Among the outspoken atheists today one has had less public attention, but I think he deserves a little more. UCLA biology professor and long-time punk-rock singer Greg Graffin exemplifies the bundle of contradictions and pseudo-profundity that the movement is. In a recent interview he tells, “I felt that religion was a useless way to answer the big questions.”[1] Of course, one would like to hear him elaborate on such a thought. What shall replace faith in God? He provides this helpful thought: “Faith in your partner, your fellow men, your friends, is very important, because without it there’s no mutual component to your relationship, and relationships are important.”[2]
It is clear from this that our atheist has an optimistic streak in his humanism, at least here he does. His biology, however, betrays him elsewhere. In the lyrics to one of his punk songs he muses:
“Modern man / Pathetic example of earth’s organic heritage / Just a sample of carbon-based wastage.”[3]
So putting his thoughts together, shall we place our faith in a relationship with “carbon-based wastage”? Have all of our moral sentiments arisen from this wastage? Have all human art and beauty (punk rock aside) birthed forth from this wastage? Does this wastage give us any insight into the “big questions” that he esteems religion useless to answer?
What blindness. What hypocrisy.
In further confirmation of atheism’s wedding with leftism, one of the other band members provided this subtle remark concerning their last album: “Our whole album is dedicated to getting Bush out of office. I’m not a presidential scholar but I don’t think you’ll find a worse president in the history of the United States. He’s probably one of the worst leaders in the history of world leaders. I just hate the guy.”[4] OoooKaaay. As I’ve often said, I find plenty in Bush to criticize, but a worst leader in history? How about lining him up next to Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, etc.-all atheists-and comparing? Write a song about that. How about comparing Hitler’s political and economic policies with the current U.S. administration’s? Dare you. Write another song about that, too.
Thankfully, I believe guys like this do atheism a disservice in many ways. Bad Religion is the name of the band. Bad Reason would work better. And, “I just hate the guy,” speaks volumes about their motivations.
[1] Quoted in “Three Q’s,” Science 319/5861 (January 18, 2008): 265.
[2] Quoted at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_Religion
[3] Quoted in “Three Q’s,” Science 319/5861 (January 18, 2008): 265.
[4] Quoted at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_Religion
Joel McDurmon, M.Div., Reformed Episcopal Theological Seminary, is the Director of Research for American Vision. He has authored four books and also serves as a lecturer and regular contributor to the American Vision website. He joined American Vision's staff in the June of 2008. Joel and his wife and three sons live in Dallas, Georgia. 
