yeah: Jesus and Santa are the same guy. You were duped. I was duped. It's okay.

UPDATE AND REFLECTIONS (9/24/08):

This post certainly stirred some debate and controversy, which I believe is part of healthy discourse. After several days of reflection, however, I'd just like to bring my thoughts back to earth.

Let me be clear: the fact that I find religion silly, does not mean that I don't respect an individual's choice to subscribe to a particular belief. I was a believer for a long time, and I am far from certain that there is nothing out there. But I will say that even if there is a higher being of some sort, at some point everything just is. In other words, even if there is a god or Flying Spaghetti Monster, at some point there is nothing higher, and everything just exists for existence's sake.

But who knows, really?

Furthermore, while I am happy that I shared my opinions on religion, I should have emphasized the more important and vital aspect of it: that religion is being used by the powerful to manipulate the masses into going along and supporting their plots for increased (albeit short-term) power and wealth.

America and the Crisis of Religion: #1 in the Series

Today I’ve decided to begin a series called “America and the Crisis of Religion” which will be an ongoing discussion of the threat many religious groups pose to the United States and the world. This first entry, however, is dedicated to providing a background on my own religious experiences. This will give a better view on my personal stances and will provide a solid foundation for future entries.

I was raised a Methodist, but my family was never very devout; when I was growing up, we were the ones who went to church twice a year…it was a chore to us. Eventually we just stopped going altogether. I’m not even sure if my parents believe in God, but I suppose it’s just what families are expected to do. Beyond our infrequent pilgrimages to the local megachurch, I never really thought too deeply about God, his purpose, the meaning of life, etc. In fact, until I was around 14, I didn’t even know that other religions even existed—much less even questioned the validity of my own. When I entered high school, however, my spiritual life changed drastically.

I became increasingly involved with an organization known as “Student Venture”—an Evangelical youth group devoted to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ. Essentially, the organization seeks to introduce young people to the word of God, and send them out to convert the world. Their official mission is:

… to give every teenager the opportunity to hear the truth and love of Jesus Christ, to grow in their faith relationship with Him, and to reach others with the message of Christ. We call it Win – Build – Send.

Weekly Bible Study meetings became a regular part of my schedule; I went on the enticing Christian ski trip—aptly titled “Fast Break!”—and even to the Myrtle Beach conference in the summer. I considered myself a messenger for Christ, though I never felt comfortable propagating on the beach and in local communities (door-to-door), and I never relented in my faith in science and reason (i.e., I constantly debated in favor of the theory of Evolution). I made great friends and I felt really good about myself—I was high on the Holy Spirit!

But something happened during my senior year, and I don’t really know what it was. I think that in that last year, I really challenged myself intellectually—my faith, my political views, and my general outlook on life made a complete u-turn. I suppose it wasn’t one specific event, but it was the influence of my teachers and my closest friends. I went from being one of the most adamant supporters of the War in Iraq, to an outspoken critic of it. I went from Conservative to Liberal, and from Evangelical to Agnostic. I realized that faith is just another way of saying “belief in that which has absolutely no evidence.”

More later.