Replies

First of all, I think the author's description of his beliefs are more accurately described as agnostic rather than atheist. That said and assuming that to be the case, I concur. As a "card-carrying agnostic" (as Hawkeye Pierce was once quoted as saying) I am happy to take a stab at your questionnaire.

Where do your rights come from?"

Our Constitution and the moral characteristics of our founders and the degree to which that morality can be retained in our culture and present day politicians. (hence my world view that our culture is circling the drain)

Why do you wear clothes?

Mostly to stay warm but also, admittedly, to minimize the envy of others.

Why are there seven days in a week?

Human quantification of our planet's yearly journey about it's sustaining star is just ...human quantification. At the week level, I'm sure biblical utterances had something to do with their ultimate design.

How do you know what is good and what is evil?

I don't know, I just do. How about you?

If everything came from nothing out of nowhere, if life is just a curious side effect of an unknowing and uncaring cosmos, if when you die, you are just so much compost, then why seek anything other than a life of self-gratification and a painless extinction?

That's a question each of us must ask ourselves. The answer defines who you are.

I was an altar boy back when the mass was still celebrated in Latin. I sense that I respect truth more than most. My religious beliefs have changed due to my constant search for truth. At this stage of my life I am who I am and believe what I believe for what I feel are the right reasons. I am always willing to admit that I am wrong as I certainly have a history of that. But I keep searching for truth.

Your beliefs are probably different than mine but that doesn't bother me as I am only answerable to my own perceptions of truth. That is why I am baffled as to why a homogenous group of like-thinkers are so concerned about what I believe.