If it's going to be, it's up to me.

My beliefs.

I am an atheist. This is my religion, or rather non-religion, of choice.

  • Religion is inherited, like blue eyes and freckles. If people follow a religion at all, it is almost always that of their parents.
  • Since every religion is different, they cannot all be right.

If there is a good and loving God, I cannot believe that he would condemn good people to eternal damnation just because of an accident of birth.

Instead I believe that GOOD people will go to Heaven, if such a place exists, ahead of someone who  prays every day but who is not a good person.

It may surprise the average American Christian, but there are billions of people throughout the world who do not believe Christ is their savior, or even that there is a God at all.

 "Abou Ben Adhem"
 
Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase!)
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace,
And saw, within the moonlight in his room,
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom,
An Angel writing in a book of gold:
 
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold,
And to the Presence in the room he said,
"What writest thou?" The Vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord
Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord."
 
"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so,"
Replied the Angel. Abou spoke more low,
But cheerily still; and said, "I pray thee, then,
Write me as one who loves his fellow men."
 
The Angel wrote, and vanished. The next night
It came again with a great wakening light,
And showed the names whom love of God had blessed,
And, lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest!
 
 -- By Leigh Hunt.