Why is atheism better than theism? Our readers submit their thoughts.

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We asked our readers to answer that question. These were our favorite responses. The top three (as chosen by us) received a free copy of Penn Jillette’s new book, “God, No!: Signs You May Already Be an Atheist and Other Magical Tales”

I was born and raised to think for myself. I’ve never been a member of a church and can’t think of a single moment in my life where I honestly questioned if there could be even the most minuscule evidence of a ‘God.’ So in my situation your topic of ‘why you prefer atheism over theism’ suggests that I should try theism in order to make a judgement of which I prefer and why I would in fact prefer atheism over theism… Which theistic religion should I try first? I bet Scientologists have really good food at their events. - Phil Bennett, 27, Iowa

I was raised as Catholic up until I was 10 years old and my mother wanted me to do my First Communion. I told my mother I didn’t want to participate because I didn’t believe in God. At that age I already knew that what I was being taught to believe was not real and I wanted nothing to do with it. I don’t challenge others beliefs and I hold no grudge against them even though I’ve been constantly challenged on my beliefs, or lack thereof. I have been forced to go to church with friends who thought they were saving me, I’ve been told I would go to hell, and I’ve been through an exorcism to get rid of the demons that were holding me back from believing in God. This craziness and hypocrisy is something I could never be a part of. I’m proud to be an atheist.  - Andrea Landivar 24, Florida 

I once asked myself: what has substantially improved the human condition in the last, say, 2000 years? Which technical inventions and medical advancements have really helped to ease suffering, heal diseases, give shelter, prevent wars, and create enough spare time to enjoy life. Then I made two lists: one containing all the achievements that we owe to a holy book, prayer, a revelation or other godly intervention; and one containing all the achievements that we owe to the godless, rational activities of scientists. - Arno Matthias, 52, Germany 

I do not find it funny
that the God of testaments—
whose life is made more sunny
with your burnt and offered sacraments—
should tell me that my wife must die, my little sister too,
all because I sat with them as their menses did brew.

The warlords of far-off Afric’
who mutilate/rape virgin girls
have rent my heart and made me sick
as USAID throws down its pearls—
not condoms, but—monogamy and abstinence,
or God, his wroth upon their heads, will bring his recompense.

As Europe teemed with Hitler’s crews,
the Pope shone forth his Holy power
not for protection of the Jews,
but Fascism’s finest hour.
The Catholic God failed all mankind;
a useless god, he’s utterly blind.

I will instead search for the gnostic—
eschewing thoughts of gods quite caustic—
And in my search for thought’s liberty
will allow reason to set me free.

-Chory Ferguson Oregon

I am an atheist because (other than the logical problems believing in a higher power causes) everyday I personally beat God up.  Ok, actually I’m an EMT and a Mental Health Worker, and I see everyday that saving people doesn’t come from mysterious works of God, Allah, or Thor, but from hard work of dedicated individuals like myself.  It is people who put their health and safety on the line to fight the ravages of fires, criminals, and disease that make a real difference in the here and now.  People who get surprisingly little in the way of money, and even less in gratitude.  With people working hard toward the betterment of their fellow man, who needs God? -Thomas Clark, 24, Kentucky

As a child, Sunday mornings meant one thing:  Ren & Stimpy were on.  While the rest of my friends gathered their family in mass at their holy house of choice, I gathered my various stuffed animals and basked in the blue glow of my bedroom television, laughing at fart jokes and crude animation.  Such was the life of a young atheist, and such is the life of that same atheist nearly twenty years later.  My priorities may have been altered some (though trust me, not by much) but deep down is the same person that relishes his opportunity to be surrounded with a comfortable plushy mate (now a girlfriend) in front of immature, crudely represented entertainment (football).  Truly, Sunday mornings mean never having to say “I’m sorry (for I have sinned)”. -Kyle Eslinger, 26, Illinois

Atheism doesn’t obligate me to fund (monetarily and personally ideologically) institutions that inherently perpetuate the oppression of human beings: anti-homosexuality and the like, human slavery/abuse, pro-life (which only results in the increasing overpopulation of our planet), absurdly evident hypocrisy and perversion, etc
As a literature major in college, I appreciate the artistic qualities of the bible and other religious texts, but I analyze them solely as fictional stories. So you cannot believe in the magic of Harry Potter and Twilight (two modern and /bad/ examples of /non-merited/ literature that I feel everyone knows of), but you believe in the existence of a talking bush, immaculate conception, and the resurrection of a dead person? That is rather ridiculous, and worthy of questioning the sanity of the 83% of American theists. -Shelby Nathanson, 19, Florida