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An Atheist Says: God Be With You
The protests in Iran have got me thinking about religion, a subject I usually avoid. I don't like the label of atheist. I'd rather be defined by what I do believe in than by what I don't.
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Besides, people hate atheists. I mean hate. When a 2007 Gallup poll revealed that Americans would sooner elect a gay or lesbian president than an atheist, I thought perhaps it was time for me to stand up with my heathen brothers and sisters.
But then I met a few atheists and changed my mind. To quote Gertrude Stein, "there was no there there."
A lapsed Catholic friend described an atheist meeting he once attended. Did they discuss existentialism? The creation of the universe? Morality in an amoral world? No, he said. They talked about the city's earnings tax.
Not the kind of discussion for which I would give up a Sunday morning sleep-in.
As the old Japanese proverb says: "The stake that sticks out gets hammered down." When the subject of religion arises, I usually say nothing.
But lately I've been watching and listening to the proud people of Iran use every tool at their disposal to affect change, even when all they have are their own voices.
The haunting sound of "Allah-u-akbar!" echoing back and forth, rooftop to rooftop, in this video will stay with me, as will the bloody photographs and the stories of helpless university students attacked and killed in their dorm rooms.
Translation of the video narration from Andrew Sullivan's Daily Dish:
Just days after I declared pacifism all but impossible, the dignified protests by Iranians of all ages, from all walks of life, give me hope.
Seeing is believing. Brave Iranians, I don't believe in God, but I do believe in you.
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Besides, people hate atheists. I mean hate. When a 2007 Gallup poll revealed that Americans would sooner elect a gay or lesbian president than an atheist, I thought perhaps it was time for me to stand up with my heathen brothers and sisters.
But then I met a few atheists and changed my mind. To quote Gertrude Stein, "there was no there there."
A lapsed Catholic friend described an atheist meeting he once attended. Did they discuss existentialism? The creation of the universe? Morality in an amoral world? No, he said. They talked about the city's earnings tax.
Not the kind of discussion for which I would give up a Sunday morning sleep-in.
As the old Japanese proverb says: "The stake that sticks out gets hammered down." When the subject of religion arises, I usually say nothing.
But lately I've been watching and listening to the proud people of Iran use every tool at their disposal to affect change, even when all they have are their own voices.
The haunting sound of "Allah-u-akbar!" echoing back and forth, rooftop to rooftop, in this video will stay with me, as will the bloody photographs and the stories of helpless university students attacked and killed in their dorm rooms.
Translation of the video narration from Andrew Sullivan's Daily Dish:
They might take our Internet or even our telephones. But we will demonstrate our unitedness by keep shouting Allah-u-akbar! People are calling God. Maybe He will hear their voices and be moved by them. Defenseless people confronting violent thugs. Defenseless people who are orchestrating a peaceful uprising. Tonight they ask for His help.
Just days after I declared pacifism all but impossible, the dignified protests by Iranians of all ages, from all walks of life, give me hope.
Seeing is believing. Brave Iranians, I don't believe in God, but I do believe in you.
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Donna Trussell
Donna Trussell is a poet, fiction writer, and former film critic. Her 2008 poetry collection, What’s Right about What’s Wrong, was published by Helicon Nine... more
Comments (10)
moderate
1:42PM Jun 19th 2009
it is truley amazing what these mostly young people are doing. We have lived in luxury and ease for a long time, we still have it good. we are now in an inevideble glitch, we will fix the problems. But look how we are acting to one another. The vitriole being flung by the everyday people is horrifying. We need to find the lesson we need in these protesters in Iran. Secular and religous alike are standing up and speaking together, they are focusing on their similarities not their diffrences. We need to learn from them.
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moderate
1:46PM Jun 19th 2009
All the stories right now in the news concerning a populance coming together are being ignored. The non-stories of senator Boxer, PreJean, and president Obama/fox have thousands of nasty partisan comments. Priorities people, ignore the minutia do not add to the fire. We all want the same thing, a strong and healthy America.
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(3) queenzbench13
2:02PM Jun 19th 2009
Once an avowed atheist, Professor Walter Vieth, one of 5 renown scientists of the Western Hemisphere, discovered via the Scientific Method that God does truly exist. Professor Vieth's personal testimony can be viewed at amazingdiscoveries.org Open up his personal testimony video and see if there be any truth in what he says.
While the Iranian's cry out for God's help, He will surely hear and reply to those who earnestly and prayerfully seek His delivery.
Thank you.
While the Iranian's cry out for God's help, He will surely hear and reply to those who earnestly and prayerfully seek His delivery.
Thank you.
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(1) Diane
4:08PM Jun 19th 2009
I call God by a different name than Allah, but I know God is listening and hears their prayers. My prayers are with these brave people fighting for their freedom. I certainly hope they get it. I just hope that they know how many Americans are rooting for them right now.
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(1) robv89121
6:15PM Jun 19th 2009
I don't believe in "god" as it "he" is known today. The universe itself is god, energy is god, and so on. That's what I believe. I can't grasp the belief in a god that would create a vast universe and all the wonders we see and then worry about what food I eat or whether or not I love a man or woman, or if i am in a church on sunday. that god is too petty for me to believe in. But a "creator" of sorts who is just a powerful force or energy, yeah, I believe in that. Am I an atheist? am I agnostic? to most that's what they would call me. I just don't believe in the god of any organized religions.
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(0) Judge Fusco
7:59PM Jun 19th 2009
While I am not religious my self, I do believe ther is a higher power
everywhere infused which motivates people to be free, charitable and,
tolerant.
everywhere infused which motivates people to be free, charitable and,
tolerant.
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(0) Shelia
8:38PM Jun 19th 2009
While these views may do to live by, I am certain that they won't do to die by...
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(0) Willet
9:01PM Jun 19th 2009
""I thought perhaps it was time for me to stand up with my heathen brothers and sisters.""
Well, at least you know what you are.....a heathen. Some people prefer calling heathens neo-pagans, but old timers like me prefer heathen.
I hear neo-pagans wish each other "good luck", so good luck.
Well, at least you know what you are.....a heathen. Some people prefer calling heathens neo-pagans, but old timers like me prefer heathen.
I hear neo-pagans wish each other "good luck", so good luck.
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(-4) Parris
3:01PM Jun 20th 2009
This is so sad. It reminds me of the slaves communicating from one plantation to the other. Praying to God to help them, praying for freedom...
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(1) Klas Mellbourn
5:54PM Jun 20th 2009
What unusual atheists you have met.
When I and my atheist friends talk religion and atheism, we have often discussed morality in an amoral world and occasionally the origins of the universe.
I have followed the newsletters of American Atheists for many years and I cannot recall talk about city taxes, except indirectly in the ones criticizing how taxpayers money have been used to aid particular churches.
It also seems absurd to me to interpret the Iranian protests as some sort of religious mission. They are protesting against a theocratic leadership. It seems far more natural to interpret that as a pro-secular movement.
When I and my atheist friends talk religion and atheism, we have often discussed morality in an amoral world and occasionally the origins of the universe.
I have followed the newsletters of American Atheists for many years and I cannot recall talk about city taxes, except indirectly in the ones criticizing how taxpayers money have been used to aid particular churches.
It also seems absurd to me to interpret the Iranian protests as some sort of religious mission. They are protesting against a theocratic leadership. It seems far more natural to interpret that as a pro-secular movement.
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