As the New Spokesperson on How To Be An Atheist...

As I was reading through the comments on my post about my disdain for believers and how I am realizing that is the opposite end of respect I wanted to answer one comment in particular.

smijer said... "I don't know exactly what the right response is. I know it isn't my place to instruct others advice on how to worship. And, I know it's hopeless to try to educate my creationist fellows. But, how are you supposed to feel about people whose beliefs seem so ... how else can I say it? Childish? How can I learn to see it in a respectful way? I really am at a loss, and it's something that worries me all the time."

Really, I do not proclaim to be a spokesperson for Atheists learning to live lightly in the world with believers, but this is where I am today with how I plan to go forward.

• First, I am an Atheist who is comfortable not knowing all the answers (which would probably make me an Agnostic, but that isn't sexy right now).
• Because I don't know all the answers I can have space in my mind for things I don't know or understand. One of those thing is the worship style and belief in God that 95% of Americans practice.
• By opening up that space I can have more kindness to their experience, because really I don't understand it, need it or know what it is for them - and that is OK.

So, I can be kind and that is all that I am asking of myself. Why judge them for their obvious pleasure in things I don't understand?

It occurs to me that they also don't understand me and usually they are kind to me. Granted, there are moments when I think they are kind so I will slide into their side, but that is ok. It also occurs to me that they may think some of the things that I like to be childish too - or fanatical. I like NPR in a worshipful way, I like the library and support it fervently, I believe to my bones that a woman has the right to choose, I am passionate about being a Democrat - all of these things might seem radical or odd to someone who doesn't share my passions or beliefs.

When I look down on them or think I am superior in anyway I feel bad. They may feel bad too. There is no joy in any of that and it only makes life harder. So, I suggest to all of us who think we know better then all the other people who worship one God or another that we relax a little and find curiosity and kindness within ourselves and share that with them.