I'm an atheist, please don't shoot me.

You can find out what I believe by looking in the About Me section, and by reading on.

Atheism is not a nice term, it's not a friendly term, but it's the one I have been saddled with because, unlike so many others, I don't actually believe in the supernatural. The asylums are filled with people that believe in people or creatures that can't be seen, that speak to them, or that do things for them. In my view that sounds very much like religious people.

There really is no better word for atheism at the moment, people try naturalism, rationalism, or even Bright¹⁾, but none have yet really taken root. Humanism describes a belief system, but you don't need to be atheist to be a humanist. The problem is, that there really shouldn't be a word for atheism, it should be the default state.

When someone believes they have greater rights than someone else because of skin colour we call them racists. We don't single out those people that aren't racist by calling them a-racists, we consider non-racism to be the default state; the lack of belief that skin colour determines rights and status.

While a-racism does describe me, it doesn't describe all of me, it merely indicates one aspect of myself, just as atheism describes just one aspect of myself. Being a Christian though is rather inclusive, it says a lot about you. Christianity defines what you believe in regards to morality, the family, sexuality, and so many other facets of our lives.

I am not a Christian. I am free to make up my own mind, to make my own moral choices, instead of being dictated to by a 2000 year old book. I have no problem seeing gays, women or anyone else as a human being with the same rights and privileges I have.

Ironically, many so-called Christians do as well, sacrificing aspects of their faith to the altar of common decency, morality and human rights. I'm glad that they exist, for without those religious people that are willing to ignore idiocy of their scripture and follow modern morality the world would still be in the religion inspired dark-ages.

This area of my website is my contribution to making the world a better place for all of us, by attempting to lift mankind out of the superstitious era and into the rational era.

I have my own version of the Atheism FAQ.

And will include links to other sites and resources here.

Atheism isn't a belief, much as some religious people might like to think it is.

One thing that religious apologists tend to get right (through no real intent) is that humans do need to believe in something. I chose to believe in Humanism.

Why Humanism? Humanism is a belief system that focuses on strong moral and ethical values yet does so without the need for a supreme being or superstition. What's more, humanism espouses moral values that are derived from rational and logical thought and reasoning, and does not require the compulsory adherence to holy diktats. Humanist decide what is moral by examining the consequences of each action or decision and determining the action that causes the least, or no harm as the the most moral course.

In essence Humanism requires people to learn, explore and develop themselves through logic and reason and without the need of revelation and/or compulsion by some supernatural entity. It is up to us humans as individuals to find the truth through human nature, experience and logically examining the evidence; not by relying on mysticism or even tradition.

It is better to be good for goodness' sake than to be compelled by orders, or threat of retribution by some supreme entity.

You'd be surprised. Most people are humanist and they don't even know it. Many so-called “moderate” religious people's views on life and morality match more closely to Humanism than the original tenets of their faith. While I feel that to be a true Humanist requires at least an agnostic view of a supreme deity, there are branches of religious Humanists who both hold a belief in a supreme being, yet refuse to accept and follow the dogma of religion (especially organised religion), instead following the Humanist view that it is up to individuals to find the truth of all things, and not rely on diktats.

Unitarian Universalists in the USA are an example of a group that, despite their religious origins, are through their agnostic views on God basically humanist.

You'll find many famous people are humanists, many you'd never even expected to be humanists. The following lists both secular and religious Humanists, although surveys always show that the majority of humanists tend to be atheist or agnostic in their views.

• Confucius
• Mark Twain
• Albert Einstein
• Isaac Asimov
• Sir Peter Ustinov
• Richard Dawkins
• Sir Arthur C. Clarke
• Philip Pullman
• Terry Pratchett
• Ronnie Barker
• Whoopi Goldberg

A more complete list can be found at wikipedia.

(from the British Humanist Association)

• Humanism is an approach to life based on humanity and reason - humanists recognise that moral values are properly founded on human nature and experience alone. Our decisions are based on the available evidence and our assessment of the outcomes of our actions, not on any dogma or sacred text.
• Humanism encompasses atheism and agnosticism ‑ but is an active and ethical philosophy far greater than these negative responses to religion.
• Humanists believe in individual rights and freedoms ‑ but believe that individual responsibility, social cooperation and mutual respect are just as important.
• Humanists believe that people can and will continue to find solutions to the world's problems ‑ so that quality of life can be improved for everyone.
• Humanists are positive ‑ gaining inspiration from our lives, art and culture, and a rich natural world.
• Humanists believe that we have only one life ‑ it is our responsibility to make it a good life, and to live it to the full.

I created some ”RichardDawkins.Net Brilliant Buttons” for the Richard Dawkins site.

First off, here are some Quotes by (famous) Atheists.

If you're an atheist, don't move to the USA, or if you do, choose your state carefully.

Do you believe in Christian Family Values? Maybe, you need to re-examine your behaviour.

For some reason this question keeps coming up: Was Hitler an Atheist??