So, I'm almost done with my second reading of "The God Delusion" by world-renowned Atheist, Richard Dawkins. I won't lie, it's become one of my favorite books. Regardless of your stance with religion, I highly recommend it. It's actually a very funny and educational read. Dawkins does not devote overwhelming focus to any one belief system or branch of Christianity. He doesn't pull any punches, either. If your faith and conviction in the Old Testament God, Intelligent Design, and literal truth of the bible can withstand this book, they can probably withstand anything.During my initial struggles with Mormonism and organized religion as a whole, I felt as though my conviction in the existence of God was untouchable. That conviction hasn't necessarily dissolved but has fallen into more realistic perspective. I've described myself on several occasions as a "Hopeful Ignostic" and I'd like to clarify that here.
"Agnostic" is a term used by those who simply "don't know" whether or not God exists and don't feel that it's a question we can answer with the information presently available. I agree with this to an extent. Dawkins describes Atheism on degrees of Agnosticism, stating that Level 1 would constitute a firm conviction in the belief of God whereas a Level 7 would constitute the opposite: a firm conviction that God does NOT exist. Dawkins, quite possibly the "Poster Child" for Atheists across the globe only considers himself a Level 6. He considers the existence of God as unlikely as the existence of pink unicorns, but admits that he has no concrete proof.
"Ignostic" is a less common attribution but I claim it myself because I find it more ecumenical. In my book I've described the revelation that claiming certainty in my version of God would consequently demonstrate a certainty in the falsehood of the Deity of every "opposing" believer. Ignosticism simply states that before we can debate the existence of God we must first understand who/what "God" is--obviously a feat we are far from achieving as a species.
I add the adjective "Hopeful" because I would still very much like to believe that there is more to our existence than our 72 earthly years. I am still filled with a sense of peace when I read through my description of God in the letter I wrote to my family to break the news of our departure from Mormonism. Does this sense of personal peace add to the truthfulness of my description? Of course not. Does it make a difference for me in my life? Yes.
As the months have passed, however, I've realized that having a "conviction" in this personal version of God would not significantly improve my life. In fact, it could very well be detrimental to my progress. When we give God credit for everything in our lives don't we also eliminate our sense of personal responsibility? I want you to really think about this for a moment. I understand that right now it may feel good to tell yourself on a regular basis that God is behind everything that happens. He's listening to your prayers, spying on you in the bathroom, helping you find your keys, giving your fantasy football quarterback that final boost of speed to run in the game-winning touchdown... all while working in His "mysterious" ways to decide whether or not to make that tumor malignant or benign.
I don't use the above example to try to belittle anyone's individual relationship with their God. This is how some people feel and it could very well be true. Nevertheless, I was once one of those single-minded "Christians" who pitied Atheists for their "pointless" view of existence.
"How sad," I would mutter to myself, "that these lost and Godless souls should spend their lives thinking that all they get is a measly 70 years."
Lately I've looked at the question a little more closely. Adopting the majority's view of God, you will consider this earthly life relatively short and, aside from your duty to obey, inconsequential. The real fun begins after you die, right?
I've watched a few interviews with Dawkins and he seems to be consistently assaulted with the same indignant question, "What if you're wrong?!"
He always seems to chuckle before replying, "What if YOU'RE wrong?!"
In a South Park episode a "strict and devout Protestant" as well as a "practicing Jehovah's Witness" find themselves in hell and demand an explanation. The "Hell Director" states matter-of-factly, "I'm afraid it was the Mormons. Yes, the Mormons were the correct answer."
They actually played this scene for us at a missionary conference while I was on my mission. Everybody cheered. Sadly, it took me half a decade after applauding for that idea to realize how truly awful it is.
Do we really want to let our personal/regional/familial views of God drive a wedge of elitism between us and those who disagree? What if you're wrong? What if you're both wrong? What if we're all wrong?
Do we really want to tell ourselves that God will declare "winners" in the theological debate? Will God slap a certain congregation on the shoulder while pointing victoriously at the rest and jeer, "You've just been schooled, Suckers!!"
The Old Testament God, perhaps. The narcissistic, baby-killing God. Of all the options out there, though, that's not MY God.
If you want to post a list of commandments in front of a courthouse, why not take a look at these, written by a "Godless" Atheist? Even without the additional five I think you'll be surprised when you see what kind of room you can free up when you remove a petty, jealous God. Number 14 is my favorite:
1. Do not do to others what you would not want them to do to you.
2. In all things, strive to cause no harm.
3. Treat your fellow human beings, your fellow living things, and the world in general with love, honesty, faithfulness and respect.
4. Do not overlook evil or shrink from administering justice, but always be ready to forgive wrongdoing freely admitted and honestly regretted.
5. Live life with a sense of joy and wonder.
6. Always seek to be learning something new.
7. Test all things; always check your ideas against the facts, and be ready to discard even a cherished belief if it does not conform to them.
8. Never seek to censor or cut yourself off from dissent; always respect the right of others to disagree with you.
9. Form independent opinions on the basis of your own reason and experience; do not allow yourself to be led blindly by others.
10. Question everything.
11. Always devise your rules as if you didn’t know whether you were going be at the top or the bottom of the pecking order.
12. Enjoy your own sex life (so long as it damages nobody else) and leave others to enjoy theirs in private whatever their inclinations, which are none of your business.
13. Do not discriminate or oppress on the basis of sex, race or (as far as possible) species.
14. Do not indoctrinate your children. Teach them how to think for themselves, how to evaluate evidence, and how to disagree with you.
15. Value the future on a timescale longer than your own.
