Last week on the way home I saw a church sign that read, “It is a sad moment for an atheist when he is grateful—to whom is he thankful?” I found it misinformed and a little antagonistic. Obviously your congregation isnt atheist so whom are you speaking to? As an atheist, I am thankful. I am thankful to my numerous loved ones, for my beautiful home, for art, For music and novels and poetry. For a million things, especially my one fantastic life. Today two members of the Jehovahs Witnesses visited my home. They said, “Sorry, I know you werent expecting us, but we would like to share with you some biblical truths.” I replied, “Oh, no thank you, Im an atheist and Im very happy.” The the faces of the high school boy and his late middle aged companion went from enthusiastic smiles to hard lines in an instant. The high schooler still held out the pamphlet and said, “Still, we would like to leave you with this information in case you have any questions about the future.” On and on he went. Can I simply say how incredibly insulting I found their insistence that I take the pamphlet despite telling them Im very happy with my life choices? I have no questions. Especially ones that could be answered by a high school student still wet behind the ears. I was polite, they were polite, but obviously we have a difference of opinion so lets thank each other for our time, wish each other a nice day and part ways. Why the need to try to change my mind? Its insulting because it is degrading. My life choices are mine, and of no affect on them same as theirs on me. So why are my life choices not respected enough to leave me in peace? And in my own home??? I respected theirs enough not to tell them I believe theyre wrong. For my theist friends, I respect them enough to give time for prayers and bow my head before a shared meal out of RESPECT. All prayers said for me are appreciated because I know them to be expressions of love deserving of nothing less than respect from this grateful heart of mine. I have been an atheist my entire life. At various periods through out my life I have done my best to lead a faithful life. I went to church, I read the bible before bed but I still felt enormous guilt I couldnt live that life genuinely. For the past fourteen years since my last attempt to find a faith that fulfills me I have come to respect who I really am. Being good for the sake of being good and not the judgment of a higher power is more than good enough for me. Im an atheist. Im proud and unapologetic. I implore other atheists to be proud and unapologetic and break the stereotype that we lead unfulfilled, hateful lives. Because that is what I most want people to know. I have hid my beliefs from certain few, only admitting to the closest of people for fear of rejection and judgment. I only gently alluded to my beliefs to many others to kind of test the waters. But to hide what I am is akin to saying what I do is wrong and it must not be disclosed. And that is a lie. I am no better and no worse than anyone else and I deserve respect for my beliefs. Finally, I am publicly declaring I am an atheist. And I am truly happy beyond words.
Posted on: Fri, 27 Jun 2014 19:32:29 +0000