To Believe or Not To Believe

Throughout my life, religion has still yet to have had a profound affect on the way that I perceive life and the world around me. I have managed to find success and personal happiness without the need of an organized faith or creed. That does not mean, however, that I am against the idea of having religion in one's life. In my opinion, people should have the freedom to pursue religion, as long as it does not harm the well being of others. Currently, I have declared myself an atheist, which, for the most part, has been keep secret from most of my acquaintances. There is a very good reason why I refrain from acknowledging my atheism in public: to avoid the ridicule of others who mock the idea of atheism.

There is one criticism of religion in general that I have held probably for as long as I could remember, and that is the act of persuading others to join a particular faith. In my opinion, religion should only be a personal thing, a search for answers that comes only on the individual's terms. I remember sitting in the library once and being confronted by a female classmate who I know has very strong Christian beliefs. The classmate offered me an invitation to a gathering of young Christian people. I politely declined the invitation, then was asked by this young woman why I declined. Knowing this person for many years, I decided it wouldn't cause any harm if I told her I was an atheist. After telling her, she said something like, "Well, it is never too late to start. I think for you especially, this would be a good event to attend." At first, I didn't take her reply into the real context of what her words meant. It was not until much later did I realize that what she was really trying t say to me was that not being a Christian was personal attribute that requires 'correction'. I know deep down that her comment only had good intentions attached to it, however, it brings up the underlying fact that as an atheist, I am forced to feel by others that I am 'in need of a change'. Personally, I would never tell anyone that he or she should be compelled to commit to a certain faith, yet, at my doorstep, I am constantly bombarded by people who deliver magazines based upon religious beliefs. I don't understand why people of certain faiths feel it is necessary to use the 'in your face' approach to express themselves. Most religions are too closed minded when it comes to acknowledging other people of different beliefs. When committing to a specific faith, one is made to believe that their chosen faith is the only faith that has any merit. People are falsely given the idea that they are truly 'better' than the next person just because they devote themselves to a specific religin. I have been subject to intimidation, insults and rejection because of my beliefs, and it likely to continue as the stubbornness and close-mindedness of people of specific faiths grow as time progresses. Religion's purpose is not to start wars or encourage discrimination, but yet these two things have existed because of religion. These are just some of the reasons why I eagerly stray away from the world of religion.

Being a first ever atheist in my family, I've had to struggle deeply to stand my ground against harsh criticism. My parents, who are religious to an extent, are very disappointed that I have decided to be an atheist. I wonder why on earth should they be disappointed in an aspect of my life that is not in their control, and should not be. They constantly threaten me by hypothesizing the possible repercussions of my beliefs, all of which are irrational: I will not be accepted by a university, I will be labeled 'pro communist', and engage in 'irresponsible behavior'. I try to explain to them why their ideas are so senseless . Although most universities based themselves upon religious institutions, university acceptance is not based upon what beliefs you have. Communism may repress religion, however, there are many other aspects of this political system that I am opposed to. And 'irresponsible behavior'? I know very well the limits that I must put upon my own behavior so that I don't hrm myself or others. I did not need to devote myself to a specific religion to understand these unwritten rules of life. You don't need religion to understand responsibility, humility, and especially tolerance.

A close family member of mine went through major surgery this past year, and my entire family, excluding myself, prayed constantly for the surgery's success. Praying might have helped my family in coping with such a stressful situation such as the prospect of death of a family member, however, they didn't realize that they had absolutely no control whatsoever in the fate of this family member. My family absolutely blinded themselves from the fact that this person had not lived a healthy lifestyle (never exercised, smoked, ate foods high in cholesterol and fat, etc.), believing that such a major medical procedure could never be necessary for this individual. This family member survived the surgery, but it was not because of the devotion of religion; it was because of the talent of experienced surgeons that allowed this person's life to be extended. Because of their devotion to their religion, my family believed that they had made an impact on the fate of this family member. I respected my famil in what they believed they could do to keep this family member alive, but I was constantly scolded (by my mother especially) even though all I had done was look at the situation with an honest view of reality. As I grow into adulthood, I will continue to have personal battles with my family over what I believe in. This may lead to my family to disown me, but I would never be forced into repression, even if it means not making contact with my family ever again.

It is a daunting task in this world to be in a minority, and I am minority in many aspects , including religious beliefs. All I want from my life is to be respected for what I have chosen to be my outlook upon the rest of world. I would never want people to change their beliefs for the safety of society, because people should never be living for the sake of others. At the very least, I hope people in the future will have enough of an open mind to realize one important thing. One should never feel completely secure in his or her religious ideals, because what he or she has found spiritual security in is in actuality just a concept and not fact. Facts can not be argued, but concepts can be debated forever.