God, Atheism and the Tragedy of Sept. 11
Re “Atheists Question Focus on God After Attack,” Letters, Oct. 10:
I am disappointed that you would publish a letter such as that from Tom Houg in which he espouses the notion that morality is somehow contingent upon a belief in some nebulous god. He states that there is no “objective moral truth” without a god. The primary source of any moral code among humans derives from the Golden Rule, which, although basically a humanist philosophy, is a philosophy quite consistent with most religions.
Houg’s comments show an arrogant face of religion, one that I hope most people of faith would not endorse.
For some reason, he ridicules a ceremony of nonreligious persons who came together in San Francisco for togetherness and connection with fellow citizens in this time of deep sorrow and mourning in our country. Does he think that one has to check his brain in the church cloakroom to feel compassion and love?
David Kane
Laguna Woods
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Re “Atheists Decry Post-Attack Focus on God,” Oct. 6:
Thank you for the touching article, which detailed the struggle of many atheists since the attack Sept. 11. What a distressing occurrence it must be for them to hear the name of God invoked on television and in print. Perhaps they can now sympathize with those of us who do believe in God and for several years have been offended by the utter dismissal of religion in the mainstream media.
The same free will that can deny the existence of God also grants the ability to commit atrocities. And to answer the question asked in the article, “Where was He when this happened?” I can answer. He was holding the hands of those in the planes. He was weeping for those in the buildings. He was sending forth angels to protect firefighters, police and those escaping the buildings. He was with the firefighters who died. He was with their families when they were told the news. He gave strength to those watching the horror unfold on their televisions.
These are all things that atheists do not believe--but are supported by religion and faith in God.
Judith K. Chimits
Irvine