A child born with four limbs and a complicated set of internal organs
shared with a siamese twin who failed to survive has just been operated on
(in India I believe) and has survived. A brief shot of the girl before the
operation was to me a shocking sight. Her appearance with her father after
the operation was intensely joyful. The team carrying out the operation,
which lasted many hours, are heroes. And, it must be remembered, their
skills were thanks to those who had pioneered such surgery, and those who
over the years have spearheaded medical advance.

As a rationalist, I can cope with this set of events. Due perhaps to a
genetic disorder or other trigger, a baby is born with severe
disabilities. Armed with knowledge and skill, the surgeons achieve her
survival. It is a great triumph for humankind.

A child born with four limbs

A child born with four limbs and a complicated set of internal organs
shared with a siamese twin who failed to survive has just been operated on
(in India I believe) and has survived. A brief shot of the girl before the
operation was to me a shocking sight. Her appearance with her father after
the operation was intensely joyful. The team carrying out the operation,
which lasted many hours, are heroes. And, it must be remembered, their
skills were thanks to those who had pioneered such surgery, and those who
over the years have spearheaded medical advance.

As a rationalist, I can cope with this set of events. Due perhaps to a
genetic disorder or other trigger, a baby is born with severe disabilities.
Armed with knowledge and skill, the surgeons achieve her survival. It is a
great triumph for humankind.

That is what I thought when I saw the story on the TV screen. But then I
considered what religious believers make of these events, and I became very
angry, and for once will transfer that anger into my following words.

What part did God play in the scenario? He allowed the creation of a
severely deformed child. What would we think of a human being who did that?
Yes, we would think them an evil monster. Then that is what God is - evil
and monstrous. And yet believers LOVE him! What is the matter with these
people? The whole thing is hideous and grotesque.

The surgeons relied on skill and accumulated knowledge. Where did that
knowledge come from? Not God! The story of medicine is entirely about the
painstaking discoveries of men and women who should be our heroes. Don't
kid me that God led them! He could have done that thousands of years ago,
but he did nothing. Nothing. That shows how much he cares for the welfare
of his so-called beloved flock: he doesn't care at all. He cares nothing
for disease, deformity or disadvantage.

Yet some of you people reading this worship him! What for? Why do you
trust such a god AT ALL? He demonstrates his utter disregard for you and you
grovel before him in the hopes that he will throw a life line to a golden
future as long as you behave yourselves. Well, I shouldn't get to hopeful.
Have a look at God's track record on behaviour. He couldn't care less!
It is the human beings who do the caring. You are greater, more noble,
than God.

So let us delete the idea of God and bravely go towards enlightenment. Let
us celebrate humanity. For all its faults, it has achieved some great
things which have benefitted countless people.

Great challenges lie ahead of us which will test us. It is us alone who
care for this lonely lanet. Let us do it.

I feel better now

Josh