The Binary Circumstance

The truth, however, is that many of us may not care about the the fate of civilization. Forty-four percent of the American population is convinced that Jesus will return to judge the living and the dead sometime in the next fifty years. According to the most common interpertation of biblical prophecy, Jesus will return only after things have gone horribly awry here on earth. It is therefore not an exaggeration to say that if the city of New York were suddenly replaced by a ball of fire, some significant percentage of the American population would see a silver lining in the subsequent mushroom cloud, as it would suggest to them that the best thing that is ever going to happen was about the happen: the return of Christ. It should be blindingly obvious that beliefs of this sort will do little to help us create a durable future for ourselves–socially, ecomonically, environmentally, or geopolitically. Imagine the consequences if any significant component of the U.S. government actually believed that the world was about to end and that its ending would be glorious. The fact that nearly half of the American population believes this, purely on the basis of religious dogma, should be considered a moral and intellectual emergency.

Source: Sam Harris, Letter to a Christian Nation, pg. xii

In an excellent op-ed piece for the LA Times, Sam Harris provides 10 myths, and truths, about atheism. I agree with every word he has written and it’s a mystery to me why more people don’t.

Just a few of examples:

SEVERAL POLLS indicate that the term “atheism” has acquired such an extraordinary stigma in the United States that being an atheist is now a perfect impediment to a career in politics (in a way that being black, Muslim or homosexual is not). According to a recent Newsweek poll, only 37% of Americans would vote for an otherwise qualified atheist for president.

…A remarkable 87% of the population claims “never to doubt” the existence of God; fewer than 10% identify themselves as atheists — and their reputation appears to be deteriorating.

Given that we know that atheists are often among the most intelligent and scientifically literate people in any society, it seems important to deflate the myths that prevent them from playing a larger role in our national discourse.

[…]

2) Atheism is responsible for the greatest crimes in human history.

People of faith often claim that the crimes of Hitler, Stalin, Mao and Pol Pot were the inevitable product of unbelief. The problem with fascism and communism, however, is not that they are too critical of religion; the problem is that they are too much like religions. Such regimes are dogmatic to the core and generally give rise to personality cults that are indistinguishable from cults of religious hero worship. Auschwitz, the gulag and the killing fields were not examples of what happens when human beings reject religious dogma; they are examples of political, racial and nationalistic dogma run amok. There is no society in human history that ever suffered because its people became too reasonable.

As I discussed in my book, irrational premises are the problem. Faith in beliefs not supported by evidence is the problem. It is just as easy (perhaps easier) to have irrational beliefs about government as it is about God and it is irrational beliefs that justify every horrendous crime of one man against another.

Government often takes the place of religion and becomes like a God, promoting the self-sacrifice of the individual to the state as in fascism, communism and socialism and even democracy, where the destiny of individual lives is regularly put to a vote.

5) Atheism has no connection to science.

Although it is possible to be a scientist and still believe in God — as some scientists seem to manage it — there is no question that an engagement with scientific thinking tends to erode, rather than support, religious faith. Taking the U.S. population as an example: Most polls show that about 90% of the general public believes in a personal God; yet 93% of the members of the National Academy of Sciences do not. This suggests that there are few modes of thinking less congenial to religious faith than science is.

The good part of Christmas is not always Christian — it is generally Pagan; that is to say, human, natural.

Christianity did not come with tidings of great joy, but with a message of eternal grief. It came with the threat of everlasting torture on its lips. It meant war on earth and perdition hereafter.

It taught some good things — the beauty of love and kindness in man. But as a torch-bearer, as a bringer of joy, it has been a failure. It has given infinite consequences to the acts of finite beings, crushing the soul with a responsibility too great for mortals to bear. It has filled the future with fear and flame, and made God the keeper of an eternal penitentiary, destined to be the home of nearly all the sons of men. Not satisfied with that, it has deprived God of the pardoning power.

And yet it may have done some good by borrowing from the Pagan world the old festival called Christmas.

Long before Christ was born the Sun-God triumphed over the powers of Darkness. About the time that we call Christmas the days begin perceptibly to lengthen. Our barbarian ancestors were worshipers of the sun, and they celebrated his victory over the hosts of night. Such a festival was natural and beautiful. The most natural of all religions is the worship of the sun. Christianity adopted this festival. It borrowed from the Pagans the best it has.

I believe in Christmas and in every day that has been set apart for joy. We in America have too much work and not enough play. We are too much like the English.

I think it was Heinrich Heine who said that he thought a blaspheming Frenchman was a more pleasing object to God than a praying Englishman. We take our joys too sadly. I am in favor of all the good free days — the more the better.

Christmas is a good day to forgive and forget — a good day to throw away prejudices and hatreds — a good day to fill your heart and your house, and the hearts and houses of others, with sunshine. - Robert G. Ingersoll

Source

I’ve heard Joni Mitchell’s wonderful song “River” from her Blue album on a number of TV shows recently. I even saw an ice skater skating to it on a Christmas skating show.

The mainsteam media has noticed as well.

I’m a huge Joni Mitchell fan and think there are few songwriters who compare to her particular genius for blending great words and music. “River” is an atypical choice for holiday shows because it’s so sad.

The fact is that many people don’t enjoy Christmas (including me sometimes) and I think that it’s great that Mitchell gave us such a beautiful song to express those feelings.

Mitchell starts the song with the melody from “Jingle Bells,” but played in a minor key. Just that small change sets the perfect mood for the pictures she paints with words throughout the rest of the song. The improvised, minor-key “Jingle Bells” theme is very prominent by the end of the song.

It’s coming on Christmas
They’re cutting down trees
They’re putting up raindeer
And singing songs of joy and peace

I wish I had a river I could skate away on…

Check the reviews on Amazon.com if you’ve never heard the album before. Then buy it. There are some good versions out there but nobody sings it like Joni Mitchell does.