Yes, I am an Atheist

Religion is a by-product of fear. For much of human history, it may have been a necessary evil, but why was it more evil than necessary? Isn't killing people in the name of God a pretty good definition of insanity?

"A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on

sympathy, education, and social ties and needs;

no religious basis is necessary.

Man would indeed be in a poor way

if he had to be restrained

by fear of punishment

and hope of reward after death."

(Albert Einstein)

I think the point is not whether atheists criticise religion but whether religion can stand up to criticism. So far no religion could stand up to criticism, that is why religion has had to resort to blasphemy laws and the might of the state to silence and crush opposition.

Atheism offers intellectual integrity and freedom from religion. Therefore I reject religious absolutes, primitive "revelations", superstition, blind obedience and self-effacing prostrations to a tyrannical deity whose existence cannot be proven. I also value reason, logic, knowledge, freedom, equality and social progress. I always live by the golden rule: Treat others as you would have them treat you. Ethics need not be entwined with religion and meaningful lives do not require fictitious deities.

After all, I'm an atheist, and that's it. Religion is fundamentally opposed to everything I hold in veneration - courage, clear thinking, honesty, fairness, and, above all, love of the truth.