It wasn’t because of a tragedy.
It had nothing to do with those who call themselves followers of Christ, and yet do evil.
It’s not youthful rebellion, or a way to get back at my parents. (Note: I mean, it's really, really not. My biggest regret about losing my faith is the hurt it causes my folks. I get really fucking tired of this assertion.)
It wasn’t because I wanted carte blanche to run my life as I wanted.
It wasn’t because I wanted to be different.
It wasn’t because I wanted to cause trouble.
It wasn’t something I went looking for.
And when I finally accepted it, it was with deep reluctance, and I still wished there was some way to go back.
Showing posts with label coming out. Show all posts
Showing posts with label coming out. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Atheism, Agnosticism, and Humanism
Labels, labels, labels.
I dislike "atheist" as a label because, a) it really doesn't tell you anything other than "I don't believe in God," b) makes god belief the default, which I think is a mistake, and c) the word comes with a lot of baggage.
But it's because of that baggage that I don't hesitate to tell people I'm an atheist. People need to realize that atheists aren't immoral, baby-eating pedophiles who want to kill and rape with impunity. They also should know that many atheists (most atheists that I know, actually) used to be sincere Christians. In fact, in my experience (all anecdotal, of course, though I'd be interested to see someone study this) often an effort to be a better Christian, studying apologetics and church history, biblical criticism and exegesis, leads people first out of fundamentalism and biblical literalism (which cannot withstand serious, honest scrutiny), and then out of belief all together.
I have come out as an atheist to friends and family (and, more anonymously, online), for much the same reasons that I came out as a lesbian. First, I dislike being dishonest, and I'm bad at it. My mom and I are very close, and I can't keep a secret for long. I couldn't play the game anymore; much like when I was playing at being straight, I knew all the right things to say and do, but it didn't take long before play-acting started making me sick. Also, as I said, I know that most people who hate atheists (and gay people, for that matter), do so because they don't know (or think they don't know) any. Just by being honest, I can open people's minds, a little.
But calling myself an atheist is starting to feel dishonest, too.
I dislike "atheist" as a label because, a) it really doesn't tell you anything other than "I don't believe in God," b) makes god belief the default, which I think is a mistake, and c) the word comes with a lot of baggage.
But it's because of that baggage that I don't hesitate to tell people I'm an atheist. People need to realize that atheists aren't immoral, baby-eating pedophiles who want to kill and rape with impunity. They also should know that many atheists (most atheists that I know, actually) used to be sincere Christians. In fact, in my experience (all anecdotal, of course, though I'd be interested to see someone study this) often an effort to be a better Christian, studying apologetics and church history, biblical criticism and exegesis, leads people first out of fundamentalism and biblical literalism (which cannot withstand serious, honest scrutiny), and then out of belief all together.
I have come out as an atheist to friends and family (and, more anonymously, online), for much the same reasons that I came out as a lesbian. First, I dislike being dishonest, and I'm bad at it. My mom and I are very close, and I can't keep a secret for long. I couldn't play the game anymore; much like when I was playing at being straight, I knew all the right things to say and do, but it didn't take long before play-acting started making me sick. Also, as I said, I know that most people who hate atheists (and gay people, for that matter), do so because they don't know (or think they don't know) any. Just by being honest, I can open people's minds, a little.
But calling myself an atheist is starting to feel dishonest, too.
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