Drew Sutton:

I am an Atheist. It’s not something I define myself by I simply find the notion of any religion being right to be somewhat implausible. However it’s very important to me to not rule anything out. I was raised as a Methodist Christian and when I decided I didn’t believe in God I became quite anti religion for many years. I felt I had been betrayed and lied to. How could anyone believe in something that I saw so many flaws in when science had so many answers that were far more tangible? 

Something changed one day though when I was 21. I realised that religion is very metaphorical. I’m not going to go into the details about what went off but let’s just say I was somewhat intoxicated. I suddenly realised that it didn’t matter if religion was right or wrong that it is a tool that can be used for good or evil. I also realised that humans are naturally arrogant. As soon as we figure something out we think we know everything. This period of my life taught me humility and it is a lesson I consider made me into a man. I may have been old enough to be a man before that but I certainly wasn’t mature enough or wise enough. Furthermore other people noticed it too, they didn’t know what had changed but several people told me how I had grown up recently.

So I have religion to thank for this. The journey I went on may not have been the standard path most tread but it worked for me and has allowed me to look at the world in a fair and purposeful way. What troubles me now are other people who consider themselves atheists who are anti religion. I understand why they are, they see too many problems with it. But there are just as many problems in everything really. We single out religion but it is politics that is causing the real problems in our lives. I don’t look at these people and think I’m better than them though, I wonder how can they expect respect from people when they don’t show it to whole demographics of society? Atheism should not be a movement. It should not have leaders or scientists known for their views on religion more than the achievements they have made in their specialised field. It should just be a word used to describe people on official statistics. For those that use it to define themselves they are too busy seeking answers still to see what is right there screaming out at them. Instead of looking for faults look for answers, they might lead you somewhere you weren’t expecting to go but I’m pretty sure you will like the destination. The more we are able to understand someone else’s views and show respect for them, even if we don’t agree, the easier it will be for people to work together to fix the problems in the world. Hate and bitterness are the enemy’s of everyone ultimately and are only used to divide us. How can you be happy and content with yourself if you are carrying anger around with you?

I’ve always had a problem with definitions. While they give us identity they also show our differences. This doesn’t necessarily have to be a problem if we are willing to accept our differences but people seem to be defining themselves by them more and more. Personal identity is one thing but when we use them to take on cultural and group identity we run the risk of losing our individuality and allowing others to judge us based on their own assumptions. But identity is important and it’s instinctive to want to be part of something.  So the important thing is treating everyone with respect, learning about each other’s beliefs and not taking yourself too seriously if someone is trying to offend you.

So I’m left wondering, how do I define myself?

Tall, thoughtful, eager to learn, British human being who wants peace for the world.

What about you?