Stuff and Nonsense?

The ABC News reported that Sydney Anglican Archbishop Peter Jensen told his congregation atheism is not the rational philosophy that it claims to be.

Apparently, Dr Jensen told the congregation that atheism is as much of a religion as Christianity.

They quote him as saying, "It's about our determination as human beings to have our own way, to make our own rules, to live our own lives, unfettered by the rule of God and the right of God to rule over us," he said.

Elegantly put, indeed. Not extraordinary, in the least, that rational humans should reject the concept of supernatural supervision.

However, Jensen's first claim is extraordinary. If religion is premised on belief (ie. you believe something and this then manifests itself in a moral position, a practice or a spirituality), then the belief is central.

If belief is not central to religion, then the religious could simply abandon it, as, apparently, it sheds no light nor influence on their pracitces or moral codes. Is Jensen actually admitting what many suspect about Anglicans - that belief in God is optional?

If not believing something and believing something are equivalent (ie. belief = unbelief), then, of course, the Anglican Church must accept my application for a position in their church, as an atheist.

I applaud the Archbishop for articulating the new reformation within the Anglican church - abandonment of belief. Long live the cultural icon!