I am a 53 year old, white, married male, a lawyer by trade, living in America, and an atheist. I’ve been agnostic, or areligious, or just intellectually lazy (pick one) since I was a teenager. I attended Catholic elementary and secondary schools, but never found much substance to the various religious courses I was forced to take. None of the thinking ever coalesced for me. Once I graduated from high school, I became convinced that organized religions were simply institutions of self-perpetuation, but I avoided the ultimate question of whether there was actually a god. To a certain extent, it didn’t matter to me, I didn’t care, because I was (pick one from above). But in quiet moments it bothered me. Did he or didn’t he? Was he or wasn’t he? Is he or isn’t he?
Finally, about four or five years ago, once I reached the age where my children were almost grown, and it was natural, and even expected, to be a bit more philosophical as one got longer in the tooth, and after some chance discussions with online friends, I took the bull by the horns, and began a serious, systematic inquiry, on the pros and cons of whether there was a god. I read all the books I could get my hands on. Some day I’ll list them. I joined Internet Infidels and debated many of the issues I was reading about, but mostly read other posts, and learned a lot. As I said, I started from the agnostic position, so my tendency was to confirm that, but I kept an open mind. Once I felt conversant in skepticism and critical thinking, I knew that theism made no sense.
So here I am.
And for those of you who are a bit younger than me, or who may not “get” the allusion in my title, it’s from a very famous (at least to me) Monty Python skit. You can read along here: Written skit.
Oh. And I’m not Spanish. Not even remotely Hispanic. More like a mongrel mix of Irish, German, and a few other northern Europeans so far unidentified.
And at About the Inquisitor - Redux, I’ve expounded a bit more.
________________________________________________________________
We have our similarities. I’m a white male, 53, with no beliefs in the supernatural. In the category of “differences”, I was raised a Mormon, knew from early teens that it was bunk, and became an atheist before I was 20. People told me that I would “come back to Jesus”. i never have and at 53 have never been so certain that there is no god. My kids are grown also. They were raised as born-again Christians in my wife’s faith. I didn’t interfere but I have always spoken my mind with them, her and everyone else. I don’t think I’m a classic “angry atheist” - I just know what I think and not afraid to say it. Oh, and I’m not a lawyer! More like a retired/disabled muser of the absurdities of existence. Good blog. As an attorney, you have a lot to contribute to the discussion. Carry on!
I stumbled on your blog - what a great find!
I posted part of your article about Hitler, Stain and Pol Pot on my website,. with full credit to you.
Link:
http://atheisttoolbox.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3731
Seen this one?
Candidate’s Religious Beliefs
I feel like I’m reading my own story. Hope you don’t mind. I added you to my blogroll. I found you through Atheist Revolution.
Your blog is a great find! Keep up the good work!
I found it just randomly going on the wordpress.
Love the logic and rational explanations and theorizations used. Kudos and keep being skeptical.
I’m always fascinated by the fact that in the U.S. believing in a god is THE NORM, whereas in western Europe, where I was raised, it is quite the opposite. In fact, people who discover “God,” especially the Christian god, are usually viewed with some suspicion, hence ex-PM Tony Blair’s reluctance to talk about his own faith in public. Unlike his buddy George W.
Just found you! Treasure for the day.
Thank you for your writing.
Spanish Inquisitor -
Thanks for the comments on my blog. I’m not exactly sure why you think I would moderate your comment but thanks for the challenge. And yes I posted it. I don’t know anyone Christian or not, who being convinced in what they think, doesn’t honestly wish for others to know what they think they know and to cause others to think about things. This means we all think we are right in some respects. You think you are right in your position as atheist, I think I am right as a believer in God. We hope that through dialogue we will strengthen the position of our thinking or learn, but this does not happen by only listening to those who agree with us and think like us. I obviously hear from many who think like me, which makes me feel good but doesn’t always teach me something or stretch my thinking. Mostly, these kind of things stroke our egos. As I read some of your blog I notice (like mine) many who basically agreed with each other. My hope was to comment and enter into the dialogue with my thinking, which is obviously going to originate from a different logical path and reasoning in addition to drawing different conclusions. I have realize from other commenters that they only want to hear from those who think in a similar vein and to say differently with equal conviction provokes frustration or anger. I’m not sure I understand that. But, for the sake of honest dialogue I thank you for allowing my thoughts to be shared because I know they will be different. In the same way I welcome your thoughts knowing they are different. I would love to change you position. I don’t necessarily expect to. I do however want to know how you and others think and why. This helps me understand your logic and reason though though it may not change my thinking.
As for others who have commented, though angry or vulgar comments don’t offend me, they don’t make for good debate or intelligent conversation.
Thanks.