I Need to Believe…
One of the biggest myths about atheists, is that “we believe in nothing”…
…a statement which could not be more false.
While I can not provide you with any “party line” list of “what atheists believe”, I can tell you that every atheist individual is unique, and holds trust in a variety of things.
I, for one, trust in the unfettered, pure process of scientific research…not to say that I expect immediate and clear answers to every question, to magically appear before us because of science…no…but, I do trust that an uninhibited process of pure research, will take us to deeper understandings…and we will know the facts better than we did previously…over time, we can fill in the blanks, to create a more advanced explanation, and explore new questions which arise through the research.
I trust in relativity, because it is one of the few, real constants which we can anticipate, regardless of the arena. Relativity concerns everything.
I trust that those who honestly know me, wont fear me…that they will know me for who I am, in return.
I trust that there will always be corruption and fighting, amongst the human species…that life will always be cruel, at some level, and not experienced equally amongst the various classes.
I trust that people will continue to look for answers, where no real answers can be found…as a matter of seeking personal, psychological comfort.
…but, I also trust that my own voice holds power…that “I” am worth something, and am irreplaceable…That “I” can make an impact for the better, regardless of my plight in life…
I believe…life is the constant battle…Some people are good at fighting it, while others are not…Some start from places of privilege and hold many advantages, while others are left with only their own wits in a “swim or drown” world…
I believe, it is self evident…that not a single one of us asked for this battle, or the hardships that come with it…but, we find ourselves here, regardless.
I believe, if you do nothing to change the circumstances…then what you get out of life will be chosen by others…and what impact you make in this world, will be limited by others…and it will be your own failure, for letting others hobble you as such.
I believe, most of us will never live a charmed life of privilege…and we are forced to stand up and fight, in order to prevent being crushed beneath the wheels of some social, political machine.
These are some of the things which, as an atheist, I believe in…and I have experienced throughout my own life…Some have been very constant, and are the reality of living life from the vantage point, of an outcast burdened with many disadvantages.
Do I believe the day is coming, when literal freedom for child lovers exists?…Do I believe atheists will ever be embraced?…Do I believe that two of the most maltreated minorities in recent human history, will be able to overcome the prejudice?
At times, I do not know why…maybe it is my inherent need to find something…anything, to look forward to…to spend my time and energy working towards…to know that my life has not been spent in vain…but, yes…I do believe it is entirely possible that these two groups can be embraced, and brought into an enlightened society.
According to statistics, the Netherlands identifies as 70% atheist, in this modern era…and we have seen some progressive breakthroughs, with regards to inter-generational love (however briefly held…they still happened).
What we are seeing today, with regards to the most powerful western countries, is that true freedom and harmony evades us because of a complex mixture of politics, power and social superstitions…The same can be seen, in many eastern countries.
Most countries do not truthfully hold the health and well being of their people, as their foremost obligation…but instead, treat us as cattle to herd and exploit.
It is in countries with a highly liberal, intellectual, progressive and inclusive attitude towards it’s population, where happiness and productivity of the people not only thrives…but soars…
It is not impossible at all, to create a culture where atheists and child lovers can co-exist as equals, amongst all other classes of the population. It has already been witnessed, to some degree, in recent history…and at present.
We need to work towards the kind of teachings, that break down walls, and foster the kind of social and political atmosphere, that will allow for the general population to recognize the inherent and enormous values, which minorities such as ours represent.
The human species probably does not deserve my optimism…That is true…
At times, I wonder how it is possible that we have managed to get this far, without killing ourselves off…and there is a lot of naivety, prejudice, hate, violence…all the worst elements, of any self aware species…
At times, I find myself unable to believe that others would reject the loving, nurturing alternatives, which people like myself naturally bring to the table…in preference for that exact same naivety, prejudice, hate and violence…and other horrible elements.
I would say it leaves me almost speechless…but, if you’ve been following my writings for years, you know I don’t stumble so easily into losing my own voice…I’m not so easily diverted.
Honestly, I just don’t believe that the entirety of the human species is “too stupid”, to be able to grasp the concepts I typically express…nor “too dishonest” or “too cowardly”, to accept them…and history has shown, that large masses of people do overcome various, malignant social trends…It is cyclical.
Maybe it is a leap of faith, that “our” mass of homosapiens can overcome it’s superstitions, and learn to get along in a better way…Maybe a lot more will have to crumble to the ground, than mere prejudice and superstition, before a way is made for progress…
…but I need to keep some optimistic “light at the end of the tunnel” in front of me…I’ve got to maintain my voice, for that destination…
I still need some kind of hope…and that is what I believe in…When it seems that things are at their darkest, so long as we keep fighting, there is still hope…
I believe in taking a stand, and holding my ground…because without that simple act, everything becomes hopeless…
…and I don’t want to be hopeless…
…If you trust absolutely nothing else that I ever tell you, at least trust me when I say that “you” don’t want me to be hopeless either…
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The Head Game of Terror…5 comments on "I Need to Believe…"
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It’s ironic really that the Antis seek to drive CLs to the margins of society…since the more they do so, the less CLs would feel the need to conform to society…this is what I take from your final point about a CL without hope…
So far as needing optimism for the future is concerned, from my perspective I make a distinction between ‘hope for the future’ and ‘positive benefit for the present’. For me, the former isn’t important…whatever optimism (or otherwise) one holds for our species need not affect one’s sense of self-worth in the present. As long as one identifies a guiding purpose for their present existence – whether it be reaching out to someone else, increasing one’s own understanding in areas of interest, the simple pursuit of pleasure, or whatever it may be – that is sufficient. I suppose my concern with tying my internal strength to hope for the future, would be that it would then potentially be susceptible to fluctuation according to the vagaries of the external world.
I realize that I have drifted somewhat off-topic here…but I think it is an important point to consider, particularly when our struggle as CLs is such a meandering, uphill, undelineated path.
On a personal note Steve, I’d like to make the point that your personal qualities, strengths and attributes are immensely appreciated by all those who know you – and are certainly not measured in terms of ‘success’ or ‘failure’ as commonly understood.
I have a saying “human beings are perfectly imperfect only by embracing each other can we strive for perfection”.
As a Agnostic (ex-Christian and ex-Atheist) I feel that people should differentiate between God (other name for God is Universe) and religion but truth be told a lot of opinions you have I feel the same, but the biggest problem with science is that humans run it and there is a lot of pseudo-science going around (i.e. they seem to be just as dogmatic as the religious fanatics).
One of the things I personally worry about is the censorship of the internet, if the censors win then the information age is all but lost (I don’t like to throw a spanner in the works) and the idea that children will learn about childlovers will diminish, this may not come true but I also believe that one way or another the pointless system in place will collapse it cannot be sustained.
Life would be boring without a little suffering but the repressive suffering we have to endure is not right it is inhuman and cruel and as Strato said:
“It’s ironic really that the Antis seek to drive CLs to the margins of society…since the more they do so, the less CLs would feel the need to conform to society…this is what I take from your final point about a CL without hope…”
I believe that the strongest characters is created by Sorrow and Suffering Martin Luther King Jr and Gandhi wouldn’t of existed if there wasn’t any suffering it is the human being trying to correct a problem.
Also being an outcast gives you the ability what I call the outcasts eye were we see the problems that society has where others are blind to it.
On a personal note on reading your posts you seem to have that outcast’s eye and strength of character that can only be beneficial.
Your view are similar to mine. I also hold to Physics regard myself as an Atheist. To have faith in the Human Spirit is to believe that all Humanity is aware of justice and eventually we will be able to achieve the next level of Human Civilization. If we cannot do this then we will not last as a civilization but continue as a species that will wax and wane.
Strato…
“On a personal note Steve, I’d like to make the point that your personal qualities, strengths and attributes are immensely appreciated by all those who know you – and are certainly not measured in terms of ’success’ or ‘failure’ as commonly understood.”
Thank you so much for this.
“It’s ironic really that the Antis seek to drive CLs to the margins of society…since the more they do so, the less CLs would feel the need to conform to society…this is what I take from your final point about a CL without hope…”
Society creates it’s own “monsters”, and dictates that there “will” be monsters…as well as “who” they are and “how” they will behave.
Pedophiles are a prime example of this…and I wrote a piece for ISD which directly confronts this (though I’m not sure if it is online yet or not)…
They demand the monster…but when the monster arrives, they shake their head in dismay, asking “why?”…
My ending comment has a very dark undertone in it…not a personal threat, but an acknowledgement that people get pushed “to far” all the time…one can only imagine how much culpability the politicians, “child protectors” and other leaders hold, in over all scope of assaults and murder on children.
Sure…of course…the hand that did it is absolutely responsible…but, what about the hands that pushed them?…What about the voices that brainwashed them into believing…”that is just what they are”?…What about the people who actively made them psychologically crack?
I can appreciate your “be happy in today” perspective…and if life were actually looking up for me, and my future…I might be inclined to adopt a stance which leans more in that direction…
Truth be told, my life is miserable in so many ways…and I don’t have much optimism for “my own” long term survival…or quality of life becoming any better. So, I divorce myself from the idea of any personal reward, or “better days to come” for “me”…and I throw myself into this war…because, what have “I” got left to lose?
Besides…in a world so utterly mixed up with confusion, this seems like the most ethical, honest and pure road to take. Somebody needs to stand for balance and reason…
…but, perhaps I should take your words more to heart…I used to be more micro minded…as apposed to macro minded, as I am today…and the smaller things in life have largely gotten lost along the way…
PiedPiper…
“I have a saying “human beings are perfectly imperfect only by embracing each other can we strive for perfection”.
We are all pieces of one large puzzle…together, we complete each other…a good concept.
…”the biggest problem with science is that humans run it and there is a lot of pseudo-science going around (i.e. they seem to be just as dogmatic as the religious fanatics)”…
Some do…but, this is why I specified “unfettered, pure process of scientific research”…Which is different from just saying, “the field of science”.
True science will not start out trying to prove a bias. In fact, it wont start out trying to “prove” anything at all. A true scientist will study a subject, as it actually happens to exist, and report according to factual findings based upon that.
Pseudo science is not a valid part of science…but yes, it does masquerade as science, quite often.
The key is in being able to differentiate between pure science and pseudo science.
“One of the things I personally worry about is the censorship of the internet”…
Yes, this is something many of us are very concerned over. It is impossible for them to entirely censor us from every single place on the internet, however…but, they can hurt our ability to be easily available to the general public, who come looking to find us online.
There’s still old staples like UseNet (where I have not been for years), the FreeNet project, and other p2p software…networks can be built and maintained underground…If worse came to worse, e-mail groups could be used as well…”hidden” private forums, also…
They cant kick us off of the internet, regardless of what they try…because they are incapable of doing such.
“I believe that the strongest characters is created by Sorrow and Suffering Martin Luther King Jr and Gandhi wouldn’t of existed if there wasn’t any suffering it is the human being trying to correct a problem.”
That is such a great observation.
“Also being an outcast gives you the ability what I call the outcasts eye were we see the problems that society has where others are blind to it.”
Another great observation…and a wonderful descriptive term…”outcasts eye”.
Thank you for your insightful response…after reading much of what you have posted, I can see some powerful attributes in “you”, as well.
Viamund…
…My deepest condolences, for Canada’s recent changes in age of consent laws…Truly, we are living in a draconian time, for some minorities.
I hope we can reach that next level…Something tells me, MAA’s will have to gain many more positions of political power, before we are able to see anything resembling this, however.
Thank you for your response.
A positive take on this issue may be that we have good stocks in the “objective reality” of scientific investigation and in the very absence of that “reality” in critical analysis