What Is Atheism?
What I Believe and Don't Believe Simply Put!
I am an Atheist and a Humanist. What does that mean to me? Simply put, it just means that I don't believe there is such a thing as a God. I don't think a God made man in His image, but quite the reverse; Man created or made a God in his image. I'm not an atheist because it's cool. Atheism is not my religion. Atheism is not a religion. I'm an atheist because, after years of carefully analyzing myself and my mind, I see absolutely no evidence of any god's existence.
I don't worship Satan and other assorted evils. I don't sacrifice babies. I consider myself a law-abiding and decent person. I am kind. I love in the same way that others do. I take responsibility for myself. I no longer see myself as divinely flawed. Original sin is a myth. The invented term, sin, is a control construct.
I don't hate your God. I just don't believe any God exists or has ever existed. I dislike and distrust the men, who not only create their Gods but then use the human need for answers to control and abuse others by leading good people astray. I don't dislike the followers. I dislike the narcissistic men and selfish gods they push on others, just as any drug dealer does. Who else would suggest that their God drowns its children for being disobedient? As Ricky Gervais points out, "What can be more arrogant than believing that the same God who didn't stop the Holocaust will help you pass your driving test?"
The truth is, "People don't need religion, religion needs people. They're just corporations and they need your money to survive. Religion doesn't make you a better person, intelligence and kindness does (sic). Religion doesn't feed the poor, good people with big hearts do that." (Don Freeman)
After enduring a lifetime in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, commonly called the Mormons, I finally feel complete and undamaged as I now do my own thing the way I want to do it. Gods require their followers to be incomplete and damaged to maintain their status as God. The pattern is familiar. Any narcissistic abuser uses the same pattern. You are worthless without me! Only I can save you! Obey me or else! As I walked away from a lifetime of unsavory behaviors, I also walked away from the construct that ensured my unhappiness continued.
Today? Not believing in fairy tales is good. I finally grew up. Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy disappeared after childhood; it took me a lot longer to see the delusion of religion. Peace, love, and caring for other humans are now my core beliefs. I'm happy to be known as a Humanist.
© Stephen G. Arrowsmith 2022
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