McGill TribuneAround 80 people were shot to death during a political gathering at a summer camp in Norway in 2011. Many have claimed this crime was fueled by religions and that it is exemplary of its faults. There have been mass suicides in the United States led by religious cults, and religion is generally seen as inconsistent with many liberal values. It’s repeatedly blamed for its role in terror, death, inequality and discrimination.
But these ideas are essentially so fictitious that they should be forgotten. Such a harsh picture of religion, besides focusing solely on people’s skewed negative perceptions, fails to separate religion and the extenuating circumstances that could lead someone to be prejudiced, abusive, or even a murderer.
It is too easy to blame religion as a whole for all the awful things that happen. We form a picture of it using these extreme acts since that is what we are exposed to the most. Terrorist groups and polygamous colonies that find support through religious texts clearly do not fit the religion prototype. People who are deluded and want to abuse, hurt, and destroy will find a way to do it. Religion should not be blamed for igniting these awful ideas. The exploitation of religion for manipulative purposes and doing evil is the result of the person and not religion itself. Evil precedes religion and, sadly, cruelty exists everywhere and has for all of time.
Atheism is an assertive view, and it includes an incompatibility of religion with all facets of life. For some, religion has many faults and is the root of numerous misguided actions. It brainwashes people and leaves them mindlessly tumbling around through space with no sense of reality. However, this fails to take into consideration all religion has accomplished throughout history. If we can get beyond the seeming foolishness of religion, it becomes apparent that it is a beautiful thing. Throughout history religion has driven society and provided people with a purpose in life. If someone wants to believe that a loved one who passed away is in heaven and they will see them again, then so be it. As long as religion remains in its own sphere and does not obstruct the practises of science, or the freedom of expression and thought we so dearly value, then its existence is justified.
Besides, when atheists stand in opposition to religion, they cannot clearly see that their hate is just as negative as the exclusivity and disapproval they feel religion thrusts at them. Equality does not necessitate that everyone have the same ideals and values, but rather that each person’s opinions do not impose themselves in a harmful fashion on another’s.
I am unquestionably an atheist, and I believe that it is incredibly important to establish a certain respect for religion. I do not believe that religion should be involved in education or governmental affairs, but rather it is something that can help the mind grow. Even if we completely rid ourselves of religion, conflict will still exist due to the natural instincts of human beings. Moreover, without religion, many people would live significantly less fulfilled lives. I am not implying that a fulfilled life necessitates religious practice; instead, I wish to convey that religion and atheism can co-exist if there is a mutual respect and they are each seen as valuable in themselves. Even if it is impossible for the whole world to happily agree to be different, I would hope that all of us at McGill could strive for some sense of compatibility and equality.
