Sholeh Patrick's column "What is an atheist?" cited a research study regarding views the religiously devout hold toward atheists.

Approximately 2,000 years ago saw the founding of Buddhism, Christianity and Islamic faiths. At the time of their inception, literacy rates were low and confined largely to those administering political and religious institutions. The masses were mostly limited to direct oral teachings. Available interpretation of the original message was necessarily provided by the churches and their clergy serving as intermediaries for the illiterate masses.

Today, in developed countries, citizens are literate and some nations are approaching 100 percent literacy. Also, given global access to information, every person can study religion and draw their own conclusions. Each is able to seek their own individual truth and interpret for themselves. Many today state this freedom by saying "I am not religious, but I am spiritual."

Actually, Christ addressed this topic of disposition to the non-believers. His subject was the Good Samaritan. The Jews, of whom Christ was an ethnic member, apparently had a low opinion of Samaritans with regard to their values and beliefs. Yet this anecdote relates that as devout adherents to the Jewish faith, church officials did nothing to lend assistance to an injured and suffering man as they passed him by. The Samaritan met both criteria of the recent research design. He "volunteered" by rendering aid and also enacted "charitable giving" in paying for the injured man's care. "By their works, ye shall know them." Christ related that regard for our fellow man is a higher priority than one's theology.

That religions give an outline for good principles of healthy living and pro-social behaviors is clearly true, but Christ came down rather firmly on adherents who favored the letter of the doctrine, but neglected spiritual application. The Scribes and Pharisees were harshly criticized by Christ for an outward pious portrayal, while using their positions of power to control through fear.

Many individuals today are also critical of the church for its historic efforts to condemn science as an affront to God or at least to church authority. Heresy, such as belief in a heliocentric solar system, was punishable by death. Today, we seem to be turning the corner on integrating science and theosophy. Science and religion both are evolving Truths. What is religion to do in those areas where science has expanded and religion contracted? As the research study noted, even church attendees reject some of their churches' interpretations of Truth. So what role can the churches have in society?

Christ's illustration of the Samaritan and condemnation of the clergy's imposition of power suggest that His will is that churches should do "good works and love thy neighbor." That churches are promoting goodwill is a hopeful and productive trend. Churches now offer personal development and counseling, parent and family relations classes, community service and international relief in underdeveloped countries. The clergy identify themselves as having limitations and readily invite those who wish to improve their lot and serve a greater good to grow in service. Churches are fulfilling a vital need to aid Humanity at all levels. Not with doctrine, but with good works.

The atheist who lacks theology is choosing to use his own experiences and learning to fit himself into the greater whole. This disposition may, in the view of the devout, ignore certain assistance and future reward. Yet the choice to passively accept "God's grace" may also represent a pitfall. If by ritual and accepting a doctrine, the devout are self-satisfied with having obtained salvation and a favorable disposition to God, they can become judgmental of other paths and think their work is done by an act of faith. This special dispensation then leads to a defense of their doctrine such that other peoples' truths are viewed as misguided. The scientists who are at odds must produce additional evidence in order to prove themselves right. International collaboration is pervasive in science, less so in religion. The devout have historically defended their truth by a willingness to die for it. Or, better yet, cause those whose truths are different to die for their mistaken beliefs. Using religion to promote divisiveness is perhaps the great heresy today.

Christ gathered around himself a group of misfits and socially marginalized disciples. He left them in short order to spread the teachings. Our predominantly Christian western hemisphere is testament that Christ used sinners, some of whom were likely atheists, to change the world.

Both historically and currently, the religious zealot is more responsible for a world of suffering than is the atheist. The spirit and expression of those principles of Light and Love that Christ often cited should supersede theology and religious doctrine. We have been told that what is done for "the least of these" is done also for the Christ. The greater good for the largest number should be the decision-making criterion for both the atheist and the devout.

Doug Wells is a resident of Hayden.