Take a cue from Savage Garden

[beandelphiki]

My Atheist Affirmation

Note the qualifier "my"

Part 1 - Beliefs

Primarily, I don't believe God exists.

Secondarily, I don't believe in ANY gods - that includes singular or plural god systems. I don't believe in any greater supernatural force.

I believe that any greater force than myself in the universe is/was created by man or nature.

I don't consider any concept of "god" to be part of nature.

I believe in scientific fact. This does not mean I only believe in things I have seen or heard or felt or touched myself - I only believe that science can explain everything. I don't believe everything I am told. I know scientists can make mistakes, and I don't believe them absolutely. I believe in questioning scientific findings. I believe only those theories proven by scientific process to be fact, and even then, I believe that they could still be proven in error. I believe there is a rational explanation for everything, including chaos.

I believe those who believe in science blindly are as in error as those who blindly follow spiritual faith.

I believe I don't have, want or need a spiritual side. I don't believe I have any spiritual void that must be filled.

I believe man created god systems out of fear of the unknown, and fear of loneliness. I believe man continues to believe in god systems out of fear of the unknown, and fear of loneliness.

I believe I'm afraid of the unknown, and afraid of loneliness, but I don't believe in false crutches. I believe I face the world unaided by imaginary forces.

I believe all concepts of "god", whatever they may be to others, are ridiculous and irrational.

Part 2 - Morals

Primarily, I believe I am a moral human being.

Secondarily, I believe all people are basically good by nature. I believe you do not need any spiritual faith to be moral.

I believe there are few absolutes where morals are concerned. I believe that my gut, my mind and my emotions will be my guide to the better solution to difficulties.

I don't believe there is always such thing as the "right" thing to do. Only the "better" thing to do.

I believe that even if "no one would know," I would know.

I believe murder is wrong. I believe in the value of life. I believe that capital punishment is WRONG. I don't believe that the lives of human beings are more important than other species. (I believe that a lot of people believe that last, and few of us show it.)

I believe than morals are not something that can be outlined by a set of rules and regulations.

Part 3 - Interaction

I believe in religious freedom. I believe in religious tolerance. Edit: But less and less each day.

I will only believe in religious acceptance when I see it.

I believe rudeness deserves rudeness in turn. Edit:If, in the heat of argument, I am rude, you can be rude to me, and vice versa.

I believe that my child is free to practice whatever religion or lack thereof ze chooses. I believe that in my home ze must respect my beliefs, and in hirs home, I must respect hirs.

I believe you have no right to tell me what I should believe, and, likewise, I have no right to tell you. But if you try to tell me what to believe, I will do the same.

I believe that atheists should be recognized as more than a "an insignificant minority." We are not insignificant, either demographically or through virtue of what we believe (or don't believe.)

I believe this follows for all spiritual systems.

I don't believe cults such as the Church of Scientology are spiritual systems, and it would ease some of the agony in the world to bring them down.

Anything I missed?

Comments

[groovycat.livejournal.com]

amen, brother. :p

[beandelphiki.livejournal.com]

God bless you. :P