I recently finished the book, “Outgrowing God – A Beginner’s Guide” by Richard Dawkins. Dawkins is an evolutionary biologist, author and well-known atheist. This book dissects the “history” behind many religions. He breaks down facts vs. myths about religious concepts, scared texts, beliefs and practices.
I skipped large sections of the book because I’m already a true believer – in the scientific method, in evolution, in skepticism, and in questioning the origins of various religions.
For example, when I took a Philosophy of Religion Class in College way back in the Dark Ages, I was aghast to learn that the reason Christmas was at end of December had nothing to do with the “Birth of Jesus”. It was chosen be celebrated in late December to coincide with the same date of a traditional pagan holiday celebration so that more people would convert to Christianity.
I also never believed in the story of Noah’s ark. Just think of the logistics of filling an ark with two of every species and having them not eat each other! Dawkins doesn’t discuss this, instead he writes about the many “flood and ark” myths of multiple religions before Christianity’s Noah’s ark.
He spends a significant portion of the book detailing how the Bible wasn’t written by Jesus or the apostles. Much of it was written 100s of years later by numerous unknown authors. Many of the stories were likely passed down verbally from generation to generation until someone transcribed their “version”. Many other stories and quotations were undoubtedly simply made up.
As I write this, it is Easter weekend. I never liked Easter.
First, I have a hard time believing that Jesus “came back to life” three days after being crucified and ascended into heaven.
Second, I have a hard time believing that Jesus was born from a virgin.
Third, Easter candy sucks.
Fourth, I never enjoyed Easter dinner that much. I’m not a big fan of ham.
And for me today, the worst part of Easter is that the pools are closed!
Still, I’m aware of Easter. There are Easter signs all over my neighborhood proclaiming “I Love Jesus” and “Thank You Jesus”. There are trees decorated with Easter eggs and decorations with the Easter Bunny. There are crosses planted like tombstones.
And, being in bible country, there are Christian bumper stickers everywhere.
Sometimes, I think, “How can you possibly believe in that?”
Yet, I used to believe in God. At certain times in my life, my belief brought me comfort and direction.
Today, my atheism brings me even more comfort and direction. I no longer have to reconcile “faith” with contradictions that are obvious. I no longer have to “wish” for something to happen and then perform various superstition-like rituals in the hope it will come true.
I don’t begrudge others who do. Magical thinking makes a lot of people feel better. Perhaps saying the rosary or praying to a saint or believing in the Holy Trinity or virgin birth or Adam & Eve or any of the other myths is a wonderful way to live.
It’s just not for me.