proof positive
May 18, 2009 at 11:24 pm 3 comments
This is often a difficult concept for believers to grasp but my atheism is not rooted in a negative outlook or take on life, it is rooted in love and life and optimism. I am not an angry person and I do not have a chip on my shoulder. I am optimistic, pleasant and happy. I am everything a life without God isn’t supposed to look like.
Atheism is an empowering perspective. It makes every person matter and every action count. We are not fighting against destiny or prophecy, we are living lives that can change or affect change at any moment. Most importantly, we are living life now. It is the only opportunity we get and so, I want to make sure I enjoy it as much as possible. Life is not about hedonism but neither it is about nonsensical rules and limitations, about pressure and guilt or sacrifice. Often, believers struggle to see anything but darkness when they look at the atheist viewpoint. I want them to understand that it can be a place of discovery, joy, morality and light.
I love the planet and nature. I am often left awed by what the natural world can produce, by the magic it can weave. I feel love and compassion for my fellow man. We are all on this floating globe of rock together and we are all struggling to find our way. I appreciate every moment of my life because I realize it is both precious and impermanent. I laugh at the funny moments in life and celebrate at every opportunity because I know this is the only chance I get. I want my life to count. I want the world to be a better place for my having been on it. I want to take care of the world I am living in and the people I share it with because it is our responsibility – there is no one else to do it for us.
A worls without God can look dark at first, especially if you are walking away from the glaring neon of many of today’s churches. These churches provide answers, scripts and rules to live your life by. What they do not offer however, is freedom and truth. I can see why they bring comfort to many people and why leaving can be so terrifying. Allow time for your eyes to readjust…there really is light at the end of this tunnel.
Entry filed under: Uncategorized. Tags: atheism, faith, leaving the church, optimism.
1.
Nichole | June 23, 2009 at 12:42 am
I have been LOOKING for other NICE, RULE FOLLOWING, KIND, and MORAL athiest moms to follow.
Thank you.
2.
Chelsea | January 25, 2011 at 12:44 am
I’m so glad I found your blog. I recently left the mormon church about a year and a half ago, along with my husband. It was one of the best decisions we have ever made. Both of our families are mormon, and we received a less than receptive response to us leaving. We have never been happier in our lives, but mormons have been taught that there is no happiness without “the fullness of the gospel”. We are living proof that isn’t true! We have had family and friends accuse us of being bitter, unhappy, and “you can leave the church, but you can’t leave the church alone.” Ugh. We have struggled with our kids wanting to go to church with Grandma and Grandpa, and the kids trying to gain acceptance from them by saying prayers and talking about Jesus. It is a hard road to raise children in an atheist home, within a mormon family. I just started reading your blog, and I am so glad to see other people with good ethics who may understand what we are going through. Thanks again!
3.
AtheistMom | March 11, 2011 at 10:34 pm
Hi Chelsea,
Thanks for your comment. You may have seen this in another of my posts but if not, you should check out: http://www.iamanexmormon.com/
Very interesting and will be sure to make you feel like you are part of something much larger!
AM