Ignorant Nonbelievers

This entry is on the view I hold towards ignorant Nonbelievers and why I don't view them much higher then the ignorant religious. I'm sure some will disagree with me on this. First let me break down what I mean by 'ignorant Nonbeliever'. This is a person whom is ignorant to both science and religion; only having the views that they do because of friends/family — not being informed on either side of the debate, but claiming to be on the side of science and rationality.

Many claim to "believe" in evolution, but a large portion of those people have a very weak understanding of the theory (sometimes as weak as the creationists). While this is fine, not everyone needs to have a great understanding of it (should but not need). The problem is that they are claiming to believe in something which they know very little about. On the flip side, they claim to not believe in something which they also know little about (sound familiar?).

Ignorant Nonbelievers are a big problem for those that wish for a more rational world. While many atheist/agnostics view them as "on their side" — it is really quite the opposite. The true problem is not religion. It is ignorance, lack of rationality, and lack of individual thinking. Ignorant Nonbelievers are not informed enough to claim to "believe" in evolution etc. It is irrational to believe in something, but not know what that something is. These people are mere sheep; in my opinion a sheep is a sheep is a sheep. The only distinction between the two is who the shepherd is.

This blog is obviously centered on criticizing religion; but it is the underlying problems which allow religion to thrive that I am most opposed to. As previously stated, the problems are: ignorance, lack of individual thinking, and lack of rationality. It just happens to be that religion promotes and thrives off these three things. But at the same time, I find it easier to respect a well-informed Believer, than an ignorant Nonbeliever. The big questions are at least thought about, and there is some sort of understanding of the opposing side (even if it is only to debate it). But well-informed Believers are few and far between.

The only reason ignorant Nonbelievers happen to be on this side of the fence is because they were led over here. Perhaps it is only me, but I dislike sheep on either side. The only thing that makes a religious sheep more undesirable would be that they may be more inclined to do destructive behavior (in the name of religion). Besides that, they are mirror images of each other.