Now, I class myself as an Atheist (as well as a Browncoat)
A humanist, an anti-theist, a feminist and, I have been told, a socialist.
I always knew that I was an atheist, but never had an intelligent reason as to why, beyond "because there is no God..? Duh?" - until I really discovered what atheism was, and why it was.
I was once asked by a Philosophy teacher at school, who happened to be a Christian priest, and an intelligent, thoughtful and decent man, as well as an admirer of free thought and inquiry (which seems oxymoronic, but he pulled it off somehow) - "How would you class your religious views? Would you say that you were an Atheist?"
"..umm, no, probably agnostic" I replied "I do not believe in any God, I abhor organised religion, and don't even ask me what my experience of people of faith has been, because I will have to swear. A lot. A lot more than usual."
"So not atheist then, you would consider yourself 'agnostic'?"
"Yeah, I reckon so. I'm an open minded person, I'm happy to be proven wrong. I don't consider other people's beliefs 'wrong' as such, they can believe whatever they want - I just so happen to believe in nature and the laws of the universe, and I consider God to be comparable to Father Christmas or the Easter bunny. I always knew that I was supposed to believe in them, but I never have."
I was barely 16 at the time, and more concerned with tracking down old T-Rex b-sides than I was with my spiritual growth, or the expansion of my understanding of the world or humanity or even history - I knew that I didn't believe in God, so what else was there to talk about? Did it matter whether I was agnostic, or atheistic or whatever? (I also definitely didn't understand what either of those terms realy means, I'm pretty sure I thought 'an atheist' was an angry protester who burnt down churches and was somehow a rude word, and that an agnostic was just someone who didn't give a shit either way)
--
Years later, perhaps seven or eight years later, I bumped into this philosophy teacher in a pub in North London.
We caught up, chatted briefly about old times (well, he chatted about old times, I winced in an awkward embarrassment as I generally do when reminiscing about 'old times' - I am uniformly embarrassed of almost everything I do, almost the instant after having done it)
He pointed out that I'd grown up into a young woman, with long brown hair and a smile, no longer a young girl with short pink hair and a snarl, and I pointed out that he still had the same goat-like beard and kind eyes.
Just before we parted he asked me "So, are you still agnostic? What are your religious tendencies these days, did you ever decide?"
I laughed and compared general views on agnosticism to general views on bisexuality.. one day they will come off the fence and pick a side.
"Ahh, I'm familiar with the opinion - there's no such thing as neutral, only unaware. And greedy! So, really, surely you haven't discovered God?"
---
So, this evening, here I sit in my front room, having poured myself a glass of Black Label and lit myself a cigarette, in honour of a truly great man.
This one's to you, Hitch, from a grateful young Contrarian.
For a lifetime of fiercely demanding skepticism, free inquiry and rational thought - I, undoubtedly among many, salute you. And I thank you.
- CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS -
3rd April 1949 - 15th December 2011
“Beware the irrational, however seductive. Shun the 'transcendent' and all who invite you to subordinate or annihilate yourself. Distrust compassion; prefer dignity for yourself and others. Don't be afraid to be thought arrogant or selfish. Picture all experts as if they were mammals. Never be a spectator of unfairness or stupidity. Seek out argument and disputation for their own sake; the grave will supply plenty of time for silence. Suspect your own motives, and all excuses. Do not live for others any more than you would expect others to live for you.”
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