...what are your goals? I'm an atheist. I can not decide whether or not I am anti-theist. I do see that religion has caused catastrophic harm to the human race, and can breed ignorance, hate, fear, and intolerance. I also recognize people's right to free speech and the pursuit of happiness, and I believe as long as they are not impeding the rights of others, they can believe and practice whatever they like, even if it's wrong, or ignorant. I do recognize also that religion fills a lot of humanities needs. Our need to understand our place in the world. Our need of community, of being a part of something larger than ourselves. It can give hope to the hopeless. Forgiveness to the unforgivable. It also helps people emotionally with loss and death. It satisfies our need for justice in an unfair world by dolling out punishments and rewards after death. It seems like religion is often the surrogate for these human needs. I also recognize that people have what some would call a spiritual need, I don't believe in the soul, or the heart. I believe the heart is the emotional center of the brain. And the "spiritual" part of the brain, is the part that desires to feel a part of something cosmic and larger than itself.
So I find it hard to bring myself to be anti-theist, even though I do not believe that religion is the source of anything at all, but more like the focus that allows the brain to create it's own reality or belief, or comfort. I also understand that I can be anti-theist and argue against theist beliefs at the same time I fight for theists right to believe and practice what they want as long as it harms no one. Do you think that without religion, that people can still satisfy their need for ritual or "spiritualness" I'd like all your thoughts on the matter and I thank you in advance for adding to the discussion.
So I find it hard to bring myself to be anti-theist, even though I do not believe that religion is the source of anything at all, but more like the focus that allows the brain to create it's own reality or belief, or comfort. I also understand that I can be anti-theist and argue against theist beliefs at the same time I fight for theists right to believe and practice what they want as long as it harms no one. Do you think that without religion, that people can still satisfy their need for ritual or "spiritualness" I'd like all your thoughts on the matter and I thank you in advance for adding to the discussion.