I spent the first 22 years of my life being a devout theist; or more specifically, a deeply indoctrinated Mormon. I’m not going to go into the details right now, but just know that religion has played a big part in my life and the lives of those closest to me. My desire to post on the topic of theism should therefore be an obvious or likely one.

Thanks to many good influences in my life, I have gradually been able to unlearn the myriad superstitions and untie the blindfolds. Over the last couple years, I have finally found peace and comfort in calling myself an atheist, although I must admit that I stopped believing in the church of my upbringing about 8 years ago. “Atheist” has always been a much scorned word and label that has persistently been the target of unnecessary hate and violence. Indeed the Mormon leaders have felt it necessary to declare a “new battle … against atheism” (1996 President Gordon B. Hinckley). This is likely because “Atheism has always been hostile to religion”  (2009 Elder Oaks). The funny thing about the word atheism is that it is often given far too much meaning than it deserves. An atheist is someone who simply does not believe in a deity. To my own surprise, I found that it was not necessarily a truth claim or any kind of affirmative statement. An atheist does not necessarily claim that there is no God (no atheist that I have ever met or read would make such a claim); only that the atheist does not have reason to believe in one. I don’t believe in leprechauns either, but I could never say that I know they don’t exist.

After being able to see the world in a different, and much less narrow light, I find it more and more difficult to remain quiet about my views in order to not disturb others or hurt feelings. I am starting to agree with Dawkins, Hitchens, Harris, and the many other atheist writers and bloggers that I read. There is no reason to continue lending the outrageous amount of protection from criticism, to Religion.  Further than this, and my strong belief in the separation of church and state, I have found a lot of life-affirming happiness in leaving the dim world-view given by religious beliefs, and I would really love to share it with those that I care about. I wish someone had shared it with me at an earlier time in my life.

I can’t remember where I found this comic. If someone else knows, please kindly inform me.