Why fear atheism?

THE EDITOR, Sir:

Why is it that every time someone comes along and warns us about the dangers of atheism to our society, the irrationality of their arguments always causes me to end up laughing hysterically? But seriously, though - why do people fear atheism?

Take the claims of Father Ho Lung, for example. He, like many other church leaders and others, is of the very strange opinion that if atheism should get the better of us, our society would disintegrate into total chaos. Despite this, people like Father Ho Lung have yet to present a shred of evidence to support this claim.

Indeed, Father Ho Lung went on to strengthen the case of atheism, when he incorrectly pointed to Germany, Holland and the Scandinavian nations as secular nations in trouble. What he did not point out was that Germany is the economic engine of Europe and most of the countries he named have standards of living that are extremely high. Thanks, Father Ho Lung, for pointing out one of the merits of atheism!

Beneficial learning process

There can be no doubt that human evolution is a direct result of atheism. People like Father Ho Lung like to point to the evils of slavery, genocide, dictatorships, wars and the like as products of atheism. However, they seldom point to the fact that their God and religion, at one time or another, sanctioned these very things.

Slavery was sanctioned by the God of the Bible. Look at how Father Ho Lung's God commanded Moses and Joshua to commit genocide and exterminate the original inhabitants of Canaan? Kings David and Solomon were powerful dictators who waged many wars, not only with Father Ho Lung's God's consent, but many times with his help. Why don't people like Father Ho Lung have any issue with their God?

As an atheist, I don't have any issue with the actions of man as described in the Bible (assuming that they are even true) or anywhere else, for that matter. These actions confirm the fact that man is evolving, according to the principles of atheism. Why?

Evolution is a learning process. Slavery, wars and the like have served their purpose. We are who we are today on account of these events. I keep making the point that, as human beings, we will be comfortable with doing things today that future generations may find repulsive. But that's fine. How else will we learn and thus evolve?

Imagine humans being constrained by the principles of theism? There would be no freedom of expression. No significant advances in technology. No desire to explore. Indeed, we would be imprisoned in a sacred duty to worship, sacrifice and certainly don't think! We humans would be condemned! Thank goodness for atheism!

Those of us who value the need for freedom of thought should be glad that atheism is coming! For without it, we are doomed!

MICHAEL A. DINGWALL

michael_a_dingwall@hotmail.com

Kingston