“Seattle Atheists” president Paul Case is the latest to attempt to put a “positive face on atheism.” And he is the latest to whom I say, “Mazel tov!” (as I did with regards to the Atheist Alliance International, see here). Let us consider the matter and then review the ads.
Background and Observations
Paul Case stated,
As an atheist, it will be nice to see in a public setting a message that aligns with how I feel about the existence of God…It just needs to be out there that not everyone believes in God.
Certainly, the public square is what it is and everyone wants a say therein. But as to it being out there that not everyone believes in God-who does not know this; especially in a first world country where any atheist not making their living from expressing prejudice on TV, radio, books, lectures, etc. is obviously doing something wrong? Perhaps some people have been living under a rock, with another rock on top of it. But I suspect that this is a victim mentality based statement. Name any group and you can find statements by them as to their victimhood or underdog status: Christians, atheists, Latinos, the vertically disadvantaged, blonds, the calorically well endowed, Croatians, etc.
In fact, (and it is difficult to discern sarcasm in printed text) the Seattle Weekly‘s Neil Estep noted,
A group of local atheists are launching a Metro bus campaign to try to bring this mostly-godless city around even further to their cause.1
Neil Estep further notes the, quite understandable, consternation of Paul Case for having the Seattle Atheists confused for Dan Barker’s Freedom From Religion Foundation with regards to the malicious, fallacious and positive affirmation of God’s none existence sign that was placed at the Capitol building in Olympia (apparently, Dan Barker did not know the definition of “atheism”– further info on the sign fiasco here).
The Olympia sign “was a sh** storm for us,” says Case, a representative of the group. “Someone drops a sign and takes off, and we ended up getting a lot of complaints, even though it wasn’t us. That sign wasn’t pro-critical thinking and it wasn’t pro-questioning the status quo. That’s not who we are.” (expletive censored)
As to the genuine Seattle Atheists bus ads, Neil Estep, noted,
The ironic choice of April Fool’s day as the launch date is a throwback to a running joke about it being the “atheist’s holiday.”
Part of the Seattle Atheist catechism is to “gather to discuss topics such as how to raise children in a secular, moral way.” I hope that they do have a positive spin because it is frighteningly popular for atheists to refer to do this as “child abuse”-at least when it is religious parents raising their child in their faith.
Also of interest is the, sadly, typical and by necessity, self-centered (or anthropocentric) atheist concept of morality as expressed by a member of Seattle Atheists,
My philosophy of life is: If I can make the world a better place for you, then it automatically becomes a better place for me.
Thus, the reason for making the world a better place is not because it is intrinsically necessary or merely out of selfless concern for other but it is “My Name is Earl” watered down karma-I do it because it will benefit me.
The AdsThe ads are come nowhere near placing a happy face on atheism-at least not if you ever want your atheism to be about something besides besmirching religion. Let us review three ads:First up is Thomas Jefferson who would have been sued by the ACLU, Dan Barker, the atheist religionist Michael Newdow, etc. for attending a Christian church who worshipped God in the Capitol Building.
This was from correspondence to nephew Peter Carr to whom he also wrote, “A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercise, I advise the gun.”
Whilst advising Peter Carr as to the study of religion Thomas Jefferson proposed a very Biblical view in stating:
Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a god; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear…Your own reason is the only oracle given you by heaven.
Paul Case and the Seattle Atheists may think themselves clever by falsely dichotomizing belief in God versus reason but had they know that against which they heap criticism they would have know that the Bible states, “‘Come now, and let us reason together,’ Says the LORD” (Isaiah 1:18).
Moreover, they would have known about the skepticism enjoined upon us by the Bible,
Paul praises the Bereans for not taking his word for it but for double checking his claims (Acts 17:11).
Thomas requests to view the same physical evidence that the other apostles had already witnessed (John
20:24-28 – I discussed Richard Dawkins debacle in this regard here).
“test the spirits” (1st John 4:1).
“Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge” (1st Corinthians 14:29).
In fact, “Test all things” (1st Thessalonians 5:21).
“You shall love the LORD your God with all your_mind” (Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27).
Succinctly, the Bible is saturated with praises, as it where, of wisdom and learning which is why Jews and Christians have so naturally and consistently overwhelmed the fields of scholarship, philosophy, science, business, jurisprudence, academia, government, etc.
Thomas Jefferson certainly states that Peter Carr may conclude that “there is no God” (apparently, Thomas Jefferson did not know the definition of “atheism”) yet he states,
If you find reason to believe there is a God, a consciousness that you are acting under his eye, and that he approves you, will be a vast additional incitement; if that there be a future state, the hope of a happy existence in that increases the appetite to deserve it; if that Jesus was also a God, you will be comforted by a belief of his aid and love.
This succinct quote by Albert Einstein is saturated with fallacy-since it is one that has been tackled already I will merely direct those who are so inclined to these essays:
The Red Light of Punishment
Is There a Common Misconception Regarding Absolute Moral Claims?
Do Any Atheists Have Pure Motives?Only Atheists Have Pure Motives
I could not agree more with Susan B. Anthony’s basic observatio since I distrust those people who lack belief in god(s) because I notice that the consoling delusion of lack of ultimate accountability and absolute autonomy always coincides with their own desires. Perhaps Susan B. Anthony ought to consult with the hundreds of thousands of Christians who are murdered as martyrs each year (as well as other theists).
Addendum and Conclusion
It would be fascinating to see a “positive face on atheism” and I do not mean a happy face but that atheists would manage to come up with an atheist that is for something rather than defining themselves as anti-god, anti-religion, anti-bible, anti-church, etc.
Paul Case and the Seattle Atheists have a lot of work to do when we consider that the line up for the advertisement on their website for the “Northwest Freethought Conference in March” stars keynote speakers whose published works include non-confrontational smiley face atheist titles such as, “The God Strategy,” “God Willing? Political Fundamentalism in the White House,” “Superstition: Belief in the Age of Science,” “Voodoo Science: The Road from foolishness to Fraud.”
Moreover, their book club includes lists of books categorized thusly,
Books that address the fallacies of religionBooks that explore the pros/cons of some aspect of religion(s)Books on what attracts people to religionBooks about current developments in a religious movementBooks describing how to effectively approach these topics with others
Books related to the history of the seperation [sic] of church and state
Books about the relationship between religion and government
Their past books of choice include,
The End of Faith (Sam Harris)The God Delusion (Richard Dawkins)The Root of All Evil? (Richard Dawkins)God is Not Great (Christopher Hitchens)The Demon-Haunted World (Carl Sagan)The Dark Side: How Evangelical Teachings Corrupt Love and Truth (Valerie Tarico)Infidel (Ayaan Hirsi Ali)Atheist Universe: The Thinking Person’s Answer to Christian Fundamentalism (David Mills)The Audacity of Hope (Barack Obama)Dissecting a Bible: A Critical Analysis of the Holy Scriptures (DG Van Curen,)Dogs of God: Columbus, the Inquisition, and the Defeat of the Moors (James Reston)The Fundamentals of Extremism: The Christian Right in America (Kimberly Blaker)Imagine No Superstition: The Power to Enjoy Life With No Guilt, No Shame, No Blame (Stephen F. Uhl)Leaving the Fold: A Guide for Former Fundamentalists and Others Leaving Their Religion (Marlene Winell)Letting Go of God (Julia Sweeney)Liars for Jesus: The Religious Right’s Alternate Version of American History, Vo. 1 (Chris Rodda)Religion Without God (Ray Billington)Why I Am Not a Christian (Betrand Russel)
Atheism: The Case Against God (George H. Smith)
And my personal favorite, “Imagine No Superstition: The Power to Enjoy Life With No Guilt, No Shame, No Blame (Stephen F. Uhl)” I think that it was endorse by Marx, Lenin, Mao, etc. Joseph Stalin wrote, “Been there, done that!”
Moreover, the Constitution and bylaws for Seattle Atheists – Article 1 – Organization reads, in part, that their goals are:
1.2.3 To educate the general public on the fallacies and superstitions of religion and other irrational beliefs, and their detrimental effects on culture, politics, and society in general.
1.2.4 To encourage all freethinkers to become outspoken and actively supportive of the goals of SEATTLE ATHEISTS [which are to point out the fallacies, superstitions, irrationality and detrimental effects].
1.2.5 To foster friendly and productive relations with other freethought groups around the country and around the world, in order to broaden the scope, meaning, understanding, acceptance and influence of freethought [influence people as to the fallacies, superstitions, irrationality and detrimental effects].
1.2.8 To defend freethinkers from persecution and fight for freedom from religion.
Lastly, note this photo, apparently from an event of theirs and who is that in the background but a mockery of all things theistic-the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
I cannot help but conclude that the Seattle Atheists are an anti-Christian support group who are playing the under dog victim while the media is too lazy to do what I just did above and call them on it when they place a happy face facade on their rebellion against God.
Well, mazel tov to the Seattle Atheists and hope that they can find an identity that is not premised upon criticizing something in which you do not believe.