My biggest turning point of how I understand the world and the people in it was at an early age when I pondered that around the world there are different cultures, values, religions, etc… and all of the people in their respective environments believe in their ways just as feverishly as those in other environments. At that point, it was obvious to me that we are conditioned by our surroundings, by our environments. This also led me to be a determinist. Same with religion, in each religion, the members equally believe in their god just as much as the other religion, and none of them are able to show that their view is the absolute right and real one. This made it obvious to me that men made religion and god to serve men’s desires.

I think it is quite curious that theists have to use heaven as their motivation to act “good.” If they are only acting good because they want to go to heaven, is the act really good? I mean, after all, their motivation is selfish. They don’t act good for god, they do it because they want to go to heaven and live forever. God is going to reward them for that and then punish non-believers for using their brains that he gave them? Curious indeed.

Obviously, non-believers do not act “good” or “rightly” because we think we will go to heaven if we do. We do it because we think it is simply the right thing to do. If there were a god, wouldn’t he see these acts more honorably then that of those just doing them for the reward?

Unless I am asked, I see no reason to volunteer that I am not a football fan, or that I do not play golf, or that I don’t believe in fairies. There are not even labels for positions like these like there is for not believing in god (atheism). I think that the fact that the term “atheism” exists shows the dominance of the creationist and theist beliefs. Not a dominance that the belief is based on truth or is right, just that the theistic creationist view is so widely held as to have a term or label for those that do not share their belief.

Creationists whine and complain about the modern atheist voicing their views and opinions to the public. You have to be kidding me. The creationists make great attempts to spread their beliefs like they are car salesmen and they do so as though the information were factual, and then expect us to keep quiet about it? Only fiction needs to be wrapped, packaged, and sold like such, for truth requires no such preparation, and it is available to everyone as is. It is a persons right to voice their opinions in respect for the pursuit of truth, and that is what atheists are doing.

Creationists claim that the atheist view is a negative one. This is simply incorrect. Atheists hold the default value of “0″ if you will. The creationist view is the positive one, +1. They are the one claiming something exists, not atheist. The burden of proof lies on the creationist. It’s interesting how often creationist expect atheist to defend the atheist non-belief. However, there isn’t much to defend for non-belief. The most an atheist can do is to show creationist the small probability rate of the creationist view, show the scientific evidence that there is a greater chance of natural means, and point out the fallacies in their logic, or sometimes lack of logic.

As a non-believer what is there to talk about? I mean, how can one continue to discuss not believing in something? The answer relates to the importance of defending truth, reason, logic and science. Creationists commonly say that atheists are without moral values because we are without religion and god. This is untrue. Moral values do not come from religion or god, moral values are created by man, just as god and religion are. Inspirational moral stories are thrown into religion to make religion sell. Without religion, morals are still in place as long as man is in place.

When atheists speak out, it is not only to defend the right to not believe in god, but to protect the sincere pursuit of truth and to protect and educate others about religions concealed fiction. Atheists want to keep it real. They value honesty, and appreciate the natural beauty of the world for what it is. Free of artificial flavors and additives if you will. Atheists do not want the wool pulled over people’s eyes, because atheists care. Now, do these actions sound amoral to you?

God is a mythological supernatural being imagined by man to fill in the gaps to the questions about the universe and humanity that man himself has been unable to answer. One who believes in this mythical god is comforted by convincing himself that “it must be god’s doing” to any question the man does not have an answer for. This “catch all” answer allows a believer the freedom of not having to think or figure out things for themselves. Rather then labeling unknowns as “unknown,” a believer will label these things as “god’s doing.”

As science uncovers new evidence to explain the unknowns, the gaps where god used to be assigned are closed. However, because believers become dependent on the convenience of god, they often dispute new evidences so to allow their belief in god to continue on.

Theists often claim that a lack of belief in god removes one of hope, causes one to be cold, full of despair, and results in a lack of motivation to live ones life. However, on the contrary, I find quite the opposite is true, it is because atheists lack in belief of god, that allows atheists to focus and appreciate reality, nature, the nature of nature, the cosmos, and the reality of ones one and only life.

From my experience, a life without belief in god actually allows one to live a fuller and truer life. Knowing that when we die, that it’s over, motivates you to live a fuller and richer life, because that is all you have, one life, one chance to live. Because atheists do not believe in an afterlife, they appreciate and acknowledge the importance and significance of the life they have to live here and now.

It seems that it might be the case that theist have the potential to get so caught up in their belief in god and in an afterlife, that they to a degree, may possibly deemphasize or have less respect for their life in reality.

While a theists belief in god and theism seems to give their life meaning, atheist find meaning in their lives through natural means and often even within the very search to find meaning. The thrill is in the chase. It takes bravery and honesty to be an atheist. You have to admit to yourself that this is your only life, and make the best of it. It’s also the road less traveled because to so many, it would be harder. You have to find the answers yourself, you have think and reason. All of life’s answers aren’t handed to you in an instructional book, like the books theist refer to. That is just too good and easy to be true.

Today I received the book “The God Delusion” in paperback by Richard Dawkins. It came in the mail from Amazon.com. I ordered it on Dec 30th, and received it today Jan 3rd. The free shipping was fast! I’m looking forward to diving into this.

What would Darwin Do?

I’m aggravated with people (creationist) giving “God” all the credit all the time for everything that they find good, beautiful, and right, in their lives. This man-made “God” gets all of the credit that should go to Mother Nature. People should start respecting Mother Nature, not God. If people don’t take care of the world, don’t take care of Mother Nature, she will die, and us along with her. Admit it; there is and will be no God to save us when we have destroyed the planet and all of its resources. I’m sure the creationist will call it Armageddon, and apply some supernatural reasoning for it, but the truth is, it would just be mans doing.

People spend all their days talking about the greatness of God, and how great it is that God gave us this planet and food, etc… If that were even true, then they certainly show little respect to that in which has been given to them. Nature is beautiful. Nature is what we are part of, it is our mother. Not God. We need to respect Nature and our beautiful planet. I’m seeing the planet go down the drain because people can’t see past themselves and their illusionary God. It is quite sad.

When a doctor saves a child in a hospital that had little chance to live, it is not a miracle of god. Do not thank God. Thank the doctor, thank science. The air we breathe, the water we drink, food, the sun, the moon, love, friendship… all provided by nature. Not God. Science helps us to understand nature, and to learn its ways. We may not have all the answers, but to put God in those gaps is like sticking a piece of chewed up bubble gum on a leaking dam. It won’t hold long.

I just ordered three new books from Amazon.com.

1. “The God Delusion,” by Richard Dawkins; Paperback; $11.85
2. “The Portable Atheist: Essential Readings for the Nonbeliever,” by Christopher Hitchens; Paperback; $11.90
3. “The Selfish Gene: 30th Anniversary Edition–with a new Introduction by the Author, ,” by Richard Dawkins; Paperback; $10.85

According to Amazon.com, they will ship January 7th. I’m excited!

My latest atheist design:

This design sports many atheist symbols in fancy playing card style. You will see the pink unicorn, the infinity A, the evolution fish, pi, and more.