"Atheists feel that their views are more than a denial of a God ; for them , atheism is also way to find new purpose and meaning in life without confining themselves , or their beliefs , to a set of rules . Quick fix Comparative Religions teacher Cherie McGinn has always been aware of atheism among her students , but says that it is often a temporary belief . McGinn feels atheism can often be a `` quick fix `` for students who are still searching or need a way to declare their independence . '' It 's easier to say ' I do n't believe in God ' than to say , ' I believe in this , `` McGinn explains . According to McGinn , most people who claim to be atheists are probably agnostic , or people who do not believe God 's existence can be proved either way . '' It takes a strong level of commitment and understanding to be a true atheist , `` says McGinn ."
"The `` truth `` about atheism is that it 's the only proposition that makes sense ( apart from agnosticism ? ) to people who conclude , as I do , that religious principles are not based on reason . I know it 's a bit unusual in a public forum but I 'd like to introduce a little personal history here by way of illustration of my path to atheism : I was educated during my most impressionable years ( 11-18 ) at a grammar school controlled by the Jesuits . All my teachers were priests and many were of formidable intellect . Every morning began with `` divine service `` , every lesson was started and ended with a prayer . At noon we sang the Angelus and at 3.30 in the afternoon we finished the school day with Benediction . We had at least one session a day learning and reciting the catechism - so we could be word perfect in our answers to metaphysical questions . Yet all this religious conditioning failed to arouse any spark of faith in me . Sure , I conformed to all outward appearances , but inwardly I rebelled and I did not believe . So why did n't I believe - because my clergymen teachers gave me no REASONS to do so . When , eventually , during my last days at school I chose to reveal my disbelief - the Rector said , `` Well , after all , faith is a gift from God ! `` , and I had received no such gift . Since , in my view , there is no reasoned evidence for God 's existence , why succumb to wish-fulfillment ? It 's less comforting but more honest to be an atheist ."
"Atheists feel that their views are more than a denial of a God ; for them , atheism is also way to find new purpose and meaning in life without confining themselves , or their beliefs , to a set of rules . ''"
"The `` truth `` about atheism is that it 's the only proposition that makes sense ( apart from agnosticism ? ) to people who conclude , as I do , that religious principles are not based on reason ."