Wednesday, April 13, 2011

What Do Atheists Believe?

It's National Ask An Atheist Day, so I threw this together over coffee... I believe in coffee.

I believe in love and kindness
I believe in helping hands
I believe in strong opinions
I believe in taking stands
I believe cooperation
Overcomes the steepest odds
I believe we have a fighting chance

I don’t believe in gods.


I believe in education
I believe in learning science
I believe we see much further
When we climb atop of giants
I believe in writing poetry
And verses praising love
I believe that there are mysteries

But not a god above.


I believe in art and music
And the power of a voice
I believe in nature’s beauty
I believe we have a choice
I believe we have a future—
We’re in charge of how it looks—
I believe in sharing knowledge, too

But not in holy books


I believe we came from nothing
And to nothing we’ll return
I believe we don’t know everything
But much of it, we’ll learn
I believe we’re all connected
I believe all sorts of stuff
I believe we are humanity

And isn’t that enough?

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Lovely! :)

Tom Williamson said...

That sums up my beliefs as an atheist very nicely, thanks! :D

freelance said...

Brilliant :)

makita said...

Yep, definitely enough for me. Glad you feel the same way, and can articulate it way better than I ever could.

Stacy S. said...

Beautiful! :-)

sleepy in saudi said...

I really love your poem. Thanks!

Chris Dennett said...

Brilliant :)

Die Anyway said...

Religion and politics are pretty much verboten subjects in my workplace. I don't suppose most of my co-workers know I'm an atheist although the few who have noted my FSM license plate adornment and my Evolve Fish sticker have probably assumed that I'm not "normal". In any case, I don't think I'll be getting any questions today. Pity too, 'cause I've got some great answers.
The most I've had the nerve to try inside the office is to post this quote on my cube wall: "The deepest sin against the human mind is to believe things without evidence." - Thomas H. Huxley

Clare said...

Oh bravo! I think that sums it up quite nicely.

Anonymous said...

As long as atheists don't forget that all those good points aren't exclusive to atheists in any way, it's good :)

Jules said...

wonderful poem. I feel the same way. might have to print this out and carry it in my pocket for "poem in your pocket" day tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

I'm going to post this on my Facebook. I've been asked a lot of questions today, and this sums it all up nicely. Thank you, Cuttle.

Melissa said...

Wonderful! I found the poem I need to be carrying around this week.

Thank you!

Paleo said...

Wow, this is really amazing!

Richard said...

Amazing. I want to sing this.

entropy said...

Teh Cuttlefish does rock.

Anonymous said...

Hear! Hear!

Ctenotrish, Death's Ctenophore said...

And now I have found the poem for my pocket! Thanks, Cuttlefish, love it.

The Rational Pixies said...

That's just so lovely. A new classic :-)

Ken said...

Thank you, a simple yet elegant expression of the thoughts held by myself and many of my friends.

Well done, well done indeed.

Glendon Mellow said...

Almost musical. I really like this one.

P.F. Bruns said...

I believe I like this post a LOT. While I do believe something, or someone(s) created the universe, I don't think any religion has the right idea of who or what it is.

But I believe in you.