What if God thinks you're an asshole?

[BobcatJH]

A poll released this week revealed atheists to be America's most mistrusted minority. Seeing as I'm an atheist myself, I sort of consider that designation an honor. I put my philosophy into words earlier at my site, and it sparked great discussion. I hope to do that here as well.

I've said a lot on my blog about religion, ranging from morons like Brad Stine to the rise of the Evangelical Christians to the wonderful actions of the United Church of Christ. Something I haven't discussed, however, are my personal views on religion. As they are my views, I guess I really don't have to share them, but in the spirit of disclosure, here are some thoughts.

Do I believe in God? No. As someone who likes to ground himself in reality, I have a hard time believing in something so ambiguous. It's also hard for me to believe that there is this one omniscient power responsible for all that we see and all that we don't, whether it be a God with his sleeves rolled up, involved in everything, or a watchmaker, who just sits back as a spectator. The question of whether or not there is a God is too big for us to wrap our heads around.

Have I believed in a higher power before? Probably. As curious human beings, it should be in us to wonder if there's anything more, if there's an afterlife and, if there is, what it is like. It's almost equally as hard to picture nothing. Try it sometime. What was there before the Big Bang? When you die, if nothing becomes of you, can you wrap your heads around nothing? Hard, I know.

Grappling with the concept of nothingness - that there isn't a God in our collective corners looking out for us - is a key motivator, I'm sure, for those who seek religion. In that quest, I think religion can be a beneficial force in people's lives. Anything that gives people hope, that motivates them to be better people and leave the world better than they found it is fine by me. I don't think, however, that religion is the only source of such motivation. If a painting, piece of music or love of another does it for you, then so be it.

Here is something I do know without a shadow of a doubt. If God did exist, he wouldn't be very happy with what people are claiming to do in his name. Do you really think God wants you to be a homophobe? Be hateful and arrogant in his name? Not help the poor? Wage war without end? I doubt it. Don't tell me it's all a part of God's plan. It's part of your plan, and you're just using God as an excuse to do wrong. If God exists, for instance, and it's down to me and Pat Robertson at the pearly gates, who do you think is getting in? Sorry, Pat.

The problem with organized religion, in my eyes, is that - for the most part - it is not being used for the benefit of mankind. It is being used for the benefit and sustenance of those in power, not only with the church but also politically. People have taken religion from a personal relationship with God to a commercialized transaction with too many middle managers. When that happens, corruption and hypocrisy surely follow. And they have. Organized religion - perhaps the world's best form of social control - is spending too much time and too many resources trying to win friends and influence people and far too little time and resources trying to make the world a better place.

Want some advice? Here's the one, surefire way to improve your standing if God indeed exists: Be a good person. Be kind to others. Look out for your fellow man. Give to charity. Mentor a child. Donate your time. Leave things better than when you found them. Recycle. Plant a tree. Start a garden. Take a walk. Own a pet. Enjoy the arts. Enjoy the company of others. Enjoy yourself. Treat people how you'd like to be treated. In fact, treat people better than you'd like to be treated. Practice what you preach. Don't say one thing and do another. Don't use religion as an excuse for unforgivable behavior. Don't force your views onto other people. Stand up for what's right. Speak out. Be strong in the face of opposition. Learn from your mistakes. Think about the consequences of your actions. In fact, just think. Read. Write. Listen.

Live.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

1. I think you're preaching to the choir here, Bobcat.

[Lost-in-FL]

2. Amen!

:applause:

[unblock]

3. here's my theory. any god WORTH believing in will like a good person.

i try to be a good person, and i think i usually succeed. when i don't, i try to make up for it, apologize, and try to improve myself.

if that's not good enough for god, then i'm not interested in his rewards or punishment. if he insists on judging me based on my faith or lack thereof, well, that's not a worthy criterion in my book. it's too easy to just "have faith", especially as the end draws near. we're here for the better part of a century, and i can't believe that we're not here to do good every single day, and that that's what it's really all about.

and people always justify belief in god anyway based on the morality they view it as requiring. me, i prefer to believe directly in morality and leave the god question to college sophomores better equipped to fritter away their sleep time than i am....

[NoFederales]

4. I love the smell of reality in the morning. nt

NoFederales

[sendero]

5. I cannot rule out ..

... the possibility of a creator. But if "it" wanted to reveal itself and establish rules for living, it certainly wouldn't be in the form of organized religion, which is nothing more than yet another mechanism for some men to wield power over others.

[wake.up.america]

6. Nobody was made perfect. God forgives and loves, even me.

[Evergreen Emerald]

7. Some of the most moral people I know are non-religious

And some of the biggest-lying-hypocrites tout their love for God loudly and often.

[believerinchrist]

8. I so agree with you--

if God did exist (and I believe He does), he wouldn't be very happy with what people are claiming to do in his name. And I am taking your advice--above all things, I desire to be that good person. You have some wonderful insight in your last paragraph--if those who "believe" in God would practice it, our world would be so different.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

9. Live. Here. Now.

I refuse to believe that this life is just a proving ground for some other existence beyond it.

Excellent post, though!!

:applause: