Praying for an accurate depiction of atheism – The WSU Sign Post

One lesson I remember from my Mormon youth was that atheists simply didnt want to believe in God because it allows them to commit sin without guilt.

Though ironically for fundamentalist religious followers, I suppose its easier to murder, enslave and deny rights to fellow humans something that doesnt fall under the love one another Christian virtue because its what a Bronze Age god decreed.

Ashton Corsetti is a WSU student and an atheist. Photo credit: Dalton Flandro

Yes, Im using the pride goes before destruction proverb against those who preach it. Since its logical to recognize that not all members in a group are fanatics a courtesy other parties wont offer Ill speak to those who feel their faith is at war.

Im referring to those who overlook the First Amendment and several Supreme Court rulings when they explain there is no policy that separates church and state. Movies like the Pure Flix Entertainment film Gods Not Dead and its sequel further this idea that secularism in public schools equals oppression of Christianity, because when non-Christian students chose to express their spiritual beliefs (or lack thereof), Christians apparently lose their freedom.

Theres something arrogant about believing ones own group of people is divinely chosen, that their belief is the only true way to salvation and anyone who does not accept said belief is lost. This pride becomes even more convincing when purveyors of this reductive thought process disregard evidence-based, expert-driven theories in lieu of fantasies that have little or no proof. When confronted with empirical evidence which contradicts faith, faith proponents will often point to a future truth, which will be revealed in Gods own time.

But I didnt conceptualize this distinction from watching a religious film. Marvels Dr. Strange contains a piece of this idea that atheists are proud and theists are enlightened.

In the beginning of the film, were met with the typical cocky doctor who feels like he has power over life and death. In desperation, protagonist Stephen Strange goes on a journey to heal himself from a car accident, and apparently, his lifestyle.

Strange later argues with his soon-to be-mentor the Ancient One over how theres no possible way of healing through belief and theres no such thing as spirit, two remarks that won him an amused smile and an eye roll. Hes quick to convert after the Ancient One literally punches him into the next dimension and sends him on the special-effects trip of his life.

Heres the thing about science: Unlike religion, it works to always correct itself. Strange would be right in not accepting chakras or energy or the power of belief, not because hes self-righteous and closed to the possibility, but because as a scientist, he cant view it as a possibility unless it has verifiable proof.

Atheists accept that they dont have all the answers. There is no one correct way of living and the truth should be discovered instead of handed over. This doesnt sound arrogant to me.

With all the concepts that fundamentalist religion does not accept man-made climate change as an immediate danger, homosexuality as biology rather than a deviant choice, safeguarding womens reproductive health rights, evolution being a well-supported theory, morality being subject to individuals and not doctrine I think theres enough material for a better movie.

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Praying for an accurate depiction of atheism - The WSU Sign Post