This is a blog about the "good news" (gospel) about being an atheist - not adhering to theistic religious ideas, philosophies, and traditions. Here I will talk about why it's important to express atheistic viewpoints, what benefits come from such ideas, and how they apply to American society in the early 21st century.
I will be using the more common definition of "theism" as Christianity, Judaism, Islam - technically "monotheism." This is basically the only form of theism widely practiced in the western world, and since my blog is written from an American perspective this fits my uses nicely.
I was raised in a Christian (Mormon) theistic household. My family have been Mormon since the days of Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. I went on a Mormon mission to Alabama ("The Heart of Dixie") which gave me time and motivation to read and research the Bible, Book of Mormon, and other Mormon religious books. While I had always had doubts, I did not leave the Mormon church until I was sure Mormonism was false.
This blog is aimed at the non-believer - either in the "closet" or out of the "closet." Many people these days are raised without a religion, but there are also a lot of people who feel pressured by friends or family to stay in religion while not actually believing any longer. This is an understandable choice and a realistic one(and one I made myself for a few years after I stopped believing), but it causes people to remain trapped giving their time and money to churches that they don't believe in because they are threatened with the loss of all of their social support.
I hope that one day non-believers do not have to fear being discovered. That non-religious people could stand up and express how they feel and not be labeled "lazy," "apostate," or "infidel." (Or at least that these terms would lose their pejorative sense.) Many friends of mine who left their religion have also lost friends and family. The popular view of non-religious people as "bad" or "evil" needs to be as socially unacceptable as other foolish ideas such as the idea of certain ethnicities as being less human and homosexuality as being deviant.
I hope that one day non-believers do not have to fear being discovered. That non-religious people could stand up and express how they feel and not be labeled "lazy," "apostate," or "infidel." (Or at least that these terms would lose their pejorative sense.) Many friends of mine who left their religion have also lost friends and family. The popular view of non-religious people as "bad" or "evil" needs to be as socially unacceptable as other foolish ideas such as the idea of certain ethnicities as being less human and homosexuality as being deviant.
I would like this blog to provide comfort and validation for those who want to justify their choice to not believe in theism any longer. There are many good reasons to choose secularism over religion. Leaving theism makes it easier to embrace modern ethics and scientific understanding of life, our world, and the origin of the universe. Modern scientific knowledge give us a much richer, complex, and beautiful picture of the world around us.
Another positive thing about leaving behind religion is letting go of the idea of an afterlife. This helps to develop a deeper appreciation of the short time we have in this world and elevates the value placed on the lives and happiness of our fellow humans and animals.
Another positive thing about leaving behind religion is letting go of the idea of an afterlife. This helps to develop a deeper appreciation of the short time we have in this world and elevates the value placed on the lives and happiness of our fellow humans and animals.
As an atheist I believe it is important to stand up against religious organizations and out-dated idiologies which try to force their beliefs others in our society. Religious freedom is as important for non-believers as it is for the believers. Religion belongs in churches or private homes, not in schools or legislation. As more and more scientific knowledge disproves religious ideas about the world there is a backlash against science, but this cannot be respected, let alone tolerated.
When I left religion behind I said one final prayer saying I would always be open to any evidence or signs that God is real, and I still stand by that. I welcome comments about gaps in logic or errors in facts presented, but I hope that any feedback will be respectful.
