Some people can’t imagine a life without attending religious services or worshipping daily, but that doesn’t appeal to everyone- especially people who believe there are no gods. Find out if the atheist life is right for you.
Sometimes, a whole day in your faith community revitalizes, inspires, and strengthens you spiritually. Some people live to go to religious events, weekly services, and read their scriptures daily. They say their faith saved them, and they can’t imagine life without it. Then, there are the people who feel absolutely nothing, don’t feel the presence of a higher power, and feel better when they don’t pray, read, or attend services at all. If this is you, then you may have wondered if atheism is right for you. Join SpiritualBlossom to find out all about atheism, and how it is different from being an agnostic. Find out what people who are against atheism have to say about it and what those who embrace it have to say. Nobody can decide if a connection to a higher power is important but you. Read on to find out more.
What is Atheism?
Atheism is a belief that no gods, goddesses, or deities in any form exist. It is estimated that there are between 500 million to 1.5 billion people worldwide who are atheists. A lot of people say they are atheists because they have seen no evidence of the existence of a higher power. Some also say that no existing religion explains the way things are like science does, and a lot of religions refute science. A lot of people who are atheists also say that there are many contradictions in religious scriptures, and that also, people of many different religions justify mistreatment of other people, saying that their religion allows it.
Some people point to the fact that members of some religions ascribe their own personal traits to a god. For example, people who are against homosexuality worship a god, who they believe denounces it. Some people have had very bad experiences in their religious organizations, which led them to believe that a loving, powerful god would not allow such behavior. So, they believe that no God exists. Atheism doesn't necessarily mean a lack of ethics, however, many atheists ascribe to a philosophy called Humanism. They make their decisions based on empathy, concern for other human beings and animals, and being reasonable. They say lack of belief in an afterlife helps them to make decisions on what's the best thing to do as opposed to what they feel they will be punished or rewarded for. One organization that is religious, that embraces humanism is the Unitarian Universalist Church. Read about the Hindu goddess Kali Ma here: Kali Ma Goddess of Creation and Destruction
Agnosticism vs Atheism
Some people think that agnostics and atheists are the same, but they're not. Agnostics believe that there is a higher power, but we don't know what it is. English biologist Thomas Henry Huxley came up with the term agnostic in 1869. And he said it is “ to denote people who, like [himself], confess themselves to be hopelessly ignorant concerning a variety of matters, [including the matter of God's existence] about which metaphysics and theologians, both unorthodox and heterodox, dogmatized with the utmost confidence.” Atheists, on the other hand, believe that no higher power exists at all.
The Case Against Atheism
A lot of religious people say that being an atheist is a mistake, because they feel that believing in no higher power will hold you back from a desirable afterlife. Others go deeper than that when it comes to their objections to atheism. They feel the presence of a divine creator and worship gives them the support they need. They have had personal experiences that make it impossible for them to say there is no god, and they say god is too great for us to not seek. They also say religion, and practicing it makes sense to them.
You Feel a Divine Power
If you feel the presence of a divine power, it will be impossible for you to be an atheist and it might be difficult for you to accept the fact that someone else is one. Such people typically proselytize to friends, family, and strangers who are not believers. While it is seen as rude, those who proselytize believe they are helping. It’s a life-changing experience to feel the presence of a higher power, and one people never forget. It makes it impossible to deny the existence of your goddess or god. Read about the Greek goddess Hekate here: Hecate, Moon Goddess of Magic and the Night
You Have Had Experiences
Miracles, direct communication, or even just feeling something deep inside creates the experiences we can’t deny. When you feel watched over during a time of danger or sorrow, when you ask for a sign or an answer, and you feel that it is delivered, or you are miraculously healed, it is undeniable. How else can such things be explained except by divine intervention? Some people have multiple experiences that other people have not had and cannot understand not believing. You know what you experienced, and nothing can make you forget it.
God Is Too Big
Some people say the divine is too big to fit into one religion and that is why we have so many. Some people say the divine is so great, one person cannot fathom the immense presence of he/she/or it. Such people often look for answers from their clergy. Some people will seek guidance from different clergy people, learning as much from multiple religions as possible. This path can take you to all parts of the world, and bring you into contact with amazing people you would otherwise not have meant. Having this open mind will also help you to see your higher power in nature, the deeds or other people, and in your dreams. Read our guide to dream meanings here: A-Z Dream Meanings Glossary
Religion Makes Sense to You
Religion makes so much sense to some people, they would never think of questioning the existence of a higher power. The organized structure it provides as well as the answers it gives to life’s big questions is enough evidence a creator and divine being exists. Religion teaches morality and how to have good relationships with other people, ourselves, and our higher power. It teaches where we came from and where we are going. It also explains why the world is the way it is. It explains why there are things wrong in the world and what people are supposed to do to make things right. For some people, having no religion or relationship with a higher power would make them feel lost.
Your Faith Gives Support
Some people find great support within their faith communities that they have not found anywhere else. They also love to have a community where they can bring their time, resources, and good intentions and make a positive impact. Religious groups work together to pool resources for the less fortunate, give support for the sick and disabled, and give emotional support to people who would otherwise be alone. Faith communities typically have connections to social justice initiatives, efforts to feed the hungry, clothe people, and provide much needed financial stability to those struggling. Some people would feel lost if they could not contribute to such great causes. Some people have even gotten this kind of support from their faith community. Some people say the support religion gives makes them comfortable submitting spiritually, but is that a good idea? Find out here: Is Spiritual Submission Ever Good?
Why Choose Atheism?
For some people, atheism is the only belief system for them, and there are various reasons for that. Some people literally do not believe in a higher power and never have. Others have moral stability without the threat of divine retribution or promise of eternal rewards. Some people get no results from prayer and have experienced no miracles so they don’t believe in them. Other people are repelled by hypocrisy from religious people or have had bad experiences in religious settings. For all who choose atheism, for some reason, it just feels right for them.
You Don’t Believe
If you don’t believe in something, how can you include it in your life? People may try to make you believe in a higher power, but if you don’t, they can’t change that. Belief is very personal, and some people say there are as many different beliefs as there are believers. You have to believe in a higher power to worship one, and if you don’t, you might be an atheist.
You Are Morally Sound
Each religion has their own set of beliefs about what is right and wrong action. Some people literally don’t need anyone or any religious organization to explain what is right and wrong to them. Chances are, religious people may have a different idea of what is right and wrong than you do, and disagreeing with them and knowing in your heart what you feel is right can make you want to avoid religion or belief in a higher power entirely. If your morality is sound without guidance, it means you listen to your inner voice. Find out more about how to do that here: Being Intuitive-Trusting Your Inner Voice
Prayer Gave No Results
Prayer is supposed to make us feel closer to our higher power and it is supposed to be a form of meditation that helps provide answers. Not everybody gets these kinds of results. Some people get no results whatsoever from prayer. This can make people question whether a higher power even exists. If you spend years reaching out in prayer and never hear an answer from the celestial being you are trying to communicate with, you might consider atheism.
You Don’t Believe in Miracles
Miracles are unexplainable things that happen and they fix problems, heal injuries or illnesses, and make wonderful things in general happen. Humans and science can do all that too- however, when nothing can be identified that made a wonderful thing happen, people tend to believe a higher power intervened and made it happen. That’s a miracle. Some people have never seen such things and believe they are impossible. Some people say lack of miraculous intervention from a higher power that is supposed to be all powerful is evidence such a being does not exist. Are miracles real? Find out here: Do Miracles Really Happen?
Religious Hypocrisy Repels You
The behavior of some religious people pushes some people to atheism. Cruelty in the name of religion like condoning abuse of women and children, tolerance of abuse by clergy, and unfair privileges given to certain social groups of people in the name of religion disgusts some people. It makes them feel that no loving higher power could possibly exist if such things are allowed. Religious teachings persecuting gays, pro racist beliefs, denouncing single people, and shaming couples who do not want to have children are also things that push some people to atheism.
You Have Had Bad Experiences
If you are someone who has suffered because of religion or religious people, it can make you at least consider atheism. Religions and religious people are supposed to do good, protect the vulnerable, and spread love. Some religious people and groups do exactly the opposite. This is a major reason why some people are more comfortable being atheists. Finding a safe place away from a place that victimized them feels better for some people than sticking around a place that hurt them. Backstabbers can make everybody’s experience bad but should you keep them around? Find out here: Keeping Backstabbers Close- “Pet Rattlesnakes”
You Need Independence
Religions often seek to control what people say, do, and believe. This is because religious people believe their religion teaches what is right, and a major goal of religious people is to do the right thing. Some religious people forget the fact that your religion is supposed to tell you what to do and it is your job to tend to your own ethics and spirituality. We are not supposed to try and control other people. Our own spiritual path is very personal. While some people do reach out, asking for help, it is important to remember to allow people to ask for help. Otherwise, we are too busy trying to control other people’s spiritual journeys. Controlling religious people push some people to atheism.
Atheism Feels Right
There may not be one specific reason you can explain to other people as to why atheism is right for you. It might just feel right. Even if you have a reason you can explain, you really don’t have to explain yourself to anybody unless you want to. The choice to become an atheist is a very personal one, and if it is what feels best, that is the choice you should make. Even if you were religious for a long time, deep down, you may feel no connection to any goddess or god and crossing over into atheism might feel like a peaceful homecoming. What you believe is right is right for you and nobody can tell you what that is. Your beliefs are very important and you can read about the power of belief here: What Happens When You Believe? Why it Matters
Atheism isn’t for everybody, but for some people, it’s the only belief system that makes any sense. Atheists are sometimes considered immoral people who respect no authority, when in fact there are just as many ethical atheists as ethical non atheists. Some people need religion for a relationship with their higher power and religious organizations provide the structure and social connections they need. Atheists have had no experiences with a higher power, and may have had bad experiences at the hands of religious individuals. If atheism is the right path for you, then you will know it. Walk your path your own way. It’s the only path for you.
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About the Author: Lady Saoirse has studied magic and lore for most of her life but started walking her own Magical Path after being spiritually reborn in the desert. Today she is a High Priestess for The Temple of the Goddess, she is a psychic advisor and spiritual counselor, she shares her gifts as a Psychic and Content Writer for Mysticsense and SpiritualBlossom, and she writes for PaganPages.Org emag and Green Egg Magazine.
