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I catch a lot of heat for questioning the Natheist world view. Ironically, that happens to be one of the reasons I don’t trust Natheists. You see, it was my understanding that their claim to fame was in their ability to think logically, embrace independent thought, as well as their desire to build a society tolerant of differing views. Now, some of you may be surprised to learn that I’m no fan of the Religious Far Right; in fact, some of their behavior is downright scary, but why on earth would I wish to embrace another ideology which is just as, if not more, intolerant? Just as I have the right to hold Christians accountable for their actions based on their own expressed value system, so do I also have the right to hold Natheists accountable for their stated positions.
Natheists decry the fact that poll after poll shows that natheists are considered suspect by much of the general public, and yet they do very little to address that perception. Much like a number of other groups that come to mind, they prefer to play the victim rather than examining why this perception exists in the first place. It is this inability to realistically assess themselves which, to me, shows just how right their many critics are.
Recently I was asked to replace my contention that “natheists are valueless” with the more accurate, from my discussion partner’s point of view, phrase, “natheism is valueless”, to which I agreed in order to make my larger point. My larger point being, according to many natheists, that natheism itself claims no particular value system. I would actually disagree, but, assuming this to be true, then is it any wonder that others question the value system of any particular natheist? On the other hand, if this isn’t true, then the only value system I see is a negative value system which includes the very intolerance they claim to oppose.
Natheists seem to have this victim complex evidenced by their constant whining about how poorly they are treated and how severely they are discriminated against. Their poor fragile psyches seem unable to withstand any world view that might challenge their own. Is it really true that, like vampires, exposure to the sign of the cross, Christmas decorations, and the like, cause them severe physical distress and might even cause their bodies to disintegrate before our very eyes? Natheists are in the minority and thus, it would seem to me, a certain tolerance for the practices of the majority is in order. What real harm is there in a natheist not only tolerating, but embracing, a value system that, in sum, is more tolerant than theirs? If, just for the sake of an argument, such a cosmic shift in attitudes were to occur, it would seem to me that the efforts of the Founding Fathers to provide a society where like-minded people, regardless of professed faith, could live together in peace would be that much closer to being realized.
So, yes, I take a lot of heat for pointing out the many flaws I see present in the world view of a natheist, but I would suggest the fault lies with them. When they exhibit an ability to adhere to their own value system, when they exhibit an ability to tolerate those who disagree with them, when they can clearly articulate a positive alternative to the present system, and when they begin to cast out those who would twist the truth to make a point, maybe, just maybe, they will have earned the right to criticize the value systems of others.
