From Belief to Skepticism: My Journey Through Religion and Atheism
What makes you think we started to believe in a higher power? Not everyone is indoctrinated into a religion by default. However, with a more scientific and critical mind, it can be challenging for some to accept religious doctrines. My journey from a believer to a skeptic tells the story of a life spent questioning and analyzing the existence of a higher being.
Early Beliefs and Skepticism
As a child, I was raised in a Catholic household, but I never truly believed. My questions about the Bible and God's role in forgiving us without sacrificing His son deeply troubled me. The logic behind these doctrines seemed inconsistent and illogical to me. I saw the Bible more like a collection of tales - like Aesop’s fables - with no real foundation in reality. During my teenage years, I decided to read the entire Bible, hoping to find answers. However, I discovered that it was just more of the same, with no clear explanations that satisfied my analytical mind. It became evident to me that all gods were social constructs, and there seemed to be no reason to believe in a singular, all-encompassing deity.
From Belief to Atheism
Observation, experience, and the development of a critical thinking mind combined to transform my beliefs. By the time I was ten, I had become an atheist, despite attempts to indoctrinate me with religious teachings. My skepticism towards religion continued to grow as I delved deeper into other cultures and their gods. Many cultures had their own deities, yet there was no consensus on which was the "correct" one. The idea that all other gods are false while only one is true seemed absurd to me. My journey towards atheism was a direct result of my critical analysis of religious claims and the logical inconsistencies I found in them.
A Life of Exploration and Education
My journey through religion was not a one-way street. I began as a Southern Baptist, joined the US Navy, served in Vietnam, and traveled extensively. During these experiences, I encountered a multitude of cultures and religions. After the Navy, I worked in the copper mines, teaching me even more about human nature. My education continued as I pursued degrees in Education and Religion, attending church services of various denominations. I embraced a life of learning, attending temples, mosques, and synagogues, and even volunteering as a Chaplain for Veterans.
Embracing Humanism
While my skepticism towards religion remained, I came to accept that all religions were man-made. This acceptance brought a newfound sense of peace that I had not experienced within religious contexts. My journey culminated in a belief in humanism, where the focus is on human values, ethics, and scientific understanding. My experience has shown me that the future lies in embracing reason, evidence, and the scientific method, rather than relying on ancient myths and fables. Religion, in its current form, is not necessary for the future.
Reflections for the Future
The younger generation is far more intelligent and aware of the world around them than my generation. Young people today are more open to critical thinking and evidence-based reasoning. They see the value in science and reality, rather than religion or myth. This is the future, and it is imperative that we embrace a world grounded in facts and evidence. Religion is a significant part of history, but it is no longer necessary for the future. It is time to move forward into a reality-based society, free from the constraints of ancient beliefs.
Thank you for reading my story. I hope it inspires others to critically examine their beliefs and embrace a life of reason and logic.
Namaste