by Colby Cannon

Created on: July 27, 2007

When someone claims to disbelieve the existence of God, I think that, instead of rejecting a supreme being, they are rejecting other human beings.

From a logical standpoint, Pascal's wager is an excellent reason for belief. For those who aren't familiar, Pascal's wager states that if a person does believe in God, and is proven wrong, then they've lost nothing. Conversely, if a person does not believe in God, and is proven wrong, then they've lost everything. Therefore, just to be safe, it is better to be a believer. Why, then, would anyone not believe? Why not just abandon a good works-based religion (like Catholicism) and instead find a religion centered on belief alone (like my own laissez-faire Lutheranism)? Why would anyone take this risk?

Quite simply, it is because human beings provide a reason for rejection. Nonbelievers aren't necessarily rejecting God, but they sure love rejecting the people who promote, push, and force God on all those around them.

Personally, I am unable to come to a definitive decision because I don't have any evidence on either side. God may exist, God may not exist. I just don't know.

I do know that I dislike organized religion. I was raised in a Lutheran house. Religion wasn't strict, but it mattered to my mother. I remember going to church on Christmas Eve and singing "Amazing Grace." In the first verse of the song, the singer refers to himself as a "wretch." It's a beautiful song, but I really hate that word. I do not, and hope I never will, consider myself a "wretch."

This is my nutshell explanation for my distaste for religion. Why do I have to hate myself in order for God to love me? Why is it accepted that I am a sinner, that I commit sins constantly, and that only through God can I be saved? Why is it assumed that, without God's guidance, I'll be doomed to a life of depravity and suffering? Don't I get any credit for my own thoughts, choices, and actions? Is it truly impossible for me to be happy any other way? Is this really the only option?

Another thought to consider: God has never told me that I'm a sinner. Only other human beings have done that. What if their religion is wrong? What if God is just an easygoing, laid-back guy (or gal) who sits back, watches, and feels compassion for those people who have good intentions but make mistakes? What about those people who have good intentions and don't make mistakes, the ones who live happy, productive lives in which they help others and never set foot in a church? And why can't I be one of those people?

Actually, I think I can be. When I question the existence of God, I'm not totally rejecting the idea of God. I'm rejecting those around me who belittle, insult, and hate me for making my own choice. And if God really is the way that they say he is, i.e. vengeful, spiteful, and demanding of blind loyalty, then maybe I don't really want to know that God anyway.

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