Boards
Atheists eat cupcakes, too! | Source: Shutterstock
I can already hear you asking, “What is an atheist?,” so let me make it really clear for you: I don’t believe in god.
I was raised Jewish, emphasis on the -ish. We never went to temple or kept kosher, and I didn’t have a bat mitzvah. We did holiday dinners because it meant a lot to my Grandma. My brother and I were both asked as kids if we wanted to go to Hebrew school; but since we didn’t want extra homework, we said no, and that was that.
Is it ironic that it was at a bat mitzvah, when I was 13, that my disbelief started? We were reading a portion from a prayer book and it occurred to me that I didn’t believe a single word of it, or, for that matter, anything else in the book; it seemed too far-fetched, too much like a fairy tale. I’ll admit I didn’t just give up my belief in god then and there, and clearly recall actually praying out of desperation once in high school, when my Grandma was in the hospital, but it felt like I was faking. There are babies with cancer, millions of starving people, natural disasters, so many terrible murders–and honestly, I don’t understand how someone like god, who’s supposed to be watching over us would let all of that happen. I don’t believe anything happens “for a reason” or that anyone but the people I’ve wronged can offer me forgiveness.
The problem is that not enough people actually ask “What is an atheist?,” and take the time to learn that we’re not bad people—just people who see the world differently than religious people. In fact, atheists are pretty widely hated.
The Lorax doesn't mind that Zac is an agnostic! | Source: s_bukley/Shutterstock
I’m used to the stigma, I’m used to people trying to argue with, or even convert me—which is pretty rude, considering that I’ve never tried to convert a single person to my view. I’m used to people looking at me like I just ate a puppy or something when I tell them I’m an Atheist. But I have to say, it sucks and doesn’t seem quite fair. In a country where we’re lucky enough to have freedom of religion, why is it not okay for me to be free from religion.
Hopefully after reading this, the next time someone asks you, “What is an atheist?,” you’ll tell them we’re people just like everybody else. We’re not missing anything—no screws loose here—and, hey, a whole lot of us are kind of awesome people. People you might even want to hang out and watch The Simpsons with.
Have you ever asked,”What is an atheist?” and gotten an answer you were surprised by? Have you ever questioned the existence of god? Let’s talk about it in the comments.
Could Your Religion Ruin Prom? Find Out.
Can You Trust Him?
Just as many atheists try to convert Christians as the other way around. Atheism is a religion in and of itself. If you want to believe that when you die, nothing happens, that’s absolutely your choice. Your lack of belief doesn’t negate my belief. But scientifically speaking, energy cannot be destroyed. It does not end. It continues. Call it heaven, the afterlife, whatever you choose, the energy continues to exist in some form. Born again Christians and Atheists alike drive me insane. You both try to outwit the other. You both think you *KNOW* better because you are more “in tune” with the universe. Imagine when you both end up in the same place.
Im also an Atheist and when I told my friends they had absolutely no idea what it was.Though sometimes people do try to convert me ( which annoys me) and when i kindly decline they try even harder to convert me -.-;
I don’t exactly believe in a “God”. I respect everyones beliefs.. My family is highly catholic..They do not yet know I don’t believe in god.. But Honestly I believe there’s a life form on another planet.. And If/when scientist prove there’s another living form on another planet.. That basically means there’s no god…Cause in the bible it only talks about Earth, Right? (Not That I Have Read It) But That’s Just My opinion..(:
I have a question for you athiest. What happens when you die?
Our non-physical selves immediately cease to exist, our physical bodies rot.
and so you really have nothing to live for, and once you die thats it? doesnt sound very encouraging. I belive there is a God and he created us and loves you!
We atheists have everything to live for – this is the only life we know we have, and that means that we need to do good things with it.
Well, you see that’s just one thing we’ll find out when we get there.
This article fits me to a T! I tell people I trust to handle and respect my beliefs (or lack there of). Most people don’t know what to think about me though because I still go on mission trips with my church and I sometimes read the bible. I just like traveling and doing community service, and the bible is the best selling book ever, so it doesn’t hurt to be educated. Unlike a lot of people in my WHITE WHITE bread town, I can accept other people’s beliefs.
I am a proud believer. But I have nothing at all against other peoples beliefs. They are YOUR beliefs. And I don’t feel it’s right to force someone to believe in what you believe in. But what I find interesting is that usually athiests will try to convert ME instead of the other way around. If I can respect you and your beliefs please be kind and respect mine:)
I was raised in a not so religious family, when I was 8 my father was diagnosed with liver cancer and they said he’d be dead in 6 months. My mom is an herbalist and managed to feed him a tincture that stopped and killed the cancer. 4 years passed and then I was woken up at 4am by my mom, telling me dad was dead. Also, I was volunteering at a day camp for children and befriended little boy named Brandon , at the end of the day I was packing up his things and he said he wasn’t going to be there tomorow because he had to go to the hospital, when I asked him why he said it was because he had leukemia and was going for treatment. He then proceeded to ask me if I had ever been called a name, I said sometimes, why? To which he responded that he had just been called stupid by someone because that person had been called stupid by someone else. He then asked me why people hurt other people just because someone hurt them. If there is a god, he must be one sick bastard to slowly be killing a little boy as nice as that and to take a father away from his little girl when she just got him back. That’s why I am a proud atheist.
Thank you for writing this. I consider myself Agnostic rather than Atheist, but the fact that I don’t believe in God still remains. I could never be part of an organized religion, considering that many attack a personal aspect of who I am. But just because someone doesn’t believe in god doesn’t make them bad! To those who DO believe… most agnostics/atheists are not attacking your beliefs: we just don’t agree with them! Please, please, please stop trying to make us “see the light” or encourage us to have faith: if something happens to change our minds, then that’s how it’ll be, but just telling us is only going to push us farther away. We’re people: just ordinary people, who happen to have a different view on life.
I feel as if there is someone or something above us & below us.. but I have doubts b/c I have never seen neither.. My mom tells me that I have to go to church with her but I don’t really want to b/c I’m kind of doubting God.. So I don’t want to sit in his house knowing I’m not even sure He exist.. but I totally respect the people who do believe.. But how do you tell your mother that has raised you & has been raised as a christian that your not to sure about this religion stuff.. ??? This is crazy b/c I use to believe..
God is awesome!…if you dont believe say this God if your real……finish the sentence, trust me he will answer in Jesus name! Glory be to the creator of heaven and earth read the bible its all there God bless you guys……………….PS I respect all of your decisions but try him have a faith
I am a strong beliver and i am glad you are professing your faith but God is not some genie. Just because you ask him for something doesnt mean he will give it to you. He knows the future and what is best for you. If what you are asking is not in his will then he will most likely say no. I am not saying he will never give you what you ask for but sometimes he say wait or no. God Bless, Olivia
I’m glad they posted this article. I hate how people think I’m like a devil worshiper because I don’t believe in a god. It’s ridiculous. I actually was talking to my mom, who’s Agnostic (she believes there might be something but there also might not and it can never be proven), and I told her I think there’s no way a god or goddess or spiritual being can be real and I was an Atheist and she said, and I quote, “Oh, well, just keep it to yourself.” Keep it to myself? So there can be a giant sign that’s telling me I should be a certain religion, but I can’t tell people my religious beliefs?
I was pleased to see this article, since I do not believe in any religion on this planet. My dad and his family are very religious (Christian) and my mom is atheist. I am very close to them both. We used to go to church when I was younger but then we (my sister and I) stopped attending, because I was able to form an opinion of my own, since I have heard both stories.
My religious aunt always tries to convert me to Christianity which I absolutley hate, since I do not try and convince her to not believe in anything.
I do not hate on any religion or try and convince anybody. I say, believe in what you want but don’t hate on others for what they believe in.
I think I’m Christian now but tbh I really don’t know. I’m 14 andi stopped believing at 11. Christianity just seemed too fake and totally made up to me. I believed in a God, or a higher power, but I didn’t believe in all the bullshit (what it seemed like at the time) tht was in the bible. I didn’t think Jesus was God’s son; I just thought he was a random person who was very nice. Haha. I was perfectly happy with my decision too. Never felt as if there was anything wrong with it until about 2 months ago. That’s when I was away at a Christian camp for a few days (ughh, shoot me I thought -.-) and they started talking about Jesus as the savior. I just tuned out while they went over all the crap in the bible until they read some verses that really hit me. I can’t remember which ones they were; I just remember what they were about. Every little detail and it scared the complete SHIT out of me. They talked about it being a nasty, violent, burning-fire pit of terrified people screaming for help. But there was none. The thing that struck me the most was that this place was HOPELESS. I’m pretty sure all of u have guessed this place by now, but if you haven’t, I’m talking about HELL. If you dont believe tht Jesus is God’s son, you’ll end up there. I didn’t believe that at the time, but I obviously did not want to go to hell!! Of course I’ve heard of hell before, but I’ve never really thought about it this much til now. And according to the Christians, that’s where I was heading!! And to be honest, I only think the thing that got me to be a Christian was fear. I was scared to death about going to hell. I do believe in Christianity now for a few other reasons, but it’s not like I believe in every single verse the bible was to preach. In fact, most of the stuff I don’t. But for me, bottom line is that u take and accept Jesus Christ to be to son of the Holy Spirit. Which now I would say I do(: . The scary thing is though, I still have a lot of disbelief in me, basically saying it’s all bullshit. The only think tht freaks me out about tht is ive heard people’s testimonies saying they’ve been to heaven and back. Then there’s those who have said they’ve been to hell and back. Ughh I just don’t get why we have to have all this in our world. If I had my own religion it would be very simple. People with the right intentions and values would go to heaven and others (like murders and stuff) obviously wouldn’t. In this world though, that would be very tough to sort out because there are many different of right and wrong. Ohh and by the way I am a very strong believer of the saying “everything happens for a reason”. Always have and always will(:
Just my opinion on faith and religion <3
I am so happy that you have decided to belive in Jesus Christ! If you have truly told Jesus that you know you have done bad things and he is the son of God there is no reason to worry! you will be going to heaven when you die! Instead of worrying tell people what you belive. think of that firey pit and people having to stay there for all of eternity, would you want that to happen to your friends or family? I know I wouldnt, I want them to come to heaven with me. As of you not beliving everything in the bible, How can you not? If Jesus is who he says he is than why would he lie in the Bible? If you have any questions, you can reply to this or talk to the people you met at camp, I am sure they would love to talk to you! God bless, Olivia
PS Nice name!
I’m a Christian…so yeah. Well really I hate when people judge other based on relgion and facts in the Koran or Bible or the other holy books. I am fine with everyone. I am proud that SOMEONE stand up for their beliefs or non-beliefs. Keep it up CHIKAS.
THANK YOU.
Yes, I admit I’m more Agnostic than Atheist, but I follow you here, love. No one seems to see to reason when you tell them your opinion on the matter…
I grew up in a pretty much non religious family. I’ve only ever been to any kind of church once (because my cousin practically forced me (lol)) and my dad is a big skeptic. My mom on the other hand is rather spiritual (she believes in some sort of other forces of power or something very similar to Buddhism). As a result I am 99.9% atheist (that .1% is just because what the hell, you can never know for sure). I’m not particularly anti religion but I’m not really for it either. I think that religion can be really beneficial in ways such as giving people hope and strength in difficult times but then probably the most obvious factor against religion is all of the war, discrimination and hate that can come from something meant to be full of love and care. Not saying that everyone who is religious is like that but there are those few people that take it way to far and create terrible things out of something that could be so beautiful and positive. Well that was my 2 cents sorry if I offended anyone because I definitely didn’t mean to!
tl;dr –> I’m atheist and I have some opinions about religion