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.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
sorry...
Date: 2004-02-27 05:45 am (UTC)i believe utterly that 'we' cease ter exist on death, but the world 'n' all it's struggles, misery, potential and joy goes on. the thought of absolute personal elimination doesn't scare me, it inspires me. because wot survives of us is the impact we make on the world...all the people we've ever inter-reacted wiv are changed by that interaction, and that survives. the good (or evil) we 'ave achieved survives, and so i feel inspired ter make connections and (as a marxist - above all) ter make a bleeding difference ter the world.
fer me this is one of the great consolations of atheism.