Of Gods, Atheists, and Comfort in Crisis
They say there are no atheists in foxholes. For those raised in a society where most people believe a deity created the Earth and maintains a special relationship with humans, this could be true. In times of crisis, even the most ardent disbeliever might, understandably, cast reason aside and cry out for help from beyond.
I was brought up in such a society: the USA. My upbringing was largely secular, however; my family celebrated Christmas and some Jewish holidays, but did not attend religious services. I began to doubt the existence of God by the time I was old enough to think critically.
At the age of 16, I determined that God was created in the image of man, and not the other way around, and thus declared myself an atheist. I’m now 50, and while I’ve explored various religions over the decades — and identified as a Buddhist for about 20 years — I’ve never seriously wavered from atheism. The Western concept of an all-powerful, all-knowing deity that listens to humans and intervenes in our affairs is simply too incredible for me to believe.
Yet, at times I do find myself wondering if there is some powerful entity out there who can guide humanity. It would be a true shame if humans were the most advanced lifeforms in the universe. We are a violent and deeply flawed species, bent on dominating and destroying our planet…
