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Athiesm Poll: Does Digg=Athiest?: A Contemporary Analysis on the Expansion of Modern Atheism.

The absolute discrimination for the atheist girl written at the beginning of this blog post illustrates what a clash in views can produce in society even in this day and age. I must admit, naively, I thought that such treatment and behaviour regarding other ways of thinking didn’t really exist in modern times. However, I think about it now, and I can’t imagine how I ever felt that. I must have been blind.

As much as it’s difficult for people who are the minority, I’m more interested in the thought process of the teacher who condemned the kid for not believing in God. I’m interested in the thought processes that allowed the events to take place. Were these people afraid or disgusted?

I find it a sad that such discrimination exists. The discrimination, as always, refers to a kind of elitist prejudice based, in this case, on an adherence to an interpretation of scripture where nothing (or at least not enough) is questioned. I find that in my own nature, questioning is simply there – I cannot remember a time where I didn’t question everything and anything around me. It’s difficult for me to fathom the conditions that allow for such narrow-mindedness. But, does that mean Faith is bad?

I can’t see Faith being a bad thing as long as it doesn’t discriminate and cause division when such thought is regarding a topic where certainty is imagined anyway. Yet, Faith, allows someone to believe something, and thus get on with their life which is progressing towards what they believe in. However, I do not like an attitude where such Faith is right, and anything else is simply wrong. But if they believe their Faith is as such, how can the followers be blamed when they are satisfied with their lives and thought? I’m assuming that they are satisfied.

The post reads: “Consider the 2004 Report, in which the findings produced the five highest ranked nations in terms of complete human development as Norway, Sweden, Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands. Consequently, each of these five countries is distinguished by noticeably high rates of non-believers.”

As much as education has seemingly produced atheists, I’m positive that many others have simply become progressive in their beliefs, and although they believe in God or a higher power or whatever, they are far more open-minded. I will attempt to find evidence to this claim, and my next few blog entries will attempt to focus on progressive religion – different interpretations of religion.

Another interesting quote from the post: “It is this precise clash of faiths that poses the greatest threat to the way in which our political, social, and cultural futures are formed. Only after deliberate and progressive reforms, perhaps with the introduction of structured dialogue, will believers and non-believers alike grow together in a harmonious unification of freethinking faith.”

As much as I hope this is possible, it seems far too ideal to ever actually happen, and if it did happen, we are talking about the far distant future. I don’t think the problem can be solved by debates and structured conversation. The issues regarding the ideas that produce this type of discrimination and separation seems to be prevalent in those people who don’t really want to listen. Perhaps they want to talk, but “conversation” may be something very difficult to achieve. Moreover, I’d be interested to hear what exactly will be talked about. I know the proposed solution has been derived out of good intention, but want to know how such a change can be triggered effectively (and realistically).

I think such a change will happen slowly and gradually, if it is to happen at all. In my opinion, the issue stems from an upbringing that does not encourage questioning. Beyond that, it stems from an upbringing of biased education where the majority of interaction is with similarly biased individuals. In these individuals, for them to question any beliefs that are taught to them as “fact,” it will take time, and perhaps luck (or force).

Nonetheless, a freethinking faith sounds might good.

[...] on God, while the local leader does not want to see an intelligent, principle-centered man die. The debate and coversation is similar to what was suggested in a peice I trackbacked to in a previ…, however these men are passionate about their own views but also passionate about reason and logic [...]

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True ‘religious education’ is one which teaches multiple beliefs ways of thinking about morality etc.. as opposed to narrowing it down to one.
This is why a sat away from the class on my own in primary school and ignored what was being said. Religious segregation, if you will.

Comment by Shannon May 23, 2007 @ 12:25 pm

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