This is in response to the column in Wednesday's Post titled Faith in God is needed to stay on solid ground. I usually turn directly to the opinion articles on page two to enjoy my classmates' sentiments on topics like school, politics and the environment. On Wednesday, instead of coming across a thought-provoking article on one of the above-mentioned subjects, I realized I was reading a screed written by a creationist. I became completely confounded on Thursday morning when I noticed that no one wrote back in response, so I felt obligated to.
First, I'll mention that I'm not writing this in support of a theological stance on whether God exists or not; that is beside the point I'm trying to make. Faith in God is needed to say on solid ground supports the idea that God can help you through difficult times. I would essentially agree that, yes, belief in a higher power can definitely help you when all seems hopeless. But, it is taken a few steps further by the fact that the writer is referring to the Judeo-Christian God. However, if there is only one true God to turn to, this view leaves out the majority of humanity to be relieved of their hopelessness. Don't people of different faiths also turn to their respective God in order to find meaning and salvation too? Or is it only your God that can offer true relief when you feel completely dejected? Clearly, there are many religious routes that one can take to relieve themselves of the hopelessness we all feel at one time or another. Not to mention secular routes as well such as yoga, meditation or just enjoying a good album or book.
In regard to the extreme insensitivity toward the non-religious community saying that they can look forward to disintegrating near the worms six feet underground: This is the opposite of what they believe. Atheists don't look forward to death whatsoever because there is absolutely nothing to look forward to because when you're dead, your consciousness is completely gone. This is a main pillar in not believing in God in the first place. Instead, the non-religious person would likely say they are looking forward to their next meal or date or whatever they have planned in the upcoming days. Just because eternal bliss is not an option does not mean that you have to spend your 60 years on earth completely depressed.
Finally, in response to your thoughts on evolution, saying that it is the concept that every living creature is the product of some incredibly unrealistic coincidence
I don't think you know how widely accepted evolution is (even among your religious comrades). Among academics, like the professors at OU, I think you would find it hard to uncover more than a handful of believers in the science and mathematics departments. I think a real coincidence would be that there is such a vast consensus among scientists that evolution does exist and yet you seem to think it is incredibly unrealistic.
Brian P. Bors is a sophomore social work major.
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