Hello, I recently became an Atheist. I was originally an Atheist several years ago, but then I became a Christian again for a while... But this time I don't think there is any turning back for me. I understand a whole lot more about Christianity, its history, and other religions then I did before.
I don't know if anybody is still doing these, but I figured I would:
What are your opinions on subjects such as same-sex marriage, abortion, the death penalty, and so on? Why?
Same-Sex Marriage - There is no valid argument against it. Of course there are religious reasons. However, those reasons can not stand up in a government with separation of church and state.
Abortion - I know this is a strange position for an Atheist Progressive such as me, but: Personally, I just can't be for it. No matter what I see that baby as human life, and I think it's wrong to kill people no matter what. I think there are cases where it's not so black and white, though, like when the mother's life is in danger.
Death Penalty - Again, I'm against the killing of human life. So the people who will be sent to the death penalty are terrible people? So what? Make them spend the rest of their lives in prison. Killing them is an easy way out.
Why are your beliefs the way they are?
Well, to put my views on religion in perspective - I don't claim to know that there is no God, but I do claim that a God is highly unlikely, and for the record I think that the Christian God is much less likely than the general concept of a God, so I've pretty much completely disregarded that one.
In general, I believe the likelihood of a God is so low that there's no reason to live my life as if there is one. There is no proof or evidence. The world and universe being natural actually makes so much more sense to me.
EDIT: Oops, forgot to answer the question! I came to be an Atheist from a variety of things - Studying history, being exposed to Atheist arguments, and never being one strong in faith to begin with. I wasn't as indoctrinated as much as others, so when I began to realize that religion doesn't make sense, I was out of it fast.
Do you believe in any form of life after death?
No. Consciousness is confined to our brains and is just the interaction of chemicals.
Afterlife is a nice thought, especially to me for personal reasons regarding issues I'm having in my life. However, it's just not feasible.
If there were an afterlife, I would love for it to be reincarnation - reincarnation to live another human life right after this life dies.
Do you believe in aliens?
It's not so much a matter of belief, it's a matter of logic. The universe is HUGE, and we, with our incredibly limited knowledge, have already discovered quite a few planets within the life-sustaining range of their solar system. That doesn't prove life, no, but it just goes to show. Even in how little we can see, there are already chances.
Does your family and friends know about your faith? If no, why not?
My family doesn't know. I believe it's for the best that they don't. In regard to my friends, I will tell them if the proper place to tell them comes. Some friends know, some don't.
Do you think separation of church and state is different from freedom of religion?
They may not be the same thing, but you can't truthfully have freedom of religion without the separation of church and state. There are a great deal of different beliefs out there, and if one's beliefs become law, that's a problem.
There are places where separation of church and state can be iffy. Sadly, it seems like those issues are overlooked while something so simple that does not violate religious freedom in any way but does violate the separation of church and state (same-sex marriage) is blown up to be this big issue, never gets legalized for long, if it ever is legalized to begin with. I don't get it.
If God does exist, what do you think it would be like?
Depends on which God... If the Christian God existed, I'd think that the world would be completely different from how it is now. Well, honestly, I think that many things regarding the design of the universe, world, and living beings would be entirely different, but disregarding that, if the Bible were true to modern day, I'd think that God would be showing signs. Not vague signs. I'm talking like what happened in the Bible. Miracles would also happen a lot more often. And I'm not talking about miracles like "I got that job!" or even "that medical treatment was successful!" I'm talking like growing of new limbs, and happening without any medical assistance.
Additionally, if the Christian God were true, I don't think all of these other religions would exist.
What are your family's general religious beliefs?
My family is Christian - Not Fundamentalist. They're pretty liberal on the matter.