What Are Some Of The Best Things About Being An Atheist?

[Evan2020]

I’m leaning towards becoming an atheist, so I am curious to hear from people on here who are atheists, what are some of the main things you enjoy about being an atheist?

[emmie]

i don't think enjoy is a word i would use, being an atheist just is, there is no fun to be had, unless one is jesting with someone who is a believer, but i wouldn't do that anyway. I have no belief in God, any deity and haven't for a long time, because i am more inclined towards the sciences.

[Evan2020]

Cool Emmie. I am going through a hard time as I have been dedicated to Christianity for a couple years I was not raised religious and my dad is agnostic and my mom always believed but didn’t go to church but I felt something missing in my life and got into a local Baptist church after I found God on my own in 2019 as I loved the friendly people and the way they preached the Bible and Jesus but then over time realized that no matter how hard I tried I couldn’t leave behind all the rap and rock music I love and friendships I cherish that came from bonding over that music and I then realized it equally wasn’t my true self to oppose homosexuality or think that all non-believers and non-Christians go to hell when I truly thought about it and that my flaws weren’t improving like I thought they would. So my parents would not shame me for making my own decision, but my mom might be a bit disappointed due to the fact that she does think faith is important and appreciates that I led her back to God and going to church but what I really am concerned about is whether or how to tell my church friends who would be legitimately upset and not bother to understand any of my reasons for deconverting and am stuck between dreading the unpleasant conversation but also feeling it’s honest and liberating to tell them and not have them deceived into thinking I am still the believer they know when I am not and then if they want to be friends and are willing to not insist on dwelling on talking to me about reconverting then I can handle that but if they don’t want to keep hanging with me I’ll be fine and probably better hanging with my secular friends and family who appreciate me regardless of beliefs and bond with me over music and other things. Plus, when I at this age of 21 that I am now think of certain things I have done that were so wrong throughout my childhood and teenage years, it makes me question whether my nature really is flawed and needs redeeming, but then when I think of my amazing Dad who is agnostic, I see nothing about him that says sinful in nature. So I really just don’t know how to handle this and it has been draining me emotionally a lot.

[emmie]

you only get one life Evan, be true to yourself, if your friends don't take kindly to your change of heart, then find new friends, who are comfortable with your life style.

[Evan2020]

Thank you very much Emmie I appreciate your encouragement. May I ask how you first became an atheist? If you prefer to keep that personal please let me know and I will gladly respect that. :)

[emmie]

i went to a church school but it bored me silly, i didn't just become an atheist one day, it happened over time. Now i can't see any sense in the bible, Koran, they seem to preach intolerance on many levels.

[Evan2020]

Yes I agree completely that’s one of the main reasons why I am losing faith is all that stuff in the Bible like hell, homosexuality being sinful, slavery, genocide, misogyny and many other things. So was researching basically how you eventually became atheist?

[emmie]

watching and listening to people who are non believers, those who don't preach but explain the meaning of life on earth, that we are only here for a short time and must make the most of things, i don't care for people who bang on all the time that being gay is a sin, nor that non believers will fall into a pit of fiery hell and be damned forever, its mass control and i am not one to be controlled by these often maniacal people.

[emmie]

its a little early for me to be discussing weighty matters, so for now i hope you don't mind if i check out, good luck with your exam results.

[Evan2020]

I agree completely Emmie. And no problem I understand it would be difficult for me to talk about heavy stuff in the early morning too thank you so much for your answers and good wishes on the exam and your encouragement on going through with becoming an atheist if that’s what I decide I want! :)

[ToraToraTora]

Evan: "So was researching basically how you eventually became atheist? " - you don't become an atheist you are one already, you were born one, atheism is the absence of belief, just cast off your belief in whatever set of fairy tales you currently have and there you are.

[mibn2cweus]

Forget about the term 'Atheist'. 'Atheist' is simply a pejorative term created to castigate those who don't declare their belief in, worship, pray and bow down to the same god as they do.

[Peter Pedant]

// you only get one life Evan, be true to yourself,//
so right
and then it follows that one canst not be false ....

[Peter Pedant]

I wdnt be an atheist for the fringe benefits

I have found it comforting to pray for The Queen - foo the usual suspects will chortle - "dat wont do much dat wont" but I still find it a comfort....

[1ozzy]

Don't know about the best Evan, but the worst may be hell to live with.

[Evan2020]

What exactly do you mean by hell to live with 1ozzy? Are you talking about the afterlife?

[1ozzy]

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/living-hell

Hope this link helps

[Evan2020]

Ok. So how exactly would being atheist involve a living hell in your opinion 1ozzy?

[Peter Pedant]

I would stop staring at your belly button and make yourself a healthful cup of coffee....

[Evan2020]

Peter Pedant what exactly do you mean by staring at my bellybutton?

[1ozzy]

Thought you poms drank tea Pete