Late Night Fiction One man’s non-fiction

Just a Thought: Happiness

Ever have those times you're sitting outside, maybe having a cigarette or just taking a minute to yourself? I did this a lot when I smoked, but now I only do when I go for a drive and park somewhere for a bit. It's usually during these times that I think about what's going on in my life or what I have to be happy about.

But today I was outside, and had nothing in particular to think about and make me happy. However, if you put me around some friends or people in general or even by myself, I'm happy right now. I'm just happy in general at the moment.

So I thought: what's the difference between those things that I can think about in my alone time to put a smile on my face and those that are making me happy regularly? It could be a difference in the solidity of each of the different "happiness causers." When I'm thinking about something that makes me happy, it's generally the fact that I'm making money doing something I love to do or a lady friend that I like and the feeling is mutual. But when I'm happy in general, it's because I feel good about myself or I have control over everything I need in my life.

Now the latter reasons are internal, they're the feelings I have which are more consistent for one thing because they're in my head and I know (in this case) everything there is to know about those thoughts. However, the former reasons that I can be happy are ones out of my control and I don't know everything there is to know about my lady friend's thoughts, for example, and therefore can only be happy about her when she's part of my life. You could look it as: thoughts like these are more on the surface. But your "true" happiness we'll call it is much more at the base of you, and can not only hold up better when tested, but also exists even during those times when you aren't outside having some reflection time to yourself. There's a lot to be said about that kind of happiness.

Atheism as a Religion

I see Atheism as a religion. However, I'm defining religion here as a systematic set of beliefs that more than one person believes in (it doesn't necessarily have to include belief in a higher power). Going by my definition, this includes atheism and all other religions in America (correct me if I'm wrong). However, this is one reason I am against atheism. Belief (or disbelief) in a deity isn't important here because it's irrelevant to this argument.

I'll further narrow down my definition of a religion. Many times there are people in high seats of power that affect how a group of people are viewed. The recently-inaugurated president of the US probably affects how African-Americans are viewed now. When a few evangelists go on CNN and thank god for soldiers dying in Iraq, a negative image is impressed upon them. The same goes for the crusades in christianity's history-- I think you get the idea. Well, the same thing can happen even when the people in a group don't believe in anything.

Back in December, apparently some atheists put up a sign (that was later stolen) saying the following:

At this season of THE WINTER SOLSTICE may reason prevail.

There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.

There are a few things I see wrong with this (in my opinion). For one, this is doing exactly what the kind of religious people I despise do: infringe upon others' beliefs. Yes, it was put up next to a nativity set. But that set doesn't say "This is where Jesus was born, the son of God, creator of everything in the world and if you believe anything else besides what we do, you're a bigot." It's a simple display of faith. But frankly, putting up a sign, articulating what was on it in the way they did was just plain arrogant.

Yes, I can understand that some people are forced to be "closet atheists" because we are a "Christian nation" and that others still are oppressed because of their beliefs (or lack-thereof). But there's no reason to strike back at these people that are oppressing you or whatever the case may be. Yes, apparently atheists are the most distrusted minority in America. But think about it this way: being an atheist alone is going against hundreds and hundreds of years and generations of traditional human beliefs. Of course you're distrusted, this hasn't caught on enough to be widely accepted yet. So if you're going to finally start rising up and making your voice heard about your non-beliefs, be smart about it and do it right. Don't be arrogant little children who just want to spit in the face of others who have pissed them off. Stop going to court over stupid shit like having "In God we trust" on a dollar bill. Look at it as a metaphor instead, if it makes you feel better. You're supposed to be an intelligent free-thinker that questions everything (s)he's fed, not a mindless robot. So if you rise up and make your voices heard, do it intelligently and set a new example. If you're going to tear down the whole system, you might as well design it better before you build it up again. By this I mean don't follow the millennia of arrogance, and "social elitism," and traditional oppression on those who have different views. Make the atheist name into something that doesn't automatically associate a "moral-less ego-maniac who shouldn't marry my daughter" with someone who is an atheist (or what I'm about to say will come true).

Anyways, soon enough atheism will be socially acceptable, just like being openly gay is starting to be now. I think our society is able to handle all these changes at once, because once we agree to one smaller one it's easier to do bigger ones. With the impact of the Internet and ease of communication, blogs, etc., things move much faster these days. Of course, eventually it's going to split into numerous sects that will argue about the little nuances, as religions seem to do. But thus is the way of life. It'll be interesting to see it unfold.