Why this blog?

Amhras is the Irish word for “doubt”.

Why this blog?

Well, I’m pretty interested in subjects such as religion and atheism and the interplay of belief systems that I don’t feel should be part of my regular blog. I’ve a feeling it may make people I know a bit uncomfortable and that’s not what the other blog is about.

Also, it appears to me that Ireland is a strange place when it comes to religion. Semi-officially, it’s a Catholic country, however, increasingly, many people have left religion aside. The churches are emptier, the pronouncements of the Vatican are greeted with a shake of the head, the parish priest has less of a role to play in modern society, and the rituals, processions and holy days of my youth seem to be fading from the collective consciousness.

Yet, few people in Ireland declare themselves to be atheists. Despite everything that has happened in the past two decades, the Catholic Church still holds a favoured position in the country. People want it both ways, to be part of a community, but yet not to have to share the values and beliefs of that community. It seems to me that a lot of people go through the motions without really challenging their beliefs. To many, Catholicism has become a convenience, a bit like a washing machine or a TV – useful for the times when you need it. It’s an easy-going approach that characterises Irish people generally, I guess.

I’m interested in this dichotomy, as I am in many things concerning the nature of belief. I’m a long-time agnostic, but increasingly now verging on atheism. Losing my beliefs has not been tumultuous or harrowing, but instead something of a voyage of discovery. It’s a voyage that is not over by a long shot either.

Atheism sometimes gets a bad name, because many atheists are perceived as insensitive, looking down their noses at believers and imputing on them a certain degree of stupidity. I would like to think I do not hold that position. My feeling is that we should be rigorous in exposing the ridiculous, but should stay clear of descending into personally directed insults. Many people believe many things, most of it harmless, some of it clearly helpful to them. Casting off the beliefs of a lifetime is not easy for any human to do, and therefore it should be treated sensitively.

So this blog is an exploration of sorts. I’m not looking to impose my views, but maybe to give some insight into what being a disbeliever is like, and how I perceive the so-called clash of cultures.

It may work, it may not. Whatever: outlets are good.