Why Scorn a Non-Believer? : A Faith of Another Kind

Recently, Mayor Bloomberg, for the first time invited the group NYC Athiests to his annual Interfaith Breakfast.  Prior to that, and earlier last year, President Obama mentioned non-believers for the first time in an inaugural address.

I mean, if you really think about it, there are a lot of us!  We are a silent group of people, usually trying to avoid any scorn or derision from the religious who are, also usually, quick to condemn anyone who isn't a member of their sect or demonination, much less a non-believer.  Most of the time, non-believers aren't called out or acknowleded favorably or at all by politicians.  However, lately, as religion looks more and more like the "retarted stepchild of philosophy"--and that's from UFC fighter Frank Mir--we non-believers are becoming more and more the voice of reason! "If there is a God, atheism must seem to Him as less of an insult than religion.”--Edmond De Goncourt (here's your quote from an elitist 19th Century French writer :)

Athiests, Agnostics and Non-Believers aren't all a group of morally-maligned heathen!  We are actually a very diverse group, and, I warrant, that most of us, if studied, would probably prove to have a much more active moral center than the passive flock of believers.

Notice here that the chart acknowledges only 5% of Americans who are non-believers.  The number these days is more like 16 or 17%, but I imagine that the self-identification depicted here may still hold true.  "Nothing in Particular"--now that's something to believe in!!!  Remember that these designations imply some very important differences.  An atheist actively pursues and reasserts the belief that God does not exist--that the assertion of His existence is, in fact, destructive to society.  An agnostic, on the other hand, does not presume to know whether a higher power exists or not.  This designation is the most humble of non-believers. ;)

I guess these guys don't know the wise old saying "Shit or get off the pot!"

Here is an even more interesting chart showing the breakdown of belief (or non-belief) around the world.  Unfortunately, most of the 33% of Christians believe it is their duty to convert the rest of the world.  I wonder how long it will take before I can start charging anyone who tries to proselytize.  "Give a man a fish, and you'll feed him for a day; Give him a religion, and he'll starve to death while praying for a fish"  --unknown

What it all boils down to is that we have a "freedom of religion" in this country that also guarantees a freedom FROM religion!  Religion and politics are so bound together at this point that it might be safer to ONLY elect non-believers for a few decades!  Let something other than the rapture-inspired, end-times agenda of almost EVERY politician (from either side of the aisle) pave the way for progressive legislation and objective thought in politics.  Personal/Individual spiritual relationships or community-based outreach programs aside, religion should have NO OTHER BASIS IN REALITY!!!!!

I know, I know.  As I make a plea to believers to withhold judgement and to consider the rationale of the non-believer, I also take the opportunity to heap scorn upon religion.  I know it seems counterproductive, but maybe it is a necessary evil ;)