In the comments on my post about the Australian pastor who conned thousands of Christians into believing he had cancer, Matt wrote:
I would highly suggest for you, and any one else interested to read the book The Devil’s Delusion: Atheism and its Scientific Pretensions by self-professed secular Jew and mathematics/philosophies teacher David Berlinski.
This tells the story of a Jew who was forced to dig his own grave prior to being shot by a German soldier. Prior to being shot, the old Jewish man advised the German that “God is watching what you are doing”. The Jewish gentleman pointed what i think is the real problem with atheism. If you have the time please check the book out.
Matt, I just read the review you linked to but obviously not the book yet. For the benefits of others, the end of that story about the Nazi and the Jew is:
“If there is no God to watch what you are doing, then why should you be circumspect in your behavior? Certainly the Germans at Auschwitz, who gassed Samuel Goldfein, did not believe that God was watching them. As Berlinski points out, that is the real problem with atheism.”
I’m going to point out a couple of flaws in that quote.
First of all – the Nazi regime was Christian! Adolf Hitler was a Christian. In Mein Kampf he wrote:
“Hence today I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord.”
In a speech in 1922, he said:
“My feelings as a Christian points me to my Lord and Savior as a fighter. It points me to the man who once in loneliness, surrounded by a few followers, recognized these Jews for what they were and summoned men to fight against them and who, God’s truth! was greatest not as a sufferer but as a fighter. In boundless love as a Christian and as a man I read through the passage which tells us how the Lord at last rose in His might and seized the scourge to drive out of the Temple the brood of vipers and adders. How terrific was His fight for the world against the Jewish poison. To-day, after two thousand years, with deepest emotion I recognize more profoundly than ever before the fact that it was for this that He had to shed His blood upon the Cross. As a Christian I have no duty to allow myself to be cheated, but I have the duty to be a fighter for truth and justice… And if there is anything which could demonstrate that we are acting rightly it is the distress that daily grows. For as a Christian I have also a duty to my own people.”
Hitler could not have come into power without the support of the Protestant and Catholic churches in Germany at the time. So, for a start, the reviewer of the book is ignorant.
Read more about Hitler and his Christianity here.
Now, let’s address the other suggestion from the reviewer which, I assume comes from the book.
Personally, I find the concept that humans who don’t believe in imaginary beings will become murderers to be completely asinine and offensive to the extreme.
Perhaps religious people believe that they personally would become murderers without their imaginary god keeping them in check. Many of us, however, are quite comfortable trying hard to be decent human beings without having to imagine some kind of sky bully keeping an eye on us. We try to do good things because being good is a end in itself. It doesn’t require some kind of supernatural pay-off. Now, I’m certainly not perfect. I’m made lots of mistakes in my life and hurt people, but never intentionally. I’ve been an atheist since I was 8 years old and I have no desire to kill or rape or steal.
I will also point out that in the history of the human race over the last 2000 years, Christians have been responsible for way more violence than atheists. I wrote a post about this some time ago.
So this sky bully concept doesn’t seem to keep Christians from committing regular atrocities. I’ll point out that the USA seems to consider itself a Christian nation (at least that’s what I hear from time to time) and they are the most violent country on the planet at the moment, actively invading other countries and waging economic warfare on many others.
I would go so far as to say that, not only does religion not curb violence, it BREEDS violence. The core tenant of all religious belief is “those that don’t believe what we believe deserve eternity in hell”. That is the most intolerant and violent philosophy I can imagine.
Atheism, on the other hand, doesn’t have a code that preaches violence.
So… what say you to that?
Pardon me but you make the same mistake that many others do.As far as Adolph Hitler being a Christian,was it because he said he was? Being a Christian means to be like “Christ”,to follow His teachings and lifestyle,to have the mind of Christ. In Matt 7:21-23 Jesus stated that those that do the will of the Father in heaven will enter the kingdom of heaven. Some will come to Him and say they have prophesied,cast out demons in His name and did many wonderful works and Jesus will say unto them “Depart from me. I never knew you, ye that work iniquity.” I have heard people say to someone that was professing to be a Christian,when they think that “Christian” has done something un-Christ-like, “And I thought you were supposed to be a Christian.” They apparently were looking for a certain behavior that would make them stand out.
Just because someone calls themselves a Christian doesn’t mean they are. “By their fruit shall ye know them.” How many apples does a cherry tree produce?
Hitler not really knowing the mind of God made the same mistake as Saul of Tarsus,as he
thought he was doing God’s work when he was persecuting the Jews that had converted to Christianity.
Don”t be so willing to accept every title or label that people come up with. Though their actions are stated to be God’s will or in Jesus’ name,if it isn’t scriptural,forget it. That goes for the Spanish Inquisition,Adolf Hitler,Jim Jones,David Koresh or any other person or movement.
As for your non-belief in God,the bible addresses that in Ps 14:1,53:1,”The fool has said in his heart there is no God.” You may not believe it now but one day you will. God is not the sky bully you refer to but a good Good that has given mankind the right choose right from wrong. That free will is the reason you have murderers,rapists and other law breakers,because God gave them the right to choose just as Hitler chose his path and others chose to follow. As you said you are not perfect,of course not because the God that loves you gave you the right to make mistakes and He didn’t kill you for them.
People commit atrocities to the dismay of that same loving and permissive God. The misuse of that permissiveness is documented daily.
As for America being a Christian nation,that concept seems to be going out the proverbial window,fast. Since WW11 this nation has been trying to remove all traces of God and Christian principles,much to it’s own detriment. We couldn’t win in Korea,Viet Nam,Somalia,now the economy is being drained through bad decisions. The anything goes practices that are sweeping the country will prove to be our downfall. Read the headlines.
As for whether anyone deserves eternity in hell or not, that’s another free will choice that is up to each individual. God sent His Son to die for all our sins. Accept that fact and choose eternal life,deny that fact
and you choose eternal hell. The choice is yours.
Kenneth,
Have you ever read the Old Testament? Yahweh rained down murder and bloodshed on tens of millions of people who upset him. This isn’t a “good” god. This is a violent, intolerant, genocidal, evil god.
In the New Testament, in Matthew 13:50, Jesus says that come judgment day, all non-believers will be murdered by him. If the 2nd coming was tomorrow, that would be over 4 billion people.
Now… I’d say Hitler was just following in their footsteps.
And people like you who justify theoretical mass genocide with statements like “Accept that fact and choose eternal life, deny that fact and you choose eternal hell” are perpetuating the same Christian intolerance of others that Hitler, Jesus and Yahweh did.
Are you are so blinded by your faith in your mythological god that you can’t see that any justification for mass genocide is evil and unacceptable?
Debating who/what is Christian is a waste of time when discusing the subject with christians . Like the book the bible they read which is riddled with escape routes for everything that is said by the use of some other passage . These folk will never accept anything they just find an excuse elsewhere in the book .
You watch in regards to Mr Guglielmucci`s downfall they will also soon claim that the problem just was he just really wasnt a christian . Walla ! problem solved excuse allowed for , nothing more needed to explain matters .Simple as that .
The same applys to Hitler .
What makes the blind bigotry even worse is they will then try to put the blame elsewhere and say the problem was he was an atheist .
So watch for this Mr Guglielmucci soon being tried to be placed elsewhere in another category also .
Welcome to the bible the grand book for fledgling and experienced escape artists , a doctorate degree in manipulative lie technology guaranteed . All those who read pass with flying colours .
Oh dear now someone will post here and claim im just a militant Atheist …… Ho hum ! tut tut . How dare i have an opinion .
Pete, I don’t think debating Christians is a waste of time at all. Human history is replete with evil philosophies which, at one time or another, were dominant during a certain age of barbarism. Think slavery, human sacrifice and apartheid. They were all overturned (not 100%, of course, but mostly). I believe we can defeat Christianity as well. We need to continue to point out why it is an evil philosophy and how it breeds intolerance and violence.
Cam, do you think the elimination of these old beliefs came about through these people seeing the falsehood of their beliefs, or was it just the next generation coming up, reading greater truths and therefore not falling for the Jesus fairytale?
If so, an anti-religion podcast aimed at the youth would be a good idea?
Cam I also find this an offensive and common misconception that because I am not a christian I do not strive everyday to be a good person, not only to my fellow humans but in other ways like being responsible for my impact on the environment.
Kenneth, by saying that Adolf Hitler was not christian because of his actions should lead to the natural conclusion that about half of the self-declared christians should not be allowed to carry that title. So many are judgemental, cruel, and do not live their lives in a moral way. If you start judging people by some of their actions, where does it end? What right do you have to know what is in people’s hearts and actions. Do you follow them around 24 hours a day analysing their every move?
Yes i really do agree Cam , but it is hard going at times and i guess sometimes it just seems a wee bit pointless when dealing with the honest faithful who seem to have trouble faceing things front on .
However i do really know that its not and in time im sure much will change .I agree its a bit like overturning the likes of slavery apartheid etc , it will take many years but then Rome wasnt built in a day .
Mostly my comment above was about trying to make a certain point , to try to show the excusive religious escapism within much of religion . In hope that some faithful might see these tactics fool nobody except themselves .
Marcelo i agree the youth are most likely where the biggest change will come about . Young minds are not easy to dictate to and more likely to question and go out and make decisions for themselves . In youth people are the most openminded .
Cameron,
I would be more than grateful if you can tell me where in the Old Testament that “Yahweh rained down murder and bloodshed on tens of millions of people who upset Him”. I seem to have missed that part.
God did not at anytime kill anyone indiscriminately,only
those that were defiant of His laws. In any society there must be law or there will be chaos. With the defiance of law there is punishment. Prisons and cemeteries are well occupied with those that thought otherwise.
Yes, in Matthew 13:50 Jesus tells of those that will be cast into the furnace of fire,but you failed to mention in the verse before,13:49,that those are the “wicked”
Those that have used their right to choose to reject God’s offer of salvation from that fate. Those that Hitler killed had no choice,so your comparison is nonsense.
I do not justify genocide of any kind but sincerely pray
that you and others that believe as you do will find out the truth before it is to late.
Don’t be so hung up because He is a God you cannot see.
You can”t see the wind either nor His air that He gives you to breathe everyday. There are many things you can’t see nor ever will see but they exist without your validation.
I see God in the things He has done in my life and in the lives of others. I also see God in the things He has created, the things the scientists are trying to figure out.
One day,sir, you will know the truth and I hope that it will be while you are still breathing that air you can’t see that He is blessing you with or there will be a place for you in that fiery furnace. That God you don’t know loves you,that’s why He sent His Son to die for you.
Kenneth,
You need to re-read your bible.
Here’s a breakdown on Yahweh’s bloodshed. http://gdayworld.thepodcastnetwork.com/2007/01/22/how-many-people-did-god-kill-in-the-bible/
Again, Christians like you amaze and horrify me. On one hand you claim to preach love and peace, while on the other hand you cheerily justify the idea of mass genocide – the genocide committed by your imaginary god in the old testament and the coming genocide to be committed by your imaginary Jesus during the second coming.
The “wicked” include those who don’t believe in your invisible saviour. Which at the moment would be about 4 billion people.
Your wind analogy is lame. We have evidence to wind. We have evidence for air. We understand these things scientifically. We understand how they work. We have zero evidence for your god or your jesus though. All we have a people, like yourself, who justify the idea of mass genocide.
It’s appalling, it’s scary – and it needs to be stopped.
only way i could find to contact you.
Like for you to interview Kiloby on the Adviata Show.
Check this guy out. http://www.Kiloby.com
Kenneth I see wind in the molecules that move water vapour (known as clouds) and sea spray on the waves. Air is not a vacuum, it is made of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and other chemicals. I can feel it on my skin
As a scientist I find evidence every day of evolution in all living things, what you term “creation”
Your Jesus preached “judge not lest ye be judged” and “let those without sin cast the first stone”. What right do you have to call people wicked? Should people who don’t believe in the flying spaghetti monster be prepared to incur his sticky noodle wrath?
“God did not at anytime kill anyone indiscriminately,only
those that were defiant of His laws. In any society there must be law or there will be chaos. With the defiance of law there is punishment. Prisons and cemeteries are well occupied with those that thought otherwise.”
That Kenneth Berry is scary. Let’s hope he doesn’t get a firearms license and start trying to do some of god’s work.
Cameron: You spoke of a God that can’t be SEEN. Have you SEEN the wind or just the affects of the wind? Do you SEE the air or the molecules that it is made of?
You and your supporters seem to revel in this anti-God
existence but remember this,one day you all will kneel before Jesus and regret your unbelief and it is your choice that determines your fate.
Kenneth, I never said your god cannot be SEEN – I said there is no scientific EVIDENCE to support the theory that he/it exists. Can you deny that? On the other hand, we have large amounts of scientific evidence for wind and air. So your analogy doesn’t make any sense, I’m afraid.
As was pointed out earlier just because someone claims to be a Christian does not make them one. By looking at the very quote from Hitler you can detect his own ignorance and stupidity about Jesus and what it means to be a Christian. Meaning if you read further in his Nazi teachings he tries to make Jesus out to be some type of Aryan superman. Come on using this quote is disingenuous, Jesus was a Jew, and many in the early church were Jews. Hitler was a bigot who was twisting religion to justify his racist agenda and megalomaniac drive. No person but an extreme atheist or Nazi would claim that Hitler was a Christian. I certainly don’t. Dietrich Bonheoffer is a good example of a German Christian during Hitler’s time.
You atheists seem to be on the attack but why don’t you explain about Lenin, Stalin, Mao , Pol Pot, etc… who were clear atheists and had the honesty to not use religion, Christ, or any other ideology then atheism and communism to justify their bigotry, racism, and genocide. Explain to me how they did not preach violence in the millions they murdered under their rule.
I do not see any Mother Theresa’s coming out of atheism. ..
I do not understand with your secular humanism and moral relativism where you even come off criticizing Christianity when your own ideology cannot give a good moral compass.
Scott,
Let me ask you – how do we know who is a Christian? Is it someone who lives by the examples set in the Christian bible? What makes you the authority to deny Hitler’s own claims about his belief system?
Lenin, Stalin, Mao and Pol Pot were bad men and did horrific things.
But the difference between them and Christians who commit acts of terrible violence is that atheism and secular humanism don’t preach intolerance. It’s quite the opposite. Secular humanism is a humanist philosophy that upholds reason, ethics and justice. The “moral compass” of humanism points to these values.
Christianity, on the other hand, has a moral compass which promotes intolerance. Intolerance to people who don’t agree with your belief system.
So, on one hand, we have humanism which preaches reason, justice and ethics.
On the other hand, we have Christianity which preaches a DENIAL of reason (have faith, don’t accept the evidence) and intolerance (everyone who doesn’t accept Jesus as the Lord deserves eternity in hell).
Can you see now why Hitler was a good Christian?
Scott, we would have more secular humanist Mother Theresas if someone paid people a basic stipend to do that sort of work and gave a framework of support like nuns receive. The rest of us have to work to pay the bills, but that doesn’t mean we don’t care. The value of volunteer work every year in Australia alone is massive.
See this from the ABS “In 1992, total unpaid work in Australia was estimated to be worth $228 billion. This was equivalent to 58% of the value of the gross domestic product in 1992.” 18 billion dollars worth of volunteer work alone in one year. It gives some indication of the willingness of people to give, and definitely not all of this was via churches or christians. See the link for a breakdown http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/2f762f95845417aeca25706c00834efa/e168b299f695e176ca2570ec00752c1b!OpenDocument
OK. Hitler was a douchebag first and foremost. He called himself Christian. Like most people who call themselves Christians, he probably wasn’t. Big deal.
But I don’t get how humanism is the answer. I just don’t see the point. It doesn’t tell me why I exist. Why should I give a damn about anyone other than myself? Why should I give a damn about myself even? What is the point of reason, injustice, and ethics? Life is pointless. My life is pointless, your life is pointless, so why should I care if you’re happy, if you’re treated justly. There is no moral compass. Morality is the figment of our imaginations and is no less a mythology than Christianity.
Humanism fails because humankind isn’t worth the effort.
Sam, you’re obviously completely ignorant about secular humanism. It promotes the genuine search for truth which leads us to a scientific answer to ‘why I exist’ and ‘why should i give a damn about anyone other than myself’. It does NOT teach ‘life is pointless’ at all. You should actually read a book or something mate. You might learn something.
i will send thor to destroy you all, and while we’re at it Wagner will be blasting out of our speakers.
by the way, the usa politicos talk so much about unity these days, and the right wingers especially it reaks of national front and i’m scared