Perspectives

A reader recently commented on me by observing, “Oh, Jepson, he’s an atheist, but I like him anyway.” I took “like him” to mean that she agreed, more times than not, with my overall worldview; that in spite of my disbelief in a personal God, I still appeared/seemed a moral person.

Religion, per se, intrigues me, primarily at a historical level. I read books, for example, on the Catholic papacy, not for the arcane disputes over dogma and/or ritual (although interesting and humorous) but to learn more on the longest running, most successful corporate bureaucracy in history. If one were looking for consistent moral authority, Rome would not be one’s destination, anymore than Salt Lake City is a repository of latter day righteousness.

That makes me laugh out loud, that religion or more specifically, that a belief in a Muslim or Mormon or Mennonite God somehow imbues you with “the” correct morality. Arguably, and the case is strong, religious dogma (doctrine) achieves just the opposite effect.

Take, as one example, the recent political advertisement of Rick Perry, Republican presidential aspirant. In it he clearly affirms his Christianity and that it is OK to discriminate against gays (in the military) and that, if elected, he’ll restore Christmas and Christianity to the public square. Perry is a comical caricature of religious ignorance/intolerance. He articulates a religious doctrine that says it is OK to marginalize human beings because they are different from you. Why? ‘Cuz the Bible says it’s so.

And that, gentle reader, is the problem with religion. It too often requires its adherents to think neither critically or creatively, or to not think in a rational or enlightened manner. Not only that, but it frequently encourages just the opposite. See much of the Republican Party platform for examples. Religious doctrine fosters static cultures. Contrary to evangelical thinking, a genuinely unfortunate development for America would be the full-throated embrace of Christianity; that the United States would in perpetuity operate under biblical law with conformity of the population to canonical principles both expected and required. See the 17th century Puritan colony of Massachusetts. See the witch trials.

Why is much of the Islamic world seemingly trapped in the 12th century? Because religion has created monolithic, static cultures; because dogma, doctrine and conformity trump creativity and originality.

Where does morality originate? What makes an individual operate in a moral manner? How is “religion” a factor in moral behavior? To the degree that religious dogma and a belief in a personal god are factors, well, possibly any connections are merely incidental and/or coincidental. But that is grist for another column.

Is belief in a personal god required when organizing a nation, at any level? Politically, morally or otherwise, no. The answer is no. Japan is a highly successful, moral nation. It venerates ancestors as opposed to a god. If one were to dispassionately evaluate the success of Japan, from the perspective of history, you’d have to say Japan has succeeded — without any belief in a personal god that is actively involved in the lives of the Japanese.

Some Christians assume that atheists operate without a moral compass or, worse, they are immoral. In reality the many atheists I know joyfully construct their “moral” worldview without needlessly embracing superstition or antiquated dogma.

You know what? Who cares what you or I practice (believe). We live in America. Home of the free! Let’s all live that way. Merry Christmas. Indeed.