Religion has always been the dividing and uniting factor for the masses. No matter how unwilling we are to accept it, religion plays a major role in politics, wars and even friendships. But every alpha needs an omega and this is where Atheism comes into the picture. Many characters that we see on the small and big screens have turned to atheism due to their “analytical” or scientific approach to life. These characters are usually those that possess a high level of intellect, less-than-mainstream approach to problems and an emotionally distant personality. They usually leave the audience in a state of admiration and despite their obvious quirks and originality, there is one thing that unites them all- They’re all atheists.
Atheism has often been glorified on social media and pop culture because it is “preached” as an intellectual elevation of one’s self from the mortal need of a religion. Make no mistake, this blog is not aimed as slander to atheists but serves more to question the glamour of it. What makes atheism have this aura that pulls the youth towards it like moths to a flame? 85.9% of the human race is said to be affiliated to some religion or the other. This means that a vast majority of us are born into religion, raised by our parents based on the guidelines set by that religion and when we reach an intellectual crossroads in our late-teen years, we either choose to continue following that religion or we renounce the same. Today, many young adults you would find online on social media sites, proudly announce themselves as atheists. Is this because their teachings have helped them see through the need for a religion or is it because of peer pressure?
Since a human being denounces their association with a religious community, does this make them less of a human? Do they lose their right to enjoy the freedoms of society? An atheist does not believe murder is right for the same reason religion teaches us that it is a sin- because it is inhuman. An atheist does not inconvenience people with malice of forethought because years of evolution have ingrained in us what is wrong and what is right. The same instinct that teaches animals to help each other also teaches us empathy to our fellow man.
The fact of the matter is, as much as you choose to deny it, atheism is a religion. It is a movement, just like Christianity or Islam. This statement might come off as an oxymoron but when you reflect on it, why do most atheists choose that path? The majority of the time it is because they feel they do not need a higher power dictating what is right and what is wrong because they have learnt what the world has had to teach them through education and personal experience. You do not believe in the existence of a God(s) but you DO have a god – You. You are the sole decider of your fate, master of your universe, rule maker, judge and jury. Atheism does not make you a murderous juggernaut because you use logic to differentiate. Good and bad are like the binary system of the world. You use logic while making decisions based on what you believe is right and wrong instead of looking up a prehistoric book that has guidelines set in stone.
Religion in essence, is a set of guidelines that teaches you good morals. Every religion teaches goodness in different ways. Christianity teaches you to love thy neighbour, Sikhism teaches you to feed the needy, Hinduism teaches you to treats guests like a deity. The atheist, does not believe these to be a sham, the atheist understands these are the essence of a good human being and could possibly include these in their own doctrines.
Pop Culture figures like House MD, Sherlock Holmes and Sheldon Cooper are all portrayed as exceptionally intelligent and they all carry the banner of atheism, making it the New Normal. These characters have created the impression that “atheism = cool” and thus further contribute to the stigma that if you are an atheist, you’re one of the cool kids. Religious teens and young adults are often ridiculed and struck off as lesser beings due to their theological beliefs. The world needs religion as much as it needs atheists, but there is no room for this stigma. You could very well be the pace-setter in your field while adhering to a certain theology. Whether that is one you set for yourself or one that has existed for centuries, that is for you to decide.
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