Notice something interesting about the aftermath of the Virginia Tech shootings? Atheists are nowhere to be found. Every time there is a public gathering there is talk of God and divine mercy and spiritual healing. Even secular people like the poet Nikki Giovanni use language that is heavily drenched with religious symbolism and meaning.
The atheist writer Richard Dawkins has observed that according to the findings of modern science, the universe has all the properties of a system that is utterly devoid of meaning. The main characteristic of the universe is pitiless indifference. Dawkins further argues that we human beings are simply agglomerations of molecules, assembled into functional units over millennia of natural selection, and as for the soul--well, that's an illusion!
To no one's surprise, Dawkins has not been invited to speak to the grieving Virginia Tech community. What this tells me is that if it's difficult to know where God is when bad things happen, it is even more difficult for atheism to deal with the problem of evil. The reason is that in a purely materialist universe, immaterial things like good and evil and souls simply do not exist. For scientific atheists like Dawkins, Cho's shooting of all those people can be understood in this way--molecules acting upon molecules.
If this is the best that modern science has to offer us, I think we need something more than modern science.
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 27)
16. I am a proud atheist and in order to understand why bad things happen, you must first accept that bad things in the world are NECESSARY. If it weren't for bad things, how would we know what is good? And to speak in response to why an atheist is never found at one of these tragedies speaking, why would one speak in front of a crowd dominated by religious people and say that "while it's a tragedy, they aren't going to heaven because it is make believe." And in response to the reason behind living, it is all part of the natural order of life, the very existence of the universe and nature is to succeed itself for the betterment of future generations, life is more persistent than any other thing in existence. And furthermore, atheists don't stand by and see a terrible thing happening as just two things interacting, atheists are not shallow emotionless husks who don't value life, and who can give a true finite explanation as to why bad things happen? There are SO many different causes for events such as this exampled tragedy to happen, asking a question like that is just silly.
JohnA at 3:35AM on Nov 19th 2008
17. You've used a lot of words to say nothing at all. None of your vague appeals to emotion actually suggest religion is in any way accurate, or indeed needed for any purpose at all. One doesn't need religion to care, to love, or for morality. All one needs is respect for the rights of others. Indeed, religion is a source of morality, but a source of very bad morality, in which the rights of the minority are routinely repressed, and the moral mandates cause untold violence, pain, and suffering. It advocates the religious inflict their beliefs upon the nonreligious, and deny their sexuality, beliefs, and identity when it conflicts with the established religious dogma.
Please remove the log from your own eye before you point out the speck in mine.
Bobsmith at 2:45PM on Dec 14th 2008
18. Where is your god after such tragedies? Atheists are most certainly present. They just don't spout off ridiculous and childish shit like "God works in mysterious ways", or "It's part of god's plan." They say things like , "If I can help you in any way, let me know." The only coverage is of religious nut bags who talk about prayer which accomplishes absolutely nothing. Mo Rocca is a blabbering buffoon. I am not a fan.
Dave at 5:06PM on Dec 20th 2008
19. My mistake Dinesh D'souza rather.
Dave at 5:20PM on Dec 20th 2008
20. What a crock, this is the dumbest article I have read in awhile. Where is god when catholic priest's molest boys? Atheist's are not heartless, we are compassionate people. To not believe in a god does not mean that we don't have moral integrity, nor does it mean that we do not know the meaning of right and wrong. The author is another self righteous hypocrite. Open your eyes and see that we are responsible for our own actions and our own salvation. Stop blaming your imaginary friend and stop asking it for favors, rather get off your butts and do something about it.
Your Imaginary Friend Sux at 11:04PM on Dec 21st 2008
21. Let me also add that believers have murdered more people in the name of their god than any other type of human being on the planet. Way to go believers, just remember what goes around comes around.
Your Imaginary Friend Sux at 11:06PM on Dec 21st 2008
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iczjsrvxkl at 10:16AM on Jan 24th 2009
23. What a disgusting piece of conservative sensationalism this is. Dinesh (I call you this because you do not deserve 'Mr. Dsouza', or any other title that would imply that I have respect for you), you, quite simply, are utter shameless, utterly opportunistic scum. Who do you think you are, taking a tragic, horrible event and using it to peddal your own incredibly misinfomed agenda on the public record.
Those who know the first thing about science, whether you're atheist, Christian, Muslim or whatever, are aware that the 'molecules acting on molecules' that you insist every single atheist in the world has isolated as the cause of what happened at Virginia Tech, the same 'molecules acting on molecules' that gives us the capacity for things like restraint, and morality, and decency, and compassion, and empathy, and suffering.
But all your God has seemingly conferred unto you is the ability to try and use human suffering as a way to push your agenda on people.
In three shameless paragraphs, 235 opportunistic words, you've single handedly proven how worthless your God is as a moral compass. Well done, Dinesh. Well done.
Rhett Samios at 12:15AM on Feb 1st 2009
24. I can get why people are mad at this. Why can't people just stop hating other's for their religion(or lack of). Nobody knows cow pie about what happens when we die, but,it is known that all energy cant be destroyed or created. with this known law, one can assume that there is life after. Now don't attack super conservative christians, I believe in God too. I just don't believe that he wanted you to have so much animosity towards people who don't believe. It's their choice so leave them be. Remember guys, Jesus and God are hippies and he loves us even if we are pretty fucked up.
Daniela at 5:06PM on Apr 17th 2009
25. Dinesh never fails to display what an egotistical, frightened little man he is, and this is no exception. I keep being disappointed that no one bothers to inform him that the default position is skepticism, NOT "disbelief". He is deceitful in my opinion, because he's had these arguments too often to still be naive.
When no evidence exists for a postulation, it is NOT considered false- it's considered irrelevant. In order for it to become relevant, there MUST be some evidence. Now, if someone chooses to hold an unproven postulation as an opinion they are free to do so, but to take the holier-than-thou stance because of one's preferential belief in an unproven postulation makes one something of a dick, and stupid to boot. I say this with an appeal to this man's body of public work as evidence.
"I'm right and I'm going to heaven because I choose to believe it's there despite a complete lack of evidence, and you're going to hell because you refuse to renounce sanity!!!!!1!!!1!!!111" Nice job of lampooning yourself, Dinesh.
madame_zora at 1:17AM on Feb 22nd 2009
26. ^^ What is your reasoning to assume that there is an after-life from the first law of thermodynamics...?
it has nothing to do with an after-life... >_>
SSBBJunky at 12:16AM on Feb 23rd 2009
27. Dinesh, I agree with your statement about how it is difficult for atheism to deal with the problem of evil; however, I think you meant to type "atheists" (not -ism). (It's okay, even popular writers let a typo slip from time to time.)
I think we all know you were actually referring to the hatred and criticism atheists have to put up with, especially from irrational closed-minds like yourself.
I don’t need to read a book of fairy tales (I prefer Grimm’s anyways) to explain the difference between what is moral/immoral, ethical/unethical, or just/unjust. Unlike you, I cannot openly admit my beliefs to just anyone. My parents (uneducated) and family are now disgusted by the fact that I am not a “believer”, which is not something I cannot control. It’s like I’m hiding truth up in the attic along wit Anne Frank in my head. Can you imagine hiding your true, honest, and sincere feelings about religion? It means more to me to stay true to myself and to be sincere—something I can’t seem to find among the closed-minds of faith. What’s that on your wrist, (What Would Jesus Do?)…bunch of phonies.
Rich at 3:32PM on Mar 15th 2009
28. You, Dinesh D'Souza, are an complete prat. You want to know where the atheists were during the VT shootings? Probably at the sides of those who were affected, offering hugs and tissues instead of fairy tales about people in the clouds. They understand that now is the time for comfort and sympathy, not pushing their own beliefs onto others, which is more than can be said for you.
Just because I'm an atheist, doesn't mean I don't have feelings and morals. The difference is; while you do things to please God, I do them for the good of humanity.
MrsFordPrefect at 7:31PM on Mar 23rd 2009
29. The interesting thing is that - if the atheists are right about existence - the parents grieve for their lost child. I have never heard a parent while dealing with their child's death and say "Oh well." and go on about their business.
We are not "just" animals Dawkins, Hitchens and followers.
Something is different about us. That you refuse God as rational is a pitiful thing to behold.
Immanuel means: God with us.
Donny at 10:31PM on Jun 15th 2009
30. 0 x 0 = atheism
It's just the facts.
Donny at 10:32PM on Jun 15th 2009