“Atheism is an attitude, a frame of mind that looks at the world objectively, fearlessly, always trying to understand all things as a part of nature.” - Carl Sagan
I mentioned in my review of Hardcore Zen that I don’t believe in any sort of god or deity. This isn’t something I really talk about a lot with friends and family, mostly because I believe that everyone has the right to their own beliefs and it can be a deeply personal thing. However, lately I have found myself wanting to talk about it more, out of my own need for self discover. Sharing my words, my beliefs with the world helps me further excavate them in my own mind.
Atheism is, of course, the belief that there is no god or supreme being. I think that the word, somehow carries a negative connotation. It has been my observation that some people think that atheists are very cynical people, and perhaps some of us are. I know I have my own brand of cynicisms towards certain topics. I also get the feeling that, at times, atheists are viewed as sort of cold and unfeeling. I don’t think this is true. Sure, I’m sure there are people out there who have that mentality but being an atheist doesn’t mean you can’t be deeply spiritual as well. Especially after a recent spiritual experience of my own, I felt th need to write down what I believe. Here is what I believe:
I believe in beauty. I believe in nature. I believe in the Universe. I believe in this tiny little rock we live on. I believe our lives on this rock are very very small. I believe there are worlds out there that we have never and may never see. I believe in stardust, that which makes up our entire world. I believe in a web of energy that connects us all. We are all made of the same stuff. We are all connected. To each other. To the world. To the Universe. I seek to understand the world around us. I want to know what makes it tick. I want to better understand our role in this Universe. I believe the most important meaning that life has is the meaning that we give it. I believe in living your life in a way that makes you and the world around you better. I believe it’s important to give your life a significant meaning because that may be the only one it gets. I don’t believe there is someone else up there pulling the strings. I believe we are each in charge of what becomes of our lives. WE make ourselves and our lives what they are. I believe in taking control, harnessing that power, that energy and sharing it with other so that they are able to make their lives better as well.
Atheism may not make sense to everyone but like I said, everyone is entitled to their own beliefs and those beliefs are personal and meaningful even if they are not what I believe. Regardless of what you believe, always seek to learn more about the world around you. I think a better understanding of this world and of the people living on it is something that anyone of any faith can use to better themselves.
Very nicely stated.
Very interesting! You know, I had a blog post with exactly the same title, but I changed it to ‘The dread of reincarnation’: http://heinakroon.com/2011/11/11/the-dread-of-reincarnation/
I’m also an atheist, and just like you I don’t really want to make a big deal out if it; let everyone believe what they want. It’s only when religion gets in the way of our freedom of choice or the teaching of science in schools I get a bit agitated.
I also see myself as spiritual in a sense, in that I see patterns that transcend what we currently know about physics, chemistry and biology. I don’t want to fill in the blanks with a religious belief system however, and I hope we one day will know enough about the universe to explain these patterns.
My point is: just like you stated in your excellent blog post, being an atheist doesn’t make you an unfeeling robot. Neither does it make you void of any moral beliefs – it simply means you don’t believe in any gods.
I love this so much. I love your beliefs. They’re beautiful and beautifully-stated and amazing, just like you.
And anyone that knows you knows you’re just about as far from an unfeeling robot as anyone can be. If they say otherwise, I’ll punch them in the neck. Twice.
I’m guessing most religious people would think title of post is an oxymoron. I believe in the serenity prayer and that man created god in his own image. Another belief: if you pray for pototoes, grab the hoe – do the footwork but don’t plan the results.
There is no reason for it to be an oxymoron. There is a huge difference between being spiritual and being religious. You have your beliefs and I have mine.