Ten Questions For Unbelievers: An Atheist Response

(1)Respect/objectivity: Do atheists and religious folks respect each other's point of view, or are they rude, aggressive and dismissive toward each other? (This isn't just a Political Correctness issue if it results in giving inadequate consideration to arguments and evidence).


In general yes, there are usually no physical altercations. Rarely after debate are any of the debater’s viewpoints radically changed. But I tend to respect the idea of God only if the person is not condescending and respectful of my opposing views, as well as a debatable and intelligible demeanor. I would not be so arrogant as to claim I am the final decider and corrupter of religious faith so a hopefully rational debate would be a natural response to my claims, I must say I openly accept another person challenging my celestial viewpoints.



(2) Numinous vs. supernatural: Is it possible/desirable to separate the "numinous" (sense of mystery, wonder, awe, & spirituality; accompanying emotional high) element from the supernatural aspects of spirituality, and retain the former while discarding the latter?



I can gaze at the cosmos from my room and feel a sense of awe; we are all simplistic creatures that attain a sense of wonderment on subjects we don’t completely understand. I am usually just amazed at what Mother Nature created, not what “God” created. Spirituality and reason don’t necessarily have to be inseparable. I think spirituality and secularism go especially well with one another, instead of feeling enlightened or wonderment and claim it’s the plan of a Devine dictatorship, I can say my new spirituality was obtained simply by my doing, Thus making it more significant.



(3) Faith and reason/science: Is faith compatible with reason/science?




Depends of course on the faith if it is completely dogmatic unquestioning faith then I would in all probability say no. It also depends on the branch of science if its botany or the studying of gravity or physics, belief in God would almost certainly not be as intervening in the mind as much as if he/she were studying the origins of the cosmos.Religious conviction and faith by definition are completely void of empirical evidence therefore science and ancient orated doctrines are completely dissimilar subjects.



(4) Dangers and benefits of atheism & religion: are atheism and religion dangerous? Would the world be better off without either? If so, do they have any redeeming qualities?



Well if religion was exhausted atheism wouldn’t be obligatory and I would much rather live in a world where we are not blinded by this religious or irreligious fundamentalism. I think some religions are far more hazardous than others but I still hold with firm conviction they are all innately harmful. I deem there are few if any redeeming qualities even the eradication of a horrible drug habit making the user think he/she was healed by Devine intervention still makes the former user feel as if he/she is not in control of their existence.



(5) Science and God: Can God be studied scientifically? Are religion and science compatible?



I believe God and science are exclusively different subjects, and should be kept out of the same realm. You can’t disprove a negative, and God’s reality by characterization is conviction in uncertainty which cannot be proven without a logical doubt.


(6) Finely tuned universe and God: Is the universe finely tuned for intelligent life, and if so, is that evidence for God?


There are a large number more than two astrophysical arguments, (I think around 26). The finely tuned universe argument has been argued and refuted copious times. I believe we adapted to the universe, not that the universe adapted to us. There could be bubble universes, multiple universes, and extra-terrestrial universes. A finely tuned universe is certainly not proof or even evidence for God.



(7) God and evolution: Is evolution compatible with God?



Of course, God could have guided it depending on the God you hold in veneration. This is the precise moment when you must decide whether to rely on the telling of antique literature or in the modern human science thus deciding whether you are blinded by faith or not.


(8) Altruism: does human altruism prove God?


Altruism proves that homo-sapiens inherently want to be in solidarity with one another. Nor would I even speculate if human charity would prove God, I don’t see how it would. Some of the earth’s greatest philanthropists were secularist.


(9) Miracles: Can miracles happen, and if so, are they compatible with science?


Of course I can’t prove the absence of miracles but I stand firm in the belief they are coincidences. We must be very careful not to deem coincidences an act of loving Devine intercession. Excuse me but it feels as if I must pull a tangent, I was watching a documentary about a young boy considered by many to be the worlds most intelligent youth, he hailed from India and their Hindu intransigence confirmed his mental power a phenomenon and therefore wanted him to preach Gods word instead of finding alleviation for atrocious diseases.


(10) War of ideas: Who is winning, atheism or religion? Is victory possible/desirable for either?



Gridlocked as usual until maybe an enlightenment occurs or something of that nature.


Your Contrarian Author,
Charles Brown