^ A Moral Compass

Americans are constantly bombarded withstatements of faith, belief, and religion. Polls tells us that a majority ofAmericans want their politicians to talk about god and believe in god (http://www.atheists.org/flash.line/atheism8.htm).We hear that atheists are viewed as least electable, at the bottom of the listafter all the other pariahs: gays and Muslims and ethnic minorities (http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2006/03/its_good_to_know_how_much_were.php).

I am flabbergasted by the bias. Even myfriends who “like me in spite of lack of belief” – uh, I have PLENTY ofbeliefs, thanks, they just aren’t rooted in something I cannot see or hear orprove – even they seem to view me askance. I have seen surprise in their facesmany times when I’ve “done the right thing” in their eyes.

A moral compass does not have to bepredicated on something outside one’s skin. I would argue in fact the opposite– that a true moral center MUST be based on one’s self, otherwise how can youever be sure you are doing the right thing on a personal level? If one relieson religion to give the go-ahead on what to think, say, feel and believe,isn’t that giving your most innate gift – free will to reason and think – tosomeone, something, else? It all smacks of the Nuremberg defense to me … thisgiving away of a personal choice to decide for your self what the right courseof action is.