Let's all stop calling atheism a "scientific viewpoint" because it isn't. Being
an atheist is a specific process of denial as senseless as faith or a child's
wistful belief in the Easter Bunny. According to Websters an atheist is "One
who denies the existence in god." Without evidence to prove beyond all doubt
that there is no god, an atheist must also enable the less than intellectual
elements of faith.
If you want to be reasonable, being an agnostic is the only viable approach. No
matter how silly I find the belief in god, no matter how ridiculous organized
religion behaves, I cannot beyond all doubt refute the existence of god. It's
unlikely a god exists, but not impossible.
In either case, the major component of faith is denial. According to Websters:
Faith: firm belief in something for which there is no proof. To maintain faith,
the individual must deny or refute obvious facts and ideas. In EVERY case this
can only lead to ignorance, the stifling of ideals. No other force on the
planet has slowed the process of social evolution than religion and faith. It
is such an angry, desperate belief system that it promises nonbelievers eternal
damnation and uses our fear of mortality to leverage those with doubt.
As far as the bible is concerned, folks...it's just a book. It has, with little
doubt, been altered many times to suit the times and refine it's control. Dune
is a far better read and includes a far more sophisticated set of ethical
fables for us to follow. Meanwhile, if you need a role model, James T. Kirk or
Spock are far more timely and realistic than the incredibly dull Jesus.
Someday, I hope, religion will go the way of Santa and Zues.
I'm sailing a Laser this morning....have a nice day.


Capt Robert B
See an Alien at....
http://hometown.aol.com/bobsprit/index.html