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About the Author
A major reason why I so strongly adhere to my religious stance is that my current understanding, and philosophy, were both brought about from my own individual research and analytical reasoning, which sprouted from my eventual willingness to objectively, but impartially question my once sincere Christian beliefs. No man, woman, or book influenced my decision to seek for, accept, and promote my current outlook; the quest was all my own. The resulting logic and philosophy are both all my own. In contrast, my acceptance of blind-faith beliefs as a Christian was directly, as well as indirectly, the result of influences and repetitive religious prodding from other men and women, who forced their "beliefs (and their storybook)" on a child whose mind was very immature and vulnerable.
In a circle of atheist, I am at times embarrassed, and reluctant, to confess that before my self-enlightenment, I had never even heard of such great men as Carl Sagan, Robert Ingersoll, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Charles Darwin, or even Thomas Paine. Growing up, these men were never a subject of the household or the community. As a matter of fact, I had not learned of these men until approximately three years after I opened my mind's eye and realized that God does not, and could not possibly exist. For so long I felt as if I were one of an uncounted few, who had discovered and accepted this enlightenment. Though I vigorously and openly debated my newfound stance with any Christian willing to take the blows, I had not encountered a single other person standing on my side of the field. It wasn't until I was nearly finished penning my book (written over a period of three years) did I begin to diligently look for atheists across the internet. To my surprise, they were everywhere! Well, this made me feel not so unique anymore, but it also made me feel better to know that there are many people who agree with and support the message I am attempting to promote to the masses, especially the impoverished masses.
Once I came to know of Sam Harris (through an acquaintance), then Richard Dawkins (from internet networking), I refused to read their books in fear that they might somehow influence my own. I have now read their latest books, and I think they're awesome. But in many ways different from my own.
I feel that if I were exposed to the teachings of Carl Sagan and Richard Dawkins at a much earlier age, that I would have more than likely broken the shackles of religion, escaped the prison of myth and outrun the beast of dogma much sooner. And in doing so, I may have been able to avoid a few pitfalls in my life, while accomplishing so much more. Nonetheless, I am grateful and proud that we have these men, as well as others, who are willing to lead the vanguard of reason, and stand shoulder to shoulder with the rest of us in defiance of irrationality, blind-faith, child abuse, and the irony of arrogant ignorance.
As an atheist, I am for...
As an atheist, I am against... Deception (to include self deception) Dogma Irrationality Willful Ignorance Being a slave to one's own opinion Contempt and/or damnation of others
merely for being different and believing differently Making a value of and praising one's
refusal to think critically Belief or acceptance of anything on
incredible and insufficient evidence and/or argument As an atheist, my ultimate goal is... ...to educate and encourage the impoverished to value Socratic questioning and reasoning more than superstitious prayer and faith, to help them approach and deal with the real world as it really is, so that they may bring about a real, qualitative, progressive change for themselves, their children and their children's children. This requires dispelling the myths of punishment or reward after one dies. As well as the personally and socially damaging belief that some God has a divine plan that includes their individual gain. Sadly, many impoverished parishioners see this as some material or financial gain in this life if they would just 'have faith.' However, the problem of (and solution to) poverty is not to be found in myths of Gods and devils, or a lack of hard work, for it is well documented that millions of hard working people have remained trapped in poverty despite ever enduring efforts to escape. The perpetual state of poor and struggling classes (the full strata of middle class families who, although they may experience more comfort and leisure, are in reality a couple of paychecks or unexpected medical expenses away from tumbling down the class pyramid) is, however, a necessity of the system under which they live, to no fault of their own. For there must exist a majority whose work power can be exploited to build upon and maintain the power and wealth of a relatively few elitist, for nothing can be produced for the profit of a few (majority stock holders, CEOs, those who own and control the technology and means of production, etc.) without the exploited work of thousands. So although all profit generating goods can only be socially created, the profit is not socially shared. Instead, the vast majority of the workforce, that toils fervently to produce and provide all profit generating goods and services, are compensated with a check that barely allows them to comfortably survive without worry to the following check, unaffordable health care and medicine (at least in the more avaricious U.S.), expensive, seemingly unattainable schooling (for the poor in particular, which is one of the biggest psychological hindrances to even an attempt at enrollment amongst those poor children who truly are capable of succeeding academically ), and a pipedream ( in some cases a nightmare) of attainable prosperity for all men and women.
Meet the author
of the book Truth in Harlem on 125th St., where he
sells his
book at a discounted price.
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