I'm probably nicer than you!

*Disclaimer: This note will talk about God and religion. If it's going to offend you, you might want to skip this and read another one of my posts.

Hi. My name is Marta, and I'm an atheist. Yep, I don't believe in God. No amount of convincing, no matter how persuasive your argument, will not convert me. Don't try. A lot of people who know me, either share this view with me, or have absolutely no clue of my beliefs (or lack thereof). It would never occur to the people around me that I don't believe in God, BECAUSE I'M A GOOD PERSON! Surprise!! I might not believe in religion of any kind, but I do believe in the following:

■Right and wrong

■Honesty

■Compassion for those in need

■Love

■The importance of family

■Working for what you want

■Personal strength

■Treating others the way you want to be treated (if I’m mean to you, you wronged me first)

■Forgiveness (sounds funny after the last thing, but its true)

Now some of you might read that and say to yourself, “Why, those are good Christian values…” or something like that. And they are. Maybe. Hard to tell with the way a lot of people who are Christians act.

Considering it’s one of the most popular religions in the world, I’d like to think I have encountered a lot of Christians. Some, not all, but some, Christians don’t really live up to the values they preach about. I’ve crossed paths with many a “Christian” who has lied to me, wronged me, hurt me, or screwed me over in some other way, then sauntered over to church on Sunday. I find that kind of “Sunday Christian” disgusting. If you are going to claim to believe in something, live it! Actions speak louder than words, remember?? Once I was even lied to by the pastor of a Church!! And what about the Christians who cheat on their spouses? Or Use recreational drugs? Or abuse children? Beat their wife? Embezzle from an employer? I’ve seen it all. Is it any wonder I don’t believe in God after such shining examples of Christianity??

Did you know most of the wars in the world, both in the past and in present day are over religion? Every day, someone dies for not having the same beliefs as someone else. Killing in the name of God is the craziest and most un-Christian thing I have ever heard of. This atheist could never imagine taking a life (ok, there is one exception here, and if you knew the atrocities he has done to me and mine, you would agree, but I wouldn’t ever kill him, but if his brakes went out and he hit a tree, I wouldn’t be upset about it….) Anyway, this God I keep hearing all about apparently doesn’t condone killing, so Christians doing it “for him” is just nonsense. Although I did read in a book somewhere about Him killing entire populations of people he didn’t approve of, even though he made them, so maybe he does condone killing and I’m just confused….

So please, when I tell you I don’t believe in your God, don’t get offended. Instead, ask yourself, what kind of person am I?? Am I living up to the expectations God has set for me?? If you answer yes, my views shouldn’t bother you, because you are secure in your faith. And if the answer is no, it’s probably because you are offending yourself….



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