richard_dawkins_-_the_god_delusion

C H I L D H O O D , ABUSE AND R E L I G I O N 323
particularly want to share my belief with other people who
are close to me because I fear the same reaction of distaste
... I don't expect a response. I only write to you because
I hoped you'd sympathize and share in my frustration.
Imagine losing someone you loved, and who loved you,
on the basis of religion. Aside from her view that I'm now
a Godless heathen we were perfect for each other. It
reminds me of your observation that people do insane
things in the name of their faith. Thanks for listening.
I replied to this unfortunate young man, pointing out to him that,
while his girlfriend had discovered something about him, he too
had discovered something about her. Was she really good enough
for him? I doubted it.
I have already mentioned the American comic actor Julia Sweeney
and her dogged and endearingly humorous struggle to find some
redeeming features in religion and to rescue the God of her
childhood from her growing adult doubts. Eventually her quest ended
happily, and she is now an admirable role model for young atheists
everywhere. The denouement is perhaps the most moving scene of her
show Letting Go of God. She had tried everything. And then ...
... as I was walking from my office in my backyard into
my house, I realized there was this little teeny-weenie
voice whispering in my head. I'm not sure how long it had
been there, but it suddenly got just one decibel louder. It
whispered, 'There is no god.'
And I tried to ignore it. But it got a teeny bit louder.
'There is no god. There is no god. Oh my god, there is no
god:...
And I shuddered. I felt I was slipping off the raft.
And then I thought, 'But I can't. I don't know if I can
not believe in God. I need God. I mean, we have a history'
...
'But I don't know how to not believe in God. I don't
know how you do it. How do you get up, how do you get
through the day?' I felt unbalanced . . .
I thought, 'Okay, calm down. Let's just try on the