Atheist Anthem
Stanza 1.
I hereby testify to the fact
That there is no scientific evidence
To confirm or deny the existence
Of a supreme being, veiled heaven
Or spiritual existence beyond this life.
Therefore, I will not curse the heavens
And fear the shadows of the night
Nor throw stones at the rising moon
That orbits beyond my primal forest
(Far beyond my touch but not my reach)
But promise to let reason guide my thoughts
And empirical wisdom light my way.
I am a triumphal human being evolved
From a contested struggle for dominance
Over a savage and ignorant darkness
And shall never surrender my purpose
To seek proven reality over gospel litany,
Stanza 2.
Yes, it pains me deeply,
Afflicts my conscience,
And grieves my humanity
To turn away from childhood
Fears, beliefs and fantasy,
To seek and embrace reality
Despite indignant anger and scorn
Of those I've loved and admired,
The teaching of the divine
And lessons of ancient scripture
Abandoned with courage found
To finally face a universal truth
That existence is finite and infinite
And I am only a moment in time
To witness and capture the difference.
Stanza 3.
O pray aloud on humbled knee
In isolated forest or hidden glen.
Recite the prophet's ancient promise
To know the truth from the false
By filling the body with the breath
That God and Heaven indeed exists
And answers spiritual requests
But be warned faith is feelings unseen
And belief is abstract thought unproven.
Now arise without document in hand
Nor evidence to confirm the experience,
And ponder what you have learned....
To seek the spiritual, be content with spirit,
But to seek reality, swear to be real,
To question that which is unseen
And challenge that which is unproven,
Not on bended knee in quiet pursuit,
But stand upon genuine giants gone before
To reveal, enlighten, not darken the world.
Stanza 4.
What then have I dearly lost or gained
In my risky search for reality?
An assured comfort in knowing
All will be well in the end
Regardless of life's uncertainities
Injustices, lost loved ones, rewards?
An untimely death without eternal hope?
A short journey of struggle and survival?
A gray stone or fiery furnace with urn?
Eulogies and memories will fade,
The only testament to my life.
But existence will meander on without me
As it has done for eons before my birth
And will continue long after my death.
Yes, I have lost the peace and comfort
Behind a thinly veiled otherworld curtain
But gained a knowledge that I am born
Of something greater than myself.
My being and heritage were forged in stars.
The universe has given me evolutionary
Sight, awareness, motivation and purpose
To see, explore, discover and witness
Its vast and magnificent expanse.
Stanza 5.
As an Atheist what are my responsibilities
And obligations (as a human being): to contribute
In the only existence I will ever know
To respect, cherish and value all life,
To work towards improvement of myself,
To advocate for justice by being just with mercy
To be kind, empathic and compassionate
With others regardless of faith and belief,
To seek and encourage knowledge,
The search for verifiable facts and truth,
To question and challenge with reason
Seeking to learn, understand and appreciate,
Not to critize, belittle or destroy
But to ultimately gain insight and wisdom,
For nothing is lost or gained by torment
Nor conquest and enslavement of others
And hinders the enlightment and progress
Of all living on this small, isolated and frail planet.
Stanza 6.
I am no longer found in church or temple
Before an alter waiting and wanting
To seek and find Heaven's eternal light,
For that light is Heaven-born within me
With an inner conviction to meet life head on,
To explore with courage and enjoy without fear
For the earth is my hallowed ground
Where all life dwells and flourishes.
The universe above is my Sistine Chapel
Where the cosmos strengthens my resolve
To better know myself, my fellow man,
And build a sanctuary on earth
Where knowledge is sought, prized and shared
And love, peace and compassion rules.
End
Alan Charles Bennett