A World View

Amidst the political posturing and the media scrutiny of the candidates' religious beliefs is a very real paradigm that is not expressly stated. We dig into a candidate's beliefs because we want to understand their world view.

A world view is a lens through which a person sees the world. It provides an overall context through which a person interprets facts and it affects the decisions they make. A world view can consist of a person's religious or non-religious beliefs, their socio-economic background, their political ideals, etc. Everybody has a world view, whether it is explicit or not.

So when we're grilling Hillary on her religious beliefs we're really saying, "What type of effect will your Methodist world view have on the decisions that you make as President?" A valid question for any candidate. But whether a person lives consistently with their espoused world view can be an even bigger question. Will Hillary's Methodism infringe on policy decisions that could undermine separation of church and state? Depends on how closely she holds to those beliefs, but I'm guessing we wouldn't have much of a problem given her platform stance on some critical issues. There is a term employed when a person acts inconsistently with their own world view. Hypocrite. That is a charge often leveled against those with a Christian world view.

But I submit that hypocrisy is all the more prevalent for those with an Atheistic world view because of Atheism's logical implications. If God does not exist, then humans are a cosmic accident. We therefore have no intrinsic self worth. There is no meaning to life. There is no such thing as morality.

Any time an atheist makes a moral judgment they are guilty of hypocrisy. Consider: If they oppose the death penalty... on what grounds? That we should preserve this meaningless accidental life that has caused others much pain? If they say stealing is wrong...why? There is no morality, there is no right and wrong. If I steal a nicer car, then I am much happier with my new vehicle.

Any time an atheist tries to ascribe meaning to life, they are guilty of hypocrisy. If they say happiness is our ultimate pursuit, then stealing could be one of the means to attain it. If the perfection and perseverance of the human race their goal, then they are in good company for this was the aim of fellow atheists Hitler and Stalin. Though they were no hypocrites; their methods were perfectly in line with their world view.

What is your world view? Why do you hold it? And are you sure that the implications that follow from your world view are palatable?