Why International Blasphemy Day is important

What can I say about Blasphemy day that wouldn't simply be me adding to the noise about it? I could repeat all of the clever things I've read about it, such as blasphemy is the only true victimless crime. Still, that's just regurgitating what's already out there.

So here's the truth: I angry at religious people. All the time. It's silly to be angry at religion itself. A religion is simply a set of rules. No matter how hateful, sexist and abusive those rules are, if no one plays by them then there's no problem. And all organized religions have employed practices of sexism, abuse and hate, form Judaism to Buddhism to whatever other religion you can think of. But it's not religion I hate. What's really important to remember is that it had a purpose at one time. Back when were were barely civilized (relative to today, not stating that we are truly civilized now) we needed religion. Why? Because of the fear and terror that it instilled in humans. When there was very little communication and transportation was slow what reason was there to not kill the next goat herder, take his clothing and flock and move on. It could be months before anyone knew the victim might be missing and most likely no one would ever know who's path he had crossed. People had less to work with and live on. People had more to fear from nature. That fear was the only thing that could keep a community in line. And that hate, or at least distrust, of the other was all that could keep a community together. You combine superstition with hate and community and that's a very simple recipe for religion.

As the years went on people needed more from it. Religion had to offer deeper truths than just a legal system to abide by. So mythology began to mesh with philosophy to become a more modern version of religion. The problem is that religion already has to have answers. What good is a system of universal truths if some of it isn't true? So religion starts with answers and and then works those answers into the observable world. It's the equivalent of trying to write the answers to a calculus book before calculus has been invented. In short; it's a poor choice.

And we've come so far since then. We've learned about the world and our brains. We don't need the idea of an invisible friend sitting in the sky, watching our mistakes, in order to not be cruel to each other. But those answers that were written before we were smart enough to ask the right questions still apply to most of the population. That fear and hate is still tethering people to their ethics. What terrifies me are the really religious people who are afraid of atheists. They rant about how people can't be moral creatures without the fear of god. What that tells me is that they can't be moral creatures without their fear of god. That were they to realize there's no reason for them to be a theist then they'd feel OK killing and stealing.

Does this apply to all religious people? Yes, but not to the extent of murder. I've seen religion tie some of the kindest people I know to horrible rules of behavior. One of the people I used to trust with advice and knowledge actually encouraged me to find someone else to marry because my fiance was not of the same religion. I've seen people who believe in equality for all people no matter their sexual orientation turn their backs on gay marriage because they thought their bible told them to. Hell, Christianity's strongest ties to Judaism are based on a handful of mistranslations and passages taken out of context by apologetic cultists trying to gain political power.

Today the only thing religion is good for is making your decisions for you. Bibles don't take the last few thousand years into account so the choices are probably not going to be the soundest choices. So what's the alternative? Well, I'm going to side with the tools we've been building up for millennia: amazing communication and an incredible understanding of the world around us as well as within. Beyond that, for when we come to unmapped regions of knowledge? We have logic and the scientific method. Yes, it's slow but the universe isn't going anywhere. It's more work to actually think and be rational but a deeper understanding of the natural world lets people see that this universe is so much more complex and impressive than if it had been tossed together over a week by someone who was bored and lonely. Reality is majestic enough without throwing a blanket of magic, fear and lies over it.


How does all of this relate to Blasphemy Day? The whole point of Blasphemy Day is to protest (specifically regarding the UN) rules both legal and social that make it taboo to criticize religions. Defamation of character is an attack on a person but defamation of religion is a defense of reason, which is what the modern world is built on. Blasphemy Day is supposed to show those who live by faith that talking about religion in all of its glory and gory details won't destroy creation. The proper response to criticism isn't anger and violence. It's to think about it and then respond in kind. Blasphemy isn't a crime. It's an invitation to discussion. Once a topic is declared off limits to criticism then it's off limits to growth and instantly becomes irrelevant. Every single idea in science is open to scrutiny under the scientific method. If it doesn't hold up continuously then it's torn down and built up or tossed out. Nothing in science is sacred and untouchable. Why is religion different than any other set of ideas? Fundamentalists keep complaining that they want equal regard in society, schools and the government. That means opening up to analysis, observation and criticism. When they hear blasphemy that's only because it's the answer you've already chosen for whatever question is asked. But what it really is is an invitation to the equal treatment they've been demanding.

I could just put out a string of insults that are factually true but phrased to create ire:

• The main reason you're the religion you are is because of where you are born
• Pascal's Wager applies just as much to Zeus and Satan as it does to Jesus and God
• If you believe that Jews and Christians have the same god then you haven't read either bible
• The Jewish bible, Christian bible and Koran all have many authors and editors. There is no direct line of truth from any of those writers to the version you have read
• Even Buddhists have committed acts of violence in the name of their faith
  

I'm not going to end with those, however. The most blasphemous and useful thing I can close with is this:

I have no faith in god. I have no faith in people. But in regard to people I do have hope.

Blasphemous, I know. Oh, and maybe one quote for the road.

"Faith is believing what you know ain't so."
- Mark Twain