Calling Atheism a religion is like calling bald a hair colour. (Don Hirschberg)

I am slowing coming to the conclusion that there are quite a few people in this world who believe a thing just because they like the idea of it, and that a surprisingly high number of religious people fall into this category.

I must admit that I see the attraction. It is tempting to believe in a world that basically equates to a fairy tale - that everyone will live forever, and that there will be no pain or suffering. I prefer, however to overcome this temptation and be realistic. Anything else is to live a lie.

In this blog I'd like to document some of the obstacles that atheists face when trying to convert a religious person and I'd also like to explain why we should attempt to do so.


* Who Cares?

Why should we convert religious people to Atheism? What's the harm if they believe in an imaginary God, or that they will have eternal life?

The short answer is: because religion is dangerous. Additionally, many religious people are militant, and are fighting for the intellectual control of our future. If we don't fight back, we will lose by default.

Also, what I would like is for the human race to move on from our pathetic superstitions, and start to make rational decisions about our future. I'd like to live in a world where we start to become honest with ourselves and others about exactly what we know to be true, and stop lying just so everyone feels better. Nobody knows what happens after death. Not you, your Priest, your Mufti or your Sharman - Nobody.


* What About Moderates?

Moderates are the worst offenders. Most people complain loudly about the 'fundamentalists' or the 'extreme' followers. But what exactly do those terms mean? Put simply, it means followers who actually believe everything that their particular holy book purports. Anyone who has read the book of Deuteronomy knows that most Christians today don't follow their religion in the way that God originally suggested that they should. Let's take an example:

Deuteronomy 22:21

"Then they are to make the girl come to the door of her father's house and she will be stoned to death by the men of the town, because she has done evil and put shame on Israel, by acting as a loose woman in her father's house: so you are to put away evil from among you."

When was the last stoning you went to? If I follow this commandment, does that make me a fundamentalist, a homicidal maniac, or a devout follower?

Almost all Christians are 'moderates'. That is they choose the parts of the Bible that they like, and discard the rest.

* Why don't Religious People Convert to Atheism?

While there never can be concrete evidence that disproves the existence of God, the chances are astronomically high that he does not exist. There is precisely the same chance that God exists as there is for the existence of any other magical creature. This being the case, why do people still believe in religion?

1. Firstly, and most importantly, it feels good. Which would you rather: An eternity fertilising daisies, or to live eternally as a demi-god? Lock in option B, Johnny!

2. Abandoning everything you have ever believed is hard going. I should know, I used to be an orthodox Christian. You have to come to terms with the fact that you have been taken for a ride - big style! You might have even been ready to kill or die for your belief. Crikey!

3. It goes against our culture. Every time we say "bless you", every time we celebrate Christmas or Easter, we are reminded of how ingrained Christianity is into our culture. To some people, turning your back on Christianity means turning your back on your culture.

I'll end now, because my fingers are getting sore. But I'd just like end with a call out to any atheists reading this blog. The next time you pass a Christian in the street, ask them if they've heard the bad news...