An Athiest, of my particular persuasion*, is someone who beleives that BECAUSE there is no God, that we humans must fill the gap. There is no "salvation" in a future life, there is only this life.
Whilst that may be a bleak and forbidding prospect to some, or an apparent licence to commit crimes with impunity or run riot on the Earth, I see it differently:-
There is no superior being to judge us, just ourselves, our peers, and our consciences. It is our duty to leave the world in as good a condition for our children as our parents did for us, or perhaps a little better. It is our duty to treat other humans and animals at least as well as we would like them to treat us. It is our duty to restrain others who fail in these obligations and encourage those who succeed.
More than a duty, it is an honour and a pleasure.
And also, to have fun whilst doing so.
The whole purpose of the Universe is unknown, but so far as my part in it, it is here for me to enjoy, with a clear conscience...
(Technically, that makes me a Humanist, but who's quibbling)
Off Topic » in reply to Please explain to me what an atheist is.
I would go one step further...
The whole thread (38 posts)
- Please explain to me what an atheist is.
- Organized non-religionists.
- Impersonal causes
- I would go one step further...
- One who believes that there is no god. (n/t)
- As one of the resident A's, I guess I should respond.
- re: Why believe?
- re: Please explain to me what an atheist is.
- That's a trick question.