Sometimes I Scare Myself
I've been reading a series of posts at Pharyngula, written not by PZ Myers, but by 'ordinary' individuals who explain, Why I am an atheist. Most of the contributors do more than just state the obvious, giving, instead, an account of how they came to see themselves as atheists. I'm glad of that because reading over and over again, because there are no gods, would get very boring, very quickly.
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Cute picture of Ceiling Cat
Sometimes, a snippet catches my eye, either because it makes me laugh or because it seems spot on. For example, a lady from Australia, identifying as Jessica, wrote, "As for my destiny or whatever, I have pretty much come to the conclusion that the universe doesn’t give two shits about anyone." No prizes for guessing the connection with this post. And just to clarify, Jessica's words made me laugh.
Here are some snippets I saved...
David Spero - "... when I had a moment of clarity while praying for guidance."
Cat - "The big turning point for me wasn’t realizing “I just can’t believe this” so much as realizing that the fact that I couldn’t believe it didn’t necessarily mean that something was wrong with me."
Rikitiki - "However, in reading through the bible (ugh! that was a chore reading the whole thing), that rigorous honesty thing was part of it. And, I had to be honest with myself: it was a load of made-up crap! Not just mythology, but LOUSY mythology. I’ve read better mythology in my Dungeons & Dragons books (which, I think, many years ago helped soften me up for non-belief)."
T.E.P. - "... with pictures on the walls of lions and camels and all the exciting and exotic bits of the bible, such as are wont to capture the imagination of a four-year old."
Natasha Krasle - "There was just no reason I had to believe something quite frankly silly to be a whole, happy person living on a fascinating speck in a vast and astounding universe."
This one, from Adam, really pulled me up short...
"I’ve been religion-free for six years and my life has only gotten better."
I've never been to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, but isn't that very similar to what the attendees say? It's been tumbling around in my head for a while, and this is the result:
Puff For The Preacherman
At these times,
when my lights are low
and my faith is blurry round the edges,
I tremble and crave for sweet redeeming fear.
I shiver
with delicious
terror as my demons venture forth,
teasing me with their promises of pain.
Every time
I need their presence,
I imagine them more powerful.
So strong that I cannot defeat them alone.
Calling out,
I summon my lord,
conjured as a warrior from my dreams,
who gives me strength to crush my fantasy foes.
Like a shot
of adrenaline,
my craving is satiated.
I am invincible with my warrior lord!
I am strong.
I am energised.
I am compelled to share this bounty.
Won't you open your heart to my addiction?
I promise
you will ever thank me.
Open your mind to your fears!
Without them you cannot find the warrior lord.
If not you,
then give me your children.
Let me saturate their minds.
Let me teach them dependence on redemption.
I am bold.
An unrepentant
pusher, targeting you all.
Both unaware, and proud, of my addiction.
I implore you.
I'm here every week.
Come, feed me your darkest fears
that I might amplify them via my hall of mirrors.
