My Journey to Atheism

I grew up with moderately religious parents and grandparents. We went to church infrequently, but I still sought comfort in the hand of God. When I was about ten, I read the full bible cover to cover which reinforced the “existence” of a God in my mind. I did not put much further thought into the existence or absence of God until later and had access to the internet. The internet allowed me to learn virtually anything I wanted.

As I was doing research, I followed diversions that provided me with the details of life, the earth, and the universe. As my journey towards atheism began, I thought in all fairness, that I should learn the fundamentals of the major religions in order to give them a fair chance and so that I can better understand where religious advocates are coming from. I learned the primary fundaments of the major religions and then continued alternative research and learning. There are countless people who have guided me on my journey to atheism, but there are a few outstanding individuals who have been prime factors.

When I read the book “Atheist Universe,” by David Mills I was ready to declare myself an atheist but still sought further evidence and knowledge. I then came across the documentary “Journey of Man,” featuring Spencer Wells. That only reinforced my atheist foundation and encouraged me to research and learn more about the world of genetics and evolution. Next I discovered Craig Venter. Studying and following what he does and how he and his team understand the world of genetics and DNA demystified life for me. I now know what life is and it is not very romantic but is still amazing.  Further research led me to Richard Dawkins who is one of the best known spokesmen for atheism (I hope someone can take up the torch when he can no longer carry it). When it came to my understanding of the universe, Neil Degrasse Tyson provided me with further encouragement. One day I was reminiscing my university days and remembered hearing about Ayn Rand, but never had the time to delve into her philosophy. I had some time, did some research about her, and subsequently read “Atlas Shrugged.” That sent me on a journey from which I have never returned. The whole idea of rational objectivism was the keystone to becoming an atheist. The idea of “doing the right thing” for the sake of doing so as well as using logical, rational, objective reasoning has changed and simplified my life.

If you put the messages from the aforementioned people, and countless others together, it becomes clear that “believing” in God and having “faith” of his existence without bona fide evidence is irrational. The infinite and timeless cosmos, evolution, and other facets of life have been quite demystified through the proofs of science. It is far more plausible and rational to believe in evolution and the infinite universe than the existence of God.

I do not get much blow back or repercussions for being an atheist; however, I become frustrated when theists say I have to have faith, they feel the presence of God in their lives, and how he has changed their lives. My eyes glaze over when they talk about the officially unprovable unrepeatable miracles he performs and how everything he does is somehow justified.  If I treated people like God does, my children would be taken away, and I would be put in jail. His “workings” are often quite irrational and illogical. I have learned that “believing” and “having faith” is irrational and you can not argue with an irrational person

One big step in becoming an atheist is accepting the laws of life, the universe and nature. Science has the answers. I was born, have sentience, live, will die, and my conscience will cease to exist (kind of like an eternal anesthetic). It would be comforting to think I would be going to some other kind of existence where I might meet my loved ones, be reincarnated, or so on, but it is not so, and evidence of such can not be proven. Our final end is not pleasant to think of, but is part of life. I would love nothing more than to see my departed father and other loved ones when I die, but have accepted that it will not happen. Not much comfort, but the truth has to be accepted. As I tell my eight year old daughter: “it is what it is,” and “some days are better than others.”

Once I released myself from the entrapments, comforts, and romance of religion and God, my life truly became my own. I have to be responsible for my own life and face the consequences of my own actions. The life I will live is the life which I create (for the most part), and the life I am living is the life I have created.

I do the right thing for the sake of doing so and not for reward or fear of punishment. That is true morality.

When my daughter questions me about God or other facets of life, I have her logically, objectively, and rationally think about the topic and come to her own conclusion. I encourage her to learn about God as well as the workings of life and the cosmos. Logical reasoning has naturally directed her toward the path of atheism. It is amazing what they come up with when guided through the correct thought processes and are asked the right questions.

I am a confirmed atheist and can no longer imagine believing in some kind of god or religion. To think of believing in a deity is irrational and unfathomable in my mind and causes mental discomfort.