The atheist and the agnostic

It’s good that we’re finally talking again; I’ve got all sorts of dark new material to share with you my friend. You’re familiar with the saying “opposites attract,” right? 

I have for you a tale of two friends, a boy and a girl. They were a couple — well, not really a couple, but they were certainly attracted to each other. They’re a lot alike, sharing the same interests and having a similar sense of humor; they have a connection.

But they have differences.

The guy is a good friend of mine — a religion major — who fashioned himself as a Buddhist for a time (“It just seems practical,” he said) before flirting with the Hindu tradition. He’d say he adheres to Agnosticism if you asked him today, but his mind changes all the time.

He says he believes there is a truth or knowledge that humanity does not yet possess, and hesitates to dedicate himself to any religious label because he believes it would take a long time to explain exactly what he believes in when it comes to the divine, but he basically believes God is your perception of love (which, he argues, is why everyone finds the Beatles so catchy). 

He also says, “Of all the ridiculous ‘What is the meaning of life’ stories I’ve heard, talking snakes and night journeys included, the most ridiculous one seems to be: ‘Well, there’s just this big expanding universe, and it’s going to collapse on itself and we’re here just because — just because!’ That is the most ridiculous creation myth I’ve ever heard.”

Then there’s the girl.

She’s a good friend as well, and she’s into what I call “professional atheism” — by that I mean she’s not afraid to deliver a sermon on why God can’t possibly exist in your living room one night after a drink or two. “It’d be nice to believe in God,” she says, “But I believe for a fact that if God is all knowing, all powerful, and all loving then evil cannot exist.” 

I can’t knock atheism — nine out of 10 atheists you meet will be well-mannered people who take a rational stance on the world around them and typically respect others’ rights. For example, compare how many wars atheists have started because they don’t believe God exists to the number of wars started by theists in their god’s name. 

It’s not like atheists are out there destroying mother earth in the name of there being no god. Most atheists are kind people with their own moral code based on common sense; Hell, I think “Common Sense” is their god based on the time I’ve spent with atheists. 

Jaded as the atheist in our story is from religion (she just isn’t a fan), she recently met our boy, who is religious, albeit in a manner she had not seen before. It’s strange how “the universe” seems to bring case studies into our lives that challenge us to learn and grow.

Ever the skeptic, the girl asked our religion major, “If God is real, why can’t I look at it or feel it?” He said: “It’s all that you see and all that you touch.” She followed: “Then why can’t I taste it or talk to it?”  He responded, “It’s all that you eat, and everyone you meet.” 

“I just don’t see it that way,” she said, to which the religion major chuckled and replied: “It’s funny how what seems strange to you is life-affirming for me.”

My friends are a lot alike, sharing the same interests and having a similar sense of humor. 

They have a connection, but they have differences. The agnostic believes things will work out for the best regardless; the atheist, however, doesn’t really know what to believe. 

Fitting, isn’t it? 

The agnostic doesn’t have the best luck with relationships as is and admits he’s a bit frustrated sometimes, but he maintains “All is well” like it’s a mantra: “Sunday morning is every day for all I care,” he says. “After a while you learn to smile and when you laugh it’s just a typical miracle.” 

He’s either stumbled upon the meaning of life, or he’s completely off his rocker. 

I’ll let you decide which.

Andrew Dickson is a senior religious studies major from Terry.