Atheists
I’ll put some words in some imaginary religious folks’ mouths:
“If you don’t love this book, the creator of the universe will burn you forever.”
“If you agree with me, God will like you.”
“Our group is the only group in history that has the truth.”
“Our truth is the only truth ever possible for all time.”
“Your beloved creator will torture you for eternity because you disagree with me.”
Little wonder to me some people want to be atheists. Staunch religionists practically drive them screaming to it.
But I wonder also at the appeal. Isn’t it better to not know?
We have two options, the universe can be something created by somebody for a reason; or it came into being non-causally, for no reason. Isn’t it better if there’s a reason? Just because established religions suck majorly is no proof that God, or a first cause with intent, doesn’t exist. It just shows that people are great with metaphors, except for the understanding that they’re metaphors part of it.
There is no proof that there is no Creator of the Universe. So why take the leap of faith to become an atheist, so you can revel in the joy of knowing there’s no reason for anything?
“Tra-la-tra-lay, how grand it is that everything is meaningless! The rush of endorphins through my cells at the thought almost make me feel as if I had a soul.”
The new thing is that an atheist is someone who doesn’t know for sure, but disagrees with established religions. That’s not an atheist, that’s agnostic. And you can’t be an “atheist/agnostic” like that one whiner with a website who drives the word atheist around like a big shiny pickup. If you don’t know, you’re not an atheist.
Show me some meaning, brother,
LWIII
i used to call myself an atheist, till i realised that i did believe in god… just not in the limited ‘ways’ of religion.
a sure fire way of knowing you believe in god is when your on your knees praying for help at the last possible moment.
and there are only so many times an atheist can receive miracles and call them coincidences.
thank you for helping me understand the word agnostic
xx
Thanks Azyh! I think the main reason agnostics are trying to steal the word atheist is because it’s got a lot more emotional punch. You don’t see born-again types marching around with placards saying “Down with the agnostic hordes!”
Agnoistics ain’t godless, they’re just godless-ish, and that’s kinda boring.
I know, I know, Tom it wipes my brain thinking about it all, at times.
All i know for sure is I’m uncomfortable around Zealots even anti-religion Zealots.
I believe I’m a child of the universe, does that make me a Trippy Hippy, no it doesn’t. I’m just me.
I’m a spiritual being because I feel things.
Also feel that there is no white haired Caucasian looking God residing up there. Can’t prove it though. I reckon most of us not affiliated with organised religions, just go on educated guesswork and gut feelings.
In a few years time we’ll all be dead just as intended. Nature is never boring is it Tom. I can’t think about a God creating the magnificence of it all because I simply haven’t got time and there’s stuff to be looking at.
I’ve just realised Tom, i’m a simple soul…You always make me think. That’s why I like your blog its clever and attractive to read.
Truly Pammy x
Hey, thanks Pammy! I know what you mean about zealots or “enthusiasts” as Stephen Maturin would call them. It’s hard being around them because they’re always trying to convince you of something, instead of just revelling in one’s scintillating company, as they should.
Not so sure about the dead thing. You maybe. Me, I plan on living forever. I think I got it in my contract here somewhere….
I have an old friend, who unfortunately, I have not seen in ages since she moved away, but she was raised by two nuclear physicist atheist parents and was also a self-proclaimed atheist. I am a person who likes to live in wonder and believe in God and and miracles, serendipity and love to ponder anything that is beyond my limited understanding.
We were great walking buddies and put many miles into energetic conversations, but it didn’t take me long to notice a pattern with her – she was never willing to settle on anything being a truth, and she always wanted to walk on a track instead of a more meandering path or to a destination and back. Talking and walking in circles.
Well, she must have been able to settle on one truth if she was an atheist, and that was the one that we cannot know for sure, at least guys like me can’t. But what the advantage is of knowing there is no God I’ll never understand. That means you can never say, “Well, it’s all for the best.” Bad things don’t happen so we can learn and grow, they happen for no reason at all, like everything else. Why live like that when there’s no proof?
I didn’t mean to seem critical of my friend, and I was thinking about this while out on my walk tonight. I would agree with you that she did indeed believe something, even if is to believe that something does not exist. What I was not able to communicate earlier is my empathy for her and I my sensing her unrest and wishing for her that she could allow herself to rest in herself a bit instead of always having to have a counterpoint. Then again, maybe she was just kicking the can around the block with me, and I missed the point altogether. Either way, your blog evoked a response from me…again.
I got that, FG. I can imagine it’s tough always having to have the answers, even of the ultimate question. Because to me if there’s no God then there’s no spirit or soul, just a bunch of meat machines. Blech.
Yup.