Atheism, Religion, and Double Standards

Religion – it has been present, probably, since the beginnings of human civilization. Religion has helped us explain the world around us, taken away our fears of the unknown, given us hope, and given us a reason to abide by our morals. The beliefs of our ancestors have left a beautiful legacy, from the Egyptian Pyramids and Roman Temples, to the breath taking European Cathedrals. It continues to motivate great acts of kindness and fill hearts and minds of many with love and compassion.

As an atheist, I appreciate religion and what it has contributed to humanity. But I am also open to the possibility that there is a greater energy than myself and my fellow Earthlings. I may not have a label for this energy, but I believe in it. Not being raised under any belief however, I don’t believe in God; I don’t think there is a Heaven or Hell; I eat anything and everything; I believe in Evolution; and Science fascinates me to a degree I cannot explain.

This being said, I cannot count the amount of times people have attempted to convert me, given me a lecture on how Jesus died for my sins, dragged to church, or told me that upon my death, I will burn in Hell for the rest of eternity… Science class and Civics Class turned into an elaborate word game: attempts to avoid offending my religious peers. Social gatherings like Thanksgiving were made awkward as I was forced to Pray to a God I do not believe in. As an 8th grader, our class took a trip to Bush Gardens. On the whole bus ride home, a chaperon, the mother of one of my peers, gave me lectures on how I needed God and should consider converting. Unexpectedly, this didn’t end when I got off the bus; it ended after the second call home, when my mother expressed to her that we were Buddhist, and were not interested in abandoning our philosophy.

Of course, respecting each other’s beliefs is important, and I have no problem participating in a prayer at Thanksgiving once a year or occasionally listening to someone educate me on their Religion. But as an atheist, if I went around treating religious people how they treat me, I would be “inconsiderate, disrespectful, and discriminatory”. A Catholic can lecture me on how I need God’s forgiveness and that eternal suffering awaits me, a woman from Kentucky can deny marriage licenses to homosexuals and in turn receive a visit from two Presidential Candidates. But, my whole life, as an atheist, I have not been able to express myself freely about my beliefs. This hypocrisy regarding freedom of faith has been a constant battle for me. And, frankly, I find there to be a double standard.