[A reader reminded me of an old post that I had written back in 2008 on my old blog site and I thought I would reprint it except for very minor editing. So here it is.]
In the course of writing many posts on science and religion and atheism, it struck me that I was tangentially making many statements about what I, as an atheist, believe. I decided to summarize those scattered thoughts into one coherent statement. Of course, I am not presuming to claim that all atheists subscribe to this statement. The creed is purely a personal one.
An important point of clarification is necessary. When the word ‘believe’ is used in the creed, it is in the scientific sense of the word. Scientists realize that almost all knowledge is tentative and that one knows very few things for certain. But based on credible evidence and logical reasoning, one can arrive at firm conclusions about, and hence ‘believe’, some things such as that the universe is billions of years old or that an object released above the ground will fall down.
It is in this sense that the word ‘believe’ is used in the creed below, as an implicit acknowledgment of our lack of absolute certainty. This use is in stark contrast to the way that the word is used by religious people. They not only believe things for which there is not only little or no evidence or reason, but even in spite of evidence to the contrary, and defying reason.
Some religious apologists try to exploit the fact that the same word belief is used in both situations to suggest that atheism is as much an irrational act of faith as belief in god. This is sophistry and simply false.
I believe in a purely material universe that conforms to naturalistic laws and principles.
I believe that the life we have is the only one we will have, that the mind and consciousness are inseparable from the brain, that we cease to exist in any conscious form when we die, and that it is therefore incumbent on us to enable each person to live their one life to the fullest.
I believe in the power of science and reason and rationality to further deepen our understanding of everything around us and to eventually overcome superstition and erase the petty divisions sown by religion, race, ethnicity, and nationality.
I am in awe of the beauty, vastness, and complexity of nature and the universe, and the fact that all arose purely by the working of natural laws.
I believe in the power of ideals such as peace and justice and shared humanity to inspire us to create a free and just world.
I believe in kindness, love, and the human spirit and their ability to overcome challenges and adversity and to create a better world.
I believe in the necessity for credible and objective evidence to sustain any belief and thus deny, because of the absence of such evidence, the existence of each and every aspect of the supernatural.
I refuse to bow, prostrate myself, or otherwise cower before the deities of any religion.
I am neither tempted by the fiction of heaven nor fearful of the fiction of hell.
I choose to live the dignified and exhilarating life of a freethinker, able to go wherever knowledge and curiosity takes me, without fear of contradicting any dogma.
Thank you, Mano. I truly like how you put this all together! I can relate to all you wrote!
Agreed -- a nice succinct synopsis of the variety of deep, complex and intertwining issues that make up a belief system. Oh, I guess that pretty much defines a creed, doesn’t it?
Especially like this line: “I am neither tempted by the fiction of heaven nor fearful of the fiction of hell.” I have stated it in conversations differently, something along the lines of : “I am not afraid of your idea of hell because I can’t fear something I don’t believe exists,” but like the way you have written it better.
Anthony McCarthy must have been banned from here, otherwise he’d have blamed this creed for Stalinism by now.
If anyone has a problem with “believe,” one could use “accept” or “acknowledge” instead.
This is really good. I wonder, Mano, if this is something you would consider letting us use at the Sunday Assembly?
samsalerno,
Anyone is free to use it as they wish, so go right ahead!
1. You believe in a “purely material universe,” so then where did the universe (space, time, matter and the four forces) as well as the information contained within which is not material all come from?
2. You said:
“I believe that the life we have is the only one we will have, that the mind and consciousness are inseparable from the brain, that we cease to exist in any conscious form when we die.”
Also:
I believe in the power of science and reason and rationality to further deepen our understanding of everything around us
And:
“I believe in the necessity for credible and objective evidence to sustain any belief and thus deny, because of the absence of such evidence, the existence of each and every aspect of the supernatural.”
What credible and objective scientific evidence is there that speaks to 1) no existence beyond the physical/material existence when science is only a study of the physical/material and nothing else? 2) What scientific evidence is there that shows that the mind and consciousness, which are not material, are integral and inseparable? 3) What science shows there is no spiritual plane of existence and we cease to exist when we die mind you when science doesn’t speak to any of that?
4) what objective evidence sustains your belief that there is no supernatural existence beyond our current existence in space and time! 5) Finally, one cannot deny something exists based on an inability to ascertain evidence. That thing could exist elsewhere and so could it’s evidence! One could suspend their belief, but its errant to outright deny unless one has evidence that supports said denial!
In conclusion in order to authoritatively state something like there is no existence of God and that it’s a fantasy at best, you would really need all of the knowledge in the universe and beyond to substantiate that conclusion. By definition if you possessed that endless wealth of knowledge you in fact would be…God!