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Why Do Some Atheists... Say That Religion Is Just A Comforting Delusion Or A Crutch?

It's true that a lot of atheists see religion and a belief in the supernatural as a delusion of sorts. Some of us even think that all believers are just plain crazy for believing what they do, or that religion is a crutch for people who are too weak to face life as it really is. But there's one thing you should remember about atheists: our views and beliefs vary. Not all atheists see believers this way. Still, it's important to understand why atheists might think that religious believers are delusional or simply using their belief system as a crutch.

Austin Cline, who is way smarter than I am (college boy...ya know how it is ) had something to say about just that sort of thing while responding to some hate mail he'd received. Bear in mind that the author of the letter credited his religious faith for helping him break a chemical addiction.

I do feel sorry for what this person went through - it sounds like a horrible series of experiences. At the same time, I do wonder if he simply traded one addiction for another. Granted, religion doesn't ravage the body in the same way that cocaine does, but it can ravage the mind. Too often I've seen people engage in bizarre mental contortions in order to defend the most illogical beliefs, all because those beliefs were part of their religion. And then we have those who appear to have had their moral compass damaged by religious doctrine, defending the most heinous situations all on account of what they believe their god told them.

"Even if I'm wrong and there is no God, I wouldn't want to know about it. I wouldn't trade the feelings or the sense of comfort my faith has brought me in difficult times for anything!"

"You atheists must be utterly miserable. I can't imagine anything but an empty, depressing existence without God in your life."

"You godless types are just so closed minded! You should try opening your heart to God for a change. Once you've experienced his presence--once you've felt his love--you'll know the joy that I feel right now. Come on, let's pray together and give it a try!"

You'd be surprised how often we hear things like this. And I think a fair person would admit that these comments do, in fact, sound like something a drug addict might say about their habit.

"I wouldn't trade this feeling for anything..."

"I just need another hit to carry me through the day..."

"Just try it. It'll make you feel so good, you won't ever want to quit..."

This is a crude example of what I mean, but I hope it's effective. I'm not trying to insult anyone, only to make you understand how religious believers can sound when they make comments like these. To an outsider, they can really make a person seem kind of "clingy," desperate, or even under some sort of emotional addiction to religion. Some religious believers are so unable to connect with an irreligious mindset that they can't take our lack of belief seriously. To an atheist, it's as if they can't even contemplate life without their religion, so they literally refuse to accept it when we say that we don't believe as they do. (Some religious people even say things like this to us outright) I think most people could understand how this might seem like an extreme point of view to someone who disagrees.

It should be obvious that this issue can't be applied equally to all believers. Some people are more informal in their beliefs than a lot of the more hard core theists tend to be. But even believers who are more casual in their faith turn to it in times of serious distress. That is, they turn to God when they need him the most. Fundamentalists often claim that they need him constantly.

When a person admits to truly needing to believe in an idea like God, aren't they also admitting that they don't want to see things any other way? Aren't they basically folding their arms at us and saying "I like the way these beliefs make me feel, so I don't want to change them even if they're wrong!" As I showed you earlier, some believers even come right out and say that very thing to us. This is the sort of thing that often leads atheists to conclude that religion is used as a sort of crutch and that faith really is a kind of delusion.

None of this necessarily proves that these atheists are right. But I do think it makes it easier to understand why some atheists might see it that way. If you can think of an important difference, shoot me a letter through my contact form and I'll address it right here on AGN.

Note: Just try to remember one thing. As an atheist, I'm unlikely to agree that God really does exist. So telling me something like, "The difference between religion and a delusion is that God isn't a delusion!" probably won't get you very far. Just a heads up.

What does the Atheist Geek really look like?

Yep. That's me all right. Would I lie?

Behold! The Atheist Geek brings you... Pornogrophy!!

The one force great enough to keep me from going totally insane. (Sorry God.)

Today, the internet's most unbiased encyclopedia brings you ... wait for it ... Evolutionism!

The CreationWiki actually has an entry on the decline of atheism for some reason. I don't know if the CreationWiki will be a regular feature at AGN or not, but this might be worth a look.

So Who Am I Proposing To Now?

Bionic Woman may not be your favorite show, but I have three words for you: Big. British. Boobies. 'nuff said.

And now, the Atheist Geek brings you...

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