It’s National “Ask An Atheist” Day again… So, just what is it that atheists believe? I can answer for myself, anyway…
I believe in love and kindness
I believe in helping hands
I believe in strong opinions
I believe in taking stands
I believe cooperation
Overcomes the steepest odds
I believe we have a fighting chance
I don’t believe in gods.
I believe in education
I believe in learning science
I believe we see much further
When we climb atop of giants
I believe in writing poetry
And verses praising love
I believe that there are mysteries
But not a god above.
I believe in art and music
And the power of a voice
I believe in nature’s beauty
I believe we have a choice
I believe we have a future—
We’re in charge of how it looks—
I believe in sharing knowledge, too
But not in holy books
I believe we came from nothing
And to nothing we’ll return
I believe we don’t know everything
But much of it, we’ll learn
I believe we’re all connected
I believe all sorts of stuff
I believe we are humanity
And isn’t that enough?
I wrote this, over coffee, the morning of last year’s “National Ask an Atheist Day”, April 13th (it’s today, the 19th, this year). It’s (obviously) a response to the ubiquitous comments in discussion threads everywhere–you may have seen them–alleging that “atheists believe in nothing, so why are they making a fuss?” Or “atheists already have their symbol–nothing!” Or “it must be horrible to be an atheist and believe in nothing.”
And, frankly, those are the less depressing ones. The ones that don’t assume I worship Satan, or hate everything and everybody, or see no value in life.
8 comments
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Randomfactor
April 19, 2012 at 12:34 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I believe that the scientific method is the best way we have to determine the nature of the universe. But I’d change that belief if someone presented enough evidence to the contrary.
carpenterman
April 19, 2012 at 2:49 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
My standard response when people ask me what I believe is, “I try not to “believe” anything. I try to *know* things.”
rikitiki
April 19, 2012 at 4:29 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I believe I’ll have another, thank you!
cag
April 19, 2012 at 6:32 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
I believe in mocking belief in imaginary (all) deities.
Gregory in Seattle
April 20, 2012 at 9:15 am (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Lovely.
Mimmoth
April 20, 2012 at 1:17 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Thank you for posting this. (sniffle) I like it very much.
echidna
April 21, 2012 at 6:10 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
Lovely, as always.
Kate Jones
April 18, 2013 at 9:22 pm (UTC -4) Link to this comment
That’s a Credo to believe in! — My pockets are getting full with all the poems I want to carry, and this one is a must.