Atheists vs. Genesis 0

I find the growth of what I can only describe as militant atheism rather troubling.

Now, I have no problem with atheism. I’m not an atheist, but I can understand the reasoning that can lead to that position because, ultimately, questions of faith cannot be proven. That’s why it’s called “faith.” (And, as I told an atheist friend of mine, if I’m wrong, I’m just as dead.)

I do find the crusading tone of some atheists in the public square rather troubling, because it is becoming strident, obnoxious, and crusading; strident, obnoxious crusaders don’t win friends and influence people, at least, not in the way they expect to. Their rationality has gone full-circle to fanaticism.

I suspect that this tone is a backlash against right-wing fundamentalism, which has morphed from a religious persuasion to a political one and long ago achieved fanaticism.

Thoreau makes an interesting observation:

Now, I’m aware that the critics of religion have serious arguments that have nothing to do with the stupidity of young earth creationism, but I think she’s right: Most people who are big into atheism seem to have spent a lot of time arguing with young earth creationists. It’s almost as if when one become an atheist they immediately get issued a book on evolution. On the flip side, some familiarity with arguments for design of living organisms seems to almost be a prerequisite for membership in a fundamentalist Christian church.

The creation myths of the Israelites have nothing to do with Christianity.

Those from either side of this argument who believe they do miss the point of the life and teachings of Jesus.