Received 6.13.2000

Thank God for you! (.....heh)

Anyway, I am a 16 year old teen who has been going to a private christian school after I had some "problems" in the dark evil public school. I've been going there for 2 years, 3rd year is coming up and the first year, I was into every single word the pastor would say and it would affect me so deeply. I would pray and feel so bad about myself because I was ashamed to sing outloud during chapel. I would always try to be "good". Than I noticed that none of my prayers were being answered. And I also noticed that sometimes the thing's the pastor said were VERY stupid. I also noticed that almost every single person (if not all) were telling me stories of them being confused and on drugs and shit before they got converted. So I decided to look into this myself, and after reading many books and studying the Bible I became an atheist. The only atheist at that school, there's lots of christians that try to prove me wrong and most of the time I say, "Do you actually know anything about Evolution or the Theory of Evolution? Besides what you hear in your christian books, have you ever looked into it?" And of course they say No and it's settled. Anyway, your new article about how man is not the center of all creation is a very awesome point and I love your site. Just wanted to say that, if it wasnt for books and websites like yours I would probably be the pastor's robot like all the kids at my school.

My Reply:

Thank you for your kind comments.

You mention that many of the students you attend school with used to do drugs before finding Jesus. This seems to be a common phenomenon. People who are prone to addiction are looking for something they don't find in everyday, unmedicated life. The consequences of addiction to drugs or alcohol will eventually wear people down until they hit bottom. It is at this point of desperation, when an addict realizes that he or she needs to make a change, that a lot of them discover Jesus-- a new addiction to fill the void. Christianity, however, is a socially acceptable addiction they can feel good about. It is no coincidence that one of the steps of 12 step programs for people combating addiction is "believe in a higher power."

Nothing supernatural is going on here. Christianity can be a comforting regression to a child's perspective. Christians learn that a parental figure (God) loves them and wants them to be good. God rewards them and punishes them just as a parent would (but infinitely more severe). One of the three major aspects of a person's psyche that Freud describes is the super-ego. This is the drive to win parental approval that always stays with us. It is the longing for a "good boy" from figures of authority. I think Christianity fills this innate need. On a more basic level, the belief in a personal savior (it doesn't necessarily have to be Jesus), can give man reassurance in times when he doesn't believe in himself. This does not, however, mean that a personal savior exists.

Perhaps there should be a Christian group called, "Junkies for Jesus." Their slogan could be, "Jesus. He's safer than crack, but just as addictive."

Well, I've gone off on quite a tangent here. If you haven't read it already, take a look at another essay I wrote that covers some overlapping area. It is called God and Freewill: the original odd couple.

Thank you for your letter, and good luck in school. In a way, you have a rare opportunity. You represent to your many Christian peers their image and understanding of an atheist. You may be the only atheist they know. I'd encourage you to take that role seriously. A polite, non-confrontational dialogue may help break down their atheist stereotypes. Be well informed, methodical and listen. Let them know you understand what they are saying before you tell them why you disagree. People know when they are being listened to and will be more likely to reciprocate.

Or... just send them to The Closet Atheist and let them read on their own. Take care. Thanks again.

C.A.