A few nights ago my wife and I went out to dinner and waiting in the bar for our table I fell into conversation with the man next to me. He had once worked in the publishing business and I mentioned my own book, how I was trying to promote it, and how I feared it was destined to remain on the worst sellers list, owing to its lack of popular appeal.
His aspect took on something like the appearance of a deer caught in the headlights when I showed no reluctance in describing myself as an atheist. I suspect I was the first such person totally out of the closet he had ever encountered. I think that my unapologetic manner, my lack of misery, and my rationality tended to clash with his preconceived notions and he was having a little trouble putting it together.
As we amicably continued our conversation, it became apparent that this man had led a fairly sheltered life concerning spiritual matters. He exhibited no sign of ever having been exposed to literature or arguments critical of religious faith. While I sensed he wished to support his own position, he was almost totally unprepared to do so. I tried not to be confrontational, but it may be that my very presence was somewhat offensive.
As we left for our table and I shook his hand and told him it was good to talk to him, he offered me a parting shot, “You know what you are, you’re myopic.”
It is always a shock to be advised by someone you know, even slightly, that you are not perfect. That I should have a flaw is almost inconceivable.
Still, if I wish to practice what I preach, I need to take this seriously. I never cease to ask my readers to examine objectively and rationally what they believe. To honestly evaluate how and why they hold those beliefs.
The claim is that the vision I have is of near objects only, I do not see clearly that which lies beyond. Further definitions include, unable or unwilling to act prudently, and lacking tolerance or understanding, narrow-minded.
Self-evaluation is always a dangerous game, fraught with hidden traps and perils. I desperately need help from others in navigating an investigation of this nature. And bravery is not my strong suit, but perhaps I can muster enough to proceed and examine the elements of this indictment.
Not seeing clearly what lies beyond my adopted world view I will dismiss immediately. All my life I have been bombarded with the notions of faith being a virtue, original sin, the virgin birth, the salvation through sacrifice, and the resurrection. There is no way I could see this more clearly. I only wish I could see it less clearly. Of course I do not accept these things as true but that has nothing to do with myopia and everything to do with selection from clearly seen multiple and contradictory hypotheses. I can confidently check this off.
Unable or unwilling to act prudently is not immediately clear. This relates to showing careful or good judgement. I can only examine what I am attempting to do at this point in my life. What has happened is that I have recognized a great evil in religious faith and I have elected to not remain silent. When I view the history of mankind and recognize how often people, seeing evil, have elected to remain silent, either because they didn’t want to be seen as opposing a popular view, or because they feared punishment, I see horrors that could have been avoided.
On this point I have to defer to others as to what constitutes good judgement. My personal conclusion is that I can reject this claim as a personal flaw.
Lacking tolerance or understanding.
I think I have already covered understanding. As to tolerance, it means a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward opinions, beliefs, and practices that differ from one’s own. It has been pointed out that tolerance need not include agreement with those elements, but that others have the right to believe and practice as they prefer. I subscribe to and support this proposition, that no one should be compelled to believe or behave contrary to their nature or fulfillment.
I have absolutely no problem with people who wish to worship gods, who wish to join others with similar views and perform rituals and ceremonies, and to believe anything, anything at all, that gives them comfort or satisfaction. I understand the value available from group support and shared viewpoints.
The caveat I will now describe does not indicate a lack of tolerance. Religious freedom is fine. Religious privilege is not. It is an unfortunate fact that most religions have a toxic fundamental doctrine. That, owing to the religion’s absolute perfection on matters of truth and morality, it is not only encouraged but it is a duty for its adherents to ‘save’ the rest of the world and convert it to the correct faith so that universal peace and justice will prevail. This effort necessarily imposes values on others who may not desire the gifts so offered.
The doctrine contains no limitations on the methods used to convert the heathens. Indeed, while the vast majority of the faithful no longer practice such savagery, the doctrine specifically provides for execution of those unable to make the transition.
So the faithful, believing they are performing a service, continually assault the sensibilities of those with differing views. Examples are not difficult to find. Try to evaluate, in the following, if there is evidence of intolerance, and by whom.
My paid taxes help support a public school system within which, each morning, my children and grandchildren hear that they are “under God.”
Any physical money I use contains the lie that I trust in God.
Sermons from the pulpit, innumerable tracts, and spiritual publications contain descriptions of me including: wicked and unprincipled, having a life which is empty and lacking purpose or meaning. That I am destined for eternal suffering and deserve it. Do these colossal insults and libels indicate any tolerance at all?
Active laws in some states, like Arkansas, prohibit me from running for public office or giving evidence in a court of law. (Of course they cannot be enforced, but does that mean tolerance is being demonstrated?)
Some promising medical research is being prohibited or delayed by the religious. I do not object if these people wish to deprive themselves of the benefits that could evolve from this effort, but I do not recognize their authority to deprive me and my loved ones of potential life-saving treatments.
The importance of education cannot be exaggerated. Some modern data is in conflict with traditional faith-based beliefs. There are current, aggressive programs at work dedicated to discrediting specifically targeted scientific fields. These programs are exclusively directed by faith groups. Not only is the educational system distracted by the need to defend itself from these attacks, there is real danger of the material being censored or corrupted. Not very tolerant of the religious, is it?
I suspect that I have exhausted the patience of the reader at this point, so I better bring it to a close.
Am I myopic? I don’t think so. I may be many things but this is not one of them. My very own wife has observed that I am a fanatic. Wow, she may have hit the mark with that one! I shall have to think about that, although my initial response is that it may be a partial hit. Maybe only passionate? It will have to be another topic to explore.