The Arrogance of Religion

Preface: Before I begin this post, I’d like to point out that I don’t hate religious people (what I hate is ignorance, and especially the deliberate kind). Nor do I think they are necessarily less intelligent than Atheists and Humanists (for more on this subject, click here). Are they deluded? Perhaps. Are they brainwashed? Almost certainly. But they are not, as a whole, evil or stupid.

“Isn’t it arrogant”, I am too often asked, “to believe that human beings are the highest form of life in the universe? That there is no hand in our destinies but our own? That we came to be by random chance?”

Let me start with the first point. I believe that human beings are the highest form of life in the known universe. If an extraterrestrial spaceship lands on the White House lawn tomorrow or if a god of some kind shows itself to me (assuming I am sober and not insane), I may certainly change my opinion. That’s the beauty of Humanism: I can change my way of thinking as science and our understanding of the universe evolve.

So I ask you, religious people: Isn’t it arrogant to believe that you already have all the answers? That the only things worth knowing are in a book written almost 2000 years ago?

As for having no outside influence in our destinies, I suppose I’d have to start by stating that I don’t believe in destiny. It’s an unfortunate side-effect of being an Atheist. I don’t believe that things happen for a reason. I don’t believe that my existence has a hidden purpose (to find life’s purpose, click here). Is that arrogant? I don’t think so (and if I did I wouldn’t tell you). I certainly feel as though I am in control of my own “fate” and that I am responsible for my own actions.

Again, I ask: Isn’t it much more arrogant to believe that a supremely powerful, all-knowing, ever-vigilant being not only took the time to create you, but also spends time and energy on a regular basis listening to and answering your prayers? That he bothers to bless you, out of all his billions of creations? That he cares even slightly about what happens to you on a daily basis? That only your religion has the “correct” interpretation of his will and that every other religion in human history (there are literally hundreds) is wrong?

Lastly, the third question. I would say that evolution is more than just random chance, but that’s a discussion for another day. The point is that it is not at all arrogant to believe that human beings came in to existence by random chance. I think it puts our existence in perspective. If you consider how incredibly unlikely our existence is, how statistically improbable it is that we are alive, it should make you feel humble (and amazingly lucky). That’s the exact opposite of arrogance if you ask me.

So let me ask one last question: Isn’t it incredibly arrogant to believe that your life has a greater purpose than those who don’t believe as you do? That simply believing in god makes you a better person than those who don’t?

If so, than I must humbly disagree.

Recovering from Christianity

My name is Sherise Greathouse, and I am a recovering Christian. This is my story:

Growing up I heard all the stories of baby Jesus and how he died for my sins.  As a child I didn’t really understand the concept of a sin and why someone needed to die for them.  Unlike a lot of children my age my parents didn’t make me go to church.  That doesn’t mean that I wasn’t exposed to Christianity or the story of Jesus.  Most of my friends would talk about going to church on Sunday and all the friends that they had made there.  I started to long for those friendships too.  So when I was a young teen I started visiting friends youth groups.  I was exposed the bible.  At first I was inspired by the story.  I was inspired by the miracles and the thought of an afterlife.  I was drawn to the companionship of the youth group.

In my mid teens I wasn’t really focused on religion. I was too busy acting out and rebelling against my parents.  In one of my darker moments I remembered the friendships I felt when I attended youth group.  So I attended a Christian retreat and ended up opening my soul to them. Looking for acceptance and forgiveness for the mistakes I had made.  At first I felt love and acceptance. I even went as far as to work on the next retreat. I mentored young girls in their quest to find Jesus. As time went on I started to realize that I never really knew the people around me. When I really looked all I found were people who were judging me behind my back.  I found judgement from people who were supposed to be “good Christians.”  I found people who liked to pretend that they had all the answers.

During this time I started to question my “faith.” I started to read the bible again.  All I could find was a good story.   But within this story there were too many contradictions.  I couldn’t ignore the facts.  The magical story that I had read was a lie. After coming to this realization I felt grounded.  I knew that I didn’t need some all knowing being telling me how should live and that there is some magical kingdom waiting for me.  I still have a longing for companionship and friendship.  But I want to be friends with people because they like me for who I am, not who I believe in.

Whether you believe in Jesus or are an Atheist like me, we all have choices in life.  I learned right and wrong from my parents.  I will continue to do what is right because I want to leave this earth a better place.  I don’t do it because of a promise of eternal happiness.  I want to accomplish something for humanity not a made up God.

I feel like I have come full circle.  As a child I couldn’t understand the concept of sin and why someone needed to die for them. I still don’t, no one is perfect.  We all make mistakes and hopefully learn from them. Those mistakes are what shape us into the adults we become.  It is freeing knowing that my actions are my own and that I don’t have someone’s death on my shoulders.  No one needs to die for me to know that I should treat people with respect, love, kindness, and equally.