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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.
I love all the discussion going on! Question, for those who are following: out of the 56 comments before this one, only ONE reader self-identified with a religion other than a branch of Christianity, for readers who identified as religious. Why do you think that is? Is it because this is a US-based website, and the most common religion in the US is Christianity? Does it reflect gURL’s readership demographics? Is Atheism/Agnosticism is more offensive to Christians than to people from other religions, so readers from that faith are more likely to comment (although there have been extremely supportive comments on this article from Christians too)? What do YOU think?
I’m glad this artical is here. I’ve been struggling with religion for a LONG time, and it’s even harder for me to accept God or push Him away because my dad is a preacher. Thank you gurl.com and Amy Kaufman.
I think it’s sad when people speak down about religion as if it were some defect holding people back in this world. I’m catholic which IS a branch off of Christianity since we believe in Jesus. I believe that God created this world in such an amazing scientific manner as for it to work perfectly for our very needs. I believe that everyone will have a chance to go to heaven even if you’re atheist because the God i believe in is a forgiving and more than that a loving God. I’m liberal and believe in equal liberties and a lot of Christians do too. i believe in gay marriage and adoption and don’t feel as my religion has shadowed my acceptance but strengthened it. Before you pass judgement on me as a christian remember i will never pass judgement on you for the Bible has taught me to love all peoples and accept all peoples. I believe that since God gives us free will and because the devil is prevalent in humanity that it causes for terrible events and situations to arise but never ever blame God since he is truly the savior in our eyes that helps us through the turmoil.
i think this article was not saying that religion is some defect holding people back in this world but more trying to understand why all kinds of religion can be acceptable to other religions, but not to atheists. and there are many christians that are NOT libral or do NOT believe in equal liberties. (relatives of mine are an example). however, there is a thing i hate about ALL people…. steriotypes. you (not YOU but a person in general) can not label a religious person as good and a non religious person as bad (or vice versa). there just can NOT be a link there!
I am an athiest. For the longest time i was agnostic, but i felt like i was lying to myself. Yes, religion is important to others but is not important to me. I dont believe in god, but i beleive in karma and reincarnation. But that is just me. People have really slammed me for thinking that way and here is what i believe; WHETHER YOU BELIEVE IN GOD, OR ALLAH, OR VISHNU, OR NO GOD YOU RESPECT OTHERS. EVEN IF THAT MEANS YOU DISAGREE, DONT CONVERT THEM. EVEN IF THAT’S HOW OUR BRAINS ARE HARDWIRED.
im a southern baptists christian, so my views on religion are supposed to be very strict. but honestly? i dont mind other religions. i just dont like the athiests (and others) that think all christians are crazy and want every one that isnt christian to burn in hell. im not like that, i do feel called to let all non believers know that God loves you and will accept you no matter what and he died on the cross for all of us, not just christians, but when someone tell me ‘thanks, but no thanks” to my ministry, im done. i promise not all christians push and nag and threaten.
Honestly, I feel the pain of religious intolerence. I go farther than most atheists I know. I flat out dislike religion. Many people have labeled me an iconoclast. I dont think I’m that radical, it’s not like I’d burn a church. (I might, however, punch a priest)
I follow the stand point of ” nothing is sacred.” I’m content with that. It has gotten me thrown out of two schools though. I let it roll of my shoulder. Haters gonna hate.
I’m a Christian. I believe in God. I think it’s unfortunate that your decision to be atheist has resulted in unsavory responses, particularly from Christians. Perhaps their intentions were poorly converted. Regardless you shouldn’t be made to feel like a bad person for this choice and on behalf of Christian’s everywhere, I apologize.
Your comment “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.” is one that I’ve heard a lot. I have to admit that I have wrestled with it myself.
I do not by any means have all the answers, and respect your position enough to not bog you down with an argument. If you ever choose to investigate God further, A Case for Christ by Lee Strobel is a good place to start.
Best.
ww.boldlyme.com
i say religion doesn’t matter if you love your family and do the right thing. and in some ways not being religous lets see how the world really works and it lets you be more free. Also i think it makes you be more prepared for the real world becuase your not relying on some magical force to make things better for you allllllll the time.
I’m an atheist who was raised catholic. I went to church infrequently because I had asked my mother questions about god after reading some small books with bible stories in them at the tender age of 6. In third grade I denounced my Catholicism,instead opting to create my own religion. That only lasted a short while,and I had lost all faith in believing anymore,so I settled for agnostic. Since then,I’ve had short phases where my faith was renewed,but I now firmly hold to being an atheist. I’m not sure why religious people try and undermine us,but I personally believe that every religious person has some doubts about their beliefs. A religious friend of mine recently expressed to me that she was doubting her catholic upbringing after reading the bible and thinking it was too strange and fairy tale like to be true. I think eveyone questions their religious beliefs once or twice,and we shouldn’t outcast people for doing so.
I am Christian/Catholic, and I have a lot of non-religious friends through sport. They think that it is offensive to me and my best friend when they say I don’t believe in God or whatever they say. But now they know it is okay because I believe they are intitled to their own opinion, so is everyone else.
omg…
i think religion is important.
it’s hard to explain to people who lowminded like tht. they never can understand billions explain.
god is exist.
(sorry for my bad grammah)
wow. my family is really religious. i hate the word atheist. everyone associates us as people who believe in evolution from monkeys, (uhh, no.) im not religious. i still havent told my family, because they talk about atheist as, homosexual communist who need to go back to Russia, (there racist too. i live in Kentucky.i am not racist either.) im not gay. i don’t have political views, i just vote for who has the same basic needs for america. im soo scared to tell them because they (my grandparents, which who i live with.) will think im trying my best to go against them and disown me.
i am so sorry your family feels that way. this is what i hate about religion. although it can bring a community together, it can also pull one apart. good luck!
i don’t believe in god either, i don’t have a thing against anyone who does though. I think everyone is entitled to there own opinion. I’m a buddhist. wew
Oh and the owner of this site seems amazing hahah.
I think this article was very insightful.
It really made me think.
Did you know that there are 33,000 different sects of Christianity? This little fact used to make me feel weird about calling myself a Christian. So I like to refer to myself as a Believer.
Personally I don’t think someone who is an Atheist is a bad person but I do think they are misinformed. God had a plan for the humans he created, but that plan was stolen and corrupted by Satan, so thats why the state of the world became so horrible and is the state we live in today. Thats why babies have cancer and there are millions starving, and numerous other unexplainable atrocities… because sin poisoned everything.
Thats what I know to be true. I don’t expect everyone to agree with me. In the Bible it actually says that those who follow Jesus will be hated.
So my point is that Christianity in itself is corrupted, all of life is.
If I met this girl, or any other person with a different view than me I would treat them how I’d like to be treated, simple as that.
I can’t say I’m an atheist, but I can’t say I believe in god 100%… 50%. My BFF’s family is full on christian, so when I’m at her house, I feel so overwhelmed (her name is Mary!) I believe in Heaven and God, but I believe in science more. I don’t think that he created us, but I believe there’s a power that protects us. Does that make sense? My brother is Atheist, my dad is baptist, my mom is catholic, I’m just… questioning? I totally hate it when people go all “But God did this-” and “God didi that-” I just dot believe it. My grandparents got me a pocket bible which I have not picked up once- But it doesnt make me a bad person!
Wow so many horrible comments that only affirm what the article was saying :/ … I’m not an atheist but often when I tell people that I’m no longer Christian they look at me as that was a horrible defect. I was raised Catholic and changed to Christian around 13 or so, then several years later I realized I just couldn’t agree with its teachings. According to Christianity, Anne Frank, the Dalai Lame, Gandhi, and billions of other great people are going to hell because they’re not Christian. Heck no!
i totally agree with you. i once had someone tell me i was going to go to hell because i was atheist. actually, the person’s exact words were “your kind are the first people to go to hell”. first? and my kind? totally rude.
the fact that i do not believe in hell makes those words meaningless to me. since i do not believe in it, going to or not going to it does not matter to me. but still, it was rude.
just because i am not religious, however, does not mean i hate religion. in some ways, i believe religion is a good thing. it brings communities and together, help people grieve when loved ones die, and help ease stress when thoughts of themselves dieing in the future may start to freak them out. it is just that personally, i do not believe in the stories revolving around religion.
however, if there is a god, i hope he (or even she) looks down on me and sees me as a good person who takes care of her community, family, friends, and self. just because i do not pray, does not mean i am a bad person. infact, i am sure that i am alot more openminded than a lot of religious people are. it is just that personally, i would rather spend my time on other activities than praying, and spread my love toward people i know rather than a mystical being that may or may not exist.
whoever told you your kind is the first in hell is comepletly rude and incencitive and if they were christians then i want to appologize for the christian faith. im christian and yes i do believe that any one who isnt christian is going to hell, but that doesnt mean that i hate everyone who isnt christian. That is just simply a part of my belief. i have plenty of friends that arent christian and i dont force christianity on them or mock them or anything, so sorry for all the christians that are mean and atomatically think that your a bad person just because youre athiest.
thanks, that means alot! you see, you are religious and a GOOD PERSON!
i am not sure what religion he was (it is not a subject i very much like to discuss because i am afraid i will be judged) but obviously b/w you and him, there is a clear difference b/w religious people and good/bad people. religion does not have to be linked with good person and nonreligous be liked with bad (or vice versa).
so again, thank you!
i have a question for all religious and non-religious people alike: When did man create God in his image?
God made man in His own image. It started when H
e realized that there should be a creature that would take good care of His other creations like the animals and plants.
man created gods to have a reason for why it rains, or the reason for oncoming plagues. It all started around the time when man evolved and wanted to have a sense of security in the world. For all we know, the person who wrote the bible, or the torah, or the quaran; that someone did some he said she said and stretched the truth. most religion is like that.
Georgette, if you haven’t listened to XTC’s “Dear God” (from 1986), you might want to look it up! They ask the same question.
It is very hard seeing all of my family and friends being duped by religion emotionally and economically. I hope one day there is no religion it will solve alot of the problems in the world. The mythology of the desert will die out soon just like greek, roman, and egyptian mythology. Soon everyone will use reason and see that the biblical mythsa of talking snake, virgin birth, whales swollowing people, women turning into pilars of salt, and whales swallowing humans will be a laughable pass time. Cant they see those myths are clearly man mad. lol
I can see where you’re coming from… I’m atheist as well. And I find it ridiculous when people take those stories 100% seriously.
But my stepfamily is Methodist, and I’ve actually learned a lot about religion from them. They know that the stories may or may not (emphasis on the not) be true, but that isn’t what matters. To them, the Bible is a sort of conduct guideline. It’s filled with examples of ways for them to live a rich life.
A lot of what they get from church is what I already believe in – I just figure it out for myself. I think most religious people simply use it as a way to find a “right” way in this totally arbitrary world, where definitions of good and evil depend on who your parents are.
I really don’t support the idea of letting someone feed you your beliefs. But when it comes down to it, isn’t that what happens to us all? We are all products of our environments, and the majority of the world’s population has grown up with ancient stories about what is right and what is wrong, and it provides them with a sense of security in knowing that they are making “good” decisions. And I can’t blame them for that.
God is the only reason your here. I respect your decision and iam not telling you how to live. God is the reason you wake up God knows your an athesit and he could take you off this earth but since your young he’s helping you.I believe in God and you can believe in whatever just know he loves you whatever your decision is.
Oh for God’s sake, it is you’re. The only real sin is your grammar skills
^Wonderful response.
also, “athesit”…?
Sigh.
If you’re going to correct someone on their grammar make sure to look at your own. Her comment wasn’t rude. Be respectful. When you end a sentence use a period and when you refer to someones ‘mistake’ use quotations or it seems to be part of the sentence which would then be incomplete. In regards to this article- well written perspective Amy Kaufman.