Often a lot of us take things as important as religion for granted. Christianity has been an influential and popular religion with African Americans, but not everyone feels the same way. Some people decide that religion is not very important or that it’s ridiculous altogether. Jerrell Allen, of The Panther, interviewed “Sebastian,” who shared his experience as an atheist.Jerrell: Define “atheist” and what the title means to you.
Sebastian: Basically, I have no belief in a higher being, no God.
Jerrell: What is your religious background? Were your parents religious?
Sebastian: My mother was not really very religious (though she is technically a Baptist). Both of my grandmothers are churchgoing people, and one of my grandfathers is a deacon. It wasn’t a really big deal to me when I was younger, but it did make me consider my religious beliefs.
Jerrell: Have you ever faced any persecution or any hardship because of your faith (or rather, lack of faith)?
Sebastian: I wouldn’t say persecution, but I get into a lot of arguments with my friends (and sometimes, girlfriends) about this sort of thing.
Jerrell: What do you think of people who are really religious?
Sebastian: Hmm.I think I’ll just withhold from commenting.
Jerrell: What do you think about people who proclaim they are witnesses to miracles only God could orchestrate?
Sebastian: (whistles and thinks for a moment), I guess they are gullible, but I’m not judging them. I personally believe that miracles are just nothing more than sleight of hand like a magic trick.
Jerrell: What are your thoughts on apocalyptic prophecy and the so-called “end of the world” theories religious people believe in so strongly?
Sebastian: OK, so I do believe that the world is going to come to an end, but none of the religious people seem to have gotten it right. I believe in more of a philosophical “everything comes to an end” belief.
Jerrell: The afterlife is a center of importance for many religious people, what do you think about the concept of life after death?
Sebastian: My beliefs are altruistic. I think life is a process, not something that starts and ends every 70 years or so. We are all a part of the earth, and when I die, I’ll become part of the life that inhabits it.
Jerrell: What are your thoughts on the origin of life (creation, etc.)?
Sebastian: Scientific. Big bang theory is probably the best way to go.
Jerrell: How do you feel about the importance religion has to modern politics (faith based initiatives, etc.)?
Sebastian: Religion has influenced politics a great deal recently, but it isn’t always a bad thing. Religious traditions established a great deal of original law. The Ten Commandments were important to governmental and moral values. There isn’t anything wrong with it.
Jerrell: Are you familiar with any important religious texts (as in, have you ever studied a particular religion or had any prolonged contact with one)?
Sebastian: I studied the Bible for about four years. I didn’t think it was a factual document; it seemed more like a fable to me. It isn’t any different than Santa Claus; they’re all fairy tales that people use to influence your morality.
Jerrell: Thank you so much for your time, my last question is; do you believe that religious people will ever be able to coexist peacefully with nonbelievers, or is that impossible in our society? Are we doomed to moral crusades for the rest of our existence?
Sebastian: Yeah, I think we can coexist. But then again, there will always be disagreements, as long as we all believe in the freedom of speech.