Helpful Atheists

I’ve been challenged by my recent conversations with my atheist friends to consider my comments on morality – apparently atheists find the suggestion that Christians are more inclined to act morally somewhat abhorrent and arrogant – they argue that there are plenty of nice atheists. Which is true. 

I made my suggestion in what I thought was a logical and coherent manner. If atheists are prepared to acknowledge that Christianity – in its pure, biblical form complete with love and an other person focus, is a force for good – then it follows that Christians must be gooder than average. I thought that made perfect sense. It lead to vitriol and condemnation. 

I may have countered the standard accusation that “religion” has killed lots of people and done bad stuff by breaking Godwin’s Law – and invoking Hitler, and other terrible atheists who have killed many more people throughout human history as a response. This is altogether another argument and worthy of a separate post – this line was rejected on the basis that they weren’t motivated by their atheism. I disagree slightly, but take the point… anyway, that’s a rather long intro to this little story about a nice, helpful atheist who has agreed to help out those Christians who subscribe to rapture based theology. He’s going to send mail on their behalf, post rapture. You can choose from a series of letters and greeting cards… like this one…

So there you have it. Atheists can be nice people after all…

Comments

geoffc says:

I made my suggestion in what I thought was a logical and coherent manner. If atheists are prepared to acknowledge that Christianity – in its pure, biblical form complete with love and an other person focus, is a force for good – then it follows that Christians must be gooder than average. I thought that made perfect sense. It lead to vitriol and condemnation.

You may still be right though.

also, the “wasn’t motivated by athiesm” misses the point. The argument is that athiesm can lead to it. If Pol Pot murdered millions in the name of athiesm or because athiems led to it, what’s the difference?

I’m saying athiesm did lead to pol pot’s murders, I just think the athiest comeback has holes.

also,

geoffc says:

man that was poor, it’s late and I’m all over the place.

It should read above

“I’m not saying atheism…”

my spelling is terrible as well. Forgive me for tarnishing your blog with such drivel.

Nathan says:

Tarnish away. I actually am not recanting either position. I would say the link is more direct than they’ll admit.

Leah says:

Hitler was motivated by his atheism. Well, I suppose, a combination of his atheism and evolutionism. He believed Aryans were a superior race in the evolution chain, and that Jews (and many other people groups who he didn’t get around to killing) were lower. And so, logically, they deserved to die. Apparently.

NB: I am not saying all atheists want to go out and commit genocide. Just because atheism has, in some instances, led to it, doesn’t mean all atheists are the same. Just like religion has, in some instances, led to battles and wars etc, doesn’t mean all religious people are the same. (How can people look at that and point the finger at the other group and say “LOOK AT THE SOCIAL PROBLEMS YOUR GROUP HAS CAUSED”?? Do they not realise that people are just screwed up and will use any excuse, whether it’s atheism, evolution, or religion, to justify whatever it is they’re doing?)