Received 1.5.2001

First I'd like to say that this is a wonderful page.  I especially liked the line of discussion involving the other English speaking nations and their stances on atheism!

I wanted to mention my experience with religion when moving from the north (Chicago) to the south (St. Louis). While only a 5 hour drive, the two places are a world apart. I grew up in Chicago, and I never had a religious opinion one way or the other.. "does god exist? ... 
sure why not? ... which religion is right? ... maybe none, maybe all, what do I care?" In Chicago, most people I know are indifferent to religion, or they are "casual christians" simply because they are not forced to choose sides. In a way, I'm more active as an atheist now that I live in the south, since I have to beat off scripture with a pointed stick all week.  But it's a blessing in disguise (ironic word use intended) as now I am more involved with life itself instead of just floating through it with my head in the clouds.

There is a downside though, besides the social aspects. I never realized how deeply superstition rules our lives... I feel foolish proclaiming to be a rational thinker, and then knocking on wood out of habit. Every day on TV and the newspapers I see horoscopes, ads for tarot card readings and whatnot.  I find myself putting my "bologna detection kit" to
work more and more (to reference Carl Sagan's Demon Haunted World) Just thought I'd share a few concerns with a kindred. Maybe you'll even post this in your opinions section ... knock on wood.

--Jimbo--

In my opinion, there is no such thing as a casual christian, only a lazy atheist.

Keep up the good work CA!

My Reply:

It is interesting that extreme views on either side of the religion issue rally the opposition, keeping things fairly balanced (at least in the short term.) Efforts to convert people to Christianity, while increasing Christian ranks also increase atheist ranks (the case with you perhaps.) My frustration with Christian propaganda led me to create this web site.

You are right about the ubiquitousness of superstition. Who doesn't feel compelled to say "bless you" after someone sneezes? Some things, however, have just become ingrained in our culture as habits and have lost their meaning. I doubt you would find anyone who believes that knocking on wood holds any real power. Some religious practices sound a lot like common superstitions. The lines can get fuzzy.

Is it bad luck to eat meat on Friday's during lent and a sin to walk under ladders or the other way around?

If I am afraid of the number 666 should I also be afraid of 667? They are pretty close together. What about 333? Or how about 679, that is 13 + 666, a double curse.

Who can best help me make decisions about my stock portfolio: God, an astrologer, or my pay-by-the-minute telephone psychic?  Travelers have St. Christopher, perhaps there needs to be a patron saint of profitability.

Magic spells supposedly invoke spirits to perform duties for people. How is prayer any different? Is God just the Christian cosmic errand boy? What kind of plan can God have for humanity if anyone with enough mental capacity to memorize the Our Father has the power to change it?

If angels are ethereal beings what do they have wings for?  Do they really flap them in order to fly? Ghosts can fly without wings, how is that fair?

Well I'm having fun, but you get the idea.

Thanks for your great note or for visiting my site.