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One Atheist’s Metaphor on Religion [1]

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Date: 2023-11-26  

I originally posted this as a comment, but thought I might slightly modify it and try my hand at making it a diary. I’ve never written a diary before, but upon reflection I thought this might be helpful to some.

I am an atheist, but that doesn’t say much, as we come in different flavors, just like any other group.

I find some beliefs and texts interesting, from a philosophical standpoint, others not so much. Religion and religious beliefs don’t bother me. I have family and friends that are of one religious belief or another and I am happy to show respect and be quiet when they practice it in front of me. After all, they are my family and friends and I love them.

It is only when organized religion or religious individuals attempt to mandate their beliefs or religious laws into secular areas that I then have a big problem with it. Forcing beliefs on others is not a positive thing.

I do not see atheism as a belief, but the lack thereof. Basically, I find the arguments for religion unconvincing.

All religions are like a campfire.



Some will gather around it, be warmed by it, become introspective and discuss whatever topics arise, break bread and try to find meaning. Like a campfire, religion can be very socially beneficial.

However, many campfire people will light sticks on fire from it, run around and set the forest on fire in an attempt to “spread the warmth”. It is up to the campfire people to ensure that the stick lighter people don’t set the forest on fire.

Some campfire people say, “well it’s not our campfire that set the forest on fire”, ignoring the fact that other fires were started by getting fire from their campfire.

I’m a traveler. I will sit for a time at a campfire and enjoy the warmth and interaction, but abstain from wanting to ritualize the campfire or spread it. I understand that I am an outsider by choice. I can and will raise my voice to warn the campfire people of the stick lighter people, but I am an outsider and the responsibility of preventing the stick lighter people from setting the forest on fire lies with the campfire people, sadly the campfire people rarely do. Some campfire people even claim it is the right of the stick lighter people to start their own fires.

Many travelers have become upset at the campfire people, crying out to them to tend their fires and keep them contained. Mourning the destruction of the forest.



If you got this far, I hope you enjoyed reading my metaphor.

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