Freethinker's corner

 

The bible not only approves of slavery in many passages, it gives a description of how to treat them.  

When a slave owner strikes a male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies immediately, the owner shall be punished. But if the slave survives a day or two, there is no punishment; for the slave is the owner’s property. (Exodus . 21:20-21)

In the New Testament Jesus never shows disapproval of slavery and in some cases shows acceptance or approval. 

A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master (Matt. 10:24)
Who then is the faithful and wise slave, whom his master has put in charge of his household, to give the other slaves their allowance of food at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master will find at work when he arrives. (Matt. 24:45-46)

Early Christian history also showed approval. There was almost universal approval of slavery among church leaders. Christians vigorously defended slavery as being

directed by God.

 

The slave should be resigned to his lot, in obeying his master he is obeying God… (Saint John Chrysostom)
…slavery is now penal in character and planned by that law which commands the preservation of the natural order and forbids disturbance. (Saint Augustine)

 

In the 18th century it was clear that Christianity had freed us from the slavery of sin, not from earthly and physical slavery:

The Freedom which Christianity gives, is a Freedom from the Bondage of Sin and Satan, and from the Dominion of Men’s Lusts and Passions and inordinate Desires; but as to their outward Condition, whatever that was before, whether bond or free, their being baptized, and becoming Christians, makes no manner of Change in it.  (Edmund Gibson, Anglican Bishop in London)

American slavery was no different. It, as an institution, received theological support from various religious leaders.

Christianity actually became a way to add value to slaves in America:

…when southern clergy became ardent defenders of slavery, the master class could look upon organized religion as an ally …the gospel, instead of becoming a mean of creating trouble and strive, was really the best instrument to preserve peace and good conduct among the negroes. (Kenneth Stamp in The Peculiar Institution)

As northerners cried for abolition of slavery the southern political and theological leaders found an ally in the Bible and the history of Christianity.

 

…Jesus Christ recognized this institution as one that was lawful among men, and regulated its relative duties… I affirm then, first (and no man denies) that Jesus Christ has not abolished slavery by a prohibitory command; and second, I affirm, he has introduced no new moral principle which can work its destruction… (Reverend Thomas Stringfellow, a Baptist minister from Culpepper County in Virginia, )

People still used the bible after the slaves were freed to suppress the black people. The ‘mark of Cain’ is frequently referred to as a curse from God, and as what was responsible for black people being black.

Few people are aware that the KKK was organized as a Christian organization. In the earliest days of organizing, the KKK regularly recruited from churches, attracting not only the common parishioner but members of the clergy as well.

It truly astounds me that there are so many black churches in America today, with the sordid history of Christianity clearly evident and not that so long ago.

 

Humans have their own world housed in their minds and driven by their own desires and affected by socialization with other humans. Perspectives are developed irrespective of reality initiated by belief or concepts presented by socialization.

Those perspectives developed by exposure to religion through socialization with other believers and reinforced by an actual desire to believe which leads to self-delusion become instilled, and especially solid if exposure occurs during the malleable years of early childhood.

For one standing outside the delusion and able to look at humanity as a bystander and not a participant, religious belief seems especially ignorant. Standing outside and looking at the whole it is evident that all religions emanated from the mind of man and have nothing at all to do with what is real. There is no sign of god, gods, angels, devils, good or evil, outside of man’s artificial mental world.

There is birth, life, death, the struggle for survival. There is no evil. There is no good. The predator kills to live and despite the occasional predator that kills without need, there is no actual hatred, animosity, or caring. It, the natural world, just is, nothing more.

Good and evil, or at least the concept of it, is in the minds of humankind.  These concepts arose as people found it necessary to come together in groups for survival. Socialization produced a need for behavior beyond the needs of self. It was found that if you helped your neighbor, when you needed help that neighbor returned the favor. From that, rules of behavior originated and grew as the complexity of mankind’s socialization increased.  At this point religion did not exist, and no gods were considered. It was only when humans began to wonder about their world, why things occurred, why they had no control over things in their environment, that gods were invented to explain things. Science, as a discipline, did not exist at this time. Every society invented their own gods, or adopted someone else’s as time passed. The real world became obscured by the blur created by the myth. Mankind, living in it’s own little myth, has suffered needlessly for centuries because of it. 

Outside, in the real world, there are no gods, nor a need for them.

How can an individual who has the capacity to reason believe in the nonsense written in the Bible? How can one accept in the face of the existence of a vast and seemingly unending Universe that the creator of such immensity would take an interest in one species on one planet among millions in such a vast cosmos? How can an individual be convinced that one should be guilty and condemned to an eternity of everlasting torment simply for having been born? How can a person be convinced to accept the concept that God came to Earth simply for the reason of having himself tortured and killed for the purpose of saving humanity from god himself? How does an individual convince him/herself cannibalism is ok as long as it’s god you’re symbolically eating? How do people conclude that an image in a piece of toast is a message from god?

http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-us&vid=75b45e36-6cd3-4006-a342-42457e4b8e6b&pla

http://edition.cnn.com/2009/US/04/26/idaho.rock.auction/index.html

How does one accept the possibility that an ark was able to carry the numbers of animals it would have needed to, to preserve them from a world-wide flood? How can a thinking person see a strider skirting across a pond and then think the surface tension of water would also support a man walking upon it? Why does a fervent believer having seen a person throw away crutches at a revival and walk then not question why the amputee can not be given new limbs and walk also? Are there limits to god’s power?

Metaphors? Fundamentalists don’t think these are metaphors.

In the face of such illogic, such nonsense, the only reason that can be found for such belief is blind faith arrived at by intense self persuasion. The individual would have to over-ride any questions brought on by his/her reasoning mind to arrive at a point of blind faith; self delusion.

http://machineslikeus.com/news/why-people-believe-god-4-darwins-problem

http://richarddawkins.net/firstChapter,101

Bigotry and intolerance is built into Christianity. Atheism is merely non-belief in a supernatural deity. Atheism does not dictate anything as it is not a religion.  When pointed out to the Christian, the bigotry and intolerance is denied. As an excuse the christian thinks all he/she has to say is that it is a teaching of god, as to what is good and what is evil. This is a sort of “God said it, I believe it” outlook. 

The morals at the time the bible was written, were very barbaric. That is why the bible and a great number of it’s contents are not applicable to the present times. The bible is archaic, from a time when ignorance and fear reigned. It is puzzling as to why christians want to return to such a barbaric era.

Atheism is merely non-belief, not a religion. Morals have been part of the human equation long before atheism and religion and are separate from both.

Freethinker: somebody who does not accept dogma: an independent thinker who refuses to accept established views or teachings, especially on religion.

Freethought is incompatible with theism. The very nature of freethought is an anathema to religious belief. The rigid doctrines of many religions creates a mental state wherein everything is looked at and evaluated from the viewpoints of that dogma.

Theists are asked to believe solely on faith, blind unthinking faith is required to accept many of the propositions presented by various religions. As a result many theists become vulnerable to manipulation and can be convinced of propositions which have no basis and cannot be proven. Hysterical alarm about this or that harmless situation, law, or occurrence is very possible. I have seen religious co-workers create hysterical imaginings about any little change made at work. Anything that might produce change is feared and avoided.

Freethought, and to be a freethinker is a requirement for the intelligent Atheist. The prevalence of religious belief within the United States is such that freethought, outside the box of dogma, is the only way an individual can escape from and stay free of religious influence.

The religious believer, inside the box built by his/her religion, fears atheists. They fear the change that atheists represent, and see atheists as a threat to their way of life, their children, their beliefs.

Unless religion is forced to accept change, religion must be eradicated, to guarantee the survival of the human race. Christianity in particular puts forth a doctrine of doom, toward which, consciously or subconsciously  the believer works to make come to fruition. Numerous wars have been fought, will be fought, unless these doomsayers are either kept out of public office or eradicated by forcing change.

I make a call now to all believers who wish to preserve the right to continue believing what ever they desire.

There are always some faction of believers who try to force their way into government in an attempt to make their beliefs the only beliefs permitted. These individuals are taking different offices in our great country so that ultimately they can make this the “Christian Nation” they envision.

The problem is this: there are so many different beliefs, even within Christianity, that one “flavor” does not mix well with another. Which ultimately will possibly take control, and enforce it’s particular set of beliefs on all others? Suppose it is Catholicism, suppose it is Sarah Palin’s Pentecostals.

I make a call to all who wish to preserve their rights to believe what they desire. Join the Americans United for Separation of Church and State today.

I hope Richard Dawkins will forgive my use of the title of his book. This title explains much as to why non-believers and believers have reached a loggerhead.

When believers ask you to accept their beliefs blindly what they are asking is for you to enter a state wherein your critical thinking and reasoning power is suspended. You are to accept on blind faith concepts which are totally adverse to common sense and reason.

Whereas you present truth and logic based on evidence, this truth and logic does not mean that the believer will be convinced. After all, christians are in a state of suspended logic when exercising blind faith. While in this state they cannot see the non-believer’s side of the argument, and the non-believer, not in the suspended state, will never see the side of the arguments presented by the believer.

Much like the drinker of alcohol, who believes they sound more intelligent under the influence, so do the believers in blind faith. The pentecostals who get “drunk” on the lord and have delusions like speaking in tongues are an extreme example of this phenomenon.

There you have it. Will this mean I will stop trying? No. As long christians are trying to persuade others into their delusion I must oppose them in an attempt to deter the return to the blind faith which was exhibited by the Dark Ages, when religion ruled. I will do this for the sake of those who have not yet fallen to the blind faith doctrine. To show that to be a good person, and have moral standings, no god need apply, and to show nonbelievers they are not alone.

Hyenas act in very much like a wolf’s manner when attacking their prey. They nip, and keep up the attack until their prey becomes tired, and is an easy kill.

People behave in this manner to some degree, only using words instead of nips. The words are repeated over and over, without new content, until the drum in your ears is difficult to bear. When you cannot stand the strain any more, you leave, which is what these loathsome people desire. When you leave it makes the job of spreading their lies so much easier.

Well, despite the insults, despite the repetition faced daily, I resolve not to go away. Steadfast in my resolve to spread the truth, I will persevere.

Religion must not be allowed a free reign, a return to the Dark Ages must be averted.

The religious indoctrinate their children in the most vulnerable years. In this way there is no contradictory information present that might interfere with the “programming”. With repetition these childhood lessons will become instilled in the child and remain with him/her into adulthood. Once the receptivity of childhood has passed the adult will more than likely retain the “programming” until death. Whereas in every other aspect of life these individuals will seem perfectly normal, when it comes to faith they will irrationally defend it despite the nature of any argument against it.

Religious dogma when adhered to, displaces the capacity of an individual to do critical thinking. This is true especially in the case of thought associated with belief.

Though appearing totally normal in every way, except when defending irrational beliefs, these people will forever be gullible to new manipulation as long as it is sown and maintained in accordance with their religious beliefs.

“Faith is believing what you know ain’t true.” –said by Mark Twain so many years ago.

 

In adulthood these programmed individuals will always be seeking to bring the lord back by following his teachings. When they bring the lord back they know it will be the end of mankind, so, to hasten the end of mankind, they reason, would bring the lord sooner. If these individuals reach political office, that is when they become a danger for mankind. High office would lend them the means to bring their god back even sooner. Ever wonder why when a religious man, like George Bush or his father,  gets into office, we always end up in a war?