Can an Atheist Value Faith? [View all]

[rug]

June 24, 2016
by Jeffrey Taylor

I need to start by saying this was a tough piece to write. I don’t want to alienate those readers who do follow a faith of some kind, and I don’t have a good answer to this titular question. As an atheist married to a pastor and who goes to church to support RevMo, I want to respect that people have faith. I try, but I don’t have a respect for faith that I wish I could.

Several years ago, I was discussing theology with an Episcopalian friend and he asked me “Do you specifically identify as an atheist?” I had to give it some thought. Usually when it came up, I would go ahead and say I was atheist. I hadn’t yet looked into different atheist groups like Secular Humanists or atheist churches.

Finally I replied, “I don’t necessarily identify as an atheist, but I do fit the definition of one because I don’t believe in any gods. If anything, I identify as a skeptic.” In simple terms, that means that I am skeptical of any notions that lack empirical evidence. Essentially the reason I can’t subscribe to a religion or belief in any gods is because I lack faith. So I’m what’s called an agnostic atheist. I came to this conclusion before I learned that there was a specific Skeptic community among some atheists.

I realize a lot of readers know exactly what I’m saying here, but many won’t, so I’ll break it down.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/theatheistandthepastor/2016/06/can-an-atheist-value-faith/