Monicks: Unleashed

I ♥ this video series, and of course, Neil deGrasse Tyson!

This is a recurring question I get asked by friends, theists and atheists alike. “What’s your de-conversion story?” Well, I don’t have one, I was never a believer, but I was a kid with catholic parents, so I do have a story to tell, plus this question appeals to me now for a reason that will be clear if you keep reading. Not that mine is more exciting or interesting than anyone else’s story, it’s just, you know, mine.

We can't go back in time, but we can educate the world and strive for a better future in a world without religion.

You must have heard that line hundreds of times; especially from atheists and skeptics; but when was the last time you heard a believer ask this question to an atheist, and expect an honest answer?

Today I was addressed by a sweet catholic lady, an elder woman, she had one question for me: “Where was god on 9/11?”

She was upset, and rightfully so.

Her local priest brought up the question, and told her (and everyone else attending mass today) that god was very busy preventing hundreds of people from boarding the planes that were hijacked that morning, giving strength to those who crashed the plane in Pennsylvania, giving spiritual support to those who knew their loved ones were inside the Twin Towers as they collapsed, receiving with open arms all these souls into heaven; that this event must have made the world a better place in a way that we, poor humans, cannot understand because god works in mysterious ways.

God was very busy, working in effing mysterious ways.

Seriously?

Exactly how can anyone justify any of this without sounding like a brainless moron? How can anyone justify the hundreds of people who lost their lives trying to save other people’s lives? How can anyone say that the world is a better place because of this, and justify the over 100,000 1’000,000 lives lost in Iraq as the result of years of invasion, triggered by these events?

You can’t.

Is this the best your god can do to comfort you? Really?

Ten years ago today the entire world witnessed what, in my opinion, was the most revealing account of the real dangers of religious extremism; its effects continue killing innocents today. No, it’s not over, and the world’s psychological wounds have not healed.

We can’t go back in time and change the events of 2001, but we can, and ought to educate the world, help religious people grow out of their ancient fairy tales, and strive for a better future in a world without religion.

My heart goes out to all those whose lives were dramatically changed by the loss of their loved ones, not only on 9/11/2001, but also by all of the aftermath deaths we can hold 9/11 accountable for. This insight might give you comfort.

Instead of asking where god was on 9/11, ask where those hundreds of thousands of people who lost their lives on 9/11, and because of 9/11 would be today if we had lived in a world without religion.

Ten years ago today Islam showed the world what irrational beliefs can do to humanity, on a big scale. Irrational deeds against innocent human beings, in the hopes of irrational rewards in the afterlife. These are the fruits of religious fundamentalism. These are the fruits of faith.

I’ve never seen faith move mountains, but I’ve seen what it can do to skyscrapers.

Aww! They were so primitive and cute! … hey! at least the rock was *real*.  (◕‿~)’

"There is no god, and that’s the simple truth. If every trace of any single religion were wiped out and nothing were passed on, it would never be created exactly that way again. There might be some other nonsense in its place, but not that exact nonsense. If all of science were wiped out, it would still be true and someone would find a way to figure it all out again."

- Penn Jillette, God, NO! (2011)