The merits of athiesm

Posted on August 24th, 2008 by bryan.
Categories: General.

Professor AC Grayling wrote in Thursday’s ‘The Guardian’ a compelling commentary about the merits of an atheist Prime Minister. It is one of the best pro-atheism pieces I’ve read, avoiding completely the usual criticisms of being anti-religion.

Instead, Grayling suggests that religious movements should be seen as civil society organisations (like trades unions, political parties, the Scouts, etc.), with every right to exist and to have their say, but as self-constituted interest groups no more entitled to a bigger share of the public pie of influence, privilege, tax handouts and legal exemptions than any other interest group.

Moreover, Grayling recognises that religion - unlike race, age, gender, disability (and, I add, sexuality) - is a matter of choice, that one can change or not have at all. As such, he argues (and I’ve long agreed), it should pay its own way and take its place in the queue along with other interest groups.

Atheism is not an attack on any or all religions. It’s about levelling the playing fields; equality; fairness; and respect. That can only be a good thing.

To read the article in full, click on the link below.

The rise of Miliband brings at last the prospect of an atheist Prime Minister (The Guardian, 21 August 2008)

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