Why I am an Atheist

by Bhagat Singh

I am a man and nothing more.

"Philosophy is the outcome of human weakness or limitation of knowledge".

Study to enable yourself to face the arguments advanced by opposition.

Realism became our cult.

'Belief' softens the hardships, even can make them pleasant. In God man can find very strong consolation and support. Without Him, the man has to depend upon himself.

A God-believing Hindu might be expecting to be reborn as a king, a Muslim or a Christian might dream of the luxuries to be- enjoyed in paradise and the reward he is to get for his sufferings and sacrifices. But what am I to expect? I know the moment the rope is fitted round my neck and rafters removed, from under my feet. That will be the final moment that will be the last moment. I, or to be more precise, my soul, as interpreted in the metaphysical terminology, shall all be finished there. Nothing further.

Self-reliance is always liable to be interpreted as vanity. It is sad and miserable but there is no help.

Criticism and independent thinking are the two indispensable qualities of a revolutionary.

Because Mahatamaji is great, therefore none should criticize him. Because he has risen above, therefore everything he says-may be in the field of Politics or Religion, Economics or Ethics-is right. Whether you are convinced or not you must say, "Yes, that's true". This mentality does not lead towards progress. It is rather too obviously, reactionary.

Where direct proofs are lacking philosophy occupies the important place.

Philosophy is the outcome of human weakness.

Any man who stands for progress has to criticize, disbelieve and challenge every item of the old faith. Item by item he has to reason out every nook and corner of the prevailing faith. If after considerable reasoning one is led to believe in any theory or philosophy, his faith is welcomed. His reasoning can be mistaken, wrong, misled and sometimes fallacious. But he is liable to correction because reason is the guiding star of his life. But mere faith and blind faith is dangerous: it dulls the brain, and makes a man reactionary.

Moreover do you know that the greatest sin in this world is to be poor? Poverty is a sin, it is a punishment.

It was perhaps Upton Sinclair that wrote at some place that just make a man a believer in immortality and then rob him of all his riches, and possessions. He shall help you even in that ungrudgingly.

Let me tell you, British rule is here not because God wills it but because they possess power and we do not dare to oppose them.

The idea of God is helpful to man in distress.