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Hiding in Plain Sight
I’ve had a few friends find this place, expressing surprise that I’m an atheist and that I’m “secretly” blogging about it. It got me thinking there may be others who’ve been lurking here and wondering about the same things.
For the answer to the first question, I’d ask you to read the “about” stuff in the top menu of this blog. With respect to the second question, the blog is really not secret at all. From the beginning, I’ve linked to it from all my other internet haunts. Hell, I even link to it from my Facebook profile.
On the other hand, I’ve never promoted or discussed this place with any non-atheist/agnostic friends either. I’m no missionary and am not one to drag people in here to read my ramblings – especially if I know they are the believing type. I guess I’ve seen enough evangelism to know it’s something I’d rather not take part in.
Then why write about atheism? Well, first, because even though Canadians are pretty low-key about religion, it’s still pretty pervasive in our society. Ask any atheist and they’ll probably tell you there’s a lot of god talk out there – god talk that often spills into our public institutions and law (e.g. google ‘Bill 44 Alberta’). That sort of thing creates a need for a place where I can analyze the atheistic/religious world around me and maybe blow off a little steam. It also helps me to meet like-minded people and talk about things. In other words, I blog to help me keep my sanity and deal with the isolation I often feel from being part of a minority.
Oh, there’s one more reason I blog here – to help people. Specifically, to help people who are struggling with their faith – those looking for a safe place to ask the questions they may be afraid to ask elsewhere. Doubting Christians who arrive on this doorstep are treated gently because I know how hard it is for them to even begin questioning their faith.
If you choose to hang around this place, be warned that I speak my mind here. There will be days when you might like what I have to say, days when you will not like what I have to say, and days when you would rather not have stopped by.
So, while I understand you may be surprised or even shocked to read what I have to say here, I will make no apologies. You can accept that …or not – it’s your choice.
Oh, before I forget, WELCOME.
Peace, out!
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(Edit: I’ve decided to just get it all over with and posted a link to this post on Facebook)
Putting a Fine Point On Atheist Arrogance
Top of the page at Godless Blogger’s place today was the following image. Needless to say, this does a much better job summarizes a point I’ve recently tried to make here. I guess a picture really is worth a thousand words.
Why I Blog About Atheism
A question I’ve been asked at least three times since starting this blog is:
Why blog about atheism? Why is something you don’t believe in so important to you? You don’t have a blog about your disbelief about Santa Claus – so why have one about your lack of belief in god?
Of course, the question is common – I’ve seen it more times than I can count on other blogs, forums, YouTube and in discussions at major news sites.
For me, the answer isn’t simple – there are many reasons:
- Helping the Masses: When I first started this blog, I was new to atheism and very excited to (to steal a Christian saying) “share the good news”. I wanted to help lots of people struggling over their faith, and let them know that the unthinkable alternative wasn’t so unthinkable after all. What better place than a blog to reach out? Of course, whether or not reaching the masses was a reasonable expectation is another matter.
- A Place to Reflect: Being relatively new to atheism, and having acquired an insatiable appetite for discovery and learning since the deconversion, I like having a place to think out loud and analyze. The fact that it’s a blog where others can help me through that process is a total bonus.
- Making Connections: I’m like anyone – I want to “meet” people I have something in common with. Since pretty much no-one in my personal life is an atheist, this blog is a good way for me to take part in a large, worldwide community of people I can relate to.
- Delusions of Grandeur: Again, in the beginning I had this idea I was going to write a book and help lots and lots of people. While I haven’t entirely ruled out the idea of writing a book, my delusions have settled down. I realize there are many very bright, very famous people writing on this subject. If I were to write a book, it’d need to be something really special – something written from a very different angle. So far, the brilliant insight I’d need for that to happen hasn’t materialized. I’m just fine with that. No pressure is a good thing.
- I Love to Write and writing about atheism was new territory for me so I welcomed the challenge. I also love the opportunity to improve my writing – a thing that only happens by doing (practice makes perfect!). I’d say that this is currently one of my biggest motivations for keeping this blog.
- It’s Mine: Sure there are other blogs and forums where I can share my views on atheism but, to me, that’s a bit like always going to your friend’s house for dinner and never having them over. I like having some space on the web to call my own.
- Anti-Theism: Yes, I have my moments when I’m disgusted with religion. They aren’t nearly as frequent as some atheists have them, but they do occur. It’s nice to have a place to vent.
- Separation of Church & State: I am, in this area, very concerned. In my home province of Alberta, Canada, I’ve seen how religious views can impact public policy. My aim is to be one of the voices that oppose that sort of thing.
- Helping that One Person (My Top Motivation): Having let go of the idea that I’m going to change the world (that’s an exaggeration, folks), I love the idea that I might one day help one person break free from their struggle with religion. And, who knows, maybe that one person will, after ditching god, embrace science and cure cancer or (getting closer to home) diabetes (my son is a Type 1 diabetic). I realize I may never know if I made that impact on someone, but it’s enough just thinking I might.
I’m not at all interested in deconverting people who are happy in their religion – especially if they aren’t imposing their religious views on others. If you’re happy, by all means, fill yer boots. That said, it’s probably become apparent that I feel there are people out there who are distressed by religion. If you are one of those people, please feel welcome here. I want to help you.
After all, I’ve been there.
How I Became An Atheist
If you were brought into this world by atheist parents, it’s pretty likely you became one yourself. For you, atheism was the natural, default position, and you have a hard time imagining how anyone could believe in god. You had it easy.
In North America, a very large majority of people are Christians. Children, by and large, are born into Christian families, and become Christian themselves. Atheists like myself who are raised among this group of people typically experience a difficult journey toward non-belief.
My family was never evangelical or fundamentalist in its practice of religion. In fact, we never went to church. Not only that, but we grew up in a liberal Christian community (most were members of the United Church of Canada).
So, on the surface, we were the most moderate Christians in an already moderate Christian community. Generally speaking, my parents didn’t have much to say about religion unless my brothers and I brought it up (because of something we heard at school from friends). Apparently, they believed in God – they just didn’t much like speaking about him.
Looking back, three people had tremendous influence on the religious beliefs within my family.
The first, I’d rather not identify. Suffice to say, this person had periodic access to my mind, and was able to plant the seeds of religious fear quite effectively. Every time I saw this person, I became more and more indoctrinated into a belief system that told me I needed the help of god to be saved.
The other two influencers were an an aunt and uncle who happened to be devout Jehovah’s Witnesses.
The fact that we were related and lived close to them gave my aunt and uncle good access to introduce their beliefs to my mom and dad and my brothers and I. This process was slow but ultimately, quite effective. I remember in the first “visits” hearing my dad remark that the Jehovah Witnesses were a fringe religion that had it all wrong – he may even have called them a cult. Still, it was hard for my parents to deny them these visits and, over time, I could see them them buying into more and more of what the Jehovah’s had to say.
I was not immune to these visits. My aunt and uncle would bring pamphlets – even slickly produced books – for my brothers and I to read. I often sat and listened in on the conversations. They were very compelling speakers – especially my uncle.
To this day, I still feel the influence of those people in myself, and in my family.
Years passed. I graduated from high school and then university. Post-secondary education did its job and expanded my mind, and my faith in the supernatural was suitably shaken – but not distinguished. I graduated, and the old feelings of being supervised by some omniscient being returned. I knew I would some day be judged. I struggled with this for many years.
And then, after what seemed to be a sequence of bad experiences, I found myself crying in the shower as I looked up to the heavens asking “why, why why?” and gave myself to Jesus. I was, in my mind anyway, born again.
I met my future wife-to-be the next day, and it became obvious God was now looking out for me.
Of course, that feeling didn’t last – even though I was attending church regularly! I eventually came to realize that the expectation that things would, from that moment on, be forever better, was seriously flawed.
Worse, the existence of a god that would permit such suffering in the world made even less sense. How could he permit those things? And how could the religions of the world often be the source of the suffering?
In the first few months of 2008, with all this baggage piling up, I began to seriously question my beliefs. I read literally hundreds of pro and anti-religion articles. I studied the Bible, watched hundreds of videos and eventually found Richard Dawkins web site. I bought The God Delusion in May, and confirmed what I probably already knew – that there was no god.
I continue to probe, challenge and learn. The more I do this, the clearer things get, and the more convinced I am that I am right.
Coming Out
This post is my official coming out as an atheist.
I am what is defined as a strong or positive atheist – someone who does not believe in gods or anything supernatural. It does not mean I am 100% certain (just like I can’t be 100% certain fairies do not exist), but that I have yet to see evidence that would prove me wrong.
My perspective is different than from someone who is agnostic – a person who doesn’t think there is a god, but who is decidedly uncommitted. I think it would be fair to say agnostics are not as confident in their non-belief. Then again, they may just be more polite.
Atheism is but one part of my world view. It is certainly a very important part of who I am but, in my opinion, there is a lot more interesting stuff to talk about than merely what I don’t believe in. That’s why I intend on focusing here on what I do believe in.
I’ve decided to come out primarily for three reasons. First, because I believe atheists are a silent, repressed group of people who are largely afraid to declare their non-belief. I think we should encourage one another to say to the world that that there is absolutely nothing wrong with what we believe (or don’t believe!).
Secondly, I have come out because I am concerned about where our precious world is heading, and because I believe we atheists can contribute to solving problems in amazingly positive ways. I want to be a part of that.
Lastly, I happen to think that people who do not believe in god can have beautiful, loving, happy, fulfilling lives. I want to share the message that a secular life is not an empty one!
Peace.
Where to Find Me
iocchelli.com
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Blogroll
- About Atheism & Agnosticism I’m not a big fan of about.com but the site’s atheism writer – August Cline – is excellent
- Atheist Revolution by vjack – an unbelievably prolific writer on the subject of atheism
- Attempts At Rational Behavior A godless liberal who firmly believes in the separation of church and state.
- Friendly Atheist warmth and wisdom from the guy who sold his soul on eBay
- Pharyngula by PZ Meyers
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Communities & Social Bookmarking
- Advocacy & Activism
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Video Favorites
- Atheist a simply made video with an incredibly inspiring message
- Pat Condell’s Youtube Channel is Atheism on the offensive (controversial, funny & brilliant)
- Potholer54’s Youtube Channel home of the amazing “Made Easy” series (evolution & natural selection, the scientific method, and history of the universe etc)
- Why Do People Laugh at Creationists? is an excellent 24 part Youtube video series by Thunderfoot
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The Four Horsemen
- Christopher Hitchens is the author of “God is Not Great”
- Daniel Dennet is the author of “Breaking the Spell”
- Richard Dawkins is the author of “The God Delusion”, “The Blind Watchmaker” & more
- Sam Harris is the author of “The End of Faith” & “Letter to a Christian Nation”
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Morals, Values, World Views
- Ethic of Reciprocity “The Golden Rule” is one of things that guides my life
- One Source of Morality might be from our feelings of empathy
- Secular Humanism check out the Council of Secular Humanism affirmations and declarations
- Secular Humanism on Wikipedia atheism is what I don’t believe & secular humanism is, more or less, what I do
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My Purpose Here
I'm here to help doubting Christians let go of their fear and guilt, to provide an example of an atheist leading a happy, moral and fulfilling life, and to connect with like-minded non-believers. Welcome!
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Book Recommendations
- Letter to a Christian Nation - by Sam Harris
- Misquoting Jesus: The Story Behind Who Changed the Bible & Why - by Bart Ehrman
- The God Delusion - by Richard Dawkins
