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May 19th, 2011
03:00 PM ET
My Take: Doomsdayers show what’s wrong with all religion
By David Silverman, Special to CNN Let nobody doubt that religion hurts people. Good, intelligent, caring people suffer every day and everywhere at the hands of religion, the happy lie. Religion is used by dishonest people who claim to know the way to the one thing humans want most: immortality. To combat fear of death, religious people ignore their intellect, believe the lie, and follow the preacher, usually blindly and sometimes to the point of insanity. We are witnessing one very good example of this right now, as a group led by Christian ministry leader Harold Camping prepares for the end of the world this Saturday, May 21. Of course, the weekend will pass without incident and thousands of Camping's followers, having spent or donated huge amounts of money on his behalf, will be gravely disappointed. Victims will be broken. Families will be damaged. Lives will be ruined. All because someone made a good pitch, and followers believed. Opinion: May 21 Doomsday movement harms Christianity I am not sure if Camping is a liar, but I think so. He realized that religion is a great way to make tax-free money off the backs of well-meaning people, through donations to his ministry, all without fearing eternal damnation. You see, I suspect that he, like many others of his ilk, doesn’t believe in God at all. It may seem odd that I would accuse this man of being an atheist like me, but rest assured that he is nothing like me. Like most atheists, I’m a pretty nice person and would never scam someone out of his or her life savings or convince someone to quit a job just to line my pockets. The truth is that religion and ethics are completely independent of one another. Follow CNN’s Belief Blog on Twitter Consider how Newt Gingrich could campaign against President Bill Clinton's adultery as the darling of the Religious Right while actually being an adulterer himself. Consider how evangelical superstar Ted Haggard could preach against homosexuality, in God’s name, while hiding a gay lover. And consider Camping, who can get donors to cough up what appears to be a lot of money in God’s name while ruining his followers’ real lives on Earth. These are not people who fear God or hell. In my opinion, they know very well that gods are myths. They are just bad people. Atheists have bad people, too, the worst of whom feign religion for their own personal gain. Next week, Camping’s victims will ask our forgiveness for being so foolish, and we will forgive them, because we’ve all done stupid things. They will ask for money and we will help them, because most people are charitable. And then Camping victims will ask us to forget all about this whole ugly scam. That is something we must never do. We must remember that Camping, atheist or not, is no different from any other preacher. Religion thrives on fear–the constant threat of any-time-now Judgment Day coupled with eternal punishment in hell for those who don’t believe strongly enough. Since rational minds question irrational things, believers constantly have doubts, and therefore fear that they don't have enough faith to pass muster during the eventual Rapture, when the righteous will be saved and the unrighteous will be damned. Fear of hell makes believers desperate to ease those doubts so they can be sure to get into heaven. It’s a recipe for fear-based obedience, which is exactly what religion craves. It’s the method used by Camping, and by the rest of Christianity, too. If we forget about Camping, this apocalyptic madness will happen again. Next year is 2012 and, just as was supposed to happen in 2011, 2004, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1997, 1994 and other years that the world is supposed to end, according to one religion or another. What will we do in 2012? Will we sit still while preachers take advantage of the gullible again? Will we refrain from confronting the fools and continue to revere religion? Or will we, as a society, demand that people use their intellect and pay attention to their preachers, priests, rabbis or mullahs and see them as the scammers they really are? This weekend, preachers from coast to coast will talk about why they are right and Camping is wrong, and I ask you all to listen closely. They will try to justify why one interpretation of the Bible (theirs) is right while the others are wrong. In the end, they are all interpreting the “perfect word of God” in their own imperfect way so that God agrees with their own agenda. It’s obvious if you look for it; no preacher ever says "God disagrees with me." Yes, this weekend we will giggle at the fools who follow the preachers that earn their living spreading happy lies. Religion will have been proven wrong yet again. But we all must remember that people have been hurt this weekend. We hope the victims of this year’s end-of-the-world will lift themselves back up, dust themselves off, and come out of this as better, less gullible people. Hopefully, they will use their experience to help others avoid future scams by shouting loudly at tomorrow’s victims, without fear of being irreverent about something which deserves no reverence at all. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of David Silverman. soundoff (1,927 Responses)« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Next »
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Editor's Note: David Silverman, an atheist since age 6, is president of 
For most ignorant people who blindly follow religion and beleive what the bible says, science and what can be learned by scientific investigation are far beyond their mental capabilities. It is impossible for them to wrap their unenlightened minds around scientific concepts so they choose to beleive the simple myths put forth in the bible. I don't have the answers I seek. I understand how our universe was created, but not why anything exists. Some will say that is where god comes in, but that is just a weak minded response. Even if there is a supreme scientist somewhere that designed the experiment that is our universe, where did he/she/it come from? Science will eventually be able to tell us everything there is to be learned about our universe. However, to make something, be it a god, a man or a universe there must have been something to start with. I fear that we will never know the true nature of our beginning, but that doesn't mean I will stop contemplating it. Life is messy. Get used to it.
"I understand how our universe was created..." You don't understand jack.
Really Ted? People who believe in the BIble are unenlightened? You claim to know how the universe was created, well that's funny because science has not proved how that happened. It's still theory, and last I checked there are multiple theories. But since you are so enlightened, please enlighten the rest of us.
I assume you also believe in evolution. If so, please inform us dimwits why we are so dumb, after all, it is much more enlightened to believe that ALL living organisms (people, animals, tress and plant life) have all descended from one single cell that sprang to life from inorganic matter.
I agree with much of what the writer says here about religion, most are just scam artists. My grandmother used to give money she did not have to super scam man, Oral Roberts, he Billy Graham and their ilk have dishonored our creator.
On the other hand, I find atheists to be simple minded and lazy, their god has led them wrong many times, yet they still maintain a rabid faith.
Soon, religion will be gone, well most, then, atheists will be gone as well.
@Monte: I find it interesting that you say atheists you know to be simple minded and lazy. Perhaps I can help you understand the atheist position in a manner you can digest. Can you provide an example of a simple minded and lazy atheistic position?
I do agree with one of your statements. The goal of the Atheistic community is to strive for it's own obsolescence.
You said "Religion thrives on fear–the constant threat of any-time-now Judgment Day coupled with eternal punishment in hell for those who don’t believe strongly enough."
This is blatantly false of Christianity. True, some make it seem that way, and people like you love it when they do. But here is the real question to you, sir. You said you are a "good person" and that you have never lined your pocket off the back of people. Let me ask you this, if there is no God, then by what standard are you basing your claim to be good?
I as-sume you are making a claim that all morality is based in religion? As an atheist, my moral standards are secular in their origin.
Can you please name a moral teaching that was created by and can only be found in religion, specifically Christianity?
If man, through ethics, is the sole determiner between what is right and wrong, then there really is no objective right and wrong.The mere fact that you presuppose a moral ethic is a very good argument for the existence of God.
Buddy, you are absolutely right in your reply. There is no absolute right or wrong. Right and wrong are concepts that are dictated by the society as a whole. Trust me, your book is full of immoral heroes doing the wrong thing just because your sky daddy says so.
And by the way, the same atheist who wrote the article and claimed to be a good person, is the same person who just knowingly wrote false and misleading information about other people and their religions. Is that good, under the atheistic code of right and wrong?
Jim- that's one reason why the Bible is so remarkable and believable. It does not hide the fact that ALL men are sinful and in need of being saved.
http://discipleshipjournal-buddy.blogspot.com/2011/04/is-jesus-coming-back-on-may-21-2011_27.html
@Buddy: You have made more claims without supporting evidence.
Again, I would ask you to please name a moral teaching that was created by and can only be found in religion, specifically Christianity?
We can do this all day. But in the end, until you provide verifiable evidence that your god exists, any claims you make about that god are logically irrelevant.
Eric- actually you are the one who has made the claim. You said you assumed I was making a certain claim, and then you claimed that right and wrong is grounded in human ethics. It was then that I said that your presupposition is a good argument in favor of the existence of God. Thus, the burden of proof is on you to prove that objective right and wrong can be created by men. You made the initial claim, not me.
Once again, you avoid my request.
Again, I would ask you to please name a moral teaching that was created by and can only be found in religion, specifically Christianity?
Or, provide evidence for verification that supports your hypothesis that your god exists.
Eric- I NEVER made the claim that you are demanding that I defend. YOU assumed that I was making that claim. I never made it. The only claim that I have made is that your presupposition- that there is an objective right and wrong- is a strong argument in favor of the existence of God. But, that was only made after you claimed that you can find objective right and wrong through human ethics. The burden of proof is on you, not me. You made the initial claim. Back it up.
As a man of logic, i can disprove a million times that there is no god and that this is all just a coincidence. (life that is). but i know in my heart that it is not. every time i look at the sky or look at a beautiful sunrise, or think how that every atom and molecule happened to come together in just the right way to give us life. everything seems to me that it has a special place. that it all was designed for a spacific reason. its all to big to be just ramdom chance. I guess Athiests can call me illogical. But i am also sure that sunday morning will come just like every sunday.
Nice.
Obviously you are lying to yourself if you really think that you are logical. But then again all people of religion are delusional.
I think the religious people reading this article and commenting here should try not to become consumed with their own fear and disgust of Athesists. This guy Camping is a nut at best and a criminal at worst, and the broader point that religion is often harmful is well known. Religion can be a great help to people in their lives but athiests think we are coming to a stage in our civilisation where we should be able to walk on without this particular crutch. I'm not forcing it down your throat but you won't go to hell for thinking it over...
I appreciated this article because it puts a name with the myth. I'm a Christian, and it saddens me to see how this prediction has passed into the realm of rumor / common knowledge for the unchurched. Few people I know who are aware of Camping and his teachings take this seriously. It's the plethora of billboards and tracts that cause so many to believe that this nonsense is coming from the church at large. The Bible says NO-ONE knows the day or the hour; whether you believe in God or not, that's the "official word" from Christianity.
The bible says a lot of things. All fiction.
Saturday, I'll wake up as normal and scan youtube for footage of Camping's followers throwing themselves off cliffs.
We can only hope.
Dear Atheists,
You need scientific proof of Gods existence, can you please go through http://www.science4islam.com/. The author of this site says Science leads to Islam.
Also, kindly visit The Bible, The Quran and Science by Dr. Maurice Bucaille where he compares Bible with Science and Quran with Science...
http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Books/MB_BQS/default.htm
There are several verses in Quran where scientific phenomenon is explained w.r.t Science, Astronomy, Seas, Earth, Medicines, Geology, Meterology etc 1400 years ago, and they are in agreement with scientific fact today. These scientific facts which are mentioned in Quran 1400 years back were discovered by man in this century.
Dr. Bucaille prove the Qur'an is in agreement with scientific facts, while the Bible is not. He claims that in Islam, science and religion have always been “twin sisters” (vii). According to Bucaille, there are monumental errors of science in the Bible and not a single error in the Qur'an, whose descriptions of natural phenomena make it compatible with modern science. Bucaille concludes that the Qur'an is the reliable word of God.
I'm not against Bible – it was one of the book of God with Prophet Jesus (may peace be on him) but got changed by people.
I know you may easily reject without reading, but if you really want to understand the truth – I would suggest to ponder.
So science has proved that the sun sets in a murky pool of water?
Regarding the Sun and the moon:
–sura 25, verse 61:
"Blessed is the One Who placed the constellations in heaven and placed therein a lamp and a moon giving light."
–sura 71, 15-16:
"Did you see how God created seven heavens one above an other and made the moon a light therein and made the sun a lamp?"
–sura 78, verses 12-13:
"We have built above you seven strong (heavens) and placed a blazing lamp."
The blazing lamp is quite obviously the sun.
It is known that the Sun is a star that generates intense heat and light by its internal combustions, and that the Moon, which does not give of light itself, and is an inert body (on its external layers at least) merely reflects the light received from the Sun.
There is nothing in the text of the Qur'an that contradicts what we know today about these two celestial bodies.
Could it be “Atheists” don’t have an agenda. The world is what it is and man does have the capacity within himself to make it a beautiful place. I know I will die and I do not fear death as it is part of the natural order of things. I do not need a religion that was born out of “fear of the unknown” and has involved into the power struggles and hate we see today. The religious stories have changed over the years in order to present them as “truth” without facts.
1. No divine being created us, we evolved through time from early man to modern man. Apes our are distant cousin, we belong to the same group. Deal with it
2. No ONE (BAR NONE) have ever walked on water, parted the Red Sea, Sea of Reeds or even let alone a pond or been turned into a pillar of salt. Because a book clams these events happened, somehow makes them true. Remember these are the same events created for Greek/Roman deities in order to make them sound divine.
“I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.”
Sorry Peace....there is no truth in your religion period....I have read over the past 50 years articles trying to prove a God (any God in fact) exist. Not one ever proved he existed, only that the world or universe must have been of "intelligent design". Here is a Simple test: Take a rock home and pray to make it move, if it move' publish it and let the whole world know... To date (BAR NONE) no one have EVER turn into a pillar of salt, parted any body of water or raised anyone from the dead (after three days).
“I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours.”
@Peace,
I am intruiged by your argument, but I have a question. There is a story in Islam that Muhammad took either a part or the whole of the moon, and placed it in his sleeve. This very obviously could not, and did not ever happen. Is this story in the Quran, or is this a seperate piece of literature?
TAX THE CHURCHES
DITTO
Can I be a church leader and call myself Dr. John Doe, cuz it sounds cool
The author is correct – Religion has and is still hurting people. They are culpable and God will remove these religions soon.There is nothing wrong with Christianity, the problem is the way it is practiced. Only those with the right heart condition and those who make the effort to learn more experience the joy and satisfaction of practicing true Christianity.
No these ones are not brainswahed neither are they simple minded, they have cultivated the quality of humility. They have gained accurate knowledge about our loving creator and put faith in his word.
Looks like this idiot Silverwoman has his own following of cultists. They'd probably jump off a bridge to prove how atheist they are, and how they could prove there is no afterlife lol
Wow, that's an amazingly stupid thing to say.
It is exactly THIS type of thinking that atheists DON'T have. There is no need of a "cult" if the buck stops with you. You stand for your own ethical choices and take responsibility. There is no need to blame others, join with others or blame/praise some "other".
"But I do believe in karma. The Universe loves an equilibrium. It wants homeostasis. Treat people badly, and the Universe has a tendency to see to it that you'll eventually get your comeuppance."
This statement is fascinating, and completely destroys any argument you have with other's faith. This "karma" of yours – can you prove it? Do you bet that I can come up with at least one example to counter every one that you come up with. I won't judge you, but don't knock someone else's faith – as its clear you have your own, in an invisible power called "karma."
Insofar as everyone eventually gets the ultimate comeuppance of death, one can hold onto some weak version of the karma doctrine. But the notion that everyone gets a reward or punishment commensurate with the good or bad they have done, let alone get it on anything like a timely basis, is indeed just another "happy lie" the religious have foisted onto humanity.
I am not a christian but I do believe in the power of prayer and GOD. My question to Katie is if that's true why did some of the greatest minds in history believe in Christ?? Men and woman who were total game changers in Science and Philosophy??
Juju of the Jungle the Great is the only one...he gives coconuts as much as you can carry...
Why is it that the more educated a person is the more likely they are to become atheist?
Greatest minds in history? Give some examples. I think you will find that a lot of these "great minds" are actually hedging their bets. They're not full on for god, they're just scientists who consider all hypothesis as a possibility.
The funny thing about prayer is, when people get their way, they praise "god" and say he's "good" (saw this just last night and laughed at the absurdity)...but when it doesn't go their way, they say it was "god's will". So which is it?
Erm:
The one who honors God in both the good and bad that happens in his life is honoring God in all things as the Bible says to do. If tehy didn't honor God in such a way, I suppose you would harangue them for being inconsistent in their faith.
All you atheists put a chill up my spine. Who do you think created this earth and YOU? You are on a path to a horrid eternity if you don't come to know God. I suggest you read Howard Storm's account of his NDE. He was an atheist before his experience. He saw hell and heaven – so have many others – save your souls. Hell is full of souls who denounced God.
Janet,
You've made David's point and the point of mu quote below. Thanks ypu!
You can safely assume that you've created God in your own image when it
turns out that God hates all the same people you do.
Anne Lamott
Any real god wouldn't care if a lowly human denounced him, as long as they led a good life. You make god sound like a child – "if you don't worship me I'm taking my ball and going home." Why is it so important for god to be believed in? Is he that emotionally needy?
.and who created God...hummmm
" Hell is full of souls who denounced God."- to barbecue till eternity but hey He Loves You..
Btw, what sort of acid trip was this guy on that he actually SAW heaven and hell? You know hell isn't even in the Bible, right? There is a place called Sheol and that is not hell, it's simply a land of the dead. Hell as you think you know it was invited by Dante.
Being Atheist isn't about denouncing God, because belief in God does lead to a lot of personal solace and strength in a number of people. That part of it [God] is great. Atheism lends its issues with established faith that tries to create false morals and humanity for people when they could just learn right from wrong regardless. Most of the time, established faith takes advantage of the need to believe in most followers. Many of us fall from faith because, let's face it, Christians, Muslims, and Jews are for the most part horrible examples of how believes should act and hold themselves. It's one thing to be strong and faithful; it's another thing to be proud [which for the record is a deadly sin].
Wow, way to prove Silverman's point. Thank you for being a mindless believer...
Inferno is in the bible reject. What made Dante miraculously place people in it? That doesn't mean that it's a new idea though. The Greeks have mostly everyone from Greek Paganism reaching the "Underworld" which is just a precursor for our modern Hell.
"Camping’s victims will ask our forgiveness for being so foolish, and we will forgive them, because we’ve all done stupid things. They will ask for money and we will help them, because most people are charitable."
These two scentances I cant agree with. I wholeheartedly believe that stupidity should be painfull. These people need t realize how idiotic their beliefs are and pay the price by living under a bridge the rest of their lives.
That's not very Christian! LOL
I don't know if I can agree with this, but I can see where you're coming from..
Any ideology can be hijacked by people with bad intent. More people have been harmed and killed by atheistic Communism and Facism than all the Religious Wars combined throughout history. If we had no Religion, do you really think murder, war, slavery – crime in general – would all cease??
Most of us people of Faith also think this end of the world stunt is pure crock. The Bible itself states that "no man knows the hour or the day". The fact is, Christ lived, died and was resurrected. He was seen by his disciples including 500 at one time. Men such as Peter went from being afraid of admitting they even knew Christ to boldly testifying against the very council who put him to death. Millions have had a better life by living His teachings and, when those people have lived the teachings of pure Christianity, they have turned conflict to peace, helped the poor and sought for truth in Science and all other disciplines.
James says pure religion is to help the widows and the fatherless. Don't waste your time with those who use Religion as a means to exploit others. Focus on what you can do to make the world a better place and with God's help, you will make an even stronger use of your talents.
Do you think that if everyone was christian that all wars and robberies and murders would cease? Or if we were all catholics that pedophilia would stop?
Get a good grip on reality. Morality and religion are completly seperate. Just look at the completely immoral laws and heroes of your bible as an example.
..to Moron Christian. And the crusades?, the holy inquisition? all the jihads? More people have been harmed and killed in the name of god!
So, you say more people have been killed by atheist communists and fascists than all those killed in all the wars. You're going to have to back that up with some sort of facts, which you can't, as it isn't true. Next, Jesus rose from the dead. Hmmm. So where is he? I'd like to meet this guy. Christians claim to "talk" to him and he apparently talks back to you all but no one sees him. Sound like you have an imaginary friend there.
..and the Church saved so may from the Holocaust....mmmm on a second thought.. none....
Well said, thank you.
You said and I quote, "Get a good grip on reality. Morality and religion are completly seperate. Just look at the completely immoral laws and heroes of your bible as an example."
"There are two type of people that we should avoid. Those who are knowledgeable but lazy and those who have a little knowledge but pretend to be knowledgeable.
It seems to me that you are both.
Strive further to read and go beyond the Mosaic law, that you may gain more knowledge to realise what CM was trying to say. It's in the New Testament, the teachings of Jesus Christ.
If you think you have done something good now, try to discover His teachings...Humans continue to evolve right? Then, should you take time to read and ponder about (Jesus Christ) His words, surreal you become a better one.
my post above was a reply for jim.
Let me amend that, I think MormanChristian said most of it quite well. I don't know statistics about wars and things. I agree it is inaccurate to lump all Christians together. People are trying to live good lives. People who believe in the return of Jesus believe harm is coming to those who don't believe in Him. People tell others about Jesus because they love them enough keep them out of harms' way. Nobody would be upset if you told someone a truck was about to hit them in the street. It's similar. Jesus does bring peace to lives without it.
To the Christians on this post, please be kind and loving to a lost world. We can't expect non-Christians to act like Christians. But we should expect Christians to act like Christians.
To everyone: Please do not comment on religious doctrine unless you have read said scripture, whatever the religion may be.
This news article is getting so annoying. What Christians call the rapture, is actually called The Great Catching Away, and the Great Catching Away is supposed to happen on a day, where no man, nor woman, nor the angels, nor the Son of God, will know what that day and that hour will be. Also, The Great Catching Away is NOT Judgement day. Judgement day is supposed to exist out of time, and is when all creatures stand before the Creator to be judged on their works both good and evil.
...so, not even the son of god knows can only mean that nobody knows, ergo it doesnt exist!
RodSitor, you said: "...so, not even the son of god knows can only mean that nobody knows, ergo it doesnt exist!"
What an awesome logic! wow! I mean WOW! Your teacher could never be wrong when she awarded you as the most industrious in your 2nd grade.
How's the 3rd grade, going well?
http://www.sanguesegrati.com
Follow the exploits of a pedophile priest who abused the son of a mafioso. Great read!
I am in total agreement with David Silverman. The vast majority of Atheists and Agnostics I've met are some of the most kind, generous and tolerant people I've known. I wish I could say the same for those who wrap themselves in a religious blanket while treating their fellow man without compassion or tolerance. I think a quote I saw recently kind of sums it up;
You can safely assume that you've created God in your own image when it
turns out that God hates all the same people you do.
Anne Lamott
Well said!
@Anne Thnak you its nice to read something smart in the morning.
82% of americans are christian. these doomsday idiots give the rest of us a bad name. athiests broad brush us as all fearmongers, or trying to spread the word of jesus to every one. athiests seem to be hate mongers, being a dick to any one who doesnt think the same way as you
sorry by you i meant themselves
Well, I am an atheist. I am not a dick to anyone. I do resent the accusation that all atheists are mean and rude. I have many friends who are christians or wiccan and I have no problem with their beliefs. I would like to share an experience I have had though. We accepts checks where I work, for services. If the check bounces, or if the person owes us money for whatever service, if you call them, and their answering machine (or the person themselves) ends the conversation with "Have a blessed day", we are not going to ever get the money. I am not kidding. We have never managed to collect from anyone who says that, except by filing charges. They never pay voluntarily. Plus, I have never knocked on anyone's door to annoy them by trying to convince them my beliefs are the absolute truth. That would be a hallmark of your belief as well as the JWs.
In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with Christians or Atheists. It is the extremists within each group that are giving their beliefs a bad rep. The same goes for Muslims and every other religion/belief out there.
Chip..Thank you for a short but full of content post. VERY WELL SAID!
If there IS a god, I highly doubt he'd let us know in advance when he plans to visit.... Personally, I think religion is for people who are too simple minded to think for themselves.
Wow......Personally, I think the second part of your comment is the single most "simple-minded" statement EVER. In fact, I think you should be inducted into the Guiness Book of World Records for that one. Let me go call them and see what I can do! 😉