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Salient: Victoria University Students' Newspaper. Vol. 24, No. 9. 1961

The Unchristian God

The Unchristian God

It appears fitting that the intensive religious activity on the campus should be placed in proper perspective by a critical analysis of the premise which inspires it. Christianity stands on the existence of an omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent God. In a word, God is Infinity.

Now the very concept of infinity is all-inclusive Hive and absolutely exclusive—nothing exists apart from it as if it did it would cease to be infinite. Christians, however, would have us believe that their God is a judge of good and evil, rewarding the one and punishing the other. This idea entails an existence separate from God—forces of good and evil—and consequently puts a limit to Infinity. Furthermore, theories of heaven and hell, the damned and the elect, must inevitably lead one to the conclusion that there is a division and an internal struggle in the Christian Infinity. The contradictions herein contained should enable the impartial thinker to seek the explanation for the universe elsewhere.

Without limiting the meaning of the word "universe" to our particular planetary system, we are led to the conclusion that the universe is infinite. Integral with it must be an infinite life force—hence the continual processes of apparent change and evolution. The word "apparent" must be appended because nothing can really be added to or deducted from infinity. It is not pretended that one can ever fully understand how this universe functions, yet scientific knowledge may lead us to a continually improving appreciation.

From a human approach the main objection to Christianity is that it hinders our intellectual development and, by imposing a "divine" morality on the world, tends to prevent man from achieving a good society on this earth. The truth is that this "divine" morality is far from consistent. In one age it tells mankind to love his neighbour; in another to rush out and slaughter those who do not adhere to his particular dogma. A closer analysis reveals that Christianity, in common with other forms of organised superstition, endeavours to identify itself with the powers-that-be and, if it succeed in this, becomes a bulwark of conservatism and an opponent to change and progress.

In conclusion, mankind owes it to itself to achieve the best society possible. ... In the accomplishment of this object, and recognising the perpetual need for change and progress to meet the needs of each generation, men and women require unfettered intellects. Christianity breeds the slave mentality and must be accounted an enemy to enlightenment. The fact that men like Galileo were forced to deny the truths which they perceived is an irrefutable testimony to these accusations. Equally it shows that the human spirit shall ever rise against totalitarian dogmas and assert its right to pursue truth and fulfilment until liberty reigns supreme.

W. Dwyer.