There are as many ideas of what atheism actually is as there are people on the planet. Religious people have many different ideas, all of which are false. Atheists all have their own ideas. Here’s what my ideas are and where I stand on religion and god and the universe. Draw your own conclusions. Whether you agree or disagree send me a note to explain how you feel. We might be friends if we’re on the same page. If you who dislike my words that’s just too bad. We will just disagree. Debating is a waste of time.
I am an atheist.
I have said that before. Those words hardly express what “atheist” is or how I view it. Atheism, to me, is simply a knowledge that there is no “creator” god. Period. I do not include the “probably not” so many atheists add. It is not a “probably not” thing. It is a true thing. But it is only a beginning, not an end.
Changing
When I transitioned to atheism from christianity over a few month I slowly realized and accepted the fact that there really cannot be the kind of god I forced myself to “believe in” all those years. The reasons are many. There’s not room here to go into all of them. The fact is, however, that at the end of the horrific period of emotional pain and mental suffering I recognized that god did not exist. I had simply been wrong.
New Direction
From that beginning I had to develop an entirely new set of views towards the world, humanity, eternity and myself. It was interesting and challenging. I had to answer the questions such as, “are there true paranormal or supernatural” things, events, actions? Is there life after death? What is the most valid philosophy to live by? How should atheists act towards religious people? Is atheism a “religion?” This little essay explains what I think about each of these.
Humanity
From that beginning I had to develop an entirely new set of views towards the world, humanity, eternity and myself. It was interesting and challenging. I had to answer the questions such as, “are there true paranormal or supernatural” things, events, actions? Is there life after death? What is the most valid philosophy to live by? How should atheists act towards religious people? Is atheism a “religion?” This little essay explains what I think about each of these.
Paranormal
Does “paranormal” or “supernatural” exist? No. Neither exists in the “spiritual” sense, as in angels or demons or anything like that outside of scientific reality. Some things appear to us now as “supernatural” merely because their existence falls outside our ability to know what they are. It’s like many things in the past from what stars are to what causes tides. Eventually science will catch up with spooky stuff and it won’t be spooky anymore.
Afterlife
Is there life after death? Beats me. This is really not the question, is it? The actual question is, “do we have a soul?” In the “supernatural” or “spiritual” sense, we don’t. We are not gods. If we had such a “soul” within us we would actually be gods ourselves. This is absurd. But that does not mean there is nothing more to us than animated dirt. I believe there is.
Dirt
I think humans have an element of consciousness that extends the “dirt self.” Maybe I’m just comforting myself with an illusion. Maybe. But anecdotal evidence and many odd personal stories indicate my conclusion is probably true. We have a “consciousness,” not a “soul.” Perhaps all animals, or all living things, possess such a consciousness in some form. My view is that humans have such a consciousness that moves along the timeline from one person to another in some fashion. It’s the main reason for human progress. We have not had to re-invent the wheel in every generation.
There are a plethora of argument to counter my view of consciousness. I do not care. There is no proof on either side. I am not convinced. It is not a “belief” I have. It is merely what I think. The existence or non-existence of a consciousness will only be determined after we are dead. I am not eagerly anticipating receiving the final answer.
Morality
Christians always ask: “if you have no god to give you the rules, how can you have rules?” In other words, what’s to prevent you from stealing, killing and destroying at will. The short answer is nothing. Not in the religious sense. There’s no rule-making god nor cruel, judgmental deity to roast us in a pit or something if we break those rules. The short answer is also yes, there is.
Religious Morality
Humans created religion. They encoded their own views of right and wrong into it. Everyone other than psychopaths and sociopaths have a conscience. We choose to do things like “being nice” and not killing, stealing or destroying needlessly not because of some god breathing over our necks but because we see it as the best way to act. Criminal law is a deterrent but only goes so far. For me, it is the bond we all have as human beings, and our potential, that compels me to respect humanity and individuals as a whole.
Philosophy
As far as philosophy goes, I fall into two schools. The first is Theravada Buddhism, the sect of Buddhism which does not worship Gautama Buddha but reveres his teachings and those that have sprung from him. Buddha was a man. He is dead. There is a life of peace within Buddha’s teachings, however. I am also a stoic. Our actions should be guided by logic. I decide how to proceed based on logic rather than emotional impulse. This does not mean I am entirely unemotional. I just don’t make decisions based on feelings or emotions.
Actions
Atheists should approach religious people not in silent acceptance or with militant aggression. Atheists, those who truly do no longer believe there is a god, should not hide nor stay silent. Too many do out of fear or the possibility of loosing jobs or family. But it’s only when everyone who has learned the truth admits the truth that the majority will come to recognize truth as well.
The pain and destruction that is a part of and created by religion is unending. I cannot fully describe nor even comprehend the damage four decades of religious belief did to my psyche. Thus the moral thing to do is to try and convince those who will listen that there is another and better way to live.
Anti-religion
Atheism is not a religion. It is to some extent an anti-religion, meaning it stands against religious views that damage humans and keeps them in bondage and servitude. But that’s only a part. Atheism is at first an admission of reality and then a continuing state of mind. There is a very distinct line between “believers” and “non-believers.” No one can truly stand on the fence that separates them. A person either believes, or not. The “nots” are atheists, whatever they choose to call themselves.
Conclusion
Entire books are written about each of the points I have made. Even so, I believe I’ve touched the high-points and established the parameters within which I live my life. Maybe that will make me a little more predictable, a little easier to understand. Or not. Either way, I am who I am and I am that because of the factors I spelled out above. For more detailed explanations just write me. I’ll be happy to answer your questions.
