Atheism is the absence of a belief in religion or higher power and a rejection of the existence of gods or deities. Some people who call themselves atheists could be overly skeptical or negative about religion and avoid learning more about the topic. They may even have burning questions about religion they want answered. All perspectives should be respected, but if you identify with the atheist way of thinking, there are some things you possibly haven’t considered about religion that may surprise you!
1. There’s so much diversity in beliefs—even within the same religion!
Religions encompass a wide range of beliefs, and there truly are so many variations out there with unique ways of existing. Even one single religion can have several branches that follow different guidelines. Buddhism, for example, has three main schools: Mahayana, Theravada, and Vajrayana. So religion is less uniform than you may think.
2. You could have more in common than you initially thought.
Plenty of religious texts encourage positive values such as compassion, justice, kindness, and empathy. Whether you’re an atheist or religious, we can all agree that most of us share these traits, and nurturing them is important for creating a better world. Makes you think, right?
3. The cultural impact of religion is EVERYWHERE.
Religion has influenced human culture since the dawn of time. From architecture to paintings to literature. Even music, films, and social norms! The impact of religion is EVERYWHERE. Think about it: Christmas is a Christian holiday, and how many Christmas movies are out there in the world? In my opinion, How the Grinch Stole Christmas is the best one
4. If you’re a history buff, you can’t avoid learning about religion.
Religion is quite closely tied to the history of the world, in some cases, it’s impossible to separate. For instance, Ancient Egypt had complex belief systems, often involving various gods, rituals, and traditions. To properly learn about Ancient Egyptian culture, you must learn about their religious beliefs. The same can be said for a lot of fascinating civilizations from the past.
5. Religions can guide us on morals and ethics.
Buddhism and Hinduism both strongly follow the concept of karma, meaning they believe that our actions have consequences and that what you put out into the world is what you will receive back. So if you act poorly or with bad intentions, you will receive that energy in return. This principle can make us consider how we treat people, and encourage us to live a more ethical and well-meaning life.
6. Community support and a sense of belonging are powerful.
It’s no secret that every human being wants to feel loved, respected, and like they have a support system. We also all want to feel validated and have a shared sense of belonging with other people. Many religions provide emotional, physical, financial, and spiritual support, and encourage the importance of community. This support system built on shared values is powerful and creates a strong sense of connection.
7. Believe it or not, some religions have contributed to science!
Yes, for some, it may be hard to believe that religion and science can combine—especially for an atheist—but get this: The Islamic faith has made impressive contributions to the study of astronomy (not to be confused with astrology!). Between the 8th and 15th centuries, Islamic astronomers improved a framework called the Ptolemaic system. Their work is still used in astronomy today!
8. Religion has evolved and changed to be more inclusive.
We certainly live in a far more accepting and open world than in past decades, and some religions have evolved to fit modern times. This can be seen in Reform and Reconstructionist Judaism, where members have taken inclusive stances towards LGBTQ+, such as including transgender rabbis in ordination ceremonies.
9. You are not restricted to just your religion.
Just because someone is a devout follower of their religion does not mean they have to socialize with only their religion. In fact, many people from different religions are in the same social groups or even dating. Some even marry! In Canada, 43% of marriages are mixed-religion marriages, and, in Australia, it’s 35%, so interfaith relationships are on the rise.
10. Not all religious people follow a traditional life.
There are plenty of devout religious people who do not follow strict guidelines based on their beliefs or stay committed to traditional rules. It’s quite common amongst young people to follow their interpretation of their religion and live a far more modern life. Some may even practice other trending beliefs, like astrology.
11. You can gain insight and perspective by being curious about religion.
It’s so important to engage respectfully with others we may not fully understand—it can give us such a rich understanding of different perspectives and ideas. Talking to someone about their belief system could teach you things about yourself! Plus, the person may feel grateful that you wish to engage in their way of life.
12. Some therapy practices share methods with some religions.
If you’ve ever been to therapy, you’ve probably heard of the term “mindfulness” and the concept of being present to help you cope with everyday life. You may have even been suggested to meditate. This is actually a practice from the Buddhist faith and is used in the religion to get closer to oneness. If you’re curious about mindfulness, here are easy ways you can incorporate mindfulness into your romantic relationships.
13. Religion has influenced some famous debates in history.
One of the most notorious questions of existence is “What is the meaning of life?” and religion has been at the center of this debate for centuries. “The Teleological Argument” is a long-standing discussion between philosophers. It posits whether or not evidence of a higher power can be found in nature. For example, when we see a house, we assume someone built it. The Teleological Argument argues that if the earth exists, someone must’ve built it. That someone is possibly “God.”
14. People can leave religion. Some may even end up becoming atheists.
Some people can be born into a religion, have a religious family, and be raised with the religion, but feel no connection to it. Additionally, there are instances where people have experienced trauma within their religion, causing them to abandon it altogether. This is valid, and not everyone has an ideal experience with religion.
15. On the flip side, some serial non-believers can become devoutly religious.
There are reports of people having near-death experiences or a divine intervention that causes them to become committed to a religion. However, people don’t always need to experience life-changing events to become religious. Some people deeply connect with a religion and then convert. We all have free will and can change our life paths whenever we want.
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