Left Behind

I love the barber shop I patronize. I always get a great cut and have a great time. Trini (somehow all Trinidadians are called Trini), as my barber is affectingly known as, is an exceptional great barber. However, in this barbershop, some of the barbers, as many of their clients are fanatical Christians. These Christians combined against one “out” Atheist is a time-bomb for conversations; oh, I meant to say personal attacks. One such assault came in the charge that I as an atheist will be “left” behind in that last day if I do not repent, confess, and adhere to the words of God. However, I am not easily driven into fear. In fact, I think humanity has instead left God behind a long time ago.

What do I mean by that? Well, let me explain. Take morals for example; a huge aspect of Christian theology that tells us whether someone is going to be left behind or not and why. Morals, of course, are not a product of any religion (topic for another time). God's morality, however, seems to be stuck in the mud of primitiveness. His morals have been eclipsed by mere mortals. No longer do we follow, for example, what is arguably the world’s oldest method of execution, stone someone to death (Deuteronomy 22:21-23). A punishment prescribed by all three Abrahamic religions (Islam, Judaism, Christianity). No longer do we kill people who do not listen to priests (Deuteronomy 17:12). No longer do we kill adults because that commit adultery (Leviticus 20:10), or kill nonbelievers (2 Chronicles 15:12-13), etc.

Certainly, there were non-Jewish, non-Christian, non-Muslim societies who did have atrocious forms of punishment, but no longer do we today follow these primitive forms of punishment either. We have grown up. On the other, not all of us have reached adulthood. Not all of us have gained that ability to think rationally and make rational choices, for in some Islamic countries, for example, we see stoning people to death still remaining part of their laws. 

In Iran: “In 2004, 13-year-old Zhila Izadyar was sentenced to death by stoning in Iran for the "crime" of being raped by her older brother. Although the sentence was later overturned due to international outcry”

In Somalia: “13-year-old Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow was killed on Monday, 27 October 2008, by a group of 50 men who stoned her to death in a stadium in the southern port of Kismayu, Somalia in front of around 1,000 spectators”.

So, in light of the advance we have made morally, God appears to be the one “left behind” in terms of morality, and, maybe, as a result, is not needed at all. Can we live good without God? Think before you answer. God's morals is rooted in the primitive pass. In fact, the Bible (including the Qur’aan) informs us that God’s (Allah’s) words remains the same today as it was in the old days. Ouch! That is not a very good recipe for advancement. However, despite the hardcore believers remain stuck in the muck and mire with God/Allah, many of us have decided to move on.

On the other hand, there are the believers, as those I meet in the barbershop, that is far ahead of God in terms of morality, yet are desperately trying to rescue God from his predicament. They are constantly reaching back attempting to pull God free from his stagnant state, and instead of realizing that they are responsible for the exemplify morals they exhibit, they give God the credit for it. Sadly, however, although the Bible continues to be pushed as God’s literal words from which our morals must come, Christians must realize our morals have eclipsed that of God for the greater good of all humanity. Thus, my friends, God has already been “left behind” by many, and I doubt he will be able to catch-up