THE WAYS OF AN ATHEIST

The Ways of an Atheist is a collection of essay by atheist writer Bernard Katz, best known for his succulently insightful critiques of religion in The American Rationalist and The Truth Seeker magazines.  The author spent over half a century investigating religion, and the present volume highlights some of the fruits of his labors.

The is divided into ten main sections, each containing several brief topical essays.  For example, the section entitled “Whose Morality?” contains such intriguing headings as “Religion—Breeder of Immorality” and “Religion is a Monumental Chapter in the History of Human Egotism” (a quote from William James).  In the former, Katz dismisses Jesus as “nothing but a fanatic preaching to the poor to stay poor—for won’t they inherit the earth?” and concludes by pointing out that the coincidence between Babylonian-Jewish-Christian morality and the inhumanity of this century “is not accidental.  It is inherent in the frame of mind that elevates spirituality at the expense of  humanity” (pg. 39).  The latter begins by asking the question, “What is deity but the projection of ourselves and of nature?” (pg. 40) and proceeds to discuss the 1990s visit of a “living goddess!” from India as proof that ancient pagan beliefs are alive and thriving.

Many modern theological apologists have insisted that science and religion are two distinct spheres of knowledge.  Certain well-known scientists, who certainly should know better, are included in their ranks.  Katz begs to differ. He beautifully sums up the incompatibility of science and religion: “The battle between science and religion is not between two modes of explanation.  There cannot be, for religion by its dependence on miracles substitutes the unknowable for the knowable, and therefore automatically eliminates itself from what man can actually know” (pg. 51).

In addition, Katz neatly summarizes Christian morality by stating: “What a cruel and savage religion Christianity is in its need of a Father who requires a victim, the agonizing death of his only Son, before he can relinquish his vengeance on sinners whom he had made imperfect in the first place!” (pg. 82).  This may be the single most devastating one-sentence critique of Christian morality I have ever read.  Likewise, he dismisses Mohammed, the supposed prophet of Islam: “Mohammed legalized slavery, subordination of women, polygamy, eye-for-an-eye justice and the ‘Jihad’—the sacred  duty to war upon idolater.  He commanded his followers to ‘slay the idolater wherever ye find him.’  Idol worshipers must either ‘accept Islam, emigrate from the borders of Islam, or be put to death.’” (pg. 115)  So much for the notion of Islam as being “a religion of peace.”

Katz offers us other choice examples of his sardonic religious commentary: “Instead of evoking a satisfactory response to the real world, faith in the ‘good shepherd’ merely keeps you in the world of illusion” (pg. 59).  Then there is his commentary on prejudice: “Prejudice is one of the natural diseases of the religiously twisted” (pg. 60).

Because of the brevity of the articles, one should not look to The Ways Of An Atheist for in-depth analysis of the problems inherent in theism and religion.  That is not Katz’ purpose.  What he offers us instead is a series of tantalizing “sound bites” that whet our appetite making us want to investigate further.  As such, this short volume can serve not only as food for thought for nonbelievers, but also as an excellent introductory reading for those new to freethought.