When we use the word 'Atheism' we should clearly understand
its basic meaning. It is a reaction to the word 'theism',
which the Oxford English Reference Dictionary defines as:
belief in the existence of gods, or a god,
specifically; belief in a God who is supernaturally revealed
to humankind, who created and intervenes in the universe, and
who sustains a personal relation to living creatures.
Most dictionaries define 'atheism' as disbelief in the
existence of God or gods. The above-mentioned
dictionary defines 'atheism' as: a theory or belief
that God does not exist - from the Greek 'atheos' = without
God.
The word 'god' came into the English language from the
Norsemen who invaded England, hence four of our days of the
week bear the names of the Norse gods.
To use the word 'god' as a generic term is acceptable but
spelling the word with an upper case 'G' for the name of the
Hebrew god, Yahweh, is unacceptable.
It is obvious that these definitions were the work of
Christians in a predominantly Christian culture and imply
that 'atheism' is the disbelief in the belief of the
Christian god and his functions.
A few years ago a member of the Committee of the Atheist
Foundation of Australia proposed a new definition of
'atheism' that removes any hint of negativity and puts the
onus of justification right back where it should be - that
is, on Christians. His definition is 'Atheism' is the
acceptance that there is no credible, scientific or factually
reliable evidence for the existence of a God, god/s or the
supernatural'. This was accepted as our official definition,
though personally I would prefer the removal of the word
'credible' because of its association with 'faith' and
'belief'. It could well be replaced by 'logical'.
Remember that 'belief' is an admission of ignorance. When
something is known it is no longer a matter of 'belief'.
The admission of ignorance by homo sapiens has been the
crucial factor in the advance of humanity. This is where
religion has stalled. One person has had an idea and it has
been taken as an absolute truth. It has been placed beyond
critical investigation.
In the realm of science every idea is subjected to intense
scrutiny, then modified, rejected or provisionally accepted.
'Belief' is at the core of the striving of humanity to
achieve anything significant. The trouble arises when
'beliefs' have an adverse effect on a person, society or the
environment. It is then that society has the right and duty
to subject a 'belief' to investigation, modification,
restriction or rejection.
Society has rejected slavery and is presently struggling to
grant women equality with men and equality on other issues.
Atheists cannot prove that no gods exist. We can only join
with the Christians who readily agree that the ten thousand
gods that human imagination has brought forth do not exist.
Atheists go one step further by declaring that the semitic
Yahweh should be on the list also.
Having been brought up as a Christian, I know that
Christianity is based on the 'fall of man' through the eating
of the forbidden fruit by Adam and Eve in 4004 BCE. This
necessitated the horrific death of Jesus to make atonement so
that human 'souls' may continue forever in Heaven and not in
the torment of Hell.
When Charles Darwin conceived his theory of evolution,
underpinned by his investigations, it was rejected by
Christians because it proved that the notion of Adam and Eve
was false. There was no point in time when humans received an
immortal 'soul', or 'fell from grace'.
When geneticists discovered the secrets of human reproduction
it became obvious that there was no moment in the
fertilisation process for the introduction of an immortal,
supernatural element. The case of multiple identical births
proves this point.
When scientists recognised the fact that practically every
cell in a human body has the potential to be the source and
matrix of a clone, it renders obsolete the concept of a human
'soul'. Humans lose thousands of these dead cells every day.
No one suggests that these cells contain dead 'souls'. I
expect that no one can prove that supernatural entities do
not exist but we know that humans do not have 'souls'.
Without the concept of 'souls' all the major religions
collapse.
Because religions are promising eternal bliss, threatening
everlasting punishment and are unable to substantiate their
claims, they come into the category of scams and should be
regarded as such by the legal authorities.
Religion is a matter of culture, for Jews beget Jews, Muslims
beget Muslims, Hindus beget Hindus and Christians beget
Christians.
Religions exist only because infants receive indoctrination
by their parents or guardians, reinforced by the local
culture. This brainwashing occurs generation after generation
because no one pauses to think and assess what is being
passed on. Children are legally protected from sexual abuse
but not from the more serious crime of mental abuse. This
should not be tolerated.
Every cultural practice should be appraised for its validity
and value to society. Head-hunting, human sacrifice, slavery
and cannibalism are some cultural practices that are no
longer considered acceptable in society today. Three of these
practices are condoned in the Bible.
However, religion is still seen as good for society and, in
Australia, it forms a part of the education of children in
our government school system. It is time that the punishment
and reward system - the 'stick and carrot' idea - should be
replaced. It can have some success but is far from ideal in
securing a society that is based on the highest moral
principles.
We are well aware that religion does not ensure ethical
behaviour as the dictators and the church hierarchy have
shown. Of course atheism does not, of itself, guarantee
behaviour acceptable to society. Atheism is based on reason
and that is the vital factor. When a person accepts that this
is the only life they will ever have, and they realise that
the society in which their life is to be spent could be
better, they conclude that they must pull their weight to
make that society the best possible.
The State of Western Australia was recently inviting comments
on a Bill to outlaw Vilification of Race and Religion. Race
has no association with religion. Race should be coupled with
sex because they are both genetically based, determined and
fixed at fertilisation. Vilification cannot be justified in
such categories.
Religion being based on culture must be subjected to rigorous
scrutiny in the same way that we assess slavery or child
exploitation, which still exist today.
Here we move on to the other theme of this Conference -
Social Progress. That implies the examination of the many
facets of social life and deciding what improvements, if any,
should be made or attempted.
The range of social activity is virtually endless but the
desire or the ability is restricted by the competence,
persistence and time available to each person. Every person
is unique but all carry the traits of our evolution. Do we
allow evolution and culture to triumph or do we strive for
improvement?
Many social problems are universal and probably those
mentioned will be problems in most other countries. A few may
be solved by a single person but most will require a focused
and dedicated group. All will take time and effort.
One problem that comes to mind is the fall in the value of
our currency. In my youth a loaf of bread was delivered to
the door at the equivalent of eight cents (Australian) but
now the cost in the supermarkets is around $3. Food is vital.
What will be the cost of food in a hundred or a thousand
years? At one time money was simply used in the exchange of
goods but now it is a commodity in itself and that presents
problems.
Australia may claim to be a democracy but democracy has its
weaknesses, for the majority may be indoctrinated by flawed
dogma under which a minority suffers. Even our judicial
system has flaws. When the abundance (or lack) of finance can
determine the outcome of a court case or an election, or a
citizen can be imprisoned for three years without being
charged with any offence, then justice has failed.
Neither we in Australia, nor on the planet at large, can
continue to exploit any limited basic resource, no matter how
great, without the realisation that that resource will
eventually run out.
Greed, or the desire to acquire an exorbitant share of the
good things available, is still a trait that must be
curtailed. Equality of treatment is an ideal that is shown
more often in the breach than in its realisation. It may well
be the source of poverty, of the denuding of our forests and
the rise of cartels.
As atheists we recognise how much we owe our present state of
well-being to scientists. Nevertheless, to expend an
inordinate amount of finance on the feasibility of colonising
another planet surely is wrong when so much suffering on
earth cries out for immediate attention.
In South Australia we have a problem with our Education
Department, which grants Chaplains access to our state school
children. These Chaplains must believe in the incredible
dogmas of the Nicene Creed. It reflects badly on the mental
competence of some of our public servants and the population
generally that religion is still included on the curriculum.
Of course, we realise that our children must have knowledge
and appreciation of the acceptable codes and laws of society
but they must also realise that every law is human-made.
Unjust laws are unacceptable. The AFA is working on this
problem which may be widespread elsewhere.
The present population explosion creates and highlights
another problem for our planet, which is made far worse by
religious prerogatives that deny effective sex education and
contraception. Surely it is obvious that there is a limit to
the number of people which this planet can sustain in
reasonable comfort. The present divide of rich and poor is
disgusting and intolerable.
It is far easier to point out problems than to suggest the
alternatives or the way to fix problems.
I realise that, generally, I have simply noted some problems,
yet this is surely the first stage in Social Progress. One
can only hope that other speakers will fill this gap and
propose solutions.
Finally, it is my hope for the future that atheists, mindful
of the fact that they have only a short period of life here
and now, will act worthily.
In the words of Thomas Paine: We live to
improve or we live in vain.