How many times have we heard this question? Or have we heard or seen it stated as an "I fear god!" or the "Fear of god!"? However, have we actually ever really thought about it? I found myself pondering this notion as an atheist and wondering what the real implications of this fear are to someone who doesn't believe in the bearded deity.
I came to the conclusion that I do genuinely fear god. Of course I don't believe in god as an all-knowing, all-seeing, Sauron-type figure; but I do know that there are plenty who do. This frightens me. Don't get me wrong, neither am I going to shit on anyone's beliefs nor am I to criticise anyone for having them. I know that respect is a two-way street and I'm not going to be the first one to ruin whatever respect there lies between believers and non-believers.
It's staggering to think of all the atrocities that have happened throughout history in the name of one god or another. Be it the Crusades or the Thirty Years' War. I don't even have to go to such extremes actually, I can just try to fathom the sheer number of murders happening daily and globally that are being blamed on a voice that the murderer has heard that he claimed was god telling him to kill.
Also, just to make things crystal clear, I don't agree with the other end of the spectrum either, where you get militant atheists like Richard Dawkins pretty much slating anyone who dares defy him. In a way, isn't he making himself out to be a god? I never liked the sour bugger.
Personally I've heard of and experienced little unimaginables myself in the name of religion which have made me into the cynic I am today. From being severely punished by nuns for innocently asking - as a 5 year old, might I add - whether we know for sure if the Bible wasn't written by a group of friends; to a person I care about greatly who - despite being a devout Catholic himself - was incredibly emotionally damaged by being called a sinner at 13 for having homosexual urges and speaking to a priest in confidence about them.
It is shameful that these things are still allowed today in our modern world full of progress. I dare anyone of sound mind to watch the documentary "Jesus Camp" and not seethe. I am terrified of the capabilities of any human beings who make themselves out to be gods or who do incredibly inhumane things which are justified in the name of god.
I am just so fearful of god.
Good morning, the interwebz.
