Atheist Armaments

There was an interesting topical discussion on NPR the other day regarding Atheism in America. The discussion centered around a particularly vociferous Atheist proponent, Sam Harris I believe his name was, who is analogous to Billy Graham or Pat Robertson in his anti-Fundamentalist rhetoric. (The NPR host said that he can be downright mean and insulting at times).

Anyways, that’s neither here nor there.

Personally, I have been an atheist for about 5 years now. I’ve been agnostic even longer, as long as I can remember really. But about 5 years ago I began noticing that my beliefs began to align themselves more and more with those of atheism. I’ve been “in the closet” about it up until a year or two ago, especially to my family. I still haven’t told them yet. My mom and step-dad’s families are all Presbyterian (and frequent and vocal church-goers) and the rest of my extended family is either Catholic or Episcopalian. I guess I have feared that if they found out about my atheism, they’d reject me. Funny how I would come out with this now, when we need their love and support the most.

I don’t think people really understand us (atheists) though. I get a lot of weird looks from religiously-minded individuals, sometimes downright mean glares. It’s like they equate atheism with satan worship. I am a moral individual. I have ethics, and I stand by them. No, I don’t believe in god, an afterlife, or heaven and hell. I am a caring and occasionally compassionate person, and I am very friendly. I value empiricism, critical thinking, and above all: truth. Truth is what you get when you let your notions and beliefs flap in the breeze, for all to see.

I’ve read the bible, BOTH testaments. I’ve talked with and read text by theists of many creeds (christians, hinduists, buddhists, pagans / wiccans, taoists, satanists, kabbalists, etc.) I am this way by choice, because I identify with it the most, more than any other. I would not deny someone else their choice in faith, and I would hope they would return the favor by allowing me mine.

I found this quote online, and it really resonated with me. I think it gives a really good perspective on what it means to be an atheist.

The following definition of Atheism was given to the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of Murray v. Curlett, 374 U.S. 203, 83 S. Ct. 1560, 10 L.Ed.2d (MD, 1963), to remove reverential Bible reading and oral unison recitation of the Lord’s Prayer in the public schools.

“Your petitioners are Atheists and they define their beliefs as follows. An Atheist loves his fellow man instead of god. An Atheist believes that heaven is something for which we should work now – here on earth for all men together to enjoy.

An Atheist believes that he can get no help through prayer but that he must find in himself the inner conviction, and strength to meet life, to grapple with it, to subdue it and enjoy it.

An Atheist believes that only in a knowledge of himself and a knowledge of his fellow man can he find the understanding that will help to a life of fulfillment.

He seeks to know himself and his fellow man rather than to know a god. An Atheist believes that a hospital should be built instead of a church. An Atheist believes that a deed must be done instead of a prayer said. An Atheist strives for involvement in life and not escape into death. He wants disease conquered, poverty vanquished, war eliminated. He wants man to understand and love man.

He wants an ethical way of life. He believes that we cannot rely on a god or channel action into prayer nor hope for an end of troubles in a hereafter.

He believes that we are our brother’s keepers; and are keepers of our own lives; that we are responsible persons and the job is here and the time is now.” (From: American Atheists)