As an atheist

We atheists often get told that we can't be good without god in our lives. We can't be 'moral' and we've no reason to live. 

When people tell us this they are, of course, wrong. 

As an atheist I can give my life my own goals and I need not exist simply to please an overlord.

As an atheist I can do good for goodness sake. 

As an atheist I can strive for societal improvement for the sake of future generations.

As an atheist I can do good because I'm driven by conscience, not because I'm trying to pass a test to get into 'heaven'.

As an atheist I can accept people for who they are and not need to condemn them for acts imagined to be 'sinful'.

As an atheist I can base my decisions on empathy, logic, reason, and understanding, and not some antiquated, superstitious scripture.

As an atheist I will never hold a sign condemning people to hell.

As an atheist I will never hold a sign declaring that people who disagree with me should be beheaded.

As an atheist I will never wish violence on those with opposing views.

As an atheist I will never threaten someone with eternal damnation for the crime of 'not being convinced'.

As an atheist I will never think that a child, friend, or even stranger is an abomination for being gay. 

As an atheist I will never let my child die while I pray instead of seeking medical attention.

As an atheist I will never set fire to a human being because I think them a witch. 

As an atheist I can appreciate the natural wonder of the universe.

As an atheist I can condemn tragic acts without excusing them as being part of 'god's plan'. 

As an atheist I can freely admit that I don't know something without the need to make up an answer. 

As an atheist I understand that unexplained and unexplainable are two different things. 

As an atheist my life's goal can be a healthy planet and a healthy and happy population (including non-human animals)

As an atheist I can be good without god.