Much ado about nothing: 10/01/07

Burden of Proof

Logically speaking, when a positive assertion or proposition is asserted, the burden of proof always lies on the one who is making the proposition. We, atheists, do not need to present any proof when we say that gods (including the Judeo-Christian god) and the supernatural do not exist. The positive assertion is always made by the believers and not by the unbelievers.

However, some would say that the “absence of proof is not the proof of absence.” If this reasoning is valid, then, it follows that all beliefs and assertion, no matter how ridiculous and improbable can be considered truthful. For instance, I could assert that there is actually a little green dragon that is living inside my ear. This assertion is true simply because I declare it to be true and I do not have any shred of evidence to support it. If this reasoning is true, then, all religions are equally valid. For instance, Hinduism is as truthful as Christianity. There is actually a triune god. The names of these persons in the triune god are Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva – also known as the creator, preserver, and destroyer, respectively. However, I do not think that the so-called Christians would agree, in spite of the similarities in concepts.

If absence of proof is not proof of absence, then all legends, myths, and tall tales are equally truthful. My assertion that there is a little green dragon inside my ear is far less ridiculous in comparison to what are accepted as truthful in many religions.

We, atheists, are not obliged to present any proofs because there is simply nothing that we need to prove. The believers are the ones that need a lot of explaining to do. The atheist worldview is the rational and realistic worldview. Our faith is grounded on common sense and not on imaginary or wishful thinking or mere feelings.

Faith is only valid as long as it is grounded on evidence and not on mere feelings. The Christian Apostle, Saint Paul, clearly made a logical flaw when he said that faith is the evidence of the things not seen (HEBREWS 11:1). How can faith be the evidence of things not seen, if faith itself (in the Christian’s perspective) is devoid of any evidence? Faith itself needs evidence. Hence, faith cannot be presented as evidence!

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Why I am an Atheist?

I became an atheist not because of problems or because of the desire to rebel. I became an atheist for similar reason that people become Christians, Buddhists or Muslims. I was converted. I was convinced of the fundamental truths of atheism.

Although atheism is not a religion, it is a way of life and a way of thinking. Contrary to how some people would think, atheism is not synonymous with immorality or it is a sort of rebellion against any deity. Atheism is simply the realization that there are no gods and the supernatural does not exist.

Atheism is a choice that is forced by reason and evidence. Atheism is not faith or lack of faith. On the contrary, atheism is the absolute faith on the human capacity to understand. Atheism is the pinnacle of morals and ethics. It is not clouded by prejudice or bigotry. Atheism does not claim any self-righteousness. Atheism is not arrogant in claiming wisdom or knowledge about the absolute truth. For atheism, truth is what can be explained by evidence and not by blind faith.

Religion is a mythology that we created to give us comfort and hope. However, this hope is false. Atheism is based on science and not superstitions. For atheism, only science can give us true hope.

We, atheists derive our sense of purpose and meaning from the knowledge that this life is all that we have. Hence, this life is very precious. Heaven and hell are illusions. We can make heaven out of our short existence. The universe is beaconing.

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Paradigm Shift

I do not underestimate the value of religion in the development of human civilization. I do recognize the great influence that the many great world religions had exerted and continue to exert in the shaping of our society. Religion, particularly organized religion, has been the most stable institution in human history. Religion has inspired arts, architecture, literature and education. Religion has inspired the construction of the most lasting monuments such as the Parthenon, the pyramids of Egypt, the Mayan temples, and the great basilica of Hagia Sophia.

Religion has inspired great symphonies. Religion has sustained and made society more cohesive. Religion preserved ancient wisdom and knowledge. For many centuries, the organized religions were the only bastion of human knowledge. Organized religion prevented the total disintegration of civilization and extinction of classical knowledge. This was especially true during the Dark Ages.

Organized religion had been the supreme sovereign of divided political territories. The Roman Catholic Church, for instance, had been the unquestionable supreme political authority during the middle ages. On the other hand, the Moslem sultans had created empires that lasted for many centuries. Organized religion had been the most prominent exponent of order, justice and education.

Religion had been the beacon of hope for millions of people. However, in spite of all these, religion also gave people reasons to oppress and kill other people. Religion has been the main reason for the many atrocities in history. Religion was the main driving force for the Aztec human sacrifices, Christendom Crusades, the Inquisition, and terrorist attacks.

Religion unites but it only unites one group of people against another group of people. Religion educates but it only educates based on its tenets, all other contrary doctrines and ideas are deemed irrelevant or heretical.

Religion capitalizes on people’s fears and hopes. Religion exploits. Religion prevents the mind to think freely. Religion prevents progress. Religion is now obsolete and needs to be replaced by a better paradigm.

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