Ricky Gervais on Atheism

For the Speakeasy Blog with The Wall Street Journal, Ricky Gervais wrote a thoughtful article explaining why he is an atheist.  Gervais is a brilliant comedian who brought The Office to the US.  While I may disagree with his final conclusion, he points to some interesting things.

Too often Christians attack atheists demanding their reasons for their lack of belief.  We believe and they don't.  In the end, their choice really doesn't affect me.  Unfortunately, some Christians are very willing to force their beliefs onto others and infringe on their rights.  Let's be honest: Does someone else's faith really affect you at all?  Live your faith, and let them live theirs.

I also hear the common refrain that atheists are immoral and dangerous.  One could think logically about it. Christianity promotes good behavior but does not have a monopoly on it.  To add a statistic, Gervais points out:

75 percent of Americans are God- ‐fearing Christians; 75 percent of prisoners are God- ‐fearing Christians. 10 percent of Americans are atheists; 0.2 percent of prisoners are atheists.

Gervais discusses the virtues of science as well.  Science has theories based on observable data, and responds to facts that may alter our understanding.  But, the benefits of science are not the sole domain of atheism either.  Atheist may accept scientific ideas more readily, many scientists profess a faith in a particular religion.  The conflict does not boil down to science on one side and faith on the other.  There is science and religion.  How you interpret the science in turn affects your religion.  Some perceive the lessons from science as evidence for atheism, while others view science as way to understand God.

Christians should not attack atheists for their lack of faith, just as atheists should go about their own business.  To each his own.  Let us just live a good life and try to make things better for others.  This is both a Christian and a social virtue.

I suggest both believers and non-believers check out Gervais' essay.  By the way, I also suggest this clip from his stand-up routine which I have already posted once.