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Atheism, ideally, is a lack of belief in any deity or acceptance of a related belief system: for some individuals it becomes an active disbelief, but since this latter condition is essentially just one more belief system, I do not count these individuals as true atheists, and do not address them in this article.

The question itself is well phrased, in that atheism offers a rare and precious gift, one that cannot be found in any religion: Freedom. Freedom to act in accordance with one's own will and to take responsibility for ones own actions.

Participation in any formal belief structure requires the automatic acceptance of some set of rules that must be followed over and above the actions necessary to maintain life as you wish to live it. This may take the form of dietary restrictions, specific forms of dress, codes of behaviour and the like, ad nauseum. All are the marks of slavery, unquestioning obedience to the will of the master.

Current and historical events demonstrate the effects of government policy that has been dictated by some religious belief or other, the often confusing and sometimes barbaric actions mandated by some book that is assumed to be from some supernal source.

It is only just over half a century since the residue of such sectarian legislation was swept away in North America. In Toronto, for example, playgrounds were locked and the equipment was disabled on Sundays, up until the late 1940's. Many states still have odd Sabbath laws that restrict the freedom of their citizens. The last major national initiative taken in North America was Prohibition, which led directly to the rise of organized crime: a fine legacy.

The atheist is free from all strictures with the exception of those imposed by law and those imposed by his own moral code. It is true that the atheist must cast off the light golden chains of slavery and put on the heavy iron fetters of freedom: no longer can one, like some naughty child, blame personal transgressions on an imaginary friend. This may be the most demanding part of all, yet the most satisfactory.

Having decided to live according to your will, first separate the will from minor wants and desires, then pursue it with all your strength of being. make any rules you desire and break them as you wish, for you are free: there is no deity to deny you.This all sounds terribly easy, but never lose sight of the fact that "every freedom has its price": free will isn't free, nor has it ever been.

Learn more about this author, Richard Sprigg.
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