bookwormchic

I just joined 43 Things and added this to my list. I was raised (semi-)Catholic (we never went to church, except when I had to for school, I went to parochial schools for elementary). I’ve looked into many different religions and I just didn’t buy it. I prefer to be amazed and awed by science and the power of humans and the earth. But for some reason, I always had a hard time explaining why I feel this way when asked about it.

About two hours after I clicked “I want to do this,” a pair of Elders knocked on my door. My fiance’s family is LDS (he’s not practicing but most of them are, and they’re all very accepting of each individual’s choices) so I know from his brothers that missions consist of getting a lot of doors slammed in their faces. They were both very nice and I told them that I was an atheist and invited them in (part because I wanted to talk and part because I have three cats and didn’t want to stand with the door open and deal with them trying to make an escape lol).

We ended up talking for over an hour and I really enjoyed the conversation. We discussed how there are lots of misconceptions about both Mormons and atheists. They actually said that I was the third atheist they had talked to and that we (the atheists) were among the most polite and friendly people they had encountered (aside from the people they were actually teaching, I’m sure). I was just really happy to have an intelligent conversation with someone who is highly committed to their faith and be able to explain why I feel the way I do and have them understand and not look down on me for it. It was quite liberating to explain why I feel this way. They said they appreciated that the atheists they met (myself included) had actually thought about their beliefs (or lack thereof) and decided that they didn’t believe in a god, instead of just saying “Fuck you and fuck God!”...not in those words of course, but you get the point.

I went through a period of deep introspection and delving into other faiths and none of them fit. The closest things that I’ve found are Zen Buddhism and Taoism, but they’re philosophies more than religions as neither have a deity or require any worship. I realized long ago that I just can’t have “faith” in something, that I need proof to believe it. I still feel very strongly about this but I respect other peoples decisions and beliefs. If others can believe in something without proof or evidence, that’s fine…but it’s not for me. Thomas Paine once said “My mind is my church.” I second that sentiment.

The Elders were very sweet and we had a great talk and they asked if they could stop by again to meet my fiance and that if we needed help with anything at our house, they’d be happy to give us aid. I thanked them and said that they were welcome to come back. They were nice young men and I thank them for allowing me to speak my mind without fear of judgement.