Why I Am Not a Christian Essay Example

Christianity is a subject that evokes a myriad of emotions. Indeed, talking about Christianity's place in society and its truthfulness is a fragile topic. However, as the world progresses and as humanity discovers itself through science as well as factual reasoning, many questions about Christianity and its believability are growing by the day. It is evident that people are starting to question the whole subject of not just Christianity but all other forms of religion, in general, to ensure that they are well aware of where they stand in society, and whether these are true and how they affect their beliefs. As a student of philosophy, it is important to understand how the world thinks and Bertrand Russell, a great philosopher, gives his view of why he is not a Christian with reasons to support his stand. The purpose of this paper is to provide a reflection of Bertrand Russell's work with a view of adding insight, ideas, and connections to his work.

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One of the biggest reasons why Bertrand Russell's lectures were rather profound is that even though the lecture was given in 1927, the direction that the world has taken in many issues be they scientific, social or whatever have made the world more receptive to alternative reasoning rather than the traditional teachings about existence and religion. Indeed, all these factors particularly science and technology without any help from religion have made the world a better place to live in which have to some extent shown and revealed the archaic effect of religion to mankind particularly Christianity. It is for this reason that my reflection will largely focus on science and technology, and how it has influenced my understanding of Christianity and on my stand against Christianity.

Indeed, Russell starts his arguments using particular factors that can well be disproved when looked at with scientific lenses. Other than the moral argument and the remedying of justice argument, all the other arguments can well be disproved through science. Many Christians, or people purporting to be Christians, try as much as they can to ignore science and use simple reason as their basis for argument. Herein lies the biggest problem for me. The reason why science and technology (I am adding technology here because it has helped make sense of many issues) is the best factor for argument is that it generally relies on facts. Without facts that are quantifiable, any reasoning is treated as a theory. As such, Christianity and many of its claims are theories. It is why for instance there is the creation theory because it is quite difficult to prove creation as it is described in the bible.

Let us look at this in perspective, the first argument according to Russell about the beginning of the universe cannot be proven scientifically. He brings in the question if everything has a cause, where did God come from? Indeed, even science is still reeling with this issue, but Christianity does not provide a clear answer to said question. Furthermore, the natural (physical) laws must have been placed by a deity (God). However, laws are simple statistical patterns and can be altered at any time. Furthermore, during the period of the production of this lecture, Russell was unaware of the anthropic argument. The anthropic argument argues that any alteration to the natural order of the earth would not allow humanity to exist. Another argument on this line is the scientific theory that there exist parallel universes in the galaxies far and beyond. So, if these are only put in play bylaws, they can quite easily be distorted. Indeed, why doesn't Christianity particularly the Bible address the possibility of such existence?

Science has taught us that nature or the world around us does not adapt to us, however, we adapt to the environment around us. Christianity on the other hand according to Russell argues that the world has been designed by God. The argument questions whether an all loving, all knowing, omniscient and omnipotent God would be behind the creation of earth where most of its surface is unsuitable for humanity. Furthermore considering that the world is more than a million years old, is this his best? Consider that the lecture was given before the second world war, the AIDS pandemic, cancer that is killing more and more, global warming and its effects on the earth if at all the world was created for humanity, why is it becoming a tougher place to live in? Or has he abandoned us? These are particular questions that prove to be too difficult to be answered by Christians and add to why I am not a Christian.

From the writings, it is evident that humanity is simply looking at support, looking at somewhere they can run to rather than confront the underlying issues. It is unfair to paint negative images to depict Christianity because there are other elements that make Christianity worthy of its place in society. Indeed, the existence of God in religion particularly Christianity is the moral element of differentiating between good and bad, and right and wrong. Although it is an instinctive moral sense in all of us, I believe Christianity and religion, in general, broaden the whole ideology and the fact that something bad is going to befall you when you practice evil helps people stick to what is right and morally upright. The only problem is that Christianity tries to prove that only in the holy books do we find the definitions of right and wrong yet these are evident in all the earth. It is a social scientific issue that is based on fear which has been described as the catalyst for religions especially Christianity. It plays with emotions making one feel that they are not adequate and need help. Humanity will forever look for ways to justify particular practices and Christianity and religion are justifications for engaging in particular behaviors.

Conclusion

I will conclude using the words of Russell in that what can only help humanity is allowing science to teach us rather than use emotions and fear, but mind and reasoning, fending off imaginary supports and ensure that we do our best in ensuring that we make the world a better place to live in, not just for us, but for the future generations. Let it not be stated that this is a ploy to demean Christianity or have people not join Christianity. However, it is best to first of all look at all the matters at hand before venturing into not only Christianity but any religion that exists in the world.