no offence intended to the religious...
Feb. 26th, 2004 04:25 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ajva...but given the recent leap in religion-related sentiment on LJ (largely because we've just entered the Lent period, I think), I just felt it was important to say this:
I am an atheist, and I count myself lucky every day that I am.
I recognise that this, too, is a faith position, and that the only logically impregnable position is that of agnosticism. Therefore I am posting this not so much to undermine those who give witness to their religious faith, but because due to the non-evangelical nature of atheism, we hardly ever see anyone witnessing to their non-religiousness, and I felt a little balance was in order. I fully respect others' religious beliefs, and wish merely to express my equivalent.
I believe there is no God, no higher power, and I count myself as completely unspiritual. I believe that human beings have no souls beyond that which is a side effect of the architecture of their bodies and their brains. I believe that when we die, we completely cease to exist.
I am often irritated by many people's (not on LJ) assumption that not being a member of a particular religion makes my beliefs somehow negative. For me, atheism is a positive, empowering belief. To me, it means that I alone am responsible for me, my life, and my impact on the world. Only I can solve my problems and realise my dreams; only I am responsible for the good and the bad that I do for or to myself and others. I must make for myself my own purpose, and it is a challenge I enjoy anew every single day.
May your ways likewise bring you peace.
I am an atheist, and I count myself lucky every day that I am.
I recognise that this, too, is a faith position, and that the only logically impregnable position is that of agnosticism. Therefore I am posting this not so much to undermine those who give witness to their religious faith, but because due to the non-evangelical nature of atheism, we hardly ever see anyone witnessing to their non-religiousness, and I felt a little balance was in order. I fully respect others' religious beliefs, and wish merely to express my equivalent.
I believe there is no God, no higher power, and I count myself as completely unspiritual. I believe that human beings have no souls beyond that which is a side effect of the architecture of their bodies and their brains. I believe that when we die, we completely cease to exist.
I am often irritated by many people's (not on LJ) assumption that not being a member of a particular religion makes my beliefs somehow negative. For me, atheism is a positive, empowering belief. To me, it means that I alone am responsible for me, my life, and my impact on the world. Only I can solve my problems and realise my dreams; only I am responsible for the good and the bad that I do for or to myself and others. I must make for myself my own purpose, and it is a challenge I enjoy anew every single day.
May your ways likewise bring you peace.
no subject
Date: 2004-02-27 12:40 am (UTC)Only I can solve my problems and realise my dreams; only I am responsible for the good and the bad that I do for or to myself and others.
Something I would add, for me: only I am ultimately responsible for defining what 'good' and 'bad' are, for me. While in one sense that makes them arbitrary - and I acknowledge that - it also places a huge responsibility on me, if I have any pretence to being ethical, to think carefully and at length about the definitions. I can build on what other people have thought, and my views may come very close to being the same as the views of a particular ethical (or religious) movement, but ultimately it's my decision and my responsibility to say 'yes, those work for me'.