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Shelley's Opinon on Atheism and Proof
"Why not manifest himself to the whole earth in an unequivocal manner, much more capable of convincing us than these private revelations which seem to accuse the Divinity of an annoying partiality for some of his creatures? The all-powerful, should he not heave more convincing means by which to show man than these ridiculous metamorphoses, these pretended incarnations, which are attested by writers so little in agreement among themselves?
Means and Ends
I find it disingenuous at best to claim that using animals for milk and eggs is not wrong since they can be obtained, though rarely are obtained, in "more humane" ways. What is essentially being argued is that the temporal ends justify the means even if they DIRECTLY produce reprehensible final results. This first passes over the obviously necessary but unanswered question of whether or not we have any right to use animals for our own pleasure. Secondly, it neglects the question of animal sentience. Ultimately, it overlooks common decency toward all things living.
A Position on Non-Humans
Animals, as individuals, have peculiarities and personalities unique to themselves. They feel and think, fear and mourn. Desires not much unlike our own compel them to action, driving them to seek pleasure or attempt to avoid pain. The possession of these traits places them clearly in the realm of the sentient organisms -- a class of organisms who are aware of their world, feeling, thinking, and who possess the desire to manipulate their condition to their favor.
Addressing Atheist Doubt
Some in the religious circles are confused by the level of disbelief among the atheist community as if they have never fully considered their opponents' positions. While this can be said of some atheists, it should be said with caution on the grounds that atheism is a natural position for many who have never been exposed to myths. We may, for example, appreciate the beauty and complexity of the universe's seemingly fine-tuned perfection without ever feeling the need to explain existence by appealing to a deity or great intelligence.
Animal Rights and Religion
After having spent the last year and a half toying with the notion of a godless world and finally loosing myself from the bondages of my Christian days, I have found myself often questioning the persistence of animal "husbandry" and of human dominance over animals for selfish gains. In the following paragraphs, I will attempt to make clear the link that I see between religion and the inhumanity toward animals that we so eagerly tolerate. It is not my intention to suggest that animal abuses are solely the responsibility of religions, nor do I wish to suggest that humans who consume animal products cannot otherwise follow the profitable tenants of their religions for which religions enjoy marginal favor even among the irreligious. I simply wish to clarify my opinion that a major contributing factor of animal abuses in religious countries is the religion they practice, while maintaining that neither religion nor irreligion leads directly to a life dedicated to the respect of animals.
Ultimate Reality?
Regarding any ultimate reality, it is not something for which I am, or believe I will ever be, completely certain. Philosophically, I'd call myself an agnostic on that matter, here defined loosely as one who is without knowledge rather than to the specific class of people who say that knowledge of an ultimate reality would be impossible to attain beyond a reasonable doubt. Pragmatically, however, I would have to say that I am an atheist, fully disbelieving the existence of any of the currently offered non-scientific explanations of the universe.
Former Beliefs - Miscellaneous
Erroneous Beliefs About Jesus
2005-07-15
We understand that I could never die for my own sins. Jesus, however, was spotless from the beginning. No one else was or will ever be like Jesus. 1 Cor 12:3 - "Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost." If Jesus was a sinner on the cross, united with the Adversary, it is alright to call him accursed from the time he became sin and the time he beat the devil up, became a Christian, and rose from hell to walk in newness of life.
Former Beliefs (3.25.2005)
I don't want to write hopeless words to a hopeless world; I am not hopeless. I have hope in Jesus that I will one day see his face and know the grace that saved me. His kindness has led me to a life of worth. Though confused, I no longer doubt my meaning in life - He is my meaning. His life is my own. I honestly don't believe that I came upon this by accident. Jesus' mercy has given me a hope of eternal salvation and peace in my heart. Even when others believe that I should be in other places, doing other things, I know that He will lead me with his eye and show me the truth.
Desolate Grave of the Insane
Entombed, cradled, swaddled in grave clothes,
Forced upon me, raping with its threats.
I am the sepulcher of a demigod.
Requisite homage, subservience, love?
This the way of a master.
I am the serf of an apparition.
Guilty of honest inquiry, I have questioned the One.
Failing to see mercy in abject mental poverty,
I am the sincerely unconvinced.
Emptiness beneath an unforgiving sky,
Echoing in the minds of the mourning,
I am the desolate grave of the insane.
To the Christian
To the Christian:
You hold fast to your belief that a god made humans in some private garden for the purpose of communing with them. In this garden he planted an exquisite array of fruits and vegetables suitable for their consumption, caused animals to be at peace with one another, and regularly enjoyed walking with his finest creation. Oblivious to their rapidly approaching fall, our ancestors were basking in the warmth of their perfect domain, aware of only one prohibition -- "[O]f the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die." Having little to do, God perhaps sought entertainment in placing a serpent, "more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made," in the garden. Many of you maintain that this serpent actually spoke to Eve. The serpent was allowed to deceive Eve. Oh, sin of sins, most horrible of all, Eve was tricked and didn't even realize how terrible this was, having been childlike in her understanding of obedience and disobedience. It was not until she was punished that she realized her sad state. Thankfully she wasn't hungry enough to eat the fruit from the Tree of Life; that would have undermined the punishment they were warned about, namely death. Having escaped that hurdle in the plan, God takes a quick wait-for-Adam-to-eat-the-fruit breather. Why didn't Eve stop to point out her nipples to make Adam think she was acting funny?
"Hey, Adam, have you ever noticed these? They look neat. I think I need something to cover them," an enlightened Eve may have pondered.
