One evening at a church (Christian Protestant, in the USA) summer youth camp, our group sat on the grass by the baseball field and our guest was a young man who was an atheist. I think I was 13 or 14 or so. We just discussed things calmly, asking him questions and listening to his answers. I was amazed, he made such terrific sense - simple, straight-forward beliefs. I had been struggling with God belief for a while, and an example of this perspective helped me fit my own ideas together. I guess the camp directors thought it would be good to expose us to atheistic thinking (and, I agree, it was, but not in the way they expected).

My purpose in these web pages is to express myself, and hopefully help others in the same way that that young man did for me more than three decades ago (I think I would have become a non-believer eventually anyway, but it was comforting and gratifying to see an example someone else who didn't believe). Unlike many Christians, most Atheists don't want to evangelize and covert others, but I think it is important for the non-believer perspective to be part of the public dialogue (we hear the Christian perspective so much). So if you interested in an Atheist's perspective, please read on.

First of all I probably need to point out that I am not evil, depressed, or anti-social. I'm a good husband and good father, and a productive member of society. I treat others with respect and consideration. I do this because it is right and feels better to me (i.e. I have some measure of psychological and social health) and I'm a kind and gentle person by nature.

I'm tired of being hated for my (very reasonable) philosophical position. My ideas and beliefs are just as valid and respectable as those of the religious, in fact I believe they are more so. Christianity is not synonymous with virtue.

I and others recently (Jan 2006) spoke at a Unitarian Universalist service (where I'm a member), and this talk a good summary of much of what I believe, "Secular-Scientific-Techno-Humanistic-Futurism" :-), and includes some other interesting and worthwhile talks.

On Sunday October 8, 2006, I had the honor of joining a few other speakers at the Scouting For All rally, encourging the Boy Scouts of America to end their policy of discrimination against Gays and Atheists. You can read my speech here.

Here are some more of my comments/essays on various topics:
What about the bible?
Evolution
Evidence
Evolution of religions
spirituality
Who was Jesus?
politics
playing it safe
Thank God
Comments on rebel/conforming
A letter to the Carter Center
Some quotes I like (from usenet)
The Daily Show; Jon Stewart Interviewing Evangelical Jim Wallis
Which word fits best; Atheist or Agnostic?

And here is an excellent humor article. It's been on the around a while, but is still wonderful:
Why Can't I Own A Canadian?

waynes@san.rr.com

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