Atheism questioned
Here are some questions atheists are frequently asked:
What do you actually believe in? Truth.
Isn't atheism just another religion? No. A religion believes in supernatural power. Sure, Dawkins is super and natural - but he's not supernatural.
When I asked what the difference was between a religion and a cult, someone replied "a good accountant''.
The ''atheism is a religion'' question is best answered by the Non-Stamp Collector, a YouTube animator who says: "Saying atheism is a religion is like saying not collecting stamps is a hobby, off is a TV channel or bald is a hair colour".
Why are you atheists so angry? If beauty is in the eye of the beholder then anger is in the sphincter of those people whose beliefs are being confronted. No one who agrees with Dawkins has ever called him strident.
The word ''militant'' has become synonymous with atheist. Militant is simply a word used to describe someone showing opposition in a way the people being opposed don't like.
And yes, atheists have killed, tortured, lied and stolen - never in the name of atheism, but because they're bad.
Jews, Muslims, Christians and atheists are generally moral people. But that's not because they're Jews, Muslims, Christians or atheist. It's because they're people.
I do hate. I hate religion taking credit for most people's innate goodness.
from Atheism is a broad church by Catherine Deveny
On Good Friday I enjoyed seeing Catherine's one woman show God Is Bullshit, That's The Good News which runs from March 25 to April 8 as part of The Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Go to www.catherinedeveny.com for more details.
