Criticising Religion

Public criticism is a cherished freedom. Criticism could be of a policy, institution, practice, book, culture, attitude, belief, law, philosophical outlook, movement, or ideology, religion in general, or a particular religion. Criticism (cf. literary criticism – showing how a text hangs together to produce certain effects) involves giving reasons, arguments, evidence why :
A belief is unreasonable, implausible, false, irrational.
A practice or belief is psychologically or socially harmful.
A practice or belief is unjust or immoral.
Criticism is not the same as name-calling or just asserting or contradicting.

Guiding, meaning-giving outlooks or beliefs – atheistic as well as religious - are arrived at as a result of coping and protecting mechanisms (as well as acculturation and conditioning), and themselves become a fundamental part of our coping/defence mechanisms. People thereby develop a strong emotional attachment to/investment in a particular philosophical, political, or religious outlook. They will tend to get upset by criticism of a view or practice in which they are emotionally invested or which gives meaning to their lives.

Thus books like Richard Dawkins ‘The God Delusion’ or Christopher Hitchens ‘God Is Not Great’ often evoke emotional reactivity rather than a calm measured response even in academics. Criticism of these works/authors relies heavily on use of pejorative terms – ‘childish’, ‘old-fashioned’, ‘simplistic’, ‘ignorant’, ‘smug’. This sneering is different from analyzing the arguments and pointing out dubious premises and presuppositions, non sequiturs, and informal fallacies such as equivocation, straw man, red herring, ad hominem. It is different from questioning analyses of key terms and concepts, and offering more plausible or clearer analyses.

One academic critic, Terry Eagleton, tries to invalidate the Dawkins-Hitchens thesis by claiming that it is motivated by pro-Western, anti-Islamic bias or bigotry. This is to overlook the distinction between what may influence acceptance of a belief and whether or not the belief is true. Thus I may readily accept that second-hand tobacco smoke is a grave health danger because I find it unpleasant but that doesn’t mean evidence and arguments I put forward for the damage to health caused by second-hand tobacco smoke can be ignored.

It is very important to look at underlying, unacknowledged motives or reasons for why people embrace certain views and reject others – why they are emotionally invested in or attracted to certain positions, views, or beliefs and find others too upsetting to look at fairly. This does not supplant the need for logical examination of evidence and arguments for views we may find distressing or threatening because of self-interest or for more general psychological reasons.

A common move to safeguard religion from criticism is to equivocate and redefine religion in terms of characteristics which are paradigmatically reasonable and desirable. So, (true) religion is said to be : belief in the transformative power of love, forgiveness, compassion; openness to the possibility of something transcending the natural physical world and ordinary human consciousness; recognizing that happiness and fulfillment do not come primarily from the pursuit of material benefits – renunciation of hedonism, selfishness, greed, pursuit of wealth, status, or worldly power; losing the self in order to enlarge the self; appreciation of art, beauty, the wonder of nature; awareness of deep, poetic, mystical feelings or experiences which are not easily captured in utilitarian, mundane, or scientific language; a fairer distribution of wealth, decent quality of life for all, greater equality of opportunity.

Perhaps most/all religions do in part preach these goods but this is definitely not their sole focus (further, many who are non-religious or anti-religion practise and advocate these values perhaps as much as or more than religious believers or practioners!). Instead religions assert specific doctrines – a code, cult, and creed – which are at least questionable on moral, rational, and humane grounds. Religious doctrines include :
A sacred text.
A psychoid quasi-eternal power of goodness and love somehow sustaining the universe and human life which existed before human beings and would still exist even if human beings were annihilated.
Some kind of life after death.
The immorality of homosexuality, abortion, contraception, sex outside of marriage, euthanasia, assisted euthanasia, suicide, eating pork, alcohol, bloodtransfusions.
The unfitness of women for spiritual office.
Restricting the freedom and autonomy of women.
Sanctioning the death penalty, burning, stoning, flogging, female circumcision, mutilation, fatwahs, holy wars, animal sacrifice.
Obeisance to priests or clerics and images or sites.
Various rules concerning food, clothing, prayer, fasting.

(Note in passing that religion seems very much about control – particularly of women and sexuality.)

A main point of the Dawkins-Hitchens critique is that religions do not focus on advocating and practicing generally acknowledged goods and guides to human fulfillment such as brotherly love, non-violence, fairer distribution of wealth, equal opportunity, a sense of the transcendent or non-mundane, overcoming selfishness and greed, etc. Instead religions strenuously inculcate dogmas about the nature of God and underlying reality and laws of conduct which God supposedly commands. How arrogant to claim to know definitely the mind of God and ultimate reality! Religion is the greatest blasphemy.

Rationalist critics of religion such as Dawkins, Hitchens, or Bertrand Russell may be closer to anti-rationalist poet-visionary William Blake than are defenders of organized traditional religion. It is worth remembering that both Socrates and Jesus were put to death for questioning established religion. Religion including communist and Marxist ideology has repeatedly opposed open critical inquiry.

In making sweeping claims not open to question about fundamental reality and codes of conduct religions breed intolerance and unwillingness to open one’s own underlying beliefs to examination and criticism. Either you believe as we do or you must be immoral, ignorant, stupid, or insensitive (or in Eagleton’s terms childish, old-fashioned, or blinkered/corrupted by Western rationalism, materialism, or imperialism). We already have the truth on grounds superior to logic, observation, and calm analysis (viz. revelation, holy scripture, the mythopoeic, tradition, the Church) so we don’t need to look at evidence, arguments against, and criticism of our own beliefs.

Religion is very much a human natural phenomenon springing out of human psychology, needs, fears, yearnings, and defence and coping mechanisms. As such it is not immune from criticism, but rather stands in need of it. (If there is a religious, mythopoeic, or non-rational way of knowing it should still be open to intersubjective criticism of some sort to remove possible bias or error.) Criticism should not be stifled by accusations of racism, Western bias, bourgeois liberalism, etc. Political correctness can become a new form of fascism.

It is dangerous if we dare not criticize lest members of a supposed visible 'minority' are offended. Being upset or upsetting is part of the nature of criticism. Learning to give and receive criticism (politely) and be upset is more healthy than pretending large portions of humanity do not really have flaws (or if they do it is just a legitimate response to/natural consequence of Western colonial oppression – as though colonizing and oppression have not been widespread throughout human history anyway).

It is dishonest and unhealthy to pretend all religions fundamentally express the same doctrines about underlying reality, and the same codes of conduct, notions of social justice, and attitudes to non-believers and women. A vital part of a healthy society is to have open critical discussion of all political outlooks, philosophies, and religions.

Keeping up with Bill

Esteemed BCMCA President Bill Yearwood, professional looking sprinter and time triallist, frequently awes race followers by arriving at races piloting his own helicopter. Bill as part of his high profile job with the Federal aviation safety board is required to get in a certain number of flying hours. When not dropping in by helicopter Bill turns up in a sporty Mini in which bikes and wheels are layered like a gourmet cake often accompanied by elegant female racer and cosmopolitan European style speed skater Conny Strub. This is a tough act to follow. Here are some suggestions.

1.Arrange for local priest to bless you and your bike before start. Double points for Bishop. Triple points for Cardinal or Prince Charles. Automatic overall season win if Pope (Queen Elizabeth, Barak Obama, or resurrected Princess Diana) is secured.

2.Drop in to race headquarters by parachute with race bike in camouflage pack.

3.Before bike warm up do Muhammad Ali skipping and sparring routine complete with dazzling leg shuffle. Soigneur holds robe with your name on it and has heavy punch bag for you to work on.

4.Arrive in limo with starlet. Latter positions herself on hill in provocative outfit cheering you on, and hands you glass of champagne at finish.

5.Ride in on Harley with race bike in trailer escorted by Hell’s Angels. Said Hell’s Angels prep your bike and give you pre-race massage before heading off to chalk your name on road and hurl menacing insults at riders they deem are not giving you a fair break.

6.Study photos of professional Classic sprint finishes. Get your head banging the bars, shoulders lower than bum, biceps pumped up, upper torso stretched out like a champion weightlifter. Blast off at 150 metres, surge in the last 30m with a second kick like a rodeo bronco.

7.Arrange for TV crew to interview mainly you at finish no matter who wins.

8.Have Sara Palin, TV evangelist, etc. denounce your racing style as un-American, against family values, bad for the economy, and displeasing to God.

9.For events close to water. Arrive standing in prow of boat rowed by 16 vestal virgins (check escort agencies) clad in shimmering purple and gold skinsuit and winged helmet. Arm mysteriously thrusts up from water holding aloft gleaming state of art racing machine which you accept.

Mill Bay and Shawnigan Hill Climbs 2009

Saturday 6th June. Noon, and 2pm.

The Comox Valley Cycling Club trio of Ray Wagner, Chuck Sinclair, and Peter Schwirtlich swooped south to scoop team titles in the South Island Masters Hill Climbs. Swift, athletic Peter Stevenson (Duncan) made it look easy winning both climbs dancing on the pedals with a distinctive loping almost prancing style.

Stevenson’s second win at Shawnigan was dramatic. David Mercer had leaped from the “go” on his own 2 minutes after the 70s. Derek Tripp and Ray Wagner left their 50s group (starting 1’30” after the 60s) almost immediately, catching Mercer just after the turn onto Goldstream Heights at c. 6k. David clung on at his limit until about 80m before the false summit, then the thread broke, and 40m later Peter Stevenson rushed by. Peter caught Ray and flagging Derek only in the last 150 metres. That last 200m was very arduous taking lesser riders than Stevenson and Wagner more than 35 seconds.

The short Mill Bay hill climb, an individual time trial, directed by nonchalant Tony Hoar was reminiscent of UK track bike style climbs, except for the tricky descent in the middle. The South Shawnigan hill climb, Australian pursuit ably conducted by Dave Steen (Thetis Island) was a contrast. On the long bare exposed slope of Goldstream Heights it is easy to imagine oneself in a Mont Ventoux epic.

Most encouraging was the return, in the Shawnigan race, of Alix Reid (Duncan) whose daughter and friend were amusing at the sign on and finish. Glamorous Conny Strub (Vancouver) always a welcome female presence didn’t let either climb deter her.

Since we have age standards for the Mill Bay climb why not let it too count towards the overall? This might help to get more entries. Let us establish age standards or appropriately reduced Australian pusuit starting gaps for all hill climbs.

Debonair bon vivant skier Rino di Biasio (SE interior BC), age 76, chortled up both ascents with the zest of a Rossini overture and the magnanimity of Dante en route to Beatrice. Art connoisseur David Emery, a sprightly 71, savoured the sensuous curves and swells of the stinging slopes to the siren call of grimpeurs of old. Youth, beauty, sagacity, ardour all manifest in the endless saga of Odyssean realm that is cycle racing – poetry on wheels.

Nanaimo River Rd. Team Time Trial 2009

Sunday noon 14th June. 68k out and home twice. 12 teams 46 riders.

Greater female presence of riders, supporters, officials, and hosts gave added charm, balance, and completeness to the Tripleshot team time trial. Nature goddesses of river, trees, and flowers elicited by the sun and colour of the event protected and boosted the racers as they confronted the biting, sapping hills. The integrated team of Kim and Joe Gard and Rhonda Callender and Chris Paul invested domestic harmony. The all-female Chicks (Vancouver) were vivid resplendent as parrots or tropical fish. Thanks to the little girl in the Tour de France hat.

Masterly surges by Stuart Lynne (Vancouver) propelled Bill Yearwood’s Team of Elderly Helijets to 1st on age standard (and 3rd on actual). Sleek Stephen Baird teamed with aristocratic Emile de Rosnay, world track man Don Gilmore, and powerhouse chunky Chuck Dethridge to establish a formidable gold mark of 1’ 31’ 34” - 44.6 kph - an upper level 1st cat time on such a course. Although 12th and last to start this elite quartet were first on the road by about 29k passing the fancied Derek Tripp ensemble (off #10) just before the first turn.

Most teams found themselves disintegrating on the hills. But the heavier members would recoup, regroup and inflict their greater momentum on their lighter brethren on the downhill stretches.

The team time trial is the most ballet/artistic-like event in the cycle race repertoire. The streamlined machines (sensitive as thoroughbreds), aero helmets, skin suits give the contestants an aspect of mediaeval knights with crossbows or lances and Star Wars warriors. A combination of high tech, athleticism, and coordination. The ttt encourages the sense of comradeship and fraternity. Let’s have more of them.

The (short-handed) Impromptu Team of Mike Lawless, Malcom Faulkner, and Ryan Calbick delivered a meritorious 5th on age standard (6th actual – only seconds away from 4th place!) giving hope to those who find themselves at the last minute without a team.

Deep Cove Road Race 31st May 2009

Deep Cove Road Race 31st May 2009.
58 k. 9 laps. 49 riders. 2 DNF.

Beautiful weather. 20 degrees, no wind. Gorgeous scenery. Good to see Micheline Ouimet (Victoria) racing again and partner Brock Russell doing another sterling job at the finish line. Most welcome was encouragement from Murray Drew (Victoria) strategically placed halfway up the killer hill. Uplifting to have shouts of support and clapping from the many stalwart, highly visible marshals and some spectators.

Ray Wagner (Courtney) time-trialled away from his 50’s group seemingly without much effort to team up with David Mercer (60s) with about 2 and ¼ laps to go. David was no match for Ray in the finishing burst. 15 seconds down on Mercer was compact, hammering Mike Korb followed 4 seconds later by race companion Steve Bachop. The 40s duo had left their age group behind early on.

An impressive performance from chic Rhonda Callender (Victoria) 10th overall and only 1’ 28’’ down on the winner. Unluckiest rider : Ray Morrison (Kelowna) who broke his chain when he had been relaying nicely with Mercer. This pair had shot away from their 60s group from the gun.

Mightiest sprint of the day : Bill Yearwood (Vancouver) taking 7th place in front of John Guthrie. As striking as any pro- Classic elbow to elbow finish. Check out that flat back and powerful shoulders style in Duane Martindale photos #120 – 124. Most festive photos : Roland Buehler #178 – 180. Guitars Plus proprietor and former Edmonton track star Roland is beginning to reactivate his racing legs with encouragement from jazz musician Casey Ryder and hack guitarist/vocalist David Mercer. This trio might put some up beat tempo into the race scene. Also worth a look : the sprint for 11th place between Aaron Dusseault, Steve Munro, and Larry Wilson – photos # 131 – 135.

Great to see lawyer Gerry Loster pounding up the hill making up for lost track time. Also glad to find Wayne Walker and Vaughn Marshall out as cycling supporters – but next time we’ll rope you into the race! Oldest rider, in the 75 – 79 category, Robert Dumalanede lent Continental flair to the event.

An attractive feature of this short circuit with strenuous hill is that after a few laps there are colourful riders all over the course. So there is always someone to ride with. A pity so many riders left before the end of the awards. Personally I find the post-race socializing the best part. Maybe we need a post-race barbecue/beer/coffee meeting place with large draw prize (must be there to claim) to encourage riders to stick around and get to know one another and families more.

Another suggestion : special prize/recognition/incentive (own table?) for non-elite riders in each age category – those who are over 26 minutes for a 10 mile tt say.

Reduced starting gaps (so that the fast 60s would not get mingled with the 30s) worked very well though perhaps 8 laps might have been fairer than 9 had some of the fast 40s and 50s not been absent. But still you can’t please everyone and age standards and handicaps can never be precise.

A discordant note in the event was one community member getting steamed up because his parking at the Deep Cove Store was inconvenienced. Perhaps we could enlist the support of the store by renting their picturesque garden patio for a post-race party. Once again thanks to Sidney Velo and especially Larry Pommen for keeping vibrant this noble, multifaceted, challenging sport.

Age Handicapped Criteriums

Scoring Criteriums for Overall Points Using Age Categories. For BC Masters Cycling Association.

Using the Duke Point Crits May 23-4 2009 as an example.

Applying my minimalist proposal : 3 crits so divide usual overall points by 3. Give ½ point bonus for each rider of younger 5 year age category beaten.

60+ Crit.
1. David Mercer 3.33 plus 0.5 bonus = 3.83
2. Dave Emery 2.33 .. 1.5 .. = 3.83
3. Doug Hutcheon 1.66 .. 0.5 .. = 2.16
4. Chris Hahlen 1 no bonus = 1.0
5. Harry Balke 0.66 no bonus

45-59 Crit.
1. Chris Cameron 3.33 plus 0.5 bonus = 3.83
2. Bill Yearwood 2.33 .. 1.5 .. = 3.83
3. Mike Sevcov 1.66 .. 1.5 .. = 3.16
4. Ray Wagner 1 .. 0.5 .. = 1.0
5. Stephen Muir 0.66 no bonus = 0.66
6. Malcolm Faulkner

30-44 Crit.
1. Mike Korb 3.33 plus 0.5 = 3.83
2. Aaron Dusseault 2.33 plus 0.5 = 2.83
3. Louis Watson 1.66 no bonus = 1.66
4. Casey Ryder 1.0 no bonus = 1.0

Thus there would have been a 5 way tie for 1st overall in the whole field. Winners in each of the 3 crits. receive only slightly more than 1/3 of the overall points they would get in a full-field combined road race or time trial. Total overall points awarded would have been 32.62 compared with 27 for an ordinary road race or time trial. Total overall points awarded for the crits would be reduced to 28.4 by making the bonus point for each rider of younger 5 year age category beaten be 1/3 point instead of ½ point. We could also make the overall points for a field divided into 3 crits be 30% of the normal rather than 1/3 to ‘even up’ the scoring.

This overall scoring system for crits. can be applied whether we divide the total field into 2, 3, or 4 separate criteriums.

The idea is that good performance should be rewarded no matter what type of event. A good crit. ride (or hillclimb) is just as demanding as a good road race or time trial.

Bonus points are necessary to give a reward to riders who may not be able to get in the top five because they are in a crit which includes riders who are 15 or more years younger, e.g. a 69 year old in a crit for riders age 50+ who places only 8th but beats 5 riders in age categories 50-54, 55-59, and 60-64 surely deserves something.

Cedar Weekend Cycle Race Classic Vancouver Island BC

Cedar Weekend Cycle Race Classic May 23-4 2009

Four officials and ten riders earned the prestigious Laurels of Cedar Award seeing through all 3 events from beginning to end. The worthy officials : Bruce Falk (Victoria), Dave Kenney (Nanaimo), Peter McCaffery (Nanaimo), Duane Martindale (Victoria). The versatile, dedicated riders : Harry Balke (Pender), Dave Emery (Victoria), Chris Hahlen (Vancouver), Doug Hutcheon (Vancouver), David Mercer (Victoria), Stephen Muir (Kelowna), Casey Ryder (Victoria), Mike Sevcov (Duncan), Ray Wagner (Comox), Bill Yearwood (Richmond).

The racing was elegant, forceful, and spirited. The courses were gems, the weather lovely, the scenery breathtaking. Set aside time apart from the racing to visit beautiful spectacular spots like Jack Point or Cable Bay.

Many were the heroic deeds. Suffice to relate a few to give the flavour. In the Saturday Cedar road race Ray Wagner dramatic as his namesake launched himself off the front alone with about 3 laps to go. Noble and valiant yet consumed in the fire of the peloton with over 1 lap left.

Jaunty, smiling Chris Cameron (Nanaimo) ever ready to churn at the front while intimidating other riders with his Martian earpieces. Duathlete Hugh Trenchard (Victoria) again doing a powerful solo ride with his supple, loping style to take the 40s crown in the road race. Soothing tired limbs in the luxury of a post-race hot shower on Saturday.

Don Gilmore (Shawnigan Lake) aka Aeroboy (also Arrowman) with his trademark stealth fighter jet low-profile lowering his own course record to 20’ 09” in the Sunday morning Nanaimo Lakes Rd. 15k time trial. Photographer Duane Martindale blowing the dust off his neglected racing machine and still managing a very nimble time for 3rd on age standard.

In the Sunday afternoon Duke Point Criteriums : Dave Emery celebrating his 71st birthday by staying with the 60s and surging to take the sprint for 2nd place. Bill Yearwood ploughing up the hill in a Mighty (sic) finishing sprint to narrowly miss 1st. David Mercer and Mike Korb (Victoria) blasting off the front of their respective crits as soon as the 2 neutral laps were over to pull steadily away alone. Aaron Dusseault (Victoria) weighing in after his teammate with his specialty power kick-punch finish. Bill, again, marking the end of the weekend’s racing with a low-flying helicopter salute.

Hypothetical overall winners – all 3 events - of the Cedar Bowl were David Mercer, Mike Sevcov, and Bill Yearwood.

Dave Kenney currently leads in the organizer closest to nervous breakdown table. David Mercer a near second, but Dave Steen still in with a chance.