An abstraction is initially a tool for human understanding; an abstraction that people have come to worship is a god.

I have read the Torah, New Testament, and Quran, front to back in their entirety and without the obfuscation of outside interpretations or “apologetics”. As far as I can see, the Abrahamic god of the Jews Christians, and Muslims is a genocidal tyrant. Personally, I don’t choose any Tyrant no matter how allegedly powerful they may be: regardless of whether they are terrestrial humans or celestial monsters. Come to think of it, while I certainly believe many things, such as the tenets of the Declaration of Human (and nonhuman) Rights as well as the scientifically established cosmic unity of all living beings, I do not worship any of my beliefs. What’s more to me, it is not a matter of whether any “gods” exist; it is a matter of whether beliefs in their proposed Values are worthwhile and Good.

The existence of gods is- pardon the pun- immaterial to their moral message. Thus, genocidal dictators in general, and the Abrahamic god in particular, fall far short of any objectively worthwhile beliefs. Be it the likes of the terrestrial rapist worshipped only in North Korea, or that celestial flamer worshipped by billions around the world, powerful or weak, real or imagined, I will never bend the knee to such sadists and narcissists. In fact, be the dictator benevolent or not, I believe they should never be worshipped (and if they’re truly Good why would they want to be?). I am more in line with the ancient Lucretius who considered religion, whatever its supposed merits, not merely a private mental delusion but the greatest enemy of all moral progress. Because once a zealot comes to believe they have divine authority magically divorced from the reality of human and animal suffering, no atrocity is beneath them. Instead of piously inspired slave-ish obedience, tribalistic cruelty, and willful ignorance, I believe in well-reasoned individual freedom, collective compassion, and personal Dignity for All beings.

As it turns out, we never needed gods, kings, or any other kind of selfish puppet masters to arrive at empirically (verifiably) Good Values. We just had to choose to care for the wellbeing of others, but not in a cynical us vs. them tribalistic zero-sum way but for the genuine wellness of All other beings, for, when we take in the full scope of recorded history, it becomes clear that despite the shackles of primitive and harmful beliefs we have managed to progress. My radical suggestion is simply the unlocking of all those chains. True freedom and personal responsibility may be frightening, but it is well worth the reward. Evolution begins with genetics, and genetic change begins with a behavioral Choice. Let us make that conscious Choice to Become Better Beings, Together.

The immoral commands of Abrham’s god, Jesus, and Muhammad.

 Murder

(Judges 19:29) A man of god gives his lover to a gang of rapists for the night then when they’re done the man cuts her up, limb from limb, into 12 pieces and mails them all over Israel.

(2 Chronicles 15:13) The faithful must murder anyone who is a nonbeliever.

Rape

(Numbers 31:18) After murdering all the children, women, and men from a rival tribe, Moses (the chosen one of god) commands his genocidal army to keep all the virgin girls for sex slavery.

(Deuteronomy 22:28) Virgin girls must marry their rapists.

Slavery

(Exodus 21:7) Men can sell their daughters, and, unlike male slaves, she is not allowed out.

(Deuteronomy 21:11) War captives become sex slaves.

Genocide

(Deuteronomy 13:15) The extermination of entire cities of nonbelievers.

(Joshua 11:14) Ethnic cleansing and stealing of lands- they left none breathing.

Infanticide

(Leviticus 26:29) God makes the disobedient eat their children.

(Hosea 13:16) Cut babies out of their pregnant mothers with swords.

Filicide

(Leviticus 20:9) God commands you to murder your kids when they disobey.

(Matthew 15:4) Kill your kids if they disobey.

Obey Old Laws

(Matthew 5:17) Jesus tells Christians to obey the Old Testament laws

(Al Baqarah 2:85) Mohammed tells Muslims to obey the Old Testament laws.

Just the New Testament

Slaves obey your masters (Ephesians 6:5, Titus 2:9, 1 peter 2:18)

Anti-evolution, anti-homosexuality, and death to infidels (Romans 1:22-32)

Blame the Jews (Matthew 27:25 – the reason for the holocaust)

Hate your family and yourself (Matthew 10:34-37, Luke 14:26)

Oppression of women (1 Timothy 2:11-15)