You Can Just Be You: An Atheist’s View on Atheism | Teen Ink

You Can Just Be You: An Atheist’s View on Atheism

December 3, 2011
By aspiringauthor_ BRONZE, Fairfield, Connecticut
aspiringauthor_ BRONZE, Fairfield, Connecticut
1 article 0 photos 324 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." - MLK Jr.


I realize that many people will see the title of this article and pass right over it. I realize that because of the title, plenty of people will be offended. But I’ve realized many things over the course of time, one of them being that I don’t care what others think of me. I’m an atheist, and proud of it. I’m not going to hide behind a facade because I don’t want to be ridiculed. So many people have told me I’m going to hell, and that I will be saved. I’ve been told that I’m not wanted. But I’ve learned to put it all behind me, because being an atheist isn’t something to be ashamed of. That’s why I’m putting this out there to all atheists.

1.6% of Americans in 2011 were atheist. This is not many people. All the same, I encourage others to not be fazed by this. Unfortunately, many are. I’m not exactly sure why, but for the majority, the opinions of other people matter more than their own. If someone tells you that they don’t like you because of what you believe, you have every right to call them illogical. I say this because there would be no logic in that statement. Does what you wear make up your whole identity? What about the color of your skin? The answer to both those questions is no. The same goes for your belief. It doesn’t matter if you are atheist, Christian, or Wiccan. No matter what you are, your beliefs don’t define you. Let no one tell you otherwise.

Sadly, many people will think that this is someone trying to force atheism down their throats. It’s quite the opposite. I want no part in shoving beliefs upon others. I used to. I used to tell everyone that I was right, and I didn’t want to hear otherwise. After years of this, I slowly came to the realization that I was completely incorrect in my way of thinking. I wasn’t incorrect in my beliefs, but I was wrong to push what I believed in on others. They never wanted that. They didn’t want to be told that what they thought was in error. In truth, none of us know what is true and what isn’t. So none of us should be forcing our personal opinions upon others.

There are some very interesting stereotypes out there about atheists. Apparently, we hate religion, have no morals, have all had bad experiences with some sort of higher power, are selfish… The list goes on and on. All beliefs have stereotypes about them. Some are exceptionally ridiculous. For reasons unknown to me, the ones about atheism are especially incredible. None of them are true, but when I mention that I’m an atheist, people ask me why I feel obligated to be moral. I answer that I always try to do the right thing, always have, and always will. I inform them of the falsities that have been spread. One of the more major ones is that atheism is, indeed, a religion. The definition of religion is “the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.” The definition of atheism is, “the theory or belief that a higher power or supernatural being does not exist.” Clearly, from the two definitions, it is impossible for atheism to be a religion. Clearing stereotypes up does good for everyone, as I have learned through experience.
Atheistic beliefs may offend some, but I don’t want them to. What you believe in should be a personal thing, not something you feel the need to defend or enforce every time it comes up. Beliefs don’t have to matter. You can just be… You.


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This article has 22 comments.


on Jul. 9 2012 at 7:08 am
aspiringauthor_ BRONZE, Fairfield, Connecticut
1 article 0 photos 324 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." - MLK Jr.

Whoops! I posted a new comment instead of replying. Anyway, you're welcome. :)

on Jul. 9 2012 at 7:06 am
aspiringauthor_ BRONZE, Fairfield, Connecticut
1 article 0 photos 324 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." - MLK Jr.

You're welcome. I just felt the need to put out there what I hadn't really seen anyone else say.

bluhs said...
on Jul. 9 2012 at 5:44 am
bluhs, E, Alabama
0 articles 0 photos 111 comments
I loved this piece. Thank you.

on Jan. 23 2012 at 4:40 pm
aspiringauthor_ BRONZE, Fairfield, Connecticut
1 article 0 photos 324 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." - MLK Jr.

Any time! :) Thank you. And I agree.

Teily SILVER said...
on Jan. 23 2012 at 4:21 pm
Teily SILVER, Woodbridge, Virginia
7 articles 0 photos 11 comments

Favorite Quote:
Why dwell in the past, when you could look brightly towards the future?
~Marteil

I want to thank you so much for stating that atheists aren't all haters that don't have any morals. Personally, I'm Christian, but some Christians and people of other religions are just... buttfaces.... when it comes to atheists. It's absolutely insane.

on Jan. 16 2012 at 9:36 am
aspiringauthor_ BRONZE, Fairfield, Connecticut
1 article 0 photos 324 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." - MLK Jr.

I'd just like to thank everyone that's viewed/commented on/rated this article. Although not everyone agrees with it, I'm glad that some people at least read it, and heard the message, even if they don't think it's true. Thank you!

on Jan. 4 2012 at 8:48 pm
aspiringauthor_ BRONZE, Fairfield, Connecticut
1 article 0 photos 324 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." - MLK Jr.

Oh, thank you. You're too kind. :)

on Jan. 4 2012 at 8:45 pm
And this was really really really well written!!!!!!! :)

on Jan. 4 2012 at 8:42 pm
aspiringauthor_ BRONZE, Fairfield, Connecticut
1 article 0 photos 324 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." - MLK Jr.

Oh my goodness! Thank you so much. :) I love your user name, and thank you so much for your positive comments. I have a feeling I'll be seeing you soon. :)

on Jan. 4 2012 at 8:39 pm
Hey again!! Sorry I wrote more to my first comment but I think it cut me off...cool. Lol anyway!! I think you're totally right and you shOuld believe what you want to believe and you shouldn't let anyone tell you not to!! Good job!!!:)

on Jan. 4 2012 at 8:34 pm
Oh my gosh!! This article is AMAZING! I wish I knew who wrote it!!! Wait.... I think I do...

on Dec. 29 2011 at 6:43 pm
aspiringauthor_ BRONZE, Fairfield, Connecticut
1 article 0 photos 324 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." - MLK Jr.

Thank you! That was very kind of you.

on Dec. 29 2011 at 6:37 pm
ChildOfThePast SILVER, Raleigh, North Carolina
9 articles 0 photos 46 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Things change. And friends leave. And life doesn’t stop for anybody."

So you commented on my article and I can only give you the kindness of doing the same(: your article was well written and I enjoyed it. It gives people a different perspective and your very talented.

on Dec. 21 2011 at 4:45 pm
aspiringauthor_ BRONZE, Fairfield, Connecticut
1 article 0 photos 324 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." - MLK Jr.

Thank you. :)

mek20 said...
on Dec. 21 2011 at 4:41 pm

I love your article, it's really well written. You are right, everyone should believe what they want to believe, not care what other's think, 

-M


on Dec. 13 2011 at 7:35 pm
aspiringauthor_ BRONZE, Fairfield, Connecticut
1 article 0 photos 324 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." - MLK Jr.

That's your religion, though. And you, personally. So don't speak for everyone when you do speak. It's not that my non-belief doesn't make an impact on me, it's just that it doesn't define me. That's not the whole of who I am. I'm also someone who loves apple pie, who has three dogs, and thinks that honesty is the best policy. Being an atheist isn't the only thing that makes me up.

on Dec. 7 2011 at 8:41 pm
VandalSpirit DIAMOND, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
51 articles 9 photos 185 comments

Favorite Quote:
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of Gods great love, we are not consumed. His compassion never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

I believe someday I will go to heaven. It changes the way I live. Atheists believe someday they will die but there's nothing more after that. I don't know, maybe for you being an atheist doesn't really matter, but my love for Christ defines me. I live for Him and love him with all my heart. I'm sorry if its different for you, I just didn't realize your nonbelief doesn't matter or make any impact on you.

on Dec. 7 2011 at 6:03 pm
aspiringauthor_ BRONZE, Fairfield, Connecticut
1 article 0 photos 324 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that." - MLK Jr.

I realize you said that, I was making a comparison. And what you believe does not define you. So you're saying that since all atheists don't believe in a higher power, that and that alone makes us who we are? I think not.

on Dec. 7 2011 at 6:00 pm
VandalSpirit DIAMOND, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
51 articles 9 photos 185 comments

Favorite Quote:
Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of Gods great love, we are not consumed. His compassion never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

I'm saying what you believe defines who you are. Not what you are like physically.

anakajhdf said...
on Dec. 6 2011 at 10:55 pm
anakajhdf, Eleva, Wisconsin
0 articles 0 photos 4 comments
You remind me of myself....