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From ancient Greece to modern America, from short essays to long arguments, from individual lives to history and philosophy, in words reasoned quietly or
shouted loudly,
The Atheist God Would Read (or watch or listen) . . . offers a wide range of books for rational people in an often irrational world.
New titles added weekly. Plus DVDs, MP3s and more.
Added February 2010: Fiction: an eclectic selection of
novels and short stories from an atheist perspective. Come browse.
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Many believers turn to God because they want life to have meaning.
"What is the meaning of life?" "Life must have a meaning." "God makes life meaningful." "God is the meaning of life." And so on.
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"Meaning" in this context is "purpose" or "intention". The
phrase "the meaning of life" suggests both that life has a purpose
and that something conscious - God, ourselves or something else -
created that purpose.
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For many believers, faith is founded on the premise that life must have meaning and that meaning is defined or offered by God. Life without meaning is inconceivable; therefore God must exist. (For Buddhists, there's a twist; meaning does not come from God but from the cycle of reincarnation.)
There's your proof! There is a God! Hallelujah! Break out the champagne or whatever God permits you to drink!
Hold it, folks, put that bottle away. There's a huge hole in your reasoning - in fact there are two.
Firstly, the fact that you want life to have meaning does not guarantee that meaning exists. It's an expression of desire, not evidence of fact.
Secondly, even if life does have meaning, how can you be certain that the meaning you find is the correct one? You may think that it is the Christian God who gives it meaning, but you could be wrong. It could be Allah or Shiva or Odin or some alien god that we do not yet know about...
In other words, the argument that "life must have meaning and God is that meaning" is illogical and - forgive the pun - meaningless. All that statement really says is: "I want life to have meaning and I have decided that the deity I choose gives life meaning."
The claim that God provides the meaning of life may satisfy the emotional needs of millions of believers, but in reality it tells us nothing about the existence of God or the nature of the world we live in.
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The deep roots of belief
Despite reason and evidence indicating that God does not and
cannot exist, billions of people across the world continue to
worship him in one of his many forms.
Belief in God draws its strength from a wide range of sources
and provides a sense of security and wellbeing for many.
Transforming that belief into an understanding and respect for
rationality takes time and much effort.
4.1: The origins of religion
Where did faith come from?
4.2: In the genes?
Are we programmed to believe?
4.3: Community and identity
Defining ourselves through faith
4.4: Peer pressure
Faith as fashion
4.5: Death and despair
There must be a better world
4.6: A sense of justice
Evildoers must be punished
4.7: God and meaning
Religion gives us a purpose
4.8: The power and the glory
They reflect on us too
4.9: Against the tide
Converts and natural-born rebels
4.10: Nature calling
A glimpse of God?
4.11: Pick 'n' mix
What are your reasons?
4.12: Summary
Finished this chapter? Move on to
Chapter 5
Faith in action
People create God in their own image.
What happens when they not only believe in God but put their
faith into action?
The results are predictable: good people do good things in the
name of religion and bad people do bad things. They act in
God's name but God is irrelevant.
Not sure what you're looking for?
If there's a word that you don't recognize, it might be defined
here.
If there's a topic you're looking for, check the search boxes at
the top and bottom of this page.
If there's something you want to ask, send an
e-mail.
We can't guarantee an answer, but we'll do our best.
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Next:
Chapter Four: Section 8
The power and glory
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If God existed, he would...
admire the beauty of a universe that he did not create
recognize that eternity is meaningless
deny both heaven and hell
disown all men and women who speak in his name
denounce the harm caused by religious "morality"
help the human race to thrive without him
If God existed, he would be an atheist.
What is the difference between science and faith?
science is certain of nothing and requires proof of everything
faith is certain of everything and requires proof of nothing
Which do you trust?
"I know there is no God"
or
"I believe there is no God"
???
Check the answer
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