Reaching For Something
More Than Negatives
Jim Hart
From: Jim Hart
To: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Subject: Positive_Atheism_Letters_Section
Date: Friday, February 04, 2000 8:25 AM
To the Editor:
I went through my athiest phase when I was 20 and was subscribed to an athiest publication whose main thing was to laugh in a diseased way at news items of this general type: "Church collapses on congregation during worship." Since I was seeking a belief that was not based on negatives I gave up on atheism -- became a Quaker.
I like your site. It seems to be reaching for something more than negatives. It is certainly more relevant than to me than the Summa Theologica.
It has occured to me that God is not bound by our ideas about Him. He can do whatever He wants. This is no mystery. You either believe it or you don't.
When I joined the Roman Catholic Church six years ago all the new members were greeted individually by the Cardinal -- each of us had about three seconds with him as we shook hands and he said something to each of us. To me he said, "Stay well". And that's what I try to do.
Atheism is more credible coming in the form of love and concern for others. Inasmuchas your work aligns with this you "bless" the world with no God.
Jim Hart
From: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
To: Jim HArt
Subject: Re: Positive_Atheism_Letters_Section
Date: Friday, February 04, 2000 3:11 PM
Thank you for your kind letter.
In our Apocalypso section we feature articles along the lines of "Church collapses on worshiping congregation" in order to ask, "Where was God?" The articles about religious criminals makes the point that religion is not necessarily efficacious toward producing moral people. Along side this, in various articles, we try to make the case that "Where is God" is a valid question, and to point out that everybody -- including all theists -- decide which moral principles they will practice (some deciding to rigorously follow religious precepts, but the rest of us picking and choosing from various sources and learning some things the hard way).
To say that "God is not bound by our ideas about Him" is to presuppose the existence of God. We, as atheists, are not ready to go that far. Any claims for God's existence are just that -- claims. I have yet to hear a claim that holds water, and many don't even make sense; thus, I have no business believing those claims. Until Charles Darwin published "Origin of Species" in 1859, atheism was not intellectually tenable: the Argument from Design was just too strong. Since then, it has become valid to doubt the god-claims unless and until a convincing one comes along.
Our concern is primarily the dignity and welfare of atheists. As a Quaker, I'm sure you have studied the history of the American Colonies' persecution of your predecessors. While Quakers have since gained general acceptance (or, at minimum, tolerance), we atheists actually have it worse off than homosexuals. More Americans think it's moral to discriminate against atheists in the job market than think it's moral to discriminate against homosexuals. In some countries, announcing one's atheism carries the death penalty.
Cliff Walker
"Positive Atheism" Magazine
From: Jim Hart
To: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org>
Subject: Re: Positive_Atheism_Letters_Section
Date: Friday, February 04, 2000 4:47 PM
Dear Cliff Walker,
Thank you for such a thoughful response. Jacob Bronowski (The Ascent of Man Series on TV and books such as The Identity of Man) is one of my saints -- a scientist who was a Jew and believed that the concept of God is irrelevant to man's purpose. His approach to life was that of one who sought the truth. He said that "man's purpose is to become more characteristically himself". I like that. Here is a de facto atheist who challenges me.
Briefly, atheists "of the quality" draw the best believers toward them. You do yourself credit by keeping up a dialogue at the highest level.
I try to erase God from my life from time to time. For me it is like making a hole in water -- belief returns rapidly.
Your site is saved as a favorite. Thanks for those quotes.
Jim Hart
From: "Positive Atheism" <editor@positiveatheism.org> To: Jim Hart
Subject: Re: Positive_Atheism_Letters_Section
Date: Friday, February 04, 2000 7:19 PM
I try to keep a high level dialogue with those theists who will discuss the matter. Unfortunately, almost all of the theists who think they have something to say to an atheist (that is, those who write to Positive Atheism) do not engage in what I would call dialogue at all. As Ingersoll wrote, "The pew cannot reply to the pulpit." I think he was speaking as much to the pew's inability to question as he was about the pulpit's unwillingness to discuss.
We do have a seminarian on our formal list of advisors, and will shortly open it up for volunteers to be on the official list of advisors. We want both theists and atheists, even though our target audience consists primarily of atheists. Let me know if you wish to be contacted when we open this door; it will mean being asked to review proposed editorials or comment on decisions, and will be an advisory capacity only (no decision making). I just need feedback, and sometimes don't know who to ask.
Cliff Walker
"Positive Atheism" Magazine
Material by Cliff Walker (including unsigned editorial commentary) is copyright ©1995-2006 by Cliff Walker. Each submission is copyrighted by its writer, who retains control of the work except that by submitting it to Positive Atheism, permission has been granted to use the material or an edited version: (1) on the Positive Atheism web site; (2) in Positive Atheism Magazine; (3) in subsequent works controlled by Cliff Walker or Positive Atheism Magazine (including published or posted compilations). Excerpts not exceeding 500 words are allowed provided the proper copyright notice is affixed. Other use requires permission; Positive Atheism will work to protect the rights of all who submit their writings to us.