New study says that Atheists terrify believers because "they threaten the comforting narratives that make the thought of death bearable."

Courtesy of Pacific Standard:  

Even as an increasing number of Americans declare their disbelief in God, the nation as a whole continues to hold a dim view of atheists, in large part due to non-believers' perceived lack of morality. However dubious its premise, the assertion "There is no good without God" reflects a widely held mindset. 

But it turns out that's not the whole story. Newly published research finds another dynamic driving antagonism toward atheists: They threaten the comforting narratives that gives meaning to so many people's lives, and make the thought of death bearable. 

Humans instinctively search for ways of "mitigating the potential terror arising from the uniquely human awareness of death," writes a research team led by psychologist Corey Cook of the University of Washington-Tacoma. Atheists "pose a fundamental threat" to the belief systems that perform this vital function. 

Writing in the journal Social Psychological and Personality Science, the researchers report "hostility toward, and mistrust of, atheists is particularly pronounced when existential concerns are involved." Even more tellingly, they also find that "among believers, the mere contemplation of atheism can arouse intimations of mortality."

In other words the very idea that there are those who are living their lives fully aware of their own mortality, and requiring no comforting stories of an afterlife in order to function, anger and frighten those who require those comforts in order to get through each day.

I have actually seen this myself.

I have, at various times in my life, introduced myself to religious people as either an agnostic, an Atheist, or a Taoist.

If I say I am a Taoist they are usually put at ease and express interest in learning more about my "faith."

If I claim the label of "agnostic" they become parental and imagine that I have merely lost my way and suggest that if I read the "good book," or attend services, I will return to faith.

However if I mention that I am an Atheist, even in a non-threatening offhand manner, they immediately demonstrate suspicion and will often finish the conversation quickly and walk away, or aggressively challenge my "ignorance."

To be honest that last one has not happened in more than a decade. I am an excellent debater and can leave my opponents bloodied and mentally exhausted.

That of course is why I feel it so important to always identify myself as an Atheist.

Not only is it completely disconcerting to the faithful, but to do anything else would demonstrate a lack of courage on my part.

In my opinion the Atheist is the most courageous human on the planet.  A man or woman who walks through life fully aware that the sands of time are running out on their existence, yet rising each morning to greet day, not with despair for how little time remains, but with hope in their hearts for all they might accomplish before the end, is someone to be admired.

How can one argue that the Atheist soldier is not far more courageous than his Christian counterpart who believes that God watches over him, and that his death will merely usher in the beginning of a better existence?

Or that the non-believing firefighter who runs into the burning building, and knows if he is trapped will never see his loved ones again, is far braver than the man who believes his family will some day join him in heaven?

For every heroic person who has impressed us through the years, imagine how much more heroic they must have been to take such risks knowing that they were risking, and possibly losing, the only life they will ever know.

That is why I proudly stand up and claim the mantle of Atheist.

And if by doing so it makes the faithful fear for their mortality, that is no fault of mine, but rather a flaw in their own character.

A little food for thought this early Sunday morning.

If image does not enlarge click here

Here is a video of Harris saying what is quoted above, and more.

President Obama visits devastated Oklahoma. Update.

Courtesy of USA Today:

During a first-hand look Sunday afternoon at the devastation from last week's violent tornado, President Obama praised Oklahomans for their resolve while consoling victims and promising continued help. 

"I'm just a messenger here today, letting everybody here know that you are not alone, that you've got folks behind you," Obama said. "Obviously, the damage here is pretty hard to comprehend. Our hearts go out to the families who have been impacted, including those who had loved ones who were lost." 

Obama, who flew from Washington to nearby Tinker Air Force Base, spent several hours in the area. He walked through one of the hardest-hit neighborhoods in the Oklahoma City suburb and toured the ruins of Plaza Towers Elementary School, which was destroyed by the tornado. He later visited a local fire station that has been used as a command post. There he thanked first responders and met with families of seven children who died at the school. 

I swear not since Bill Clinton has a president been this effective at comforting hurting Americans.

Even if he were NOT doing all that he has done for the country in the last four and half years he would probably still be remembered for this alone. I personally have great respect for those that can demonstrate compassion for their fellow man, and President Obama is EXACTLY the guy that I would want to show up and offer support if I were dealing with devastation the likes of this Oklahoma Tornado, or Hurricane Sandy, or any other disaster one might imagine.

Update: Wiping away a tear.

Photo courtesy of the Obama Diary.

Yesterday somebody mentioned that at times like these it would really be nice if we could still be comforted by Mr. Rogers. I could not agree more.

Well I feel better, how about all of you?

And do you know what? I think Mr. Rogers advice is for adults too.

After all it is not only children that sometimes feel the need to be comforted.

Something to keep in mind as we help each other deal with the shock and the fear left over from yesterday's tragedy.

Mr. Rogers offers words of comfort from another troubling time in America's past.

I'm reaching the point in the aftermath of this tragedy where I am becoming numb.

I know that it is important to continue the dialogue, and hopefully push our politicians into working on a solution, but I am just tired of wiping away tears and feeling helpless.

At times like that I can think of no better voice to hear delivering calm, rational, comforting words than Fred Rogers.

This was from right after 9-11 but I think it applies equally as well today.

As country reels in response to Benghazi attacks Hillary serves as source of strength.

Courtesy of the Daily Beast:  

By 7:30 a.m. in Washington on Wednesday, Sept. 12, an alert was transmitted to senior officials that four Americans had been killed in the stunning assault, including Stevens. As employees streamed into Foggy Bottom, they began trading stories about Stevens and the other victims. “People were heartsick,” recalls a senior official who had worked on Libya’s governmental transition with Stevens. “What was so tragic was that Chris thought he had succeeded, and that the hard part was over.” Soon after arriving that morning, senior officials, many of whom had worked closely with Stevens, received a briefing on the assault. When the briefer described the discovery of the ambassador’s body at the hospital, one woman began to weep. Several people at the meeting got out of their chairs, bringing her tissues. “It was an overwhelming moment,” recalls one participant. “These were some of the people who appointed him to his job.” 

Through it all, Hillary Clinton was a source of strength for her wounded department, employees say. She moved back and forth between public appearances and private internal diplomacy, showing her trademark combination of resolve, empathy, and hyper-competence. She began at State, looking drawn but determined, calling the events in Benghazi “an attack that should shock the conscience of people of all faiths around the world.” Later that morning she stood by President Obama at the White House, looking alternately stoic and stricken. Then the president and his secretary of state traveled to Foggy Bottom where they met with shocked employees. Those who saw Clinton in action this week say it was in the more private, intimate moments where she was at her best. 

That day, Clinton called to console the grieving relatives of the victims, including Stevens’s sister and Smith’s wife. Later she held a video conference with the shell-shocked staff of the embassy in Tripoli. “It was tearful and incredibly moving,” according to one source who declined to provide further details out of respect for those who were still absorbing the trauma that had befallen their embassy. “But it was an inspirational moment that made me, once again, proud to work for Hillary.”

There has been much talk lately about Hillary and the 2016 race. 

I think that her performance during this crisis and her unselfish support for the President during this terrible ordeal has cemented her place at the top of the list if she should so desire to run.

And I am pretty convinced that the President could not have been more pleased to have her by his side when his own strength and resolve were running on empty. A situation that could not have been helped by the irrational and indefensible attacks that came his way almost immediately from the Right Wing and Romney campaign.

Personally I hope she DOES run just so I can watch the GOP suffer another humiliating defeat, this time at the hands of the wife of the man they railroaded through impeachment.