Admitting I’m an atheist always feels a bit unsettling. There’s something about the label that just doesn’t sit right with me. Why do we even need labels like this?

Let’s think about it – when a baby pops out into this crazy world, are they clutching a Bible, a Torah, or reciting verses from the Quran? Nope. They’re just… being. No gods, no dogma, no religious rituals. The concept of religion simply doesn’t exist for them. This, to me, underscores a fundamental truth – atheism, or rather the absence of religious belief, is humanity’s original state. We aren’t born yearning for divine intervention; religious beliefs are introduced to us as we grow.

So, the question arises: why label ourselves based on a default state? It seems as absurd as denying belief in mythical creatures we’ve never entertained as real. The necessity of such labels feels redundant, almost trivial.

I understand the importance of identity and the value some find in belonging to a community. However, categorizing what is essentially a natural state of being seems counterintuitive. I don’t view myself as an atheist in the same way I don’t consider myself a non-astrologer; my life isn’t guided by astrology, so why make it a point of identification?

Ironically, identifying as an atheist sometimes feels like subscribing to another form of dogma, suggesting an organized set of principles I must adhere to. But isn’t the idea to move beyond rigid frameworks of belief?

What if we shifted our focus from labels to what really matters – our shared experiences, our quest for knowledge, and truth? This is a thought I believe is worth discussing, especially in spaces dedicated to exploring religious perspectives.

I’m eager to hear your thoughts. Do you find the label “atheist” redundant? Should we aim to transcend these labels and embrace a more inclusive understanding of our natural state of being? Comment below and let’s have a discussion.