Freethinker's corner

The Tower of Babel

¹ Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. ² As men moved eastward,  they found a plain in Shinar  and settled there.

³ They said to each other, "Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. ⁴ Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."

⁵ But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. ⁶ The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. ⁷ Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other."

⁸ So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. ⁹ That is why it was called Babel  —because there the LORD confused the language of the whole world. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth.

Although total myth let’s consider this supposed act of the god of the bible. If this were an actual occurrence of what possible good could it be?

Supposing that the actual building of the tower was a technological achievement? If god were real this would be something over which his envy might get the better of him. The achievements of man were becoming too great for his ego, and seeing this was a result of a unified effort of man sought to separate mankind into groups less able to achieve great works.

This is the hallmark of the bible. Divide and conquer. Divide people one from another so that each disparate group has less ability to defend itself or achieve great works.

If this were an actual event and today’s many countries and peoples the result, of what value could this possibly be to the human race at large? This event would be a divisive event which would have been a roadblock to human development. This would have been the of the highest order of disservice to mankind. This would also mean that this god was not all-powerful for it shows that god feared the advancement, the higher development of mankind. Why would an omnipotent god fear lowly man?  This action would not be the act of a loving god that cared about his creation. More than that, it would be more like an act of a master to a slave. A god that would rather humble man, suppress his development, than see him proceed to his fullest potential.

Luke 18:14

"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

So that is the goal, to humble man, to suppress his talents. But for what purpose. How could the successful attainment of achievement possibly threaten an omnipotent god? How can the exaltation of mankind possibly threaten such a being? How could the happiness of mankind interfere with a mighty gods plans?

Religion is not meant to exalt man. It is not for the purpose of making man happy. If a man becomes happy, and revels in ever-increasing accomplishments, then what need would he have for religion. In the end it is not the concept of a god which suppresses man, it is religion. Without people who are without hope or wallowing in misery, religion has no feeding ground. The lonely, the desperate, the downtrodden are like sustenance to religion.

In conclusion it could be said that the bible is religion. In it’s pages the story of a god has been twisted, warped, and made to serve some other purpose than belief. In the pages of the bible man is not encouraged, but denigrated. He is told to be humble, to not exalt in accomplishments and instead to submit, lay himself low, and do nothing that might upset the jealous god as described therein.

If a man must believe in a god, then that man should be wary. That man should be wary of religion. If a man must believe in a god, make it one that supports him, encourages him, to achievement, to better himself, and one that wants peace, kindness, and never violence. None of man’s major religions offer this god. This god does not suppress a people so governments do not promote this god. This god exalts humanity, individuals and as a whole, how can you enslave a people if they all excelled? A god that promotes a humble man is not fit to be a god.

Religious individuals who sincerely believe the tenets of their faith and are constantly mindful of them fail to care for the people and the world around them. After all, they believe, their god will care for the environment should that god want the environment taken care of. In any case, in the face of their beliefs, nothing earthly matters.

These resolute believers are ready to abandon any earthly thing be it home and family or community, in service to their god of their belief. If their god, in their perception, calls for this disciple to sacrifice himself/herself for the greater glory of that god(flying airplanes into buildings), so be it. If their god demands actions which result in the deaths of hundreds of men, women and children, so be it. Nothing must stand in the way of the will of their god. Anything that threatens the unchanging nature of their faith is considered evil (Science and modern technology). Yes, these modern evils can be used, manipulated for the purposes of bringing down the modern evils, but are otherwise shunned.

Tolerance is not a word used in the context of these true believers. You must believe as they do, or die(Christian and muslim both believe that you accept their faith or die). If they don’t kill you outright, then they rest assured in the knowledge that their god will do so later on. Yes, free will… believe… or die. What a great choice these lowlifes grant all others. No choice at all.

Religion is like a predator preying on the unsuspecting. It draws you in with promises of great reward. Later on, when it is detected that one’s faith wavers, it keeps the believer trapped therein by promises of great punishment should they falter. There is little hope for escape, especially for those that have been trapped since childhood. Despite the ridiculous trappings and behaviors required of their faith (Popes hat sure looks funny to me), year after year they continue to accept the ridiculous and forsake reality. In the balance, mankind suffers for this ignorance, with war, misery and death unending.

I just finished a very good book which in one chapter illustrated how morality arose and endures in humans. This book stated that morality has three bases:

1.Culture.. (of which religion is only one domain)

2.Nature.

3.Reason.

Culture: humans learn and share by being members of a society. Culture includes knowledge and skills, beliefs, norms, values, morals, etc.

Christianity, being more about belief and faith, have little to do with works and morality. How many of the morals existent in the New Testament are really useful? Even so, the existence of a moral code in Christianity is far from being actual morality as is evident by the high rate of crime, deviance, and antisocial behavior committed by Theists.

The book states that morality, in the sense of standardized and restrained behavior, is actually a natural, evolution based phenomenon.

Reason itself would lead to standardized and socially beneficial behavior on the basis of principle and intersubjectivity (the awareness of the feelings of others) the author asserts. No religion is needed to tell us that killing is destructive to other people, to us, and social order. Reason can and does proceed to most of the morals presented in the great religions without the need of a god, spiritual rewards, or punishments.

Indeed, when atheists adhere to good behavior based on ethical principle, without a threat of punishment or promise of reward, it can be argued that atheists are more moral than theists.

A God is unnecessary to morality.

http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Atheism-David-Eller/dp/1578849209

There was once a time when I endorsed religious belief, though not being a believer myself on the premise that as Karl Marx said “Religion is the opiate of the people”. Whereas he indicated that it was an expression of an oppressed people my meaning was different in that it kept people somewhat quiescent. This was a mistaken outlook on my part. Instead belief has caused massive miseries in all societies.

Many people these days simply endorse belief for purposes other than actual acceptance of religious doctrine. While not believing themselves, many simply think that belief will instill moral values as well as establish common reference points in social communication. These common reference points ,they hope, will allow them to have an inroad when trying to relate to others, especially their children. Witness the many adults that urge their children to attend Sunday services yet they themselves rarely attend except during major holidays like Easter or Christmas, or during major events like marriage or deaths in the family. Meanwhile these same adults live nearly religion free lives, drinking, smoking, hurling blasphemous epitaphs at those who annoy them. Yes, belief does not need churches, but belief does require moral behavior.

Moral values can be instilled within children without resorting to religious belief. Simply directing them in the behavior desired and setting the proper examples for the young will accomplish the same task. Some think that without the threat of an ever present deity figure that morality might evaporate. People prove each and every day that even with an ever present sky-daddy that immorality still exists. Do they really believe if they can do immoral deeds while being observed by an ever present, ever knowing, all-powerful supernatural being? I don’t think so.

Today, more and more, people are simply promoting belief in belief. Belief has become a tradition, something done simply because it has always been done.  

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/belief/2009/jul/16/daniel-dennett-belief-atheism

How can this be changed?

“skeptics must always appreciate how hard it is for people to have their beliefs challenged. It is, quite literally, a threat to their brain’s sense of survival. It is entirely normal for people to be defensive in such situations. The brain feels it is fighting for its life. It is unfortunate that this can produce behavior that is provocative, hostile, and even vicious, but it is understandable as well.”

Taken from:

http://www.csicop.org/si/show/why_bad_beliefs_dont_die/

When challenging the believer it is important to emphasize how the new information is relevant to the societies’ and their personal survival. Equally important is to recognize that religious belief is tied closely to an individuals survival instincts and will not be easily relinquished.  

As many people know I am an atheist. Nevertheless I advocate the work of the religious charities which takes place everyday. Too bad many charities of this nature also use this medium for proselytizing.

Much of religious history, especially Christian history is filled with wars, division, and murder. All justified in God’s name. From the Crusades to the dark ages to witch burning, Christianity has much to atone for. Even much of the turmoil today is as a result of differing beliefs. The Middle East is a hotbed of agony for those trying to eke out a subsistence living. The United States suffers today due to intolerance and bigotry of varying belief systems. It can be said that some of our conflicts with other countries originated because of leaders who espoused these hostile belief systems.

I consider today’s charities a small payment on the huge debt of atonement that religion should pay to the human race. Indeed, such religions should be made to forgo tax exemption to lessen the burden which is borne by every employed working person. Each dollar of exemption is made up for with increased taxes on the individual. If religion would pay their fair share while continuing the work of the various charities this would go a long way in the form of reparations to a society which is weary of the continuing holocaust which can fairly be laid at the feet of the religious.

Shield your eyes, my child, look away! That’s the truth over there, you dare not look! It might ruin the fantasy you are living, and the happiness you enjoy.

But father, should we live a dream? Shouldn’t we a least look at the real world?

No, my child, the real world is full of sadness and danger, even if you so much as peek, your ideal world may vanish!

If what we believe, father, is so right, can’t we look and withstand the facts, and still believe?

The starkness of reality will vaporize our dream. I fear all of our ideals will disappear along with the haze!

You have always treated me so well, father, I will obey your desires. I will hold fast to the fantasy and never look beyond.

You are wise my child at such a young age, now lets go and talk to Mr. Bunny, today! I hear he has a few eggs and some candy for good little fellows like you.

Yes, daddy, and then let’s go and drink the hanging man’s blood and eat his flesh!