so I will do it here, on another blog, and maybe facebook, so instead of re-writing this essay each time I am asked to defend/explain my beliefs, I can refer the inquisitor to a spot on the web. This is the adaptation and combination of several response I’ve prepared in the past. I’ve done my best to make sure there is no indication or clue as to who the original responses were written to or for.
So, without further ado, no matter what you may hold true, enjoy.
The fact that I’m of a minority viewpoint, coupled with the reality that I am very outspoken and up front about my thoughts and opinions regarding the subject often lead to me having to explain myself. It’s the nature of the beast. So, here is a very bare bones break down of a few of the reasons I am a proud Atheist. Please keep in mind that I began questioning religious beliefs at the age of 16, so this wasn’t an overnight sensation. I don’t believe because I need facts to believe or support something, and religion doesn’t provide that. I also go back to older belief systems, for example, the Greek & Roman gods…..and it intrigues and bothers me that other people laugh at THOSE beliefs. To me, the story of Athena’s birth (being chopped out of Zeus’s head) makes as little sense as the birth of Jesus.
I’m also a very scientific person. I have a Biology and Chemistry degree, in the (hopefully) near future I will finish my Master of Science in Biology, and I just completed a certificate program allowing me to teach science to high school students. Science is my belief system. Religion and belief in a higher power made a lot of sense when we didn’t have a way to get answers or gather info effectively about the world around us. As we’re able to do that, there is less of a need for religion, and more need for reason.
Probably the biggest reason is that I, like any other person born, was born without belief. I don’t think that I would have come upon my original belief system without family, friends, acquaintances, television personalities, etc., telling me what to think. I’ve asked before, about cultures that are cut off from our world, which have never had exposure to Christian beliefs, and how do we reconcile their systems with ours…..we’re often told or reminded: if they don’t accept JC, they’re off to the fiery depths. Is that fair to them? How can they be punished if they’ve never heard? The only answer I’ve ever gotten was “they’re exempt.” I have never heard a reasonable answer.
A lot of you know me, I’ll assume that if you’re here reading that. If you don’t know me well, I don’t get offended easily. At all. I take things easy, roll with the punches, and get over petty comments. But something that any self respecting Atheist does take offense to is the idea that somehow we’re making a choice that will hurt us, our families, our future children, or anyone else we’re connected to. I dislike this allusion because I am making the right choice for myself and my future children. The beauty of individuality is that we are able to choose for ourselves. I have done so, and will continue to do so. I have often been told that, “it will be sad when all of your friends and family are celebrating in heaven, and you’re burning for all eternity in hell.” I usually give the following response: 1) Atheists don’t believe in heaven or hell, so no, it isn’t sad, and 2) If Atheists are wrong, and there is a maker to meet, I fully expect him/her/it to be respectful of free thought, and be understanding to the fact that he/she/it may have never given any proof or signs to the non-believer. And, if I’m in an especially, “I’m gonna tell you off,” kind of mood, I add a 3): I enjoy warm weather and misbehaving, hell was made for me.
I did not have a horrible childhood, nothing bad ever happened to me to make me denounce a higher being, and I do not have a hatred for those that believe. I am not immoral, I’m not mean, and I do have friends of all belief systems. The only difference between me and my believing friends is that I do not attend and will not marry or be mourned in any church, I celebrate Winter Solstice in December instead of Christmas, and I will only marry a fellow Atheist (for both compatibility and child rearing reasons). I will say that like anyone else, I have had people in my life die out of turn or very young, and I’ll admit that this probably reinforced my Atheism. Even as a young child, before I had these ideas, I never agreed with the mantra that “God wanted him home now, so that’s why he/she had to go.” That actually made me begin to resent “god,” because at my young age it appeared that he was unwilling to share or wait his turn, as we all had learned to do. A very juvenile thought, but to this day it holds water for me, and from responses to my point, many others as well.
I still see beauty and joy in the world, but I attribute them to things like photosynthesis (a gorgeous field of grass, after a rain), reproduction (the scent and color of a flower), genetics (adorable children), and human nature (the sound of laughter, falling in love, family/friend gatherings), which I like to believe is genuine, good, and true, even if we do have a few whack jobs in the world.
I did quite a bit of reading and research on Atheism and World Religions before I “came out” to friends, family, etc. There are many people in my life, both family and otherwise, who aren’t too happy about my position, but there came a point where my decision about my belief system had to make sense to me, and not them.
For those reading who may have more questions, or want to see more about how an Atheist comes to this conclusion, here are a few titles (both neutral and biased):
Atheism: A Very Short Introduction, Julian Baggini
Letter to a Christian Nation, Sam Harris
The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins
The Dawkins Delusion, Alistair McGrath
The God Who Wasn’t There (not a book, but a documentary, www.thegodmovie.com)
Jesus Camp (another documentary, www.jesuscampthemovie.com)
Also, George Carlin was a very noted and respected Atheist, as well as comedian. Some of his work, while satire, gives great food for thought.
So, there you have it…..why I’m a Proud Atheist. You can agree or disagree, laugh or cry, damn me or praise me, I don’t care. It’s what I think, and because it’s for me, that’s all that matters.
Hilary
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