The Atheist and Me

The Atheist and Me
(a brief Lectionary reflection by Steve Orr)

Scientist and renowned atheist Richard Dawkins has said and written quite a bit about religion, especially christianity. For example, in his book, The God Delusion, he wrote "One of the truly bad effects of religion is that it teaches us that it is a virtue to be satisfied with not understanding.”  The amazing thing about that statement is that I can, ALMOST, agree with him. If only I could switch a few of those words around. 

A statement I COULD agree with would read like this: "One of the effects of truly bad religion is that it teaches us that it is a virtue to be satisfied with not understanding.” See what I did there? 

But, to be clear, Richard Dawkins and I do NOT really agree on this point---or, for that matter, on almost all points---because he lumps all religions together. He has no use for any religion. Whereas I most certainly have a use for a particular religion.

But, I find that I am sometimes at odds with others over what is meant by the term "christianity." Quite often people claiming the label of "christian" seem to start on the wrong end of the continuum, elevating process over people, caring more about the "rules" than about relationships, being quick to judge and slow to forgive. Sometimes it seems as if the very LAST thing on their minds is loving their neighbor; when---if we are in fact following the teachings of Jesus---loving our neighbors as ourselves (that "royal law" Jesus quotes from Leviticus) should be way, way out near the front, right next to loving God.

And in THAT sense, I find Richard Dawkins and I may be in agreement on one point: "Nothing is wrong with peace and love. It is all the more regrettable that so many of Christ's followers seem to disagree." It is sobering to find that an atheist sees us so clearly, sees us for how our human-ness has "over topped" what we have been taught concerning such fundamental spiritual matters.

But don't take my word for it. Get THE word on the matter. Read the "Sermon on the Mount" or the response Jesus gave to the question: "What is the greatest commandment?"

Or, check out this week's Lectionary selection from the letter of James:

"So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.  For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.  What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works?  Can that faith save him?  If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?  Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works."  Show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.  You believe that God is one.  You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.  But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? (James 2:12-20)

One last comment. Instead of "you foolish fellow," the Orthodox Jewish Bible addresses these matters to "oh hollow man." 

Shudder, indeed.

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READINGS FOR THE COMING WEEK
http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt

Proper 18 (23) (September 9, 2012)
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23
Psalm 125
Isaiah 35:4-7a
Psalm 146
James 2:1-10, (11-13), 14-17
Mark 7:24-37

I hope to see you all Friday, September 14th. In the meantime, join the group THIS WEEK at Cafe Cappuccino (downtown on 6th, near the Courthouse) at 8:00 for breakfast and Bible . . . and some big servings of love, grace, and mercy :-)

Enjoy the week!
Steve