Why You Should Not Believe in God

Most of our educators have already come to these conclusions, yet many of us do not seem to understand why they can be so sure. You ask, is it me? Am I dense? The answer is no, you have just been duped. Do not feel too bad, you comprise one of the billions who argue there is a celestial father figure who, although never speaks, cares for everyone. This God loves all, until you die of course, then it is a good works free-for-all to get out of hell. God, specifically monotheistic versions of God, can not exist; but before delving into this idea, one must explain why everyone believes in this type of God.

The question of the origins is a main reason many fall victim to an idea of God. Science is yet to explain why or how all things have come into being, so it seems to justify a God's purpose and function. Foremost, this notion is close-minded for it does not specify which God gives the universe origin. The peoples of antiquity believed Thor and Zeus accomplished this much before any Christian or Muslim. The fact that we do not know something does not justify filling the gap with yet another unknown entity.

The earth is not perfect for humans because it forces man to compete for resources. Additionally, humans are not created perfectly. We are subject to emotions as anger, jealousy, and depression; these are mental chemicals which make us more prone to act out either against ourselves or others. The universe is indeed complex, but no where near flawless.

Many of us were simply educated to believe in God, and choose to accept that for the rest of their lives. Yet, how often is knowledge based only on authority been beneficial. We love our parents and teachers, but they are subject to sin and vice like any other. Additionally, most of us adapt our parent's belief so our religious belief is only a marker of our geographic place of birth. For instance, if you were born in Israel, you would no doubt be Jewish; if you were born in India, you would either be Muslim or Hindu. Believing in God for the sake of keeping face with the folks is no way to determine your understanding of your day to day reality.

Many argue that the universe is too complex or too orderly to have created itself naturally. Such a beautiful entity as the universe could never be the product of a random actions and molecules. Therefore, the universe was made for us. It is a heartwarming notion, but does it hold up to the fact. If the universe was made for us, than why are we subject to its environment? Look to thirst in Africa or starvation in India, and convince yourself there is a human agenda to nature.

Perhaps you feel your faith gives your life tangible purpose, and you may go to heaven one day for your faith and good works. There are two problems with this idea: you can have purpose before you die and relying on death for your purpose is no way to live. Raise great children, make movements toward racial/gender equality, write a book, learn a culture, fall in love, go to outer space: these things give a life purpose. You do not to look forward to dieing to have a meaning, find living the reason for life. Who needs more than that? If you do, whatever is after death will come soon enough; make the most of life now.

Another argument I am less sympathetic with is the idea that you have felt a presence or a supernatural touch of some heavenly sort. Beyond the fact that feelings are subjective, if God would reach out his hand to touch you why then is he leaving all those who starve to hunger? Honestly, I would rather he did not touch over-privileged Americans and head over seas where his hands are really needed. I am happy for all those who have "felt" God, but where is his touch in Darfur?

This naturally leads to the next claim, which has something to do with God's ability to comfort. This idea is nice and fuzzy, but nobody (unless totally irrational) really believes God is there to take care of them. If this were the case, then nobody would get sick. Even if they did get sick, then nobody would need medicine. Surely, those who get sick and use medicine, God would at least have the wherewithal to comfort them. However, many people on medication are left with no celestial helping hand, and are left with the same cold platter as anyone else.

Fear of death is probably the main reason why people believe in God. Nobody wants to contemplate the end of life, so there must be a place where humans go after to live in happiness. Maybe, I can not disprove anything without evidence of negation. At the same time, nothing is ever true only because we wish them to be. If we could, then war would be only a past imagination. What is more relevant to this article, an afterlife does not necessitate a God figure head.

Of course, many more arguments exist for belief in God. However, none of them account for any empirical knowledge, any documented proof, and do not satisfactorily prove the necessity of a celestial being over more natural, humanistic explanations.

God cannot exist because his existence requires qualities which are not observable in reality. For instance, the God of love and omnipotence (all powerful) cannot exist because of suffering. If God truly had all power, then he would no doubt form the world the way he wanted. Why wouldn't he? If God were of love, he would never allow for any people (not to mention innocent people) to suffer. And yet, the anomaly of suffering exists throughout our world today, yesterday, and probably tomorrow. So, God must either not be loving or not all-powerful. If God is not all-powerful, then is he really God? If God does not love, then why do we want to serve him?

God cannot exist because of free will. The argument is much like the argument about the qualities of God, but a bit trickier. We have been created for the glory of God (simplistic, but this is the general idea). The way humans glorify God is to live according to his will (commandments, what have you). This requires that humans have the right to choose to either obey or disobey, meaning God does not control every choice we have. At the same time, why would God ever allow us to choose against his will if it is to our own demise? If God indeed created the world, then he has set into motion every circumstance which besets a human. In this case, God is responsible and has the moral duty to come to a human's aid, which does not happen in reality. Either God is not moral, God does not allow free will, we are not created for God in any way, or God simply does not care what we do with ourselves. In any of these cases, the common train of monotheistic thought on God is broken.

God cannot exist because there is no universal moral system. If God did exist at the beginning of creation, only one set of morals should pervade all things. Not to say that some cultures have no moral bases, because I believe they must in order to survive to this point in history. However, no moral system in the world is universal, and morals are often subjective. For instance, murder is immoral unless of course you murder an enemy. Theft is immoral unless you steal in order to live. Similarly, different groups define proper ways of behavior differently. Therefore, moral standards are better considered developed through subjective cultures rather than by a singular celestial being.

God cannot exist because the holy book (Bible, Koran, etc...) is read and written by humans. This is a rather straightforward argument. The idea is that humans are flawed whether you believe in God or are a devout atheist. Therefore, whether a human read a holy book or writes the holy books (like the apostles wrote the Bible), there is some sort of inherent error. This is to say that "holy books" are a failed method of understanding a higher entity. Why would God allow such a poor method to convey what could possibly save the world? These holy texts are the only way humans can know God; this leads that man inherently knows God wrong. God would literally have to descend from heaven, rewrite the texts, and then explain them satisfactorily in order for holy books to work as they should. Since God is yet to do so, he either does not mind our misinterpretation or he does not exist.

There is nothing directly wrong with personally believing in Jesus, Muhammad, Santa Claus, or the Easter Bunny; but there is a problem with the way these ideas are used to manipulate groups or force them into ignorant belief systems.

As Scott Adams says, "Ask a deeply religious Christian if he'd rather live next to a bearded Muslim that may or may not be plotting a terror attack, or an atheist that may or may not show him how to set up a wireless network in his house. On the scale of prejudice, atheists don't seem so bad lately."

Religion has been used as a dangerous tool throughout history. Read this article and try to answer the questions sincerely, you may find an answer to how. Then, ask yourself how they tricked you. If you do not like the answer, you do not have to be tricked any more.