God is not the problem

I found this article by Rabbi Gellman interesting.

He wonders why atheists are threatened / angry about god – but doesn’t really explain what he means by it all.

Technically, I’m not an atheist. I’m a lapsed Catholic Agnostic. Meaning, I try to keep an open mind in regards to the existence of God, but I don’t personally find much use from religion.

But, let me attempt to answer the Rabbi’s question.

We’re not threatened by the idea of god, or the existence of religion. We are, however, weary of being forced to live under religious dogma that we don’t subscribe to. Many strongly religious groups, especially Evangelicals, are not content to worship / live their lives as they see fit. They feel obligated to force me to follow the same moral code.

I recognize that religion can have a powerfully good effect on both society and individuals. However, history has also shown us that when religion becomes less about personal choice, and more about imposing beliefs, much that is evil is done in the name of god.

When you look at groups like the FRC or the AFA, you find people who are willing to twist, strain, and beat religious doctrine into a weapon which is used against people who don’t hold the same belief. These people view my choice to live myself outside their religious beliefs an assault on their religious beliefs. My desire to live my life as a gay man, free from discrimination and enjoying the same rights as other couples, is under direct assault by those who claim God is on their side (and that he sends hurricanes and terrorist attacks after this country because of me).

Our fear of the 10 commandments is not an actual fear if the commandments, but rather what we recognize as one step in trying to reorganize our country under a theistic rule, a future that doesn’t seem all that implausible given the current political environment.

So, in terms of clarification for the Rabbi, we’re not angry / afraid of God. It’s the people who act in his name that makes us nervous.