The non-believer’s bible

If Everything You Know About God is Wrong was intended to be a straightforward anthology of religious essays, then it could be called a success. However, if there was a greater purpose or point, say to discredit our preconceived ideas about religion, then it missed the mark entirely.

Most of the essays included don’t inspire intellectual skepticism as much as the question “and your point is…?” Oddly enough, the book meant to inspire thoughtful questioning of religious dogma, leaves readers instead feeling as if they’ve been tricked into carting around atheist propaganda.

The essays are divided into 10 loosely-themed sections, including sections based on sex and biblical history. Yet there still remains discontinuity between each piece of writing. If that weren’t enough, the majority of the essays read more like personal rants than well-presented arguments. Some have clear theories, but lack concrete evidence, while others don’t live up to their potential due to academically irreverent sarcasm. And although the work is supposed to be about religions worldwide, there is a clear dominance of Western religions, and a steady undertone of judgment from the Western perspective.

Included in the book is the complete “Philadelphia Grand Jury Report on Abusive Priests and the Cardinals Who Enabled Them.” It is a perfect example of how similar the strategies of the book are to the religious institutions that are being called to the table.

This report of horrendous abuses against children, magnified by the shameful cover-ups, has the same vilifying effect on religion that religions have been using to vilify non-believers for centuries.

The report’s placement in the text implies that; A: It is worse for a priest to molest a child, than any other trusted individual, for example a parent; and B: The complete and undeniable corruption and willful endangerment of children is unique to the Catholic Church.

To be clear, this is not at all a defense of the actions of the Catholic Church. The details of the report are complete atrocities, not at all to be excused or pushed aside–but not because there is religion involved. The atrocities happened because someone in a position of complete trust abused their power, and in turn were supported by those in power above them. The abuse of power is not an occurrence contained only within religion, it happens just as often (if not more) in the secular world.

The report seems more like an attempt to manipulate readers by appealing to their horror. The underlying issues are misrepresented and hidden by the involvement of belief. It’s strategy that is eerily similar to what religions are being accused of in the very same book. Another example of misrepresentation is the comic by Neil Gaiman and Steve Gibson, “Journey to Bethlehem.” Graphically depicted are some of the less talked about Bible stories. They combined the seedier aspects of more than one story, to make one story that is grotesque. The result is worthy of the dark authors, and entertaining in a twisted way.

What it is not entertaining however, is proof of anything. Picking and choosing whatever bits that support the “the Bible isn’t all love and peace” argument is just as bad as picking and choosing bits in order to prove that homosexual relationships are un-Christian. Plus, it’s unnecessary editing for their argument. These Biblical stories don’t need any help to shock someone spending the night in a motel, an afternoon in the Park Blocks, or a day at the local library–all places where the Bible is often available for consumption.

Then there are the essays that just don’t go anywhere. The essay entitled “It Ain’t Necessarily So” by Dan Barker is based on the argument that “Atheistic composers could not inspire great things.” Barker’s essay goes on to point out that many of the world’s greatest artists, many of who composed religious based art, were either atheist or agnostic.

The red flag with this one is definitely the initial argument. How many rational thinkers, who have today’s unprecedented access to music and art from every sector of life, are really going to argue the point? If it’s generally accepted that artists will, at one point or another, create something just for the purpose of paying the bills, then why do we even care that Irving Berlin hated Christmas? Doesn’t the phrase go something like “Hey, it’s a living.”

Rush Kick’s collection isn’t a complete waste of time though. There actually are some lucid, well thought out and well-executed arguments included. The best, and most heartening considering our current political climate, is “The US is a Free Country, Not a Christian Nation,” written by Michael E. and Edward M. Buckner, a father-son team. The essay uses clear historical evidence to prove that the U.S. was intended to be a secular nation since its inception. Other essayists, such as Douglas Rushkoff, also stand out in their persuasiveness.

Unfortunately, the few shining examples of argumentation do not make up for the misdirection and fear mongering found in other essays. It’s even a bit of a let down for those of us who were wanted to have our own religious skepticism validated. This book does not meet the needs of intellectual religious debate, save your $25 for something else.