LTTE: You don't need faith to be atheist

Robert M. Perovich
Coral Springs

Re the June 13 letter, "It takes a lot of faith to be atheist": The writer implies atheists rely on faith to deny the existence of God. This is clearly erroneous because an atheist lacks faith in an entity that has no evidence for its existence. For those who believe in God, they rely solely on blind faith. However without proof, it is sheer conjecture.

The writer makes several points that need to be disputed:

He complains that "people have always tried to discredit the Bible." However, when a book is used to proselytize throughout the world, rational people will question its claims in search for the truth. This is called critical thinking.

"Miracles are easily explained." This implies the only explanation is God. Atheists and agnostics search for natural explanations for observable phenomena. Why is it a "problem" when proof is needed to conclude that a belief is a fact? We don't criticize our legal system for relying on evidence to prove guilt.

He argues the odds of evolution are "like metal pieces tossed in a bag and producing the Eiffel Tower." If lottery tickets are given to everyone on Earth, an individual has a one in 6 billion chance of winning. But the chance of having a winner is 100 percent. Mutations and natural selection over millions of years exploit these odds.

The DaVinci Code is fiction. So why has this book and movie caused such controversy among some in the religious community? Maybe they fear that open-minded people will question their faith.

Atheists require evidence. If God reveals himself to the world, they will become true believers. Then we will finally know where He or She stands on stem cell research, abortion, right to die and homosexuality. It would also put an end to the blind faith and dogmatism of religion, which historically have contributed to terrorism and global conflict.

But until that time comes, you certainly do not need faith to be an atheist.

"Isn't it refreshing to have a G-d who doesn't insist you believe in Him/Her/It?"

Atheism means a lack of belief in gods. Absolutism has nothing to do with it.