Ron Reagan’s TV spot, in which he expresses concern that religious beliefs have gained too much political influence, has actually been around for several years, at least on one cable station.
Distrust of atheists is not surprising. I would imagine people find their ideas threatening. People in general can be very deep believers in whatever system they are raised in or happen to get wrapped up in. Someone outside that mold is really seen as beyond the pale in this country.
People have been religious in one form or another since before recorded history. We are used to people having all kinds of religious beliefs. Others may have different beliefs, but at least they believe in something. But the impression of atheists is that they believe in nothing and that they lack morality.
The discussion of whether morality comes from religion is a long and complex one, but atheists are neither more or less moral than followers of religions. That much is obvious from the daily news.
And atheists’ beliefs are no more uniform or monolithic than any of the almost infinite number of religions and sects. But atheists’ single, driving belief is that almost all religions have it wrong on the origins of humanity and life in general — humanity’s place in the universe — and particularly when it comes to the concept of an afterlife. I think most believers would find threatening the ideas that there is no controlling force above our own and no existence beyond our lifespan.
We have yet to see a major political candidate who can say simply that they are a non-believer and be treated as equal to others who profess religious beliefs.
Michael Hart, West Ridge
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The teachers union is driving Chicago parents away
A recent article in the La Voz section of the Sun-Times noted that in spite of the impressive academic performance of public schools in Pilsen, many new residents of the area are opting to send their children to private schools. Because of that, the schools are losing much needed funding and teachers.
One reason not mentioned for the drop in enrollment could be the Chicago Teachers Union. Rather than deal with the threat every few years of a teachers’ strike, new residents who have the financial means would rather send their children to private schools and avoid the mess of the all too predictable labor disputes the CTU inflicts upon the system and parents.
Tony LaMantia, Logan Square
