Gratitude for Atheism

Today I’m grateful for my atheism.

Sounds a little strange, huh?  The idea that I’m grateful for not believing in something?

If I’d never had the belief, and then were suddenly grateful for not believing it, it would be silly.  When the belief is responsible for much of the fear, anger, confusion, and depression in my life, it makes much more sense to be grateful that I’ve let it go.

My former belief in an omnipotent, omniscient, eternal being who was judging me and willing to allow me to suffer for eternity for being the very thing that he supposedly created… well, let’s just say that it wasn’t working for me anymore.

But that’s not why I’m an atheist.  If there was any evidence for an omnipotent, omniscient, eternal being who was judging me and willing to allow me to suffer for eternity for being the very thing he supposedly created, then I wouldn’t be an atheist.  I would believe, and the instant someone is able to prove to me that such a being does exist, I will believe again, whether that belief “works for me” or not.

By dropping the belief, I’m finally free.  I no longer have to bounce from belief system to belief system, no longer have to worry about finding the truth through following the correct interpretation of a multitude of conflicting revelations that are only shown to a select few.

I can look at evidence, weigh the credibility of those who tell me things that I don’t have personal, direct evidence for, and make up my own mind.

It’s been a much better way to live.

[This is entry 23 of 365 of Operation Gratitude]