🚀 go-pugleaf

For those who missed it the first time:

A message very similar to this one was sent in response to the frothings
of John Lauzon on the hfx.general newsgroup approximately 3 weeks ago.
As yet, there has been no satisfactory response, so I am broadening my
scope and intent somewhat.  The results will speak for themselves.

This message is, without qualification, in open challenge to every
single system of belief in the world, in defiance of every conception of
a deity, god, goddess, or ultimate spiritual being held by those
religions.

We are presently in the closing days of the 20th Century, or at least
close enough for the popular imagination to have siezed on the idea.
This is the time when, some systems of belief tell us, the world will
likely end.  This has, of course, led to insanity for some, rapture for
others, and general paranoia for most.
Along the path to this point, we have endured many atrocities committed
in the name of religion: Crusades, Inquisitions, Jihads; fasts and
hunger strikes; self-torture, and the torture and executions of others;
the deaths of children and the mass murder of ethnic or other religious
groups.  Scientific and philosophic thought which aimed at truth in
defiance of doctrines has been stifled and free will has been
subverted.  The religion of any country has meddled in the political,
economic and artistic lives of individuals with no better explanation
than the mystic "will of god (or God, or gods)".  In the name of some
undefined universal plan, we have allowed theft, censorship, subjugation
and murder.

No more.

We are now at a point where, as individuals, we are able to decide for
ourselves, based on our own reasoning, the nature of the universe and
the beings who inhabit it, and our success as individuals will depend on
the ultimate truth of those ideas.  We do not need the myths anymore; we
do not need the symbols.  Yet, the religions and churches and doctrines
refuse to let go.  The Christian Church is trying to invent itself for
another millenium, to maintain its power base; the Buddhists continue to
turn inward in ignorance of the reality that surrounds them, the earth
religions dance in defiance of the fact that their cults died centuries
ago, and the Satanists refuse to recognize their own adherence to
Christian dogma by their refutation of it.  The list goes on.

The only proof of the existence of an ultimate being is the existence of
that being itself.  That is to say: a physical manifestation of a deity
under conditions which can be explained by no other, more rational,
terms.  To my knowledge, no such proof has ever been provided.  Any
claimed evidence that exists does not exist beyond the shadow of a
doubt, and as long as it remains under such a shadow, it is not
acceptable as proof to any rational human being.

If, as humans, we are subject to the will of any kind of supreme being,
it is in defiance of the nature of our existence (i.e. as rational
creatures, for that is the trait which differentiates us from all other
creatures) to accept such will without proof of its existence.
Therefore, in the closing days of this millenium, I call upon any deity
which exists to provide proof of its existence, concrete proof which
cannot be denied by any rational means, cannot be explained in any other
way.  Only such evidence can finally resolve all conflicts sparked by
religion, and put an end to the struggles which hold us back from
progression as human beings.  Only a lack of such evidence can provide
evidence that such a deity or deities does not exist, and individuals
can then be free to pursue their own rational ends without fear of the
intervention of the lunatics and anti-life doctrinarians who try to
propagate belief systems.

I offer myself as a target for this proof.  I will gladly accept sole
responsibility for the consequences of my challenge.  If there is a
deity of love, let it show its love, and if there is a deity of hate, or
war, or death, or any character whatever, let it show that character
distinctly and directly without subtlety or subterfuge, and I will admit
my error, loudly and publicly.  Otherwise, I will take the lack of
action as proof of the non-existence of a deity, and will likewise
proclaim such loudly and publicly.

In addition, I provide an ultimatum: a deadline.  It is right now 13
December, 1999.  The millenium, ostensibly, will end in 18 days.  If
such proof as is required is not provided by that date, then the silence
will reign as its own proof.

So, there it is.  The clock is ticking.  What will the result be?

I am posting this first and foremost for myself, to finally rid myself
of the influence of all religious zealots who infect my world.
Secondly, I do it for every rational person who agrees with these
thoughts and is able to envision a clean, sane world unpolluted by
unprovable mystical ideas.
This message will be posted to as many newsgroups as I deem relevent,
and will be sent by email to as many religious factions and promoters as
I can find.