Atheism definitions:
-The lack of belief in the existence of deities.
-rejection of religious beliefs or spiritual beings.
A case for atheism:
- Financial savings- No self-imposed taxes in the name of tithe, offerings and donations or excessive spending in the name of celebrating religious traditions.
- Time savings- Valuable time is not wasted going to church sessions, keshas, fasting and praying or doing unpaid work for religious institutions.
- Freedom from fear- There are no endless worries and terrors about the eternal torment awaiting you should you fail to find your name in the book of life and instead end up in the lake of brimstone and fire.
- Freedom from harmful religious teachings- Some teachings are the basis for holy wars, destructions of artworks considered blaspemous etc
- Freedom from irrationality and delusions- Religions strongly discourage rational, critical thinking and can make people resentful and angry at science as it appears to always be on a collusion course with religion. This can lead to high levels of science illiteracy. People with mental sickness have been deprived of much needed medical attention as it is assumed they are suffering from demon possession and so forth. June Ruto recently claimed to have prayed for borehole water and made it safe for human consumptions. Such type of superstitious nonsense and delusions are the foundations upon which charlatan faith healers, prophets, fortune tellers, etc operate on to fleece desperate individuals.
- Freedom from controversial facts- Every religion has some “facts” included in their scared books that lead to controversy unless the person just gives up reasoning and accepts what the book has to say. Did Noah live 700+ years? Did Samson kill a lion with his bare hands? Do people come back from the dead?
- Freedom from violence- Atheists generally tend to be level headed and will not meet out violence to people with divergent views. Recent cases in Nigeria has reminded us just how vicious and extremely violent theists can be when defending their deities. Cases of people being accused of witchcraft and killed are still rife in Kenya.
- Freedom from abuse- our innocent daughters have been impregnated by pastors, wives stolen and eaten and small boys wamefunguliwa boot by catholic priests.
A case against atheism:
- Violence- atheists have been known to take aggressive measures in their quest to eradicate religion. For example in the soviet era a lot of priests were imprisoned and killed, churches shut down or burned down. Msito Xi as well amefinya Uighurs makende sana huko kwa reeducation camps. That said it is not entirely clear whether these acts of oppression can be fully blamed on atheism or they are the symptoms of communism/facism.
- Lack inspiration- Atheists lack inspiration to do good deed as they do not believe in rewards in the afterlife or even on earth. As such atheism can result in a highly individualistic society.
- Hopelessness- When you lose a loved one that’s it. You will never see them again and this can be a very depressing reality.
- Condemnation- Currently there are 13 countries where renunciation of religious beliefs or even blasphemy can earn you the death penalty. Most societies tend to be dominated by theists who consider atheists as evildoers incapable of feeling guilt or remorse or even doing the right thing. As such they shun them and this can lead to isolation for those who profess their lack of belief in god(s). This can result in a lot of stress.
- Arrogance associated with believing there is no higher power can lead to close-mindedness.
- Atheists have no holidays or festive seasons.
- Eternal punishment in hell should you be wrong about the existence of God.
- Atheism has not produced any outstanding cultural achievements. eg Christianity has a large collection of art, music and poetry associated with it.
