Why Atheism?

I got this e-mail today.

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Wag,

I am in the process of reading the site devoted to former members of the LDS church: http://www.exmormon.org/

Before proceeding, I should point out I am currently attending a Presbyterian Church locally but am not a member yet. I am not attempting to convince anyone to be saved, born again or join a particular church.

I am curious, however, why a former member of the LDS church would consider themself an atheist? It seems that much of the teaching of the LDS church is based on the conventional Bible so most serious ex-members of the church are better schooled in biblical teachings than the average Protestant or Catholic in mainline Christian churches.

If you are interested in pursuing this conversation further, email me back or drop me a line.

P

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My response:

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Dear P,

I'm certainly willing to engage in a conversation about this topic as it is one which is close to my heart. Likewise, however, I have no desire to convince people to believe as I do so in the process of our conversation, I will refrain from intentionally commenting in such a fashion.

Having said that, there was a time where I believed that those who adhere to the teachings of Christianity and Mormonism and various other religions were deluded and needed to have their heads examined. I should have had my own head examined for thinking such a thing! People are free to believe as they wish and deserve no disrespect for there beliefs.

I also believe people choose their beliefs. Sometimes at a subconscious level but they choose, nonetheless. Belief is not something which can be foisted upon someone and furthermore, it is mostly unproductive to attempt to convince another to change his beliefs. The saying goes, “The man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.”

At best, people can converse about belief in such a way as to enhance the understanding they have of one another's choice of belief. By the same token, belief is highly individual and despite the desire of most religions, especially Christian sects, to have everyone believe the same things, it doesn't happen that way.

Consider a married couple. Both spouses are Presbyterian since birth and yet, when it comes to the details of their individual beliefs, there are vast differences between the two. Many of the beliefs of each stem from childhood upbringing. Again, both have chosen their beliefs at some point along the way and adhere to them because they wish to do so.

As a result of choice of belief, I observe that people have a vested interest in assuring themselves that they have made the right decision. Much like buying a car or other big ticket item. Why did a guy buy the Chevy and not the Honda? It hardly matters, really; he tells all his friends it's better and that they should choose as he did. It's an attempt, not to service the needs of his compatriots, but an effort to reassure himself that he made the "right" decision.

Choice of religion tends to follow a similar pattern. There is an added element, however. That is that many who choose a particular religion have the belief that they are now the agents of God in some fashion or other and that God supports what they do. Such a belief creates a sense of duty and to renege on that sense of duty calls for some serious reflection on whether or not they are making the right choice to do so. After all, their eternal souls are at stake!

On to Mormonism. Mormonism teaches its people some key concepts. First, they teach that Mormonism is the "most correct" religion of all. Actually, they teach that the Book of Mormon is the most correct of all books and by extension, therefore, Mormonism is the most correct of all religions. Leaving Mormonism is to choose a “second-tier” religion.

Second, Mormonism teaches its membership that it is the only religion which could possibly be true because all other religions have broken away from the original church which Jesus established. (Of course, this sets aside any discussion of Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, etc. etc.) The only exception, of course, is Catholicism (sp?) and the Book of Mormon shoots that church down in no uncertain terms as being the church of the devil. Most protestant churches, having broken away from that church are again, by extension, satanic in origin and can't possibly have any redeeming value beyond that of their antecedent. Leaving Mormonism is to choose a “false” religion.

Thirdly, there is a long list of other teachings which Mormonism uses to create a sense of uniqueness and exclusivity for their members and makes them feel that they are above all the rest. Three degrees of glory, possession of new revelation, ergo, the Book of Mormon, D&C, PoGP, etc. Teachings of redemption of the dead, a more or less unique "health code," family unity beyond the grave, priesthood authority to the lay person, etc. etc. Leaving Mormonism is to choose commonality.

Fourth, Mormonism traps many of its membership with burdensome responsibilities: Early marriage and child-rearing too early in life, extreme financial burdens, demands on time from leadership, indoctrination 24/7 from childhood on, etc. etc. Leaving Mormonism requires you to give up the martyr’s mantle.

As an example, recently, exclusivity and elitism was further enhanced by Mormonism's proclamation that only the best of the best of the best of missionary candidates would be accepted into the missionary program. Of course, this means that if you're accepted, you're pretty unique among others. They did the same thing 20 years ago when I was preparing for my own mission and when I was accepted, it was a source of pride for me. I’ve heard they did the same thing 20 years prior to that as well. Needless to say, those who are "rejected" (if, in fact, many of them really are) are saddled with a lifetime of guilt should they be unable to shake it off in later years.

That leads me to my last point about Mormonism before I answer your question directly. I should add, that my long-winded posting above is going to be added to my blog along with your question (personal information on you to be deleted, of course).

Mormonism does a wonderful job of saddling its people with the added burdens of fear and guilt. "You'll lose your testimony if you do [insert long list of sins here]" "You're worthless if you . . . ." "If you don't go on a mission, you will never succeed in life." "The 'natural man' is an enemy to God." "You could never have accomplished any good thing without God's divine help." Again, the list is long and burdensome.

A Mormon who discovers his religion is not based in truth, fact or reality has a very unsettling experience, at best, or a traumatic one at worst. Such a Mormon begins to read and research and study a great many things and searches diligently for answers to his concerns. This is a person in search of information needed to determine how best to choose his or her next set of beliefs. Generally speaking, the seeker encounters a great deal of information which, depending on chance, will either reinforce the idea that religion is bunk or will bring about a conclusion that religion is okay, it's just Mormonism which is problematic. A fork may appear in the road and a choice is ultimately made.

When I chose atheism, I did it because not only did I not receive any spiritual confirmation that Mormonism was God's church but I also had no confirmation about my inquiries about other religions. Finally, I received no confirmation that God existed. From that time on, god became a lower-case entity simply because I didn't receive any answers from his spiritual messaging system.

For an instant, I was angry at god, but moments later, realized that if god were not there, there was no reason to be angry; anger at a non-existent entity was a waste of energy. The sense of freedom was instantaneous and at that moment, I had the most spiritual experience I'd ever had in my life as the burdens of my childhood religion left me for good. No guilt or fear remained and I rose from my final prayer a changed man.

A couple of years later, I began to study other religions. Buddhism comes the closest to appealing to me but only from its philosophical implications, not because I believe it has any corner on the market of what happens to us when we die. Other religions seem to contain many of the holes of factuality that Mormonism has. Christian religions based on the Bible are not, in my personal opinion, founded in fact. There are those who believe Biblical teachings are metaphorical, not historical, and that they still have merit. Such a concept relegates those teachings to the realm of philosophy at best, though there are some atheists who will take the insulting approach and call those stories fables.

I don't believe such disrespect is necessary. It insults the serious seeker of truth who made his belief decisions in an intelligent fashion and came to his conclusions about religion with real intent. Such disrespect alienates those who still adhere to their dogmatic beliefs of childhood and who could otherwise benefit from a study and review of their belief system.

To answer your question with the greatest sincerity and integrity, I may run the risk of offending you and others who believe in Christianity. Regardless, it's honest and I'll adhere to it, regardless of future foxholes in which I may find myself!

Of course, not all are atheists for the same reasons but for many, the Bible simply does not withstand the scrutiny of close examination any more than the tomes of Mormonism. The Book of Mormon fails under the light of honest perusal and the Bible, in the opinion of many atheists, has its own share of failings. The question, of course, is this: "Is the Bible the word of a loving god? Or any god?" My study leads me to believe it is not. To date, challenges to it have gone unanswered by more than mere platitudes of belief. At least, that is to say that so far, rational discussion of it and discussion of beliefs in general have gone fruitless. Adherents to Christianity get too emotional for rationality and frankly, most atheists do too. Generally speaking, of course. They remain, therefore, ignorant of the positions of the opposite opinion. Atheists treat believers with disdain and believers look down their noses at atheists.

Not in all cases, to be sure! There are plenty of those who are honest at heart and finally realize that in the end, it doesn't matter what you believe. What matters is that you treat others in this world with the respect they deserve as human beings or as children of god, depending on your perspective.

I'm interested in your thoughts on my impromptu treatise above!

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--Wag--