What I “Believe”
I often get asked, since I don’t believe in god or the bible, what is it that I actually believe?
As for my personal beliefs, I don’t have any. I do not deal in “beliefs” because I find this concept flawed. Instead, I base my world view on “probability”. That is, I look at a subject, research as much evidence as I can for that subject, and from that evidence I reason what is more probable to be true than not. If I receive better evidence than the evidence I already posses, I immediately change my view.
I also only “believe” something by the amount of evidence there is for it. If the evidence says something is 70% probable to be true, then I only believe it 70%. People have a very hard time with this type of “belief” because they do not understand that it does not have to be all or nothing. You do not have to believe something 100% or 0%. There are infinite shades of gray in between, and I believe only as much as there is evidence to support it.
I only use the word “Belief” or “Believe” because it’s shorter and easier to write then saying,”more probable to be true then not”.
With that said, I feel it is probable that through cause and effect, which began 14.5 billion years ago at the big bang, a series of chain reactions occurred through the natural laws of the universe that eventually led to life on earth. Random mutations, filtered by natural selection, caused that which is best suited to survive in its environment to replicate and live on, and those that couldn’t survive died out.
I have seen no evidence for a God, though should any evidence arise, I am open to it.
I believe that while the cult of Christianity and other religions were necessary for human evolution, these concepts are now outdated and are harmful to our society. It is not a good thing to have 4 out of every 5 people on earth involved in some kind of cult where they teach Fairy Tales to their kids.
I see with my own eyes that where you are born is the single most important factor in which cult you will belong to. If you are born in Iraq you have a 99% chance of being in the Muslim cult and if you are born in America you have about an 80% chance of being in the Christian cult.
I was a Christian for 32 years, so I understand very well what the Christian mythology is. I find the bible one of the most awful books ever written. It supports slavery, human sacrifices, infanticide, genocide, rape, torture, and any other vile thing the mind can imagine.
I believe Christianity is the largest terrorist organization in the world. It teaches children, from birth, that if they do not submit they will be tortured for eternity. This is the very definition of terrorism. In fact, most Christians are so terrified of the thought of being tortured forever that they are afraid to even question the bullshit they have been told.
I believe Christianity is evil and leads to evil behavior. For example, we took a trillion dollars that could have ended world hunger and given health care to every American, saving countless numbers of lives, and instead we used it to kill a million Iraqis. A nation of 80% Christians did this.
I also reason that the best way to stop this is to stand up to it and try to change things. I have experimented with many ways of engaging this problem. I have tried reasoned debate with Christians, as well as education. In the end, the method I found that works the best is mockery. Making fun of cult members is much more effective than trying to reason with them.
It does polarize, but I’m mainly going after your children. Children are very responsive to mockery. No kid wants to be on the same side as the laughing stocks. So by painting your side as Fairy Tale believing idiots (which they are) me and my ilk are causing your children to be embarrassed by Christianity. They are embarrassed of you for being Christians.
It also makes Atheism cool (which it is). Christianity is a very dorky cult, while Atheism provides not only freedom and fun, but it is backed up by all the Science. It’s a win/win for my side.
Well, I can certainly agree with you about Christianity being dorky. I’m constantly amazed at my christian friends who thought that Harry Potter was too demonic, but Twilight is just so awesome!!! Where the fuck are these people’s brains. At any rate, I feel exonerated since my denial of Christianity. I feel demons coursing through my veins and the devil telling me it’s okay to fuck every guy I lust after. Being non-christian is an orgy of fun for me! Lol, not really though. I feel the same as I always did except now I don’t have to go to church every Sunday. Big Whoop.
Wonderful post and I totally agree!
Well said that man. We have the science, we win.
I really appreciate your words and approach. Please keep fighting for our sanity.
Happy to see a new post! Enjoyed reading it.
Hey Mike,
Thanks a lot and welcome back.
Hey Dusty! I agree with you on this post, except one point. “I have seen no evidence for a God, though should any evidence arise, I am open to it.” I would not. I would still reject it. Here’s why: If the creator of the universe thinks that I deserve to burn eternally for the wrongs I have committed in my life, then I deserve to burn eternally. I will not, on principle, allow my misdeeds to be reconciled by the spilling of innocent blood. It’s wrong.
Scenario: If I was a murderer, and the judge told me that he would let me walk, free and clear, if I would allow an innocent man to die a horrible death in order to pay for my crimes, what kind of person would I be to allow this? Christians will counter this with, “What if the man was willing?” as if that makes it less wrong on my part.
Anyway, just thought I’d share that with you. Feel free to counter it, add to it, or comment as you like. I never thought of it that way until I read “The Ones who Walk Away from Omelas” by Ursula LeGuin. (If you’ve never read it, here’s a link: http://harelbarzilai.org/words/omelas.txt It’s worth ten minutes of your life, IMO!)
Love the post! Keep them coming!
Kim
Hey Kim,
Welcome back. Mainly what I mean by “being open to evidence of God” is that I will not close my mind to any evidence, regardless of what it is. Regardless if it confirms a God or not. That doesn’t mean I would worship that God, that only means that I would close my mind to any evidence, no matter what it is.
However, I agree with everything you’ve said. I feel the same way. Well put.
Dusty. Your vids are awesome. Intelligent, witty, I’ve recommended you to everyone I know.
I grew up in a fundamentalist evangelical family that put me into one of those christian, uniformed, military haircut schools. At seventeen I was so put off by the blatant hypocrisies I witnessed that I totally rebelled against it and started researching other philosophies and I completely agree with your concept. Now I’m a pot using scientist and totally support and stand with you.
Just wanted to give you a heads up on the Alliance of Christ group on YouTube if you don’t already know about them. Please check them out if you don’t. I commented on a Kassie Dill vid before finding out what a crazy fuck she is.
Hey Lynx and welcome,
I too was sent to an A.C.E Christian school for a little while. It was one of the worst times of my life. They would beat us once a week.
I appreciate your support. I need as many smart friends as I can get. I haven’t heard of that group but I will check in to them. Sounds like right up my alley. =)
Thanks for the comment and have a good 2010.
At my blog my article called “the truth will set you free” is a paper I wrote on a “this is believe” paper for my writing class. If you have the time give it a read.
http://reasonisbliss.blogspot.com/
Thanks for another great post Dusty.
I couldn’t agree with you more
An intelligent person uses this kind of analytical logic and a more scientific unbiased approach to beliefs. Whether in a person, product, faith or concept.
Blind allegiance to anything or anyone is dangerous. The truth will withstand and welcome scrutiny; where a liar will become defensive and secretive requiring you “trust and have faith”.
I hope that one day these sheep will see the truth.
its no wonder congregations are often called flocks.
They are the lambs that are being fleeced.
I agree with a majority of your opinions on various subjects but I dislike and extremely disapprove of you using the word retard. I work with the mentally challenged. They seem to be the last minority group to be shitted on without a public out cry. Try to do this to the Gays or various other ethnic minorities.
Robert
Gret blog. I saw one of your videos featured on YouTube about cannabis. Great review. Keep up! and Stay logical America