Saturday, February 26, 2005

What is an atheist?

I am an atheist. I do not believe in the christian god. I also do not believe in the ancient Roman gods. I don't believe in satan or in angels. I don't believe in krishna or osiris. Zeus has no meaning to me beyond a good story and Jesus is just a name in a book.

What does this tell you about who I actually am? Not much.

The religious condemn me without knowledge of me. They do so for their own reasons which I reject. Some of them even think I am evil or that as an atheist I worship the devil. I am immoral, corrupt.

What I actually am is a mother. A wife. A daughter. A sister. I love my country and my family. I take pride in treating others as I would like to be treated. I don't suffer fools well and I see that as a failing. I am concerned for the environment and injustice infuriates me.

I am imperfect. I make mistakes and too often speak without thinking first. I am impatient and I procrastinate but I do generally pay my bills on time.

I am human. I believe that this life is the only one you get so you better make the most of it.

That is what being an atheist means to me.

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