God and Reason… Part 2

In 2007, the state of Kentucky’s office of Homeland Security officially proclaimed “dependence on Almighty God” as the greatest source of protection of its citizens.

This wording was seen by atheists and non-believers in the Christian God as offensive, leading to the American Atheists, Inc. filing suit in 2008.

In October 2011, the Kentucky Court of Appeals struck down an earlier ruling in favor of American Atheists. Currently, there are plans to appeal.

Why do I choose this as inspiration? It is about simple fairness, the founding principle of America.

I call for reason in addressing social issues, with an underlying respect for every American—regardless of religious affiliation (or lack thereof).

Only with an underlying respect for all citizens—thoughtful reflection as opposed to judgments based on devotion to an unseen entity—there can be a true solution to social problems.

As soon as Americans rely on reasoned judgment to discuss troubles, without fear of repercussion due to differing religious beliefs, it can truly be said humanity is reaching the next phase of its development.

In the shadow of fear of the unknown, we cannot slip into a mode of “dependence” on “Almighty God” for security—as the state of Kentucky did in 2007.

Inflexible dogma of religious thought is antithetical to the stated ideals of American life. Religious belief obscures thorough explanations of the world around us, discounting tangible evidence and lucid thought.

Faith—by definition—instructs followers to take things based on ethereal faith.

In accepting equality, reasoned thought cannot be at the hand of the intangible. Belief in an otherworldly specter is impossible to gain unanimous agreement. For the success of any social policy, there must be terms agreeable to all—and belief in a Christian “God” is not universal.

The devout—of any religious faith—will always disagree on the details. It is why there are so many divergent religions—precisely due to the indefinite nature of faith.

American reliance on faith (especially in regards to public safety) gains no small sense of irony.

A free nation cannot be born in a climate of fear. America must not use terror—in the abstract—in its own battle against religious totalitarianism.

The late Christopher Hitchens summed it up when he paraphrased Socrates in God Is Not Great (2007): “(I) do not know about death and the Gods – but I am as certain as I can be that you do not know, either.”

We must stop this dependence on irrationality—it is the same fear that encourages acts of terrorism throughout the world.

Related articles

• God and Reason… Part 1 (philammann.com)
• Reclaiming the A Word – Atheism and Language (theinsomniakid.com)
• Atheists in Religious Communities (skepticalseeker.com)
• “Why do Americans still dislike atheists?” (cafewitteveen.wordpress.com)
• Positive Atheism (lennemi.wordpress.com)
• Atheists ‘Scrub Away’ Blessing on Highway (newser.com)
• Keep Religion Private (str.typepad.com)
• American Atheists’ Reason Rally : eradicating Christianity, fleeing dialogue and debate (winteryknight.wordpress.com)
• From The Friars eLetter: AN OPEN LETTER TO OUR POLITICIANS AND FELLOW CITIZENS (deaconforlife.blogspot.com)
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• Are You There, God? Its Me, Heather (Patch) (heatherrayne.wordpress.com)
• The Death of Christopher Hitchens – How Christians Should Handle the Death of an Enemy (theologicalarsenal.wordpress.com)
• Wittgenstein on Religious Faith and Superstition (maverickphilosopher.typepad.com)
• More See “Too Much” Religious Talk by Politicians – Santorum Voters Disagree – – – The Pew Forum on Religion & Public LIfe (richarddawkins.net)