Anyone who thinks that atheists don't believe in any gods simply to avoid responsibility have obviously never had much to do with any atheists. Atheism is a very lonely and frightening path that leads us deep into the unknown. There are no guarantees and everything is subject to change as new evidence is presented. No wonder then that atheists would reach out seeking other non-believers with which to share their thoughts and experiences. You'd think that finding such a community would be a great source of comfort and joy.
But you might be wrong.
With atheism often comes a high degree of skepticism which is both healthy and necessary for our continued growth as educated people. However, the skeptical atmosphere can be very discouraging and intimidating for a budding atheist. When I first "came over to the Dark Side," I joined an atheist forum in order to discuss my feelings and ideas. Some people were very supportive but there were others who tore my posts apart and searched every nit-picking sentence for flaws. I felt so stupid and ashamed that I didn't post anything else for a couple of years.
Looking back, I realize that learning to accept criticism is a good thing because it keeps us on our toes. Nevertheless, it can be very difficult for someone who has not had much exposure to skeptical or scientific thinking. Putting these people on the defensive is probably the last thing we need. And as our small Mississippi community of atheists grows, I hope we will all keep in mind that not everyone who joins us started on the same level as we perhaps did. We can be critical thinkers and questioners without being harsh or overly critical. If our goal is to increase the number of confident, educated minds in this state, I think it's imperative that we always remember that our path is painful enough without causing any more needless sorrow.
Tags: atheist, atheism, community, skepticism, criticism, Mississippi