Atheists Don't Hate God | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Atheists Don't Hate God

How can I hate something that I don’t think exists?

671
Atheists Don't Hate God
BSNSCB.com

Atheists have a reputation for being snarky, condescending heathens. If you have ever seen the Dane Cook routine about atheists, you probably have the same idea as Dane: that atheists look down upon people who are religious. Atheists are either considered moralless, godless deviants or high and mighty, condescending killjoys.

So when I'm walking to class and missionaries are trying to throw pocket bibles my way, I find myself declining. I say, "Sorry, I'm an atheist." But that answer only invites more questions...

“Why do you hate God so much?”

“What did God do to you to make you hate him?”

“Why do you hate Jesus? He died for your sins.”

But I do not hate god. And I do not hate Jesus. I do not hate Allah or Buddha or Krishna or any icon. Because I do not believe in them. I can’t hate that which I do not believe in.

Sure, I believe that Buddha, Abraham, Jesus, and Muhammad were real people who existed but I don’t believe in the magical powers and myths that surround them. And that is my choice to make. I chose not to believe in them. But please explain to me, how can I hate something that I don’t think exists?

I don’t live fearing punishment or seeking reward in the next life, I seize the precious amount of time I’ve been given on this planet. I cherish my life more because I know that there is nothing after it. I only have one shot to make an impact on the world.

I help the people who need it now because sending prayers to starving children does not help them. Sending food does. I am about taking action now. Because this one life is all we have. I don’t need external motivation to want to do good and be a good person. But, if some people do and they find that in religion, that’s okay too. While there are many things I dislike about religion, at its core, it’s meant to be a tool to teach people to love, to be kind, and to have empathy for their fellow man.

One of the greatest satire shows on television, the long-running and hilarious South Park, eloquently explained my views on religion. In the episode “All About Mormons”, one of the main characters, Stan, befriends a new Mormon kid. After he learns about the Mormon beliefs and the stories of Joseph Smith, Stan thinks that believing in it is stupid.

The Mormon kid tells Stan “Maybe us Mormons do believe in crazy stories that make absolutely no sense and maybe Joseph Smith did make it all up, but I have a great life, and a great family, and I have the Book of Mormon to thank for that. The truth is, I don't care if Joseph Smith made it all up, because what the church teaches now is loving your family, being nice and helping people. And even though people in this town might think that's stupid, I still choose to believe in it.”

The creators of the show understand why people are religious, even if they aren't. The quote sums it up perfectly. If you're a good person, don’t have hate in your heart, and find love, happiness, and community in your religion, by all means, be religious. I might think the stories false, but that doesn’t mean someone else can’t find meaning in it.

If singing songs, praying or going to confession makes you feel better, by all means, do what you have to do to feel better. As long as you aren't hurting anyone, do what you want to do. As an atheist, it doesn't offend me. I just choose not to do it.

For example, at thanksgiving dinner this year my family wanted to say grace before eating, but they know where I stand when it comes to religion. They asked, "Do you mind if we say grace before eating?"

No, I don't mind at all. If you want to hold hands and say some words to the sky because it makes you feel better, by all means. It's not hurting anyone and I'm not going against anything that I believe in because, well, I don't believe.

If believing in a higher power gives you comfort, go for it. If the little rituals and reading the bible give you peace and motivation to be a good person, please keep on doing it. I'm not going to try to convert you or call you stupid, even if I believe it is stupid. Some people need something to believe in. And maybe just believing in god makes him exist in some form, at least in someone's imagination. He's had a bigger impact on the world than I'm sure many of us have.


I understand the value of religion. I understand it makes people better. But just because I motivate myself in differently than you do doesn’t mean I’m a heathen, a deviant, or a devil-worshipper.

I don't hate Christians. I don't hate Muslims. I don't hate Jewish people. I don't hate anyone based on their religion. And I don't seek to change people's beliefs or try to convert people to atheism. Because I do respect however people find something to live for. I respect whatever way you chose to be a good person.

So I ask religious people to not hate me because of my lack of a religion. And please do not try to convert me. Just know that there are different ways of being a good person.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

123690
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

27178
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

25416
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments