I enjoyed this. The author wishes to give both atheists and theists something to think about.
Behind Labels are Human Beings
To quote a dear friend: “It hurt at first when I lost my heavenly father. But now I realize I have gained infinitely more – I have gained the Universe.”
For many atheists, this quote will likely strike a chord because although a significant number of atheists are what I would consider “untouched” by the influence of religion (virgins, if you will), there is also a significant number of whom at one time and probably for a long time were believers. True believers who grew up being told that their God was the all mighty answer to everything and was everywhere. They grew up with a notion that they were never alone; that no matter what, their God would be watching out for them and loving them.
A few weeks ago I stumbled upon a song by Baba Brinkman (fantastic artist) and it moved me so deeply that for the first time since leaving “God” I actually cried. Until this point, I was pretty much preoccupied feeling bitter and angry. Not with God… I can’t very well be angry with something that doesn’t exist. I was angry with Religion because it seems like everywhere I turn it rears its ugly head like some school yard bully and causes such unnecessary angst and pain all over the world. And I was angry with my parents for not only using religion as a cruel prop when I was a child but also for slapping a label on me and planting a proofless notion in my head in the first place. I think something as weighty as religion should be a personal choice and a child does not have the maturity or intellect to weigh the facts and make a fair choice on their own. Instead, I was roped into believing all kinds of things, including a man-like God who although I couldn’t see or touch or hear, he was everywhere and loved me. I grew to love him back with everything I had… and to lose him broke my heart. Shattered my spirit.
Many people look upon atheism like it’s some kind of cold hearted, twisted rebellion. As though atheists themselves were some kind of evil group of heathens without conscience or love. When in truth, most of us have all been where you, the believer, are. Have you ever been in a dysfunctional or unhealthy relationship and finally made your way to the door… and once on the other side still been drawn back in because it’s all you knew… because you felt guilty, alone, lost? Did your heart feel broken and did you weep until you had no tears left to weep? But despite how much it pained you and how alone you felt… you knew you couldn’t go back… because it wasn’t good for you? As an atheist, it goes one step further than that because even if you did take an innocent stroll and found yourself on that familiar street… walked up the steps and pressed your hand on the door… turned the knob and stepped inside… you would find nothing. No structure. No furniture. No pictures hanging from the wall. Complete and utter nothingness. Not even an echo of your heart pounding in your chest. It was never there. He was never there. You were never really loved in that special way. And you never actually left anything except a really nice and romantic notion that had been planted a long time ago, when you were simply too young to know better.
For a long while I hid my bitterness and anger and privately, unbeknown to anyone, I really struggled to find peace with it all. It wasn’t until I found a community of atheists on Twitter that my personal growth truly took a turn for the better. At first, I was like a bird with new wings and I think I went through what is probably a very common set of stages as an ‘new’ atheist. I felt like a sponge soaking up every bit of science my brain could handle… because most of my life science was never a big deal… God was a big deal, sure… science, not so much. I learned things about the bible (that didn’t thrill me nearly as much as science). And I marvelled at the great Twitter debaters and aspired to be just like them. I soon felt confident enough to confront the “faithful fanatics” and I’m not gonna lie, it felt kind of intoxicating. I’ve always had a cheeky side I suppose and before I knew it, I was using my new-found skillz in a not so admirable way. And by that I mean… I began generalizing, labelling, assuming, judging… and you know what? That isn’t who I am. I didn’t realize I was changing until one particular debate came about with a theist of whom I had considered (and perhaps still consider) a fanatic religionists. The thing was, deep down… I had a strong sense that this girl wasn’t as bad as she was making herself look… and I guess the fabric of me bubbled up and it was more important to me that I find a way to reach her… opposed to simply judging her. So instead of bashing her with accusations, I asked fair questions and treated her like a human opposed to a label. The next thing I knew, she and I were actually engaging in a conversation and I realized in that moment… this is what it’s all about… at least for me. I was making a difference! And it felt… great! It turned out that she was so afraid that everyone was trying to strip her of her religion that the issue of bigotry was secondary in her mind. She and I eventually took our conversation offline and we still keep in touch. I don’t agree with most of what she tweets about… nor does she agree with most of my tweets. But, we did agree that we would try to be nice and represent our “label” as admirably as we could. And I learned that although she came across as a bigot on Twitter… my hunch was right. She was actually a nice person. She listened to what I had to say and considered finding a less negative way of expressing her beliefs… she never wanted to hurt anyone – all she really wanted was to tweet about her love for God. Sometimes we just don’t realize we’re on a crooked path until someone pulls us aside and says “hey, how would you feel if…? Can we talk about this?” I didn’t need to be confrontational with her. In fact, the only reason she engaged with me at all was because I wasn’t confrontational. It was a very good day. One I will not soon forget.
Not long after that, I realized something kind of important. Religion is like the Wizard of Oz. Religion being the curtain that we all point our finger at and hold in contempt… but the problem with that is… the person behind that curtain pulling the strings gets off the hook and lets Religion take the blame. A perfect example of this is the Westboro Baptist Church. We are all aware of that name, right? And when we think about it… we direct our anger at Religion. What should be broadcasted across media, internet, Twitter… is the names of those people of whom are pulling the strings. They are the ones we should point our fingers at and they should be held accountable… each and every one of them. The Church is just a place those people meet and religion is just a curtain they conveniently hide behind to take the fall for their disgraceful behaviour.
We all have our own path… and I hope you find yours. I know that I’ve found mine. I’m finally at peace and no longer feel compelled to judge people because of a particular label they have pinned to their collar. Instead, with regard to religion, I’ll post articles and links of tangible incident that sheds light on the person or people responsible opposed to chalking it up to religion and letting them off the hook. And I also choose to celebrate life and learn as much as I can about our magnificent and wondrous Universe. It saddens me how many believers are threatened by science. I don’t see how knowledge of how the world works and how the universe and cosmos connect us bears any threat to faith. At the very least, as a theist… if you need to put it in a box and label it God… fine… then just look at what your God made! Don’t close your eyes and mind to the beauty that is right here… this is OUR Universe and it’s freaking mind-gasmic!!
I hope this has given both atheists and religionists something to think about. Behind labels are human beings. And behind that curtain of Religion… are human beings. Labels have no power without people. And if Human Rights came first… those people would not have any power. If you want to fight for something… fight for Human Rights to be first in your nation. No. Matter. What.
With that… I shall leave you with this. I hope you enjoy it. And I hope your cup is spilling over with genuine love and a peaceful heart. :)