Atheists, educated people and psychologists know that pride, in ourselves and in our work, is an essential part of mental health. But some theists, especially Christians, are adamant that pride is a "cardinal sin" responsible for all sins. With this in mind, is it more prideful to be an Atheist or to be a theist? If it is more prideful to believe in God, then those who believe that pride is the cardinal sin should stop believing in God.
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Which indicates more pride: to believe that one is merely an animal, or to believe that one has a soul?
Which indicates more pride: to believe that one's consciousness is merely the product of stupid and uncaring random processes, or to believe that one's consciousness is a supernatural phenomenon akin to that of angels and gods?
Which indicates more pride: to believe that the vast and ancient universe has no purpose, or to believe that a universe of 100 billion galaxies was created 14 billion years ago just so that one could grace it with one's presence?
Which indicates more pride: to believe that one's mind will soon forever cease, or to believe that one's mind is eternal?
Which indicates more pride: to believe that one's body will soon rot and decay once and for all, or to believe that one's body will be renewed for an eternal blissful afterlife in the presence of the Creator?
Which indicates more pride: to believe that no higher power cares about humanity, or to believe that the Creator of 100 billion galaxies came to Earth and suffered just for the benefit of its human inhabitants?
Which indicates more pride: to believe the universe rigidly follows natural laws, or to believe that the laws governing 100 billion galaxies are sometimes suspended because the Creator listens to one's prayers?
Which indicates more pride: to believe that no higher power cares about humanity, or to believe that gods and angels and demons are engaged in a supernatural struggle to influence one's eternal fate?
Which indicates more pride: to believe that one's deceased loved ones are gone forever, or to believe that they are a special group whose reunion will outlive the Earth and the Sun and the galaxies?”
Posted to alt.atheism on 2002 Aug 30,
with the subject title of "Is atheism caused by pride?"
by Brian Holtz.
Bertrand Russell, the philosopher, hits upon this subject in two separate books (Religion and Science is the most pertinent of the two on this):
“If Christianity is true, mankind are not such pitiful worms as they seem to be; they are of interest to the Creator of the universe, who takes the trouble to be pleased with them when they behave well and displeased when they behave badly. This is a great compliment. [...] It is an even pleasanter compliment if He awards to the good among us everlasting happiness in heaven.”
"Why I am not a Christian" by Bertrand Russell (1957)1
“Is there not something a trifle absurd in the spectacle of human beings holding a mirror before themselves, and thinking what they behold so excellent as to prove that a Cosmic Purpose must have been aiming at it all along?”
"Religion and Science" by Bertrand Russell (1935)2
Read / Write Comments | By Vexen Crabtree 2006 Mar 26
http://www.vexen.co.uk/religion/pride.html
References: (What's this?)
Crabtree, Vexen
"Homocentricity or Anthropocentrism: Why Do Religions Think Humanity Is Central to God?" (2003). Accessed 2011 Dec 18.
"Christianity v. Astronomy: The Earth Orbits the Sun!" (2006). Accessed 2011 Dec 18.
Russell, Bertrand. (1872-1970)
Religion and Science (1935). 1997 edition with introduction by Michael Ruse. Published by Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK.
Why I am not a Christian (1957). Quotes from Fourth Impression of 1967 edition, 1971, Unwin Books.