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God is great, God is good…
It’s been about a week now since Thanksgiving, and hopefully everyone has found creative ways to finish off all their leftover turkey! I love the holiday season, and the time I get to spend with my family, but one thing is always awkward—saying grace before the dinners. I don’t mind bowing my head and listening quietly while others do it, but I’m not too fond of doing it myself.
My family consists mostly of devout Christians—none of whom know that I’m an atheist. That’s right, I’m still in the closet per say. However, my sister somehow has this special ability to know just who to pick on when it comes time to say the prayer. We celebrated Thanksgiving dinner at her home, and as we all gathered around the table and bowed our heads in silence, I knew I was in for it. Before she even asked I could tell just by her look that she was going to pick me.
It was a test of sorts. Everyone in my family was waiting to see if I had lost my “roots” when I went off to college. It was their way of putting me back in my place, or that’s at least how they saw it. When my sister told (not asked) me to say it, there was no backing down. So, I took a deep breath…
Where does Atheism fit in my life?
I’ve been struggling for the past few months to motivate myself to blog more about atheism, but I realized that the reason it’s been so hard is because it’s just a small part of who I am. When I was a Christian, it was like being consumed by it. Every aspect of my life was under heat and pressure. I had to make sure that everything I did adhered to it and didn’t conflict with any of my beliefs. With that burden lifted, I’ve been able to enjoy things and people for who they are, rather than how my religion told me they should be. I have learned how to appreciate life, to take things one day at a time and never for granted.
Being an atheist is not easy at all. It has forced me to think about what it really means to be human, what my purpose is in life, and how I can make the most of it. At times it has been a bit scary. Facing my own mortality and realizing that time is ticking makes every moment seem much more precious. I appreciate my family more now. Whether we’re just sitting in the living room talking or at the dinner table eating, I am thankful for every second of it.
I realize just how fortunate I am to be alive and to be raised with such loving and caring people. My family has always meant the world to me (especially my mom) both as a Christian and now as an atheist…
Militant Atheism: Good or Bad?
While watching an old lecture from Richard Dawkins, who I’m sure you’re all familiar with by now, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride, excitement, and anticipation. He was speaking at a conference in front of some of the world’s leading scientists, and intellectuals. Dawkins urged them to be what he described as “militant atheists” — people who are open about their atheism, and not afraid to stop being polite to the religious. Many atheists, as Dawkins explained, are pressured and forced to keep their beliefs hidden. In a nation predominantly Christian such as the US, we are wrongfully labeled as “unpatriotic,” and distrustful. While we’re all aware that something must be done to promote awareness and tolerance for atheism, is being militant the best solution?
I feel excited about the prospect that people will one day be able to gather, and speak openly about their atheism at conferences like this more often. However at the same time I have to worry about the possible unfavorable consequences our nation might suffer to get there. Let’s face it, atheism isn’t for everyone. One of the risks we face is even more hostility, and intolerance from our religious counterparts than we experience now. One the plus side though, being open about atheism will undoubtedly produce more “deconverts” — those who leave religion behind — but are we ready to give them the support they’ll need?…
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