Only A Theory

You will hear the proponents of Creationism belittle evolution as being "only a theory." They are quick to belittle scientific knowledge and contend that evolution cannot be proven and is speculation at best. Now the irony is that their beliefs are upheld by absolutely no evidence whatsoever, and by very definition require complete dedication and "faith" in what equates to nonsense, but its the smugness that gets to me.

Of course evolution is only a theory. Everything we know about anything at all is only a theory. Scientists humbly and readily admit that what can be "proven" can always be disproven by new information and knowledge gained from further discovery and study. Science encourages others to disprove what it is science postulates. It is complete open-mindedness and an excercise in debate and discourse. The polar opposite can be said about religion. The religious arrogantly dictate to others what the truth is and hold fast to their beliefs no matter what evidence or lack thereof is produced. The chant the Nycene Creed every Sunday in church, which is full of nonsense and ridiculous claims. They will however defend these beliefs to the bitter end, ignoring any rational debate on the subject or any scrutiny by rational thinking non-believers. One could make the case that religion is the complete abscence of the scientific method.

If the Bible is indeed the words of an all-knowing and all-powerful god then it seems remarkably devoid of any concepts more advanced than the primitive men of the time could comprehend. Why no mention of antibiotics or electricity? Why no insights into the realm of physics or chemistry? I mean this book is the work of the smartest entity of all time, right? What we instead have are made-up examples of acts that defy the know science of the time such as walking on water and changing water into wine and virgin births, which by the way seemed to be a requirement of any and every polarizing figure. Born of virgins also were Buddha, mercury and a host of other "gods," as well as Ghengis Khan. Apparently this was a prerequisite in order to be "somebody." It would be no different for Jesus, who wasn't a god and admitted so but was converted to one anyway by the Christian church. Just a single mention in the Bible of an automobile and I would be much more inclined to believe all of the hocus pocus. Now they tried to indoctrinate me at birth and forced me to serve the church, putting me in harms way (see pedophile priests). Fortunately for me I discovered reason and logic and escaped the bonds of servitude.

Now I do not contend that church-going people are bad, rather they are just delusional. They pray to an invisible man in the sky and ask for a whole host of things. They insist god has cured someone's cancer, yet why are the prayers of any and every amputee for the return of a limb never answered, ever? How do they account for this discrepancy? There are examples in the Bible of god appearing to people all throughout history. In Mark's gospel he writes that when more than two people join together in prayer then the lord shall answer them. If they pray for god to appear why is it that he never does? The Bible says this prayer will be answered. It is utter nonsense and the archaic beliefs of primitive desert tribes. The fourth commandment says that anyone who labors on the sabbath shall be put to death. That is what it says. Should I go into the market on a Sunday morning and kill the cashier for working on the lord's day? This is ridiculous. You will notice modern versions of the Bible conveniently leave the part about killing the infidels out, as if the "word of God" can be edited to suit our needs. If it is the word of god then it must be followed to the letter rather than being manipulated to not appear absolutely insane.

There is no doubt that the religious have done plenty of good deeds to improve the human condition. This is fact. Many also derive utility from attending mass and enjoying the social element of their group. This is their right. I must draw the line however when they insist on forcing their beliefs on my children in school, when they use their influence to impose laws on me that impinge my freedoms and right to pursue happiness as I so choose, and in any other situations where religion is forced upon society. This includes forcing "In God We Trust" onto our money, insisting "under God" remain in the pledge of allegiance when it was only added during the Cold War, demanding abortion be totally illegal, denying birth control accesibility to those who need it most, and any and every other instance. They want their religion publicly recognized above all others, while even denouncing the religion of others as untrue. When the religious begin quoting the founding fathers to justify their claims make sure to remind them that not all of the founders were religious and that they were secularists above all else. This nation isn't a "Christian nation" such as there are "Islamic nations." It is a free nation first and foremost, with liberty and justice for all.