Answered by me.

1. Where do you get your morality from, and please explain your morality.

I, personally, have gotten my morality from my parents, my culture, my personal experiences, and my gut. I continue to get my morality (as I see it as ever changing, due to specific situations) from my parents, my fiancé, my culture, my personal experiences, my gut and my beliefs in science.

2. Why do you accept evolution? Explain how you came to your conclusions.

I accept evolution as I do everything else in life. As what I accept and believe in at this moment of time. I believe in evolution, not because I “like” it. Not because I find it comforting. I believe in evolution because it is a scientific. I believe more in the scientific method than I do in evolution. I believe that that which can be questioned by all, and experienced by all must be closer to if not the truth. I believe in being skeptical and therefore being able to accept new research regarding evolution, as science and technology advances. I believe that evolution holds the key to a story of the universes past that no other option (thus far) does and that is the possibility of fact. I am not saying that every theory regarding evolution as a process is true, but I choose to believe in the over all notion of evolution right now because it is not stagnant like that of creationist theories. If evolution turns out not to be true, that too be will be proven, and that I appreciate immensely. I appreciate the ideas of research, skepticism and furthered knowledge. I prefer to believe in a theory that is constantly attempting to have a “fault” found in it, by those that believe in it and understand it the most. Instead of ignoring questions and relying on a humans ability to “trust.” After all, where exactly would we be today had no one questioned any one else or the capabilities of the world around us?

3.What is the meaning and purpose of your life?

This one is tough for me, because I never have really asked myself it, as I saw it to be a silly question. I suppose the best I can answer for this (with little thought, since I think it’s a silly question) is that the purpose of my life is to live it.

4.What is the greatest thing you have ever done for others?

Expect everyone (including myself) to carry their own weight in this world, and contribute to the future of society as best they can.

5.Would you kill for atheism?

I would never kill anyone or anything because “I don’t believe in a god.” I think I would kill someone (human, alien, or animal) if they were attempting to take the life of my family, myself, or perhaps even a stranger(s). I think though that no matter what someone answers this question with, it is still not truly answered. I believe that no one knows their physical or psychological capabilities until they are put to a test. I don’t imagine that there are many convicted murderers who would have thought before they had killed that they could/would kill someone. We all want to at least appear to be “good” people in societies eyes, and therefore most of us take the stance that we wouldn’t kill someone else unless it was necessary to do so, but that’s where morality comes into the picture, after all what does “necessity” really mean? When you only have a moment to act or react, who knows what each of us is capable of. Also, I wouldn’t kill anyone in the name of atheism (aka, “I don’t believe in god”), but if it were to further scientific research and therefore find solutions to global problems I think we should as humans be willing to give our lives for that or be willing to take the life of a plant of animal in order to accomplish that. I don’t believe anyone has really EVER killed someone for the sake of something they didn’t believe in. If anyone knows of a case where this has happened, let me know.

6.Why are you an atheist and consider your position valid?

I am an atheist because I do not yet, and have not ever, experienced any god/supernatural force, or see proof for any god/supernatural force. I am an atheist because I don’t think there is anything worse than pretending to believe in something, no questions asked. Do I consider this position valid? I would like to note that I decided to look up the definition of “valid” before answering this. This is the definition I found: “well grounded in logic or truth”. I consider my position as being valid because of the facts, laws and theories that are discovered due to the scientific method. I don’t believe that all that exists gets much more true than that which can be predicted, and scientific method allows us to discover accurate prediction. I also find my position valid because it is in line with human nature. We as humans make mistakes, we change, and grow and learn more everyday. I am not saying that a god DOESN’T exist, for that would be very arrogant. I am saying that I don’t see any proof for a god existing, and therefore logic would lead me to believe that god doesn’t.

7.If you died and discovered a god existed, what would you say to he/she/it?

Good job. You fooled me.

8.What religion is more dangerous in your eyes today and in the past?

For me this is just like saying “Guns kill people” when in all reality “People kill people. A gun has no mind to think on its own, to pull the trigger while aimed at another human being.” After all, the bible is not dangerous as a book, the bible is dangerous when people act upon it. I believe that most dangerous portion of people believing in a religion is the loss of the ability to question, and to do “good” for the sake of doing “good”. I think that belief in a religion is comforting only to those who are overwhelmed with the task of finding answers for themselves. I think many people cling to religion because it is much easier and more pleasant to rely on someone else than it is to know you have to do it for yourself. I mean, if you could, who wouldn’t want to go back to being 5 years old and having your parents do all the hard work for you? I also believe though that there are many atheists out there who pretend to not believe in god and therefore not have a religion, when in all reality they are simply angry with god. I think that people fooling themselves in any way is dangerous. I also believe that agnostics are dangerous because they have a form of faith. Faith is very dangerous and in this case very destructive. An agnostic believes that there is no possible way to tell whether god exists or not. Having faith that you can’t know or having faith that you do know is much more dangerous for the likes of human kind in my opinion than having the notion that you don’t know yet, but want to, and want to find a way too. I think that until we can collectively view religion not as a lifestyle, but as folklore, all religions will be/have been dangerous.

9. Name three peaceful religions you have no issue with?

I don’t think I know of any peaceful religions (that’s not to say they don’t exist).

I don’t know of any religions I have no issues with (that’s not to say they don’t exist.)

10. What would it take for you to believe in a god?

The ability to communicate with said god. Isn’t that what holds us back in any relationship; the issue of proper, comprehensible communication. Be that through scientific proof, personal supernatural experience, or dying/living and meeting he/she/it (but most likely if its all true, just going to hell and meeting Satan instead. Although I don’t know if I would believe in god than, what’s more likely is that I would just believe in the devil and hell). I don’t think that any amount of human interaction (me talking to someone who does believe) will convince me that a god exists. I don’t believe that the bible or any other holy document’s words would convince me god exists (perhaps there is proof in the document itself though, if we could take a look at it from a scientific point of view.) I also don’t think I would be convinced god exists if I had this evidence brought to me in a dream. Now that I have given plenty of viable ways through which I am open minded enough to change my perspective and opinion completely and admit to being “wrong” I have this question for all believers:

What would it take for you to believe there is no god?

11. Would the world be a better place without religion?

I don’t know if it would be a better place, but I think it would be a more honest place. I think that when people realize the consequences of their actions as being just that, THEIR actions and THEIR consequences, and that no one will save them for that which they have done for themselves. If this is accomplished we as humans will all realize that in order to see the broader picture we must collectively work toward the broader picture. I believe that when there is no one left to save you and no heaven for you to run to, its easier to be focused on what really matters which is here and now, and all the minute creatures and circumstances that entails. I think that without religion society will be able to work more on correcting human error instead of condemning it. I would consider a change like would make the world a better place.

12. How do you feel about government and politics?

I think this is an incredibly vague question, which doesn’t do anything more in my mind that bring up more questions. The government where? When? Politics or politicians? I think that we should strive for a secular government, but as long as people base their entire lives on a religion and people are in government this will not be possible.

13. If you could go back in time and kill Hitler/Stalin as babies so they would never kill the millions in the future, would you do it if time travel was possible?

I think first and foremost that if time travel was possible, I would probably not be one of the select few that would be presented with doing it (I would hope an advancement such as that would only be allowed to a select few.) I also think that if time travel was possible we would have an educated stance on what altering the past would do for present and future generations. This being unknown to me now I think it would be incredibly pompous of me to answer this question. Answering this question with any certainty requires a heavy amount of faith, and I think I have made it clear that faith is not a creed I follow.

14. Why is stem cell research so important?

I think that research in and of its self is important. I think that stem cell research is important because if our assumptions are correct there are many cases where new technologies could be tested on that which is not yet conscious, instead of using living conscious animals or post-birth humans. These assumptions could be found faulty though, and if there is no important use found for stem cell research, I believe the scientific community is dignified enough that they would recognize such and be rid of it. The scientific community is one that I believe is always working toward a better understanding and for a better society.

15. Is abortion evil?

I do not believe in “good” or “evil”. I am pro-choice. I am not pro-abortion. I don’t think anyone is. I don’t think there has ever been a woman that hopes she gets pregnant so that she can have an abortion. I think having an abortion is a difficult decision for any woman/couple to make, but I think that often times those who do have abortions show that they are mature enough to say that they are not capable of taking care of a child, and realizing that having a child just to put it up for adoption is dumping their burden on another’s lap. Adoption does not solve the problem, but instead insists that someone else (who didn’t conceive of the child) pick up the pieces for them. Although in a perfect world, we wouldn’t be getting pregnant ever when we weren’t ready. I am hoping evolution picks up this assignment next.

16. What would the circumstances be for you to approve of torture as an individual?

What is torture, and to whom? I think that this question is also far too vague for me to sum up easily. As I see it, the process of giving birth is torture and yet most mothers would agree it is worth it.

17. Should we try to save the animals from going extinct?

I don’t think we should try to save anyone from doing anything without first discovering if a) they need to be saved and b) how to properly save them. As it stands we are still discovering new types of life all over our planet, and therefore couldn’t possibly know how all forms of life rely on others. Also, I believe the same is true for attempting to save the planets/universe’s natural resources and plants. I do believe that something that would help our planet/universe would be to stop multiplying the human population. I think that the overabundance of a species is just as much of a risk (or more so) than various types of plant, animal, resource, or element is (if not more so.)

 

18. Do you approve of capital punishment? Explain.

Absolutely. (I think we also need to find a cheaper way to do this too.) I am all for helping “survival of the fittest” to happen. I am very much so a person who believes that we can assist evolution using our critical thinking. Why on earth would we keep those alive, and able to pro-create who refuse to work for the betterment of our species? Apathy, regression, and deformity are qualities that I think we need to work on weeding out of our species. If we were able to do so there would be far fewer ridiculous problems with which science would have to spend its time finding a solution for. 

 

19. Do you believe in aliens, ghosts, spirits, souls, any supernatural forces?

I hope that there were/will be/are other life forms in this universe. I do not believe in ghosts, spirits, souls or any other supernatural force.

20. Would you sacrifice yourself for a loved one with a chance you may end up in hell for being an atheist?

Absolutely.

21. Explain in detail the process of death.

I don’t think death is a process. I think aging is a process. I think disease is a process. I think the only way to die is when your heart stops beating and never starts again.

22. Have you ever been dead?

My heart was never beating before I developed enough due to my conception. So if my definition of death put in reverse is still death (?) than yes or no. I don’t truly have an opinion about this yet.