Brand New Atheist

Approximately one year ago today (October 1st 2007) I became and atheist. Every now and then I educate myself or I get educated. For instance, about a month ago (August 26th 2008) I became a vegetarian. And about a month ago (September 2nd 2008) I became a democrat.

A lot has changed for me since I became an atheist but my overall life has changed very little. I haven’t been disowned by anyone nor have I had to defend myself physically. I started writing down my thoughts the day I became an atheist and that eventually became BrandNewAtheist.com. Then I created my Twitter account to post small thoughts and sarcastic comments. I have a small following on Twitter which means a few people are occasionally interested in what I say.

What has changed the most for me is the way I think. Once I removed anything supernatural most of the ways I think about things changed in an instant. It has made me so much happier than I ever was before. It’s like being released from a mental prison and knowing they can never put you away again.

I thank all of you who have befriended be on Twitter and commented on my site.

This is my first 9/11 as an atheist.

9/11 isn’t a holiday but it has become a day that Americans remember being attacked by religious extremist. America is the head of the snake. Yes, I know where I was on 9/11.

I was really ignorant about why anyone would hate our country. Like most Americans I spend my time with my family or working.

After becoming an atheist I now realize that religious extremist are what come from showing respect to religion. Religion doesn’t deserve respect nor should we give it. I’m not talking about people, I’m talking about religion. People can be religious, they can change and be non-religious, but religion will always be religion.

This is my first Labor Day as an atheist.

First I’m going to explain what Labor Day means to me now, then I’m going to look it up online.

Before Research: I have no idea what Labor Day is about. People working, is that it? Really?

After Research: It’s about people who worked over 100 years ago and got the day off. I guess they needed a holiday for that.

I worked on Labor Day and the Sunday before that and the Saturday before that. I run my own business and holidays mean nothing to guys like us.

This is my first Independence as an atheist.

I asked my girls what holiday today was and they both said “4th of July”, I explained the “4th of July” is a date not a holiday. My youngest said “Independence Day” which surprized me. I told Karen that if it had been on another day we might not refer to it as the date itself. For instance, we woulnd’t refer to “Independence Day” by it’s date had it been October 23rd or the 23rd of October. It just so happens that “4th of July” rolls off the tongue easily, that has to be the only reason we refer to ID that way.

I’ve never appreciated or understood ID more than I do now. While I don’t really have an allegance to America I do think this is a good country even with all of it’s problems. I’m not proud to be an American, I don’t understand how you can be proud of something that you never had a choice about. That’s like saying you’re proud to be short or proud to be old. Most people believe in the God that is believed by most of the people in that area, how can you be proud of that.

I’m very ignorant about other countries because I’ve never been outside the US, not even to Canada. I was born and raised here, I didn’t have a choice to be American.

What’s great about this country is that after 36 years of being a christian I did the research and realized that Gods aren’t real and I became an open atheist and no one is trying to kill me. I believe if I had been born in the UK no one would be trying to kill me either. However, had I been born in a country that believes in Allah I don’t think I could be an open atheist.

Independence Day is a great holiday but how long before it doesn’t matter anymore and no one cares? As long as people think “4th of July” is the holiday they get to shoot fireworks it may never end.

Independence was a step forward for this country but with all of the religous policy in government too many steps backwards are being taken.

This is my first Father’s Day as an atheist.

First I’m going to explain what Father’s Day means to me now, then I’m going to look it up online.

Before Research: Father’s Day is a made up Holiday to celebrate men you who have had children. Surprisingly, being an atheist hasn’t changed things around me like many of the people I’ve read about.

After Research: I was right, there’s not much to Father’s Day.

This is my first Memorial Day as an atheist.

First I’m going to explain what Memorial Day means to me now, then I’m going to look it up online.

Before Research: What does Memorial Day mean now? I’ve always assumed Memorial Day was designed to recognize the soldiers that have died in the name of the United States.

After Research: For the most part I was correct in my assumption.

This is my first birthday as an atheist.

Birthday #37. Honestly, no different than any other. One of my gifts was Rainbow 6 Vegas 2, good stuff.

Being an atheist hasn’t affected my birthday in any way.

This is me first April Fools Day as an atheist.

I considered telling people I changed my mind about atheism after seeing Jesus but I honestly just didn’t want to say that.

I’ll do a lot for a joke but couldn’t bring myself to doing this just incase someone actually believed me.

This is my first Easter as an atheist.

First I’m going to explain what Easter means to me now, then I’m going to look it up online.

Before Research: Easter is the one day a year that children hunt artificial or boiled and painted eggs. It seems to have no relevance to adults. Why does Easter exist? I have no idea. Is Easter related to some other event? None that I’m aware of. I look at Easter and Halloween as very similar. Kids gets candy. Easter has never meant more than kids and candy to me.

After Research: Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus three days after he was killed. I didn’t know that but it doesn’t really surprise me. Easter is also linked to Passover. As far as I’m concerned Easter will remain about kids and candy. If I can age 36 years in America and not know what Easter meant then it doesn’t deserve more than a colored goose egg.

This is my first Saint Patrick’s Day as an atheist.

First I’m going to explain what Saint Patrick’s Day means to me now, then I’m going to look it up online.

Before Research: Saint Patrick’s Day is the one day a year that Americans pinch each other for not wearing green. People also like to make things green that normally wouldn’t be. Why does Saint Patrick’s Day exist? I have no idea. Is Saint Patrick’s Day related to some other event? None that I’m aware of. I assume Saint Patrick’s Day is something they celebrate in Ireland and we do it here just for fun.

After Research: Saint Patrick’s Day turns out to be religious. Are you serious? I thought it was about a place or a thing, it never occurred to me that it was an actual person. I was partly correct, it’s celebrated in Ireland. The story of Saint Patrick’s Day isn’t very interesting either. The day was mostly over before I even knew it was Saint Patrick’s Day. And it still doesn’t mean anything to me.