I am an Atheist and I am angry. I am angry with good reason though. I am angry about the injustice that Galileo faced. In 1633 Galileo published documents stating and proving that the universe was not heliocentric, but rather geocentric. Because of this he was ordered to recant all his findings, had a ban placed on any book he had ever hoped to publish and was given house arrest for the rest of his life. Why? Because his findings contradicted Holy Scripture. I am even more enraged that it took the Catholic Church until 1992 to apologize for this. What enrages me even more though is that Galileo’s treatment was not just an isolated incident. An astronomer by the name of Giordano Bruno advocated that the sun was simply one star among many. Because of this the Catholic Church found it necessary
thing along the lines of, “But if you read the original text, that’s not what it really says” or something of that nature. IT DOES NOT FUCKING MATTER, what matters is that there are many religions that share the belief that little girls must have their clitorises cut off and people react, not by getting upset, but by defending the religion and not the children. I am angry by the number of children who die from curable/treatable illnesses because the faith their parents belong to believe in faith healing over medical treatment. As of 2012, 39 states protect these parents from prosecution. In that same boat, in 14 states, child care centers that are run by religiously affiliated organizations do not have to follow basic health and safety regulations. No
I am angry that because Pope Pontiff claimed that condoms would make baby Jesus cry upon a visit to Africa, the AIDS epidemic has worsened and more people are dying of this deadly virus. to burn him at the stake. I repeat. Stating a scientific THEORY that the church did not agree with, an astronomer was tied to a stake and burned to death. Let that sink in for a moment. Not mad yet? Okay let me bring it closer to our time. I am angry that because Pope Pontiff claimed that condoms would make baby Jesus cry upon a visit to Africa, the AIDS epidemic has worsened and more people are dying of this deadly virus. I am angry that despite our advances in science and technology people are still cutting off parts of their sons’ genitals (against all proper medical advice I might add), because civilizations thousands of years ago believed that God required the mutilation of their sons’ penises. But I can kind of understand that so I am not as mad about it. What makes me so so so so angry though is that there are little girls who are getting their clitorises cut off because of the religion their PARENTS follow. When you bring this up to many people they will say some-
licensing, nothing. Numerous children have needlessly died because of the poor health conditions in these care centers, the lack of training for the staff and the lack of belief in medical treatment. Icing on the cake? Everyone involved is immune from prosecution. I am angry that in the 21st century people still believe in creationism. Not that “meet me halfway God played a part in the evolution” version of creationism but that a strict “God created the earth and all its inhabitants in 7 days.“ Keeping in mind if the sun and the moon weren’t created until later then how had 7 days really passed? But the crazy thing is that creationists are trying to get their beliefs taught in schools paid for by our tax dollars. This is in violation of the First Amendment. I am also angry for them. That they have been raised to fear one of the most amazing truths discovered about the world. That they have to reject the Universe and how it came about. Evolution is the most basic level of science, science can hardly make sense without it and kids who are not taught this are being robbed of one of the most profound ways we have of understanding ourselves and more importantly the world.