Frank Harrison Final Project: Post #3 - Why I'm an Atheist

So now that I have established at least some historical basis for lack of belief in a concrete deity, I guess it's time to move on to some of the philosophical/ethical problems with the existence of such a being. First and foremost would have the be the question of punishment. Throughout the Bible and, indeed, throughout history, people are presented with "tests of faith" in which they need to remain faithful to God in their greatest moments of despair. Seriously, how would you regard someone who was horrible to his people and still demanded their unquestioning devotion? I can think of a few examples through history, but I'll omit them for the sake of making comparisons in bad taste. Also, aren't people more likely to look to a higher power when all else seems hopeless? Wouldn't they hope for something better in another life? These "tests of faith" seem both sadistic and impractical.

But given the alternative, in Christianity at least, what person of faith would have any other choice but to endure God's "trials"? What's the alternative? Either take a moment's suffering or an eternity of endless, burning torture. Not much of a choice. So basically the process goes: God creates man. God gives man the gift of choice. God allows man's life to be filled with temptations. If man gives into his nature (that god instilled him with), he is made to suffer for eternity (that's forever, until time itself no longer exists). Thanks, but no thanks.

A little bit of related humor:

"Religion easily has the greatest bullshit story ever told. Think about it, religion has actually convinced people that there's an INVISIBLE MAN...LIVING IN THE SKY...who watches every thing you do, every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a list of ten special things that he does not want you to do. And if you do any of these ten things, he has a special place full of fire and smoke and burning and torture and anguish where he will send to live and suffer and burn and choke and scream and cry for ever and ever 'til the end of time...but he loves you." [George Carlin, from "You Are All Diseased"]

In this same routine, George Carlin goes on to express his contempt at how God is so poor with money, and this may be my biggest reason for being an atheist. The church can get away with anything. Never has there been a better system for exploiting humanity. For the right price, you too can have your seat in heaven. Once seen in "indulgences" where people could literally act in any manner they wanted as long as they had enough money to make God look the other way, the idea of "paying off God" still exists. Evangelists abound, all but demanding people's money for a little protection from a painful afterlife. Sounds a little too much like the mafia to me...Ant not unlike the infamous mobster families, the church seems exempt from law altogether. Aside from the whole tax-exempt status, which I think is a scam in itself, the numerous, briefly surfacing stories of corruption and child abuse are quickly swept under the rug without any real penalty. I know bad people are everywhere, but why does the holiest of organizations go so far to protect them?

"When I was a kid I used to pray every night for a new bicycle. Then I realised that the Lord doesn't work that way so I stole one and asked Him to forgive me." - Emo Philips

In the end, I do not think mankind is well-equipped enough to handle the terms and implications of "God". I would hope that, if there is indeed a higher power that wishes us all to do well, then just maybe he's wise enough to consider a life well lived to be good enough to get into his kingdom and such. If not, then screw it; it's probably no place I'd want to be anyway. Laugh with the sinners and all. I'd just prefer to not to make my life's decision on the basis of fear...