I try to share my love with everyone who will respond to it, even my dog deserves my affection! I also love those who cannot respond, the starving and unfortunate and my love moves me to offer some small assistance. This is the love that moves me to try and improve life now instead of waiting for another life to come.
I have become aware that truly knowing myself and understanding my fellowman is a journey I may never complete but that is the way I will find peace and happiness. Not for me the fruitless endeavour of trying to learn the mind of god.
My prayers will never be answered. I find answers for myself through my own efforts and, by understanding how little I know, I feel no shame in asking for help from those who are older, wiser and more educated than myself. I've learned to value the incredible power of doubt. It does not blow me about like a 'wave of the sea' but gives me the direction and purpose I need to find an answer.
I know there is more value and happiness to be had gathering my family together for a meal than for a sermon. More good is done dropping money into a charity box than a collection plate. We need schools not churches, hospitals not kingdom halls, rest homes not synagogues, playgrounds not mosques.
My atheism does not condemn the religious person but nor will it tolerate his ignorance when it affects me or those I care about. My atheism respects believers but not belief. My atheism is comfortable not to have all the answers, it is okay to say "I don't know".
My atheism will not hurt you - ever.