Atheism is NOT a belief. Yes, you can say “I believe gods dont exist”, but that is a negative of a belief. Atheism IS a stance on a belief, but it itself is not a belief.
If I told you I’m an atheist you can not name ONE thing I believe in based off of that title. The ONLY thing Atheism explains is literally one idea I don’t believe in.
Think I’m wrong?
Name one belief I must have because of atheism. Name one.
Gee guys, our secrets out. Its not that we don’t feel a supreme being is logical. Its not that we feel there is not enough information to back the concept (let alone prove the existance) of a god. Its not even that we feel our world is too complicated to have been created by one being. Its that we ourselves are imaginary. I tried to keep it a secret guys, I really did. They just figured me out. Were not real. Atheists dont exist. Were all just imaginary people with fictitious thoughts.
Okay, but for real, there is no “deep down inside you believe in god” and if you try to say that to me, Ill need you to tell me what god you claim to know I believe in(really, tell me, because im appearntly unaware of my own beliefs). The thing is, I don’t.
I’m not denying your god(or anyone elses for that matter) because Im angry at him/her/it/thing. Nothing bad happened to me.
I’m not denying your god(or anyone elses) to avoid feeling guilty- I feel guilt a lot, so if that was my goal its clearly not working. I feel guilty when I hurt someone(even slightly) or when I behave in a way that I don’t see as good enough for the person I want to be.
I’m not gonna go running to your god(whatever god that may be) anytime I feel lost, low, or in need.
Why? because I don’t believe in a god. Not yours, not your neighbors, not your uncles, not that stranger at the grocery stores- no ones god. I don’t believe in any god-supremebeing-creator-lord-allah-etc. I’m not gonna run into thier arms when I’m scared, and I’m not denying them, I just dont believe in them.
But its okay, you can go on thinking you know my thoughts, feelings, and beliefs better than me. Mean while I’m going to continue my secular, open-atheist life and wish you well.
Good-life to you all.
*this letter is intended to be more of a suggestion filled request from ONE Atheists perspective. However, I urge you to consider them in whatever cross atheist-theist relationships you hold*
Dear Theist friend, family member, aquintence, teacher, boss, co-worker, etc.
I know you mean well but sometime you cross a line. I’m sure I as well have stepped on your toes(please next time politely tell me!), and we all make mistakes, its hard to be empathetic when we have no perspective. I understand this, but still, it needs to be talked about.
When I first tell you of my athiesm (or any other belief that I personally tag along with it) please dont give me *that* look. You know the one, the one you get when you’re thrown off, judging, and almost offended by what I had just said. The kind of look that can make anyone feel shame no matter how proud or content they are. Please dont. I know you can feel it when you make it(ive found myself with this same look many times), please try to avoid it. Trust me, we see it, and we see it when youre fighting it off too. Thank you for trying to fight it away when you do.- – When i tell you, be careful with your words. Please dont say youll pray for me, or that it concerns you, or that ‘maybe ill change my mind’. If you truly feel my beliefs are horrible, just say okay, and pray for me on your own time without my knowledge(I respect that you might truly feel this way for me, but mine say the opposite, respect that). Even if you’re truly worried about me, dont imply that im unhappy, hurting, or would be better off with your faith even if you truly believe it. Just imagine if i did that to you.
When something bad has happened, please dont try to use god to cheer me up. I dont believe in your god(or deity), im sorry, you’re not helping. Don’t tell me god has a plan, or he will give me strength; dont tell me that ‘if only you had faith’ or that maybe I should try praying(these two might actually anger me). Don’t.- – However telling me you’re praying for me is okay(as long as its not because of my atheism. theres a difference in kindness and disrespect of my beliefs). Even though I don’t believe there is a god(therefore he cant help) im thankful to just know that you care enough to ask your highest power to help me.
When something good happens, please dont bring god up. Im sure you believe he helped me acheive it or its apart of his plan, but I dont. Please dont take my happiess and/or acheivements and give the credit to something I dont believe in(atleast not to my face). Don’t comment on my post ‘god is great’ or ‘thank god’. Don’t tell me that god made me gifted or that your glad he let me get so far. Tell me congragulations, good for you, im proud of you, you did well, im glad youre so happy, anything. Just dont bring YOUR beliefs into MY happy moments. don’t question my morals due to my atheism(unless we are having an actual conversation about it).
Overal I just ask four things of you,
1. Don’t assume. If you’re unsure ask, but remember we have the right to not answer. Even then, don’t assume.
2. Don’t try to convert me. We can share conversations about our beliefs, perspectives, and why, but dont try to get me to come to theism. I wont try to convert you.
3. Try to hold some cultural relitivism. Cultural relativism is the principle that an individual person’s beliefs and activities should be understood by others in terms of that individual’s own culture.
4. RESPECT. This is the big one that goes with any relationship, with any one. Respect me as a person. Respect my beleifs. Respect who I am. Respect me for what role I play in our relationship. Even if you dont respect me and my beleifs, at LEAST behave as a respectable person yourself/ respectfully to me. I promise you I will do the same.
Thank you for being apart of my life, thank you for reading this, have a good life.
*If you’re an atheist and have some suggestions to the letter please feel free to add/and or comment with disagreements or agreements– If your a theist feel free to ask questions, give opinions, and put some suggestions on behavior from us to you.*
Open Atheism 