Why I am not a Christian...

[and-justice-for-all]

by Bertrand Russell.

A book I just bought the other day and enjoying very much.

From the Book:

"The knowledge exist by which universal happiness can be secured; the chief obstacle to its utilization for that purpose is the teaching of religion. Religion prevents our children from having a rational education; religion prevents us from removing the fundamental causes of war; Religion prevents us from teaching the ethic of scientific co-operation in the place of old fierce doctrines of sin and punishment. It is possible that mankind is on the threshold of a golden age; but, if so, it will be necessary first to slay the dragon that guards the door, and that dragon is religion."
Bertrand Russell - Why I am not a Christian, pg 47. 1957

[varkam]

1. It's an excellent book.

Oddly enough, it was recommended to me several years ago by a close friend who is Greek Orthodox.

[Jim__]

2. I don't agree with Russell on his assertion about universal happiness.

""The knowledge exist by which universal happiness can be secured; ...". It's been a while since I read "Why I am not a Christian". Does Russell get any more specific about what this knowlege is that will lead to universal happiness?

I disagree with the points listed in the quote:

- "Religion prevents our children from having a rational education" - maybe, but I'm not at all convinced that a rational education leads to individual, nevermind universal, happiness.

- "religion prevents us from removing the fundamental causes of war" - maybe, but it's not only religion standing in the way. I think much of our evolutionary history stands in the way.

- "Religion prevents us from teaching the ethic of scientific co-operation in the place of old fierce doctrines of sin and punishment" - maybe. But teaching the ethic of scientific cooperation and actually successfully implementing this ethic are 2 very different things. Again. I think much of our evolutionary history stands in the way.

The problem is that life is full of (I believe) inescapable paradoxes. We're going to die. Science can lead to a significant extension to our expected lifetime, but, ultimately, I don't think it can resolve the issue. As we extend our lifetimes, people will have to be restricted as to the number of children they have - access to food (and other resources) does have limits, no matter how productive we become. For some people, limiting children is limiting happiness. Etc.

Do you accept Russell's contention? How do you see us achieving universal happiness?

[and-justice-for-all]

5. Science has a much higher chance for universal happiness..

than religion could ever offer.

Education, knowledge and love are key. Religion has had its chance and it has obviously failed to give us universal happiness. The only way you can achieve universal happiness with religion is to submit to its dogma and hope you get a reward in eternal life. It is not at all concerned with the here and now, only the after.

A Rational and proper education is vital to ones individual happiness and in return that happiness will carry over to others. I do not disagree with the quote, it is very comprehendable and realistic to me.

[elshiva]

3. Thanks for the quote.

That is required reading. I still have to read that...

[progressoid]

4. I looked for some Russell at our public library.

They have two books. This one, Bertrand Russell on God and religion is cataloged under: Religion - controversial literature.

No Shit. Controversial literature. I didn't even know there was a section for it. This is the 21st century right?


Edit: The other books listed in this peculiar category are:

The end of faith: religion, terror, and the future of reason / Sam Harris

God is not great: how religion poisons everything / Christopher Hitchens

Killing the Buddha: a heretic's Bible / Peter Manseau & Jeff Sharlet.

Breaking the spell: religion as a natural phenomenon / Daniel C. Dennett

All about Adam & Eve: how we came to believe in gods, demons, miracles & magical rites / Robert J. Gillooly

[moggie]

6. Everyone should read about the CCNY controversy

Christians are currently trying to introduce "academic freedom" bills in order to get creationism into schools, and to insulate kids from the negative consequences of believing nonsense. But 68 years ago, Russell was at the centre of a controversy which showed how little a powerful Christian establishment cared for real academic freedom. It's described in an appendix in my edition of "Why I am not a Christian", and should be required reading.

Russell was offered a philosophy professorship at CCNY, and as a result was subjected to a hate campaign which prefigured McCarthyism, led by Christian churches and organisations and supported by politicians ("...a campaign of vilification and intimidation unequalled in American history since the days of Jefferson and Thomas Paine. The ecclesiastical journals, the Hearst press, and just about every Democratic politician joined the chorus of defamation"). The appointment was overturned by a judge, who based his decision on "norms and criteria ... which are the laws of nature and nature's God". The whole episode is a sobering reminder of why it's vital to reduce the power of religion in society.