Just one life.

A lot of people know I'm an atheist. And if you know me, you'll know that if you ever had any preconceived notions about how atheists are, they disappeared when you found out about me. 

The thing is, I can't talk about it. I mean, I could. But I'm just not that outspoken because as someone who faced major bullying in school, I'm not ok with people putting me down. I could stand up for myself but it's just not the place I'm in right now. I have to try and become stronger in how I retort arguments before I start talking about how much I dislike what organized religion does to people...to the world. 

I don't think many people who are not atheists realize the judgmental looks we get when we state we are atheists, or the disgust someone feels when we tell them sorry, but we don't attend church, thanks for the invite though. We are the least trusted group of people in the entire United States. People would rather have a president of a religion radically different than theirs instead of an atheist. In all actuality, we are just normal people. We are your neighbor, your new friend, your child's teacher, your mechanic. We are everywhere, and that's ok. A lot of us are more inclined to do good because we just want to, not because we have to. We are satisfied with the fact that this is all we have, this one life. Why? Because we get to live it with no regrets, to the absolute fullest. We go out with a bang. We are nice because it feels good, not because we are promised eternal life after death. 

So before you judge, do your research and go out and meet an atheist. Go out and meet a bunch. We are all different. What you learn may surprise you.