Category: atheist

A person of no faith

Dear Rachel Reeves MP,
I got annoyed watching Question Time this week.
This isn’t an unusual occurrence, it actually happens most weeks and I’ll just go into a rant on Twitter about and forget about. However, this week it wasn’t to do with some fundamental disagreement on a political matter, or annoyance that the Tory was the most sensible politician on the panel although this is happening a scary amount of times as I get older.

The thing that annoyed me most was when you used the term “people of no faith” to describe non-religious people.
Now, I am a devout atheist (more on that at some point maybe, although possibly not as I don’t like to force my opinions on others) and so therefore I would fall under your  classification of “people of no faith.” However, I feel that this is a very misleading term.
Ok, maybe militant atheists might get offended at the term faith and openly embrace the idea of being someone without faith. I am not one of those people.
I may not have a religion – although saying it like that makes it sound like I am lacking something which I feel I am not – but I have a lot of faith. However, my faith is not faith in someone or something that you cannot see. I have a great faith in humanity. Sometimes, I wonder why, but other times mankind can show itself to be the most wonderful and beautiful thing.
The London riots last year showed me both sides of this. Initially I started to despair at what had happened to humanity but when everyone started to get together for the clean up action afterwards, my faith in people was increased.
I have faith in that people are underneath it all, generally good, moral and generous beings.
I also feel that this faith is stronger than many people’s religious faith as the object of it is tangible. The results are visible. But now is not the time to get into an argument about who is right or wrong on the matter of the big G.
In these days when people get offended by the silliest little slight on themselves or their beliefs and we often have to tip toe around issues, I call for greater acknowledgement and respect of my kind of people as we respect you and your kind (I’m talking about religious people not politicians as clearly politicians rarely get any respect from the public).
So, Ms Reeves, I am not a person of no faith. I am a person of strong faith, just not the kind of faith in invisible people who live in the sky. Please acknowledge this in future.
Many thanks.

I’m an atheist but I love Christmas

I have just finished writing my letter to Santa. I write one every year. For anyone thinking of doing the same, please note he appears to have moved according to Royal Mail. He can no longer be reached in Lapland, but in at Santa’s Grotto, Reindeerland, SAN TA1.
Now, I am well aware that Santa doesn’t exist (I hope there aren’t any kids reading this) but there is something cathartic and beneficial in trying to explain why you have been good enough over the past year to justify getting what you want from Christmas.
One year I got a response with some stickers. I am a bit worried that they’ll think I’m five. Or special. Or both. It’s totally worth sending the letter though.
I probably won’t get what I want anyway. I don’t like telling people what I want usually. I’d much rather they got me something that they think I’d like but probably wouldn’t have thought of buying. Although this year, I know I’ve got what I want as I have bought it for myself.
As mentioned in the title, I am a devout atheist – perhaps more on that another time – and I have no sentiment for the fact that some dude called Jesus was allegedly born a couple of thousand years ago. He never invites me to his birthday parties anyway.
What I love about Christmas is I guess what is often referred to as Christmas spirit. I love the way that everyone seems to be a little bit happier. I first noticed this when I was working in a newsagents and on Christmas Day everyone was a bit chirpier and nicer. Customers who wouldn’t really speak to you would wish you a merry Christmas or ask you your plans or smile when they wouldn’t usually.
The fact that for a short time each year, everyone is a bit more considerate of each other and buys presents for the important people in their lives is just fantastic. I wish that people bought each other presents more often and didn’t have to be told to do so but in the absence of that, Christmas fills the hole nicely. It doesn’t matter whether the presents are good or bad, either. It matters that people are doing something nice for others.
I love everything that comes along with Christmas as well. I love the pretty lights and decorations (and Folkestone has some really lovely lights this year). I love Christmas films. Muppet’s Christmas Carol is my second favourite film of all time and when watching other versions I get confused that there is only one Marley.  I love Christmas songs. I know they’re just like normal songs, but just a bit happier.
The thing is though, I like happiness. I love people, I love the world, I love life and when I’m down then I get down about being down. Christmas is full of happiness and cheer and it’s the most wonderful time of year.