The Email
From: Lo
Date: Feb 2, 2007 4:20 AM
I watched a documentary on HBO, I think it was called Godless in America, I couldn't believe what I saw. I am still having trouble finding the words to express my astonishment. Since I became an atheist I have concentrated on learning about like minded people. It had never occurred to me to take a second look at the mindset I had left behind. I have to say it honestly disturbed me. It was like some sci-fi, futureristic joke, like something from Invasion of the Bodysnatchers. On top of the mindless and blind devotion, and after watching a man preach to children that we walked on the earth with dinosaurs a mere 5000 years ago, I was flloored. I feel naive and foolish. I didn't know people actually believed we walked with dinosaurs..even with a Catholic upbringing, I was never taught that. The absolute mind crusher though was, they acted like they were some minority that's discriminated against. After watching this, I am sure many educated non-believers already were privy to this information..but it came as a total shock to me. I always had the impression they knew just how powerfull they were..how much influence they held..and it was my idea they flaunted this in arrogance. I now feel like an arrogant, ignorant ass. Though I'm sure many in power do know the sway they hold of a majority of the population, the average church goer is being taught they are a persecuted minority. Watching this documentary the brain washing seems so obvious. It has made me question my own intelligence. I can't stop asking myself, why didn't I see it before? How could I have been so wrong..and what in my life now, might I be so very far from realizing the the truth about? I am frustrated and worried..I feel myself becoming bitter, and resenting those with religion. I don't want to be that person, I believe it would make me no different then those I criticize. How do I stop this? I want to be open minded enough to see many points of view..to be as tolerant of others as I wish them to be of me. This has become a new struggle I was not expecting. Any words of advice would be much appreciated.
My Reply:
From: RationalAtheist.com
Date: Feb 2, 2007 8:36 AM
Hi, you hit the nail right on the head. Actually, you hit MANY nails. :) It IS amazing that people are taught such nonsense. I was one of the many. I was taught that dinosaurs and man walked together. My BEST FRIEND is very religious and has a hard time believing in dinosaurs and that the Earth is billions of years old. Her beliefs, along with my own disbeliefs, are a source of stress in our relationship. She has told me that it is wrong for me to raise my children without God. She tells me that if she wasn't so open minded, WE wouldn't be friends. Well what about me? Doesn't that mean "I" have to be open minded as well??? But I never bring that up. Of course she can believe what she wants, but it is painful for me that she does not believe in the factual truth of our natural world. In scientific circles, there is no doubt that the Earth is billions of years old and that dinosaurs existed.
Under my "Star" profile I have a blog that I posted in the last couple days about a woman who sent me an email wanting to save my soul. She brought up two of the basic misconceptions that most Christians are under 1)They are not brainwashed and 2) they are persecuted. I believed the same things when I was a Christian. We are taught, from the pulpit, about David and the lions. Yes, Christianity was once a persecuted religion, but here in America it's the norm. You must assume that almost everyone you meet is Christian, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, etc. At the very least - religious.
The truth of the matter is, the United States of America could ALMOST be called a theocracy. If it wasn't for that whole separation of church and state thing, we'd be screwed. That's the only thing that's saving us.
We all have to struggle with what you bring up. My father sees me as arrogant in my views ONLY because of the view itself - I don't believe in God. He automatically equates this belief or disbelief as an arrogant position. My mother is a hospital chaplain and hates that my kids are being raised without religion.
How do I keep our relationships in balance? The truth of the matter is, we don't talk about it much. Sometimes there's this huge gap between us because of all the unsaid things we want to share with each other.
Whenever I meet someone new, the first thing I wonder is if they are a freethinker such as myself. I find myself looking for obvious signs of religion - a cross charm on a necklace - a Bible verse on a shirt. I always feel awkward, and think, "If they only knew they were talking to an atheist."
Sally Hampton, one of my myspace friends, recently said this: It is ironic that we must become intolerant of intolerance.
As far as a general overview, consider this...science is the best description of our natural world. There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever to point to any kind of supernatural existence. Regardless of the many bullshit, pseudoscience programs and movies, none of these things are REAL. They are all for entertainment value only. So, for our purposes, all evidence points in our favor. We know the truth.
The Christians will tell you the same thing. That goes without saying for MOST religions. They are all the "right" one. They all have the truth. The problem with this is that their truth relies on outdated books written by outdated MEN and faith. Our beliefs are based on scientific facts and evidence - the real truth. It doesn't matter WHAT they believe. Many people believed the Earth was flat for a LONG time. They were all wrong.
So overall, you CAN believe that you are right in your beliefs because we have the evidence. We have the facts. We have the fossils. :)
On a one-to-one basis, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." However, I don't admonish that you turn the cheek forever, unless that's your thing. If someone is not giving you and your views the tolerant time of day, they don't deserve your respect in return.
Anyway, I hope this has helped some. I would like to share this email on the site and in my blog, it is a great depiction of what we have to struggle with and I think it would help a great many people to see that they're not alone. Can I use your name and profile, or do you want me to post it anonymously? Thanks girl, good luck! -Star
Her Reply:
From: Lo
Date: Feb 2, 2007 6:09 AM
You are more than welcome to use my email..no anonymity required. I only fear my poor spelling will have people rolling on the floor laughing. :) I have found an unexpected release in myspace, by being able to post my atheist views..and I welcome any insight I am lucky enough to receive. The more I think of that documentary, the more enraged I become..not at the people per say, but at the fact that very few seem to be able to see the hypocrisy. It's so blatantly obvious. I had doubts about God growing up..but I told myself..who hasn't at least thought, if but for a second..what if there is no God? But I never really thought about it, or questioned it. When I met my husband,(an atheist) all it took was for him to plant a seed of knowledge, and I came around on my own. He never pushed, or tried to persuade me, common sense kicked in, and it was a whole new world for me. My family is positive I am just soooo impressionable. I find this insulting, because your telling me I can't think for myself. It would seem to me that if you exposed more people to the facts of evolution, nature, and science, they would have no choice but to be rational. I mean 1+1=2 does it not? I see no difference between that and evolution. I guess that's what bothers me about it..why don't they see? What's blocking them from rational thought? I understand if your never given the facts, but to the many that are told the truth, how do you take in that knowledge, and then just dismiss it? I am sorry to ramble so, but with new knowledge comes new frustrations for me. Please use anything of mine you see fit. It would make me proud. Your friend, Lori
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