To Each His Own Belief

“Without Belief, Life Is Empty” (O.C. Religion, Jan. 13) is insulting to nonbelievers. Jim Carnett holds the mistaken idea that atheists and agnostics live miserable or self-centered lives “of unremitting emptiness and despair.” But all the atheists I know think life is a magnificent wonder. They too love sunsets, the Grand Canyon, the promontories of Big Sur, all the more miraculous for having been created solely from the laws of nature, no Supreme Being required.

Some of these people add meaning to their lives by social and political activism or careers in teaching, psychology or social work, in the spirit of helping fellow citizens. I don’t see why Carnett is disparaging of these activities, somehow linking “political and social activism” with “self-gratification,” an apparently shallow pursuit.

The skeptic retorts life is not empty; it’s just too short.

BONNIE FINN HASKELL

Lake Forest

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Re Chris Hearn’s Jan. 10 letter: There is a big difference between public discourse and what we teach in our schools.

Public discourse can encompass many subjects that refer to beliefs versus theories, among other things. According to Webster’s New World Dictionary, a belief is a conviction that certain things are true; religious faith; an opinion or judgment. A theory is a speculative plan; a formulation of underlying principles of certain observed phenomena that has been verified to some degree.

What we teach in our schools should be facts, theories and other substantially provable subjects. Beliefs are left up to each individual to develop independently.

R.L. ASHURST

Huntington Beach