A frank discussion of atheism, supported by science, and theism, dependent on blind faith. Why religious dogma hates critical thinking and scientific methodology
Atheism is the scientific approach to the supernatural phenomenon of theistic belief systems. Strictly speaking, atheism describes a lack of belief in the existence of a god or gods. It is not a theory, requires no faith and has no hidden agenda. It does not seek to contradict theism, but awaits the evidence that confirms it. Atheism, however, does use rational thinking and scientific theory to debunk the dubious and occasionally irrational assertions of theism. Because scientific methodology supports atheism, it stands in direct contradiction to the theory of “Intelligent Design.”
“Intelligent Design” as theistic propaganda represents a virtual glorification of logical fallacy. “Intelligent Design” opposes science with a thinly veiled religious agenda– that religion’s unsubstantiated, mythical theory of the origins of the universe co-exist with science in the halls of academia. The absurdity of this proposal points to thedesperation of religion losing ground. This insistence on the validity of dogma-to the exclusion of science-demonstrates the relativity of religious beliefs. In other words, theism is theory
.After thousands of years of theistic persuasion, religion offers no definition of a supreme being, no explanation of heaven or hell and no example that theism is inherently positive. Indeed much of the pain and suffering of the world relates directly to the uncertainty of theistic ideology. One need look no further than the Inquisition, where witches were burned and freethinkers were drawn and quartered, to find the violent underpinnings of a male-dominated hierarchy obsessed with” converting” the heathen by any means necessary.
Science uses an ancient method of hypothesis, theory, and proof as a tool to understand the principles of physics and their interconnectedness in the natural world. Because science is simply a matter of non-prejudicial investigation, it seeks no predetermined conclusion. Religion discourages the application of intellect, and in the process presents us with one of many contradictions inherent in theism: if this god created humans with brains capable of critical thought, then doesn't logic dictate that we use them to examine our belief systems in general?
The objective of science is truth. The goal of religion is adherence to a belief system based on blind faith. Faith, or blind acceptance of that which can not be verified, is the inherent flaw in theistic religion. Faith requires that we suspend critical thinking. Faith requires us to accept childlike explanation of the origins of the universe, based solely on an external abstract “authority.” Abandonment of critical thought leaves the mind susceptible to propaganda.
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary includes the following definition of propaganda.
Propaganda. Roman Catholic Church. A division of the Roman Curia that has authority in the matter of preaching the gospel, of establishing the Church in non-Christian countries, and of administering Church missions in territories where there is no properly organized hierarchy.
In the words of the famous atheist-governor of Illinois, Robert G. Ingersoll, “On every hand are the enemies of mental freedom. Our first questions are answered by ignorance and our last by superstition. At every turn, we run against cherubim and the flaming sword guarding some entrance to the Eden of our desire. We are taught that liberty of speech should never be carried to the extent of contradicting the dead witnesses of a popular superstition. Knowing that all cannot believe, the church endeavors to make all say they believe. She longs for the unity of hypocrisy and detests the splendid diversity of individuality and freedom.” [The Enemies of Individuality and Mental Freedom, A Lecture on Why the Church Hates Thinkers by Robert G. Ingersoll]
