Skip to main content

Why it requires much more courage of conviction to be an atheist than a believer

By NS Venkataraman* 
All religions explain the concept of God in one way or the other and lay down guidelines for leading life. Many believers readily accept the advocacy of the religions without questioning. However, there are persons who do not want to readily follow the grammar pronounced by religions and want to scrutinize the details and may refuse to accept them . They are known as non believers or atheists.
The question is whether we should reject the non believers as negative thinkers and rebels or view them as robust thinkers with courage of conviction.
Ever since the humans and other creatures happened in the world (when was it?), there have been what appears to be an unresolved question as to from where the humans and creatures come and where they would go after death. The limited explanation given is that humans and creatures are created due to chemical and biological reaction in the womb of the mother and death happens due to the weakening of the cells or other unnatural reasons. Obviously, such explanations do not go beyond a point.
In such scenario, several religions have sprung up across the world over several centuries of human existence and in all these religions , there is a common name used “God” and for the understanding of the people , God is described as the creator and ruler of everything in the world. Then, many mythological stories and events have been described across the world to further establish the concept of God.
Of course, religions are important in human life, as they lay down guidelines and norms for living by the humans with peace of mind, by observing compassion , detachment, charity and so on . Without religions, the world will be a scene of anarchy and chaos. While the religions have not been successful in totally eliminating chaos and anarchy, it certainly helps in keeping it under control.

What Hindu religion advocates?

According to the Hindu philosophy (Vedanta), God is not outside but within oneself in the deep mindset. Several scriptures such as Vedas, Upanishads in Hindu religion stress on sustained meditation to realise God within oneself, stating Aham Brahmasmi (Brihadranyaka Upanishad 1.4.10 of the Yajur Veda) – Aham Brahmasmi describes the unity of the Atman ( individual self or soul) with Brahman (the absolute). It is typically translated as “I am Brahman” or less literally as “I am divine”. It is pointed out that the ultimate goal of human life is union of self with the higher self (God).
The Hindu scriptures emphatically state that one has to realise the consciousness within by sustained meditation and then only can experience God. This realization of consciousness leads to Supreme Bliss, otherwise termed as “Ananda”.
Like Hindu religion, all other religions also basically stress on realization of God, though the methodology advocated may be different to some extent. Unable to find a convincing answer to the vexed question about the origin and end of life in their thought process, majority of people simply accept the theories and explanations offered by the various religions , as a way to move out of the uncertain ideas and confusion in the mindset . Such persons are the believers.
Among the believers, there are thought leaders who are generally known as saints or realized souls who preach about the concept of God by their writings , speeches and even by demonstration in some ways and in some cases.
The saints, who are much respected by the believers, advocate belief in God in the mindset and make it easy for anyone to believe in God by stating that beyond such thought process of having faith in God , the human brains cannot introspect beyond. The concept of God is not something that one can speak about or discuss in debate. The saints suggest sustained prayer and meditation to realise God within oneself.
Many people do not understand such concept fully or adequately in spite of some efforts. However, many people conclude that respected saints who have been preaching such ideas over last several centuries cannot be wrong.
These saints also pass away one day like any of their followers. When such passing away of the saints happen, the followers start worshipping the saints as incarnation of God who lived amongst them. Then , place of worship are built for these saints and customary worship practices are evolved over time and these saints also virtually become God in the mindset of the disciples and followers.

The predicament of non-believers

The non believers (known as atheists) do not want to simply adopt or approve the practice of accepting the existence of God as a matter of faith without questioning and they continue their process of thinking as to what is all that life is about and why life happens at all. These non believers are reluctant to view God as a mere creator or ruler , just like a king of a kingdom , as it is sought to be explained by various religious preachers.
In such scenario, researchers are now working on Human Genome Editing . The efforts relate to creation of a small peace of RNA with a short “guide” sequence that attaches (binds) to a specific target sequence in a cell’s DNA. This genome editing is used to alter human genomes or animal genomes.
Several experimental efforts relating to genetically modified or engineered animals have been attempted and scientists have succeeded to some extent. For example, the “super pig “ have been engineered with human growth harmone gene and resulting in transgenic sheep Dolly. It is reported that the transgenic sheep Dolly are abnormal , compared with ordinary lambs. However, the fact is that such transgenic sheep Dolly have been successfully created by the scientists with whatever inadequacies.
The non believers think that such scientific development relating to creation of transgenic animal in research laboratories only go to show that the concepts said in religious teachings such as God creating humans and creatures, rebirths, fate , karma etc. need to be critically reexamined.

Are the non believers any better?

Now, are we to term these non believers as negative thinkers or hard thinkers or genuine thinkers or simply people with negative mindset? In any case, the fact is that non believers also can not go beyond questioning the believers and cannot offer any alternate concept or credible explanation. Finally, it has to be pointed out that in most cases, neither the believers nor the non believers have the complete understanding on what they believe or do not believe.
However, the believers are of the view that in the realm of things, it is better to believe rather than not to believe, since believing in God enable individuals to live in peace, without bothering to think on the vexed question about origin and end of human life and would enable them to move on with the life process for whatever it is worth.
Religion also provides the believers confidence to reconcile themselves to the event of death and enable them to appreciate the fact that death is natural and inevitable, whatever may happen to “oneself” after death. In essence, religions prepare individuals to accept or mentally prepare themselves to the event of death, however dislike they may have for death event.
It has been seen that number of non believers have turned to be vague believers at the fag end of their life and reconcile themselves to accept that they do not know anything better than the believers, when the call of death knocks at their doorstep. All genome researchers may not be non believers per se, even as they continue their efforts “to develop humans and animals”, in addition to what God has been doing.
It requires much more courage of conviction to be an atheist (non believer) than a believer. The non believers often argue that in their thought process , they are no less genuine than believers.
In any case, generally, the world with majority of people being believers, do not view the non believers as out of box thinkers but as rebels or rule breakers. In such circumstances, it is inevitable that non believers are only few and far between.
---
*Trustee, Nandini Voice For The Deprived, Chennai

Comments

TRENDING

Global Ambedkarites in deep shock over killing of Buddhist Ambedkarite youth in Nanded

Joint  Ambedkar International Mission and Ambedkar Association of North America statement on killing of an Ambedkarite Buddhist youth for celebrating Dr Ambedkar Jayanti (birth anniversary) in his village on 1st June 2023 in Bondhar Haveli village, Nanded, Maharashtra: *** Every single public event hosted by any social or political organization in Maharashtra is not completed without citing Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and yet an Ambedkarite Buddhist youth, Akshay Bhalerao was brutally murdered for celebrating Dr Ambedkar Jayanti in the village Bondhar, Nanded, Maharashtra by dominant caste goons. Caste Atrocities are common in such villages where the Scheduled Castes and Buddhists are daily humiliated, mocked, or abused with caste slurs and women subjected to sexual violence. 

How this top Maoist leader couldn't extricate completely from the Left adventurist line

By Harsh Thakor  On the 31st of May Katakam Sudarshan, known as Comrade Anand, breathed his last, at the age of 69. Anand was a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Maoists) and an important leader of the revolutionary movement of India.

Discussion on making school education meaningful to vulnerable communities

ActionAid note on workshop to boost National Curriculum Framework operations: *** Leading educationists and activists striving to make education meaningful to vulnerable communities gathered in Delhi to discuss the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE). Acting in response to the call of the NCF Steering Committee appointed by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, ActionAid Association had organised the meeting to gather feedback on the draft NCFSE. This is part of ActionAid Association’s commitment to promote inclusive and gender-responsive education. The two-day national workshop titled ‘NCF Perspectives: Seeking Feedback on National Curriculum Framework (NCF)’ on May 30 and 31, 2023, was held at India International Centre, New Delhi. The workshop aimed to ensure a structured approach to gathering feedback from key stakeholders and enhancing their active participation in shaping the response sought by the Government of India. Stakeholders representing e

Abrogation of Art 370: Increasing alienation, relentless repression, simmering conflict

One year after the abrogation by the Central Government of Art. 370 in Kashmir, what is the situation in the Valley. Have the promises of peace, normalcy and development been realised? What is the current status in the Valley? Here is a detailed note by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties , “Jammu & Kashmir: One Year after Abrogation of Art. 370: Increasing Alienation, Relentless Repression, Simmering Conflict”:

Release of dabang neta: Rule of law can't be allowed to be slave to political rhetoric

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  When we look to politicians for solutions and politics as the 'final solution' for every evil then we are disappointed most of the time. In politics, we knowingly or unknowingly become part of the propaganda tool of the ruling elite which exists everywhere across different castes. We often provide issues and talk about them in binaries which suit our elites. The minorities among the marginalised who have no political space and representation rarely get heard by these majoritarian parties whose agenda remain power communities. Every political party in today's time is following the 'successful' formula of 'democracy' which is keeping the 'powerful' 'jaatis' with them leaving aside the marginalised one. The BJP started this but yes they cobbled together all other communities too through a diverse narrative.

J&K RTI activist denied opportunity to address audience, bring forward critical issues

Statement by Er. Irfan Banka, Founder of J&K RTI Foundation and convener of the Nalae Ferozpora Bachav Movement, regarding the incident of official misconduct during the My Town My Pride Jan Abhiyan Program and communication to Raj Bhavan: *** Er. Irfan Banka, a prominent RTI Activist and advocate, has come forward to address an incident of misconduct that occurred during the My Town My Pride Jan Abhiyan Program held at Mugam Town Hall in  Budgam. Additionally, Er. Irfan Banka has communicated the matter to Raj Bhavan, seeking appropriate action. During the event, Er. Irfan Banka was denied the opportunity to address the audience and bring forward critical issues concerning the people and services in the community, including waste management, traffic management, and the achievement of sustainable development goals. The incident involved the Additional Registrar Co-operative Kashmir, who not only prevented Er. Irfan Banka from speaking but also subjected him to public humiliation. E

Why are 17 Indian cos, including Sterlite, blacklisted by Norway bank

By Venkatesh Nayak* Readers may recall the gory incidents that took place at Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) in Tamil Nadu in the southern part of India on 22 May, 2018. Thirteen protesters died on the spot when the police opened fire to disperse an assemblage of thousands of local residents and representatives of civil society groups. They were protesting against the adverse environmental impact of the industrial operations of Sterlite Copper which runs a copper smelter plant in the area. Accusations against the company have ranged from polluting local water resources to plans for expanding the installed capacity of the plant without the necessary environmental clearances. A ground report published in The Wire recently, mentions the decision taken by Norges Bank a few years ago to not invest funds from Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global (GPFG) in Sterlite “due to an unacceptable risk of complicity in current and future severe environmental damage and systematic human rights violations

Sengol imbroglio suggests reason why Modi, BJP don't respect modern Indian history

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  The new parliament building opened on February 28. It looks it is not the Parliament but part of #Pratinidhisabhas ' started by earstwhile #princelystates in India. The #BJP for long has been acting as if India is a #Kingdom and Modi ji the new #King of India. Even at the coronations of Kings, you find a large number of people, and dignitaries but look at the opening ceremony we have only one face as if he build everything. Is it the dream of a republic.

Danger ahead: Smartphones making teens sexually smart, but mentally disturbed

By Harasankar Adhikari  We live in a digitally globalised society. Bombarded consumerism and imitation of foreign cultures and practises reshape our everyday lives. Life choices and lifestyles are the driving forces of modernity at present. People of almost all ages are within this realm and rhythm of consumerism for happiness.

Cave of Spleen - a feminist perspective: Status of women in early 18th century England

The Cave of Spleen: Aubrey Beardsley's illustration for Pope's “The Rape of the Lock” By Pragya Ranjan  "The Rape of the Lock" by Alexander Pope published in 1712 is a mock-heroic narrative which satirically glorifies trivial incident of cutting of locks of protagonist Belinda. This poem was written in the Augustan Era (1660-1784) which is marked by the period of scientific reason and rationality, whose effect can be seen on the writers of those times. This timeline is particularly important to analyse the episode of the Cave of Spleen.