My Journey from Belief to Skepticism: An Exploration of Atheism and Agnosticism
My path to atheism and agnosticism was a long and winding one, shaped by a slow realization that the answer to questions of the divine had less to do with faith and more with knowledge and evidence. This journey began with a close examination of religious narratives and an understanding that many stories were similar to myths found across different cultures.
From Genesis to History
One of the primary reasons for my skepticism was the comparison of Genesis with other ancient creation myths. I found the similarities striking, leading me to question the uniqueness and literalness of the biblical narrative. Similarly, the life of Abraham, revered in the biblical tradition, appeared to align closely with the lives of other hunter-gatherer societies on the brink of adopting farming practices. These connections made the religious narratives seem less like the word of a singular, all-powerful deity and more like the collective imagination of ancient civilizations.
Religion and Its Discontents
My decision to embrace atheism and agnosticism was further fueled by a critical examination of the role of religion in society. I view religion as broadly toxic, despite recognizing that some forms of it can provide comfort and community. However, I believe that the negative impact of religion on societal health and happiness far outweighs any positive contributions.
As a person who was never formally religious and who had only been raised in Christian culture, the journey to atheism and agnosticism was marked by a profound sense of disillusionment. The stories in the Bible did not align with the realities of the world I observed, and the excuses provided by religious figures were unsatisfying. When I was around 10-12 years old, I heard a sermon that dismissed all non-religious pursuits as evil, contrasting this with the quality of goodness that many of these pursuits represented. At the funeral of my brother, who had committed a terrible act, the pastor declared that he would be going to heaven because he believed in Jesus. This moment profoundly shook my faith in religious narratives.
A Deep Dive into Christianity
My decision to investigate Christianity further stemmed from a desire to prove the religious narrative wrong, especially after such an impactful event. I delved into Christian teachings and found that the distinction between faith and works was not as clear-cut as I imagined. This internal debate over faith versus works within Christianity shattered any remnants of my previous belief. If an omniscient and omnipotent God had created the world, it could have done so in a way that allowed for no interpretation or debate. The fact that such an argument could be made indicated to me that religion was not as absolute as many believed.
By the time I left high school, I had fully shaken off Christian beliefs but identified as agnostic because I was unsure whether a divine being existed. Life events and my pragmatic approach to knowledge further solidified my decision. In college, I immersed myself in the study of research, science, and the standards of evidence. I learned about the unreliability of eyewitness testimony and the flaws in human memory, among other intellectual disciplines. Applying these rigorous standards to supernatural beliefs, I found no credible evidence to support the existence of ghosts, demons, or a soul. Similarly, I remained unconvinced by arguments for the existence of God.
Secular Humanism
Accepting the need for rational, evidence-based belief systems, I now adhere to a secular humanist view. I see value in skepticism and rational inquiry, emphasizing objective evidence over sparse belief systems. This viewpoint is guided by a belief that humans can achieve a rich, fulfilling existence without the need for a supernatural explanation. If someone can provide incontrovertible evidence for the existence of God, I remain open to re-evaluating my stance. However, until such evidence is presented, I am content to retain an agnostic position or lean towards atheism.
My current belief system is deeply rooted in evidence and rational inquiry, reflecting a journey from childhood belief to a more mature and critical perspective on the world. The path towards atheism and agnosticism was not an easy one, but it has been enriching, forcing a deeper examination of my beliefs and a commitment to rational thought.