Should I Quit My Religion? Some Questions for the New Atheists
By Be Scofield
June 28, 2010
Tikkun
http://www.alternet.org/story/147357/should_i_quit_being_christian_some_questions_for_the_new_atheists?page=1The new atheists negate the contributions of religious people in the reforming of religion and the resisting of injustice.
I want your opinion about something. I’m a liberal religious person who doesn’t believe in doctrines, dogma or a supernatural God. 19% of members in my tradition identify as atheist, 30% as agnostic and the rest Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Pagan or otherwise. Many of us have been wounded by the bigotry, homophobia and dogma in the religions we grew up in and find refuge, support and community in my tradition. We come together on Sunday mornings to enjoy music and hear sermons about social justice, the power of community and how to live inspiring and meaningful lives. Some ministers may use the word God in an all-inclusive way but most choose to avoid the term because of its troubled history. Here’s my question for you: Should I abandon my tradition because liberal and moderate religion serves to justify the extremes? Is my participation in this religious institution providing legitimacy and credibility for fundamentalism, violence, oppression and bigotry done in the name of religion? I’m studying to be a minister in this tradition. It’s called
Unitarian Universalism. Am I guilty by association? Should I jump ship? What do you think?...
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