As The Atheist Turns

I guess it is clear to most who have read my ramblings that I am an avowed Atheist. Some people assume that as an Atheist, you don't believe in anything. In my case, that is the furthest thing from the truth. I believe in a whole lot of shit; it's just that it doesn't include God and may not align comfortably with what Pope Frankie believes, and I have a ton of respect for the guy.

This from www.myjewishlearning.com
"While in traditional Jewish thought the subjects of heaven and hell were treated extensively, most modern Jewish thinkers have shied away from this topic, preferring to follow the biblical model, which focuses on life on earth."

This from www.religiousfacts.com
" Islam teaches that there will be a day of judgment when all humans will be divided between the eternal destinations of Paradise and Hell", and, "Until the Day of Judgment, deceased souls remain in their graves awaiting the resurrection. However, they begin to feel immediately a taste of their destiny to come. Those bound for hell will suffer in their graves, while those bound for heaven will be in peace until that time." Hmm, eternity in the grave seems a bit dark and cold.

I think we all know that most of the Christian sects believe in heaven and hell. So what do I, as an Atheist believe? My philosophy lines up pretty well with the modern Jewish belief. Lest anyone be confused, I don't believe there is a God, so obviously I also don't believe there is a heaven or hell in terms of somewhere you go after death; you don't go anywhere after death - you're dead. You life has ended and what ever wondrous deeds you may have achieved or evil you may have pooped on the populace dies with you.

I totally understand that this notion of no eternal life scares the shit out of people. No one wants to die; I don't want to die, but it has nothing to do with living forever or burning in hell. I love life. I am curious about every damn thing going on in the world in which I live and I want to see what the hell happens in the future. That is why I dislike the concept of death, as inevitable as I know it is.

Every religion in history has formulated some form of afterlife. Even the Buddhists who go on about reincarnation and coming back until you get it right or are the perfect human being is a form of an afterlife. The problem is that there is no such thing as a perfect human being which, in affect, guarantees you will live forever because you will keep coming back trying to fix the screwups from your previous live or lives.

I understand the draw of this eternal life thing, and I understand the need to believe that loved ones, especially those who die young, are somewhere waiting for you to bite the big one and join them. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy all over.

Okay, a little unfair to those of faith. I get the value of this kind of thinking if you have a hard time dealing with reality. Take the example of a young couple who lose their infant child early in life. I can't imagine going through that. If it had happened to one of my three children, I'm not sure what I would have done but the word Jameson comes to mind. But, for those who have faith, being able to believe that their infant child is in heaven and is there because God wanted the kid there instead of living a happy and fulfilling life on earth provides a solace that I guess lets them deal with their tragedy. In that sense, religion is serving a real purpose. But the, Jameson makes me feel good as well.

​As I wrote in my book, Religilution: The Evolution of Religion which doesn't seem to have gained much traction, none as a matter of fact, much of what we believe about life God and an after life is the construct of people thousands of years ago who were afraid of almost everything coupled with a good deal of revisionism about what might have happened or been said two thousand years ago (thus, the King James version of the Bible or this or that version). I would remind you there were no smartphones  recording video or a scribe on Jesus' shoulder writing it all down. So be it.

And that, dear friends, is my sermon for today. I do hope you have a wonderful day and all the days to come.