Philippine Atheists

Before I turned atheist, I tried to bury religion and pass it off as a non-issue. As long as it was not affecting my life too much, I could very much try to live my life as if religion didn’t exist or matter. I call this phase of my belief-to-nonbelief journey as my post-religion phase. I had to search the net for the definition of post-religion but could not find any that is short and simple so I’ll make one. On a personal level, post-religion is a state of not caring about religion. A post-religionist thinks that religion should not be given too much time, attention, and thought. On a cultural level, post-religion is what characterizes a society where religion is no longer a considerable influence in the day-to-day events of the society taken as a whole; when religion is a spent force in matters of public policy, and where religion sales force, the priests and bishops and imams and mullahs are no longer considered authorities on truth, morality, and origins. GMA’s recent SONA clearly reminded us that the Philippines is not yet showing signs of transitioning from a religion-based society into a post-religion society. A post-religion society is brought about with considerable push from secularist ideas such as humanism, agnosticism, and atheism.

Going back to my personal experience, and in my post-religion phase, I held the idea that religion is plain absurdity, and as such, I would not have cared much except on certain occasions when it reared its ugly head and coerced me to act in accordance to what is normally expected of every Pinoy given the irrational idea of the majority that to be Pinoy is necessarily to be Catholic (at least in most parts of the country). I always resented it but I chose not to speak up so as not to disturb the peace. This caused an unnecessary amount of internal conflict. Each time, I wished for the day when to the majority Filipinos religion shall have been relegated to where it rightfully belongs: in the fringes of society, a spent force in public policy, and just an after-thought in the personal lives of the average Pinoys. Personally, I don’t believe that atheism is the (sole) answer to bring post-religion about. Atheism, by itself, doesn’t have anything to offer in terms of morality or happiness or apparent meaningfulness of life - three of the most abused arguments supporting the practicality of having a religion. Atheism is simply about the truthfulness of the existence of a being that many religionists worship one way or another. Atheism will not matter much in a post-religion society but rather, atheism (or new atheism) is a reaction to the fantastic, to the outrageous, to the fabulous claims of religion. In a post-religion society where there are less people with religion, there will be more atheists who are also post-atheists.

Popularity: 81% [?]

I received this enterprising version of the Nigerian Scam a few days ago. If there’s a market, there’s a product. This one recognizes the assumption that by using religion, one can assume an air of superior morality, and presumably, sound more credible. Morality through religion is a fallacy perpetrated by the religionists.

Asalaam Aleyikum,

May Allah the most grateful and the most merciful be with you, I write this letter with most concern to our Muslim values and the teachings of Prophet Mohammed (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to uplift and defend our religion at all times. I am motivated to write this letter to you after much consideration and with total submission to the will of Allah the most grateful and most merciful.

I am Hajia Kudirat Kargo the wife of Dr Abdul Kargo who was the patron of Muslim Association of Britain (MAB) till he became ill in 1994; he died of cancer in 13th Feb 2005. Until his death we are a devoted Muslim family with the fear of Allah in every thing we do knowing that our reward is not on earth but with Allah. Our marriage was not blessed with any child despite our 30 years of marriage. I have only my husband’s brothers who cowardly became Christian converts because of the pressure on Muslims after July 2005 bombings in U.K.

They have been brain washed to abandon Muslim faith and the teaching of Islam. I have been battling with the same cancer that killed my husband for all these years. Recently my doctor told me that I have to be strong in spirit, I knew probably I am approaching my end, but I am happy that I have lived an exemplary life worthy of emulation, even if I die today I know I will be with Allah. My only worry is the money (Fifteen Million, five Hundred Thousand Dollars) my husband deposited in a Bank Vault before his death. I have been deliberating over this issue within my self on what will happen on event of my death or if I become incapacitated as i am ill and hospitalised now.

“Will I disclose this information to my husband’s brothers who are now Christian Converts”? NO!! After much deliberation I came to the final decision to use this money for the propagating of Islam and I have chosen you for this course . I want you to use this money for the building of Islamic schools, Mosques and helping of Muslim widows and children. Helping those who have no body to fed for them and pursuing the course of Islam in your entire region. Please you should not divert this money from the purpose it is meant for. I would want you to signify your interest for this course so that I will give you all details and documents that will enable you claim the fund from the Bank . You shall act on my behalf as the general overseer and the next of kin to the fund. Meanwhile i am now in Burkina Faso where my late husband owns a mansion and also where the Bank is situated.

You must respond urgently to this mail so as to make alternative arrangement, would you be capable to handle the course of Allah. Please do contact me back immediately as i am no longer strong and i will hand over all the process to my account manager in the Bank who will direct you on how and what to do in order to have this fund in your possession as I am always with my husband brothers and I wouldn’t want them to know anything about this arrangement please.
May Allah be with you!
Hajia Kudirat Kargo.

Yes, may Allah be with you, sucker!

Popularity: 71% [?]