by RNH Nello

Created on: May 31, 2009

Atheism!

You aren't really an Atheist!

You can't be an Atheist!

You've got ethics!

I wonder how often over my lifetime I have heard that or something similar. It seems that some people who profess a belief in God cannot accept that some others really don't believe in a God. More than that, they have no need to believe in a God. Even more than that they don't believe in a God and yet can actually function in society and be responsible contributing members of the community.

I've even been told that if I had a near death experience or were in the military I would have an epiphany and come to believe in God. Well, I did spend my time in the military and twice in my life I have been declared dead and brought back. None of this impacted my being an Atheist. These old canards are just that, old canards.

Sometimes I get the feeling that some who profess a belief in a God somehow, feel that belief to be threatened when they meet someone who doesn't evidence any belief in any God. If there are people like that, I truly feel sorry for them as that must be a terrible way to go through life, professing a belief that is clearly weak in its foundation.

On the other hand, one of my aunts (she's passed now) was a Southern Baptist who's belief in God was a pure flame that never flickered. Although she would have liked to see me 'make the conversion' I never did, and that didn't impact her belief one iota. She accepted me as I am, and yes, accepted that I, an Atheist, could actually have ethics.

Over the years I've had a number of close and working relationships with those of strong belief in a God. Invariably they have been individuals who, in addition to their belief, have been well schooled in the history and tenets of their religion. In such schooling they learn to interface with other schools of philosophical thought which, believe it or not, includes Atheism. However, most people who have a faith in a God are taught only to believe. More over, they are taught that their belief is the only 'true' path to follow. Other beliefs in a God are at best misguided, and Atheism is the path of the misguided until they realize that they really believe.

To use an old assertion, 'this, I believe, is a matter of a failure to communicate.'

In part the misunderstanding comes from the maturing of youth. You remember when you become a teenager and your parents (and what they believe in) begin to look really dumb. By the time you get to

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