I am an atheist. I refuse to accept religion or an institution of worship. But if anyone ever asks me if I have faith, I will whole-heartedly respond "yes."

For some there is a God (or many) aiding us through our lives; sometimes even after. For others, science explains the way of the world. However, none of these provide an absolute. Each of these are a varied truth individually accepted.

But regardless of what you choose to grasp to, you hold faith in something. You hold faith in God, science, or an alternate understanding of how this world works. Faith gives each of us a purpose and explains our place in the world.

Everyone needs something to believe in for the sake of nothing but a pure need to believe.

Faith is wonderful because it’s individual. No one can force you to have faith. Your mom can force you to church and people can come to your door with booklets, but at the end of it all- the truth you use to explain the universe is completely yours.

Each person you meet will reject a belief. However, they will also accept one as well. Each of us lacks the ability to hold all the knowledge of the world. Therefore, we strive to understand and organize the realities we experience.

As we look for this truth, arguments arise from the varying ways we come to find them. Faith is tricky because it is so personal- an attack on my faith is an attack on who I am. And for this reason, I am writing this piece. I am writing to urge people to be more accepting of others. Accept their truth cannot be changed by an argument. Accept their truth can differ from yours. Accept that their truth makes them happy.

This is not to say we shouldn’t engage in discussions. By listening to the views of others, you can broaden your understanding about people. Yet, avoid trying to impose your lifestyle and faith in anything onto others. Exposing is one thing, forcing is another.

I am a believer. In what, I haven’t figured that out yet. But I hold faith in myself and the world around me to present explanations and understandings I never thought of. And in the end, that makes all the difference.