Atheist Discussion Thread

[CoderDrag0n8 He/They]

On 5/6/2026 at 6:51 AM, Rynturning_Light said:

Hey all! I've got a really random question, but as people who don't hold religious beliefs, do y'all have any symbols that like give you hope or reassurance or anything?

It's no secret that each religion has, in some form, have symbols or icons that like represent or inspire that religion. For example, Christianity's cross is commonly worn by Christians. Usually to represent their faith, but also to inspire/remind of confidence in that faith.

I've been struggling with my mental health recently and, as an Atheist, I don't really have one of those symbols, but it has gotten me thinking about non-religious symbols that could inspire those feelings of contentment or hope in non-religious people.

For me, I've been wearing around my phoenix necklace more. I like the story of the phoenix and what it represents, and while it might not have a religious connotation or connection (at least to me), it kinda helps to remind me that these hardships only serve to lead me to the next point in my life.

Probably really corny, but I'm curious if anyone else has stuff like that. Important symbols or icons to them that have no religious influence or meaning but still kinda hold the same place as religious symbols

I use other humans

I dunno I emotionally rely on people a lot

[Verdance he/him]

On 5/6/2026 at 9:51 AM, Rynturning_Light said:

Hey all! I've got a really random question, but as people who don't hold religious beliefs, do y'all have any symbols that like give you hope or reassurance or anything?

It's no secret that each religion has, in some form, have symbols or icons that like represent or inspire that religion. For example, Christianity's cross is commonly worn by Christians. Usually to represent their faith, but also to inspire/remind of confidence in that faith.

I've been struggling with my mental health recently and, as an Atheist, I don't really have one of those symbols, but it has gotten me thinking about non-religious symbols that could inspire those feelings of contentment or hope in non-religious people.

For me, I've been wearing around my phoenix necklace more. I like the story of the phoenix and what it represents, and while it might not have a religious connotation or connection (at least to me), it kinda helps to remind me that these hardships only serve to lead me to the next point in my life.

Probably really corny, but I'm curious if anyone else has stuff like that. Important symbols or icons to them that have no religious influence or meaning but still kinda hold the same place as religious symbols

Okay, so like, besides religious stuff

idk if this counts but i treat a band (which themes itself as a cult so idk) basically as reverently as a religious symbol

so idk, music? 

[SpiritOfWrath he/him]

18 hours ago, Verdance said:

Okay, so like, besides religious stuff

idk if this counts but i treat a band (which themes itself as a cult so idk) basically as reverently as a religious symbol

so idk, music? 

(Is this a Sleep Token reference?)

*vanishes*

[Verdance he/him]

6 hours ago, Through the Living Sherma said:

(Is this a Sleep Token reference?)

*vanishes*

Yes

but basically giving an example of how non religious stuff can be a symbol of hope, music, not necessarily sleep token (which is murky cause its presented as a religion)

[CoderDrag0n8 He/They]

8 hours ago, Verdance said:

Yes

but basically giving an example of how non religious stuff can be a symbol of hope, music, not necessarily sleep token (which is murky cause its presented as a religion)

I treat ORV like a cult

Which got a little crazy early on when I was doggedly converting people.

[Aeoryi she/her]

On 5/6/2026 at 6:51 AM, Rynturning_Light said:

Hey all! I've got a really random question, but as people who don't hold religious beliefs, do y'all have any symbols that like give you hope or reassurance or anything?

It's no secret that each religion has, in some form, have symbols or icons that like represent or inspire that religion. For example, Christianity's cross is commonly worn by Christians. Usually to represent their faith, but also to inspire/remind of confidence in that faith.

I've been struggling with my mental health recently and, as an Atheist, I don't really have one of those symbols, but it has gotten me thinking about non-religious symbols that could inspire those feelings of contentment or hope in non-religious people.

For me, I've been wearing around my phoenix necklace more. I like the story of the phoenix and what it represents, and while it might not have a religious connotation or connection (at least to me), it kinda helps to remind me that these hardships only serve to lead me to the next point in my life.

Probably really corny, but I'm curious if anyone else has stuff like that. Important symbols or icons to them that have no religious influence or meaning but still kinda hold the same place as religious symbols

Now that I've thought about it:

There are quite a few symbols that I hold dear to me, but I'd say that the closest thing to a religion thingy is... a pronoun pin. 

I used to wear it all the time and it was really important because it reminded myself that "This is Me" even when I couldn't be who I wanted to be. I kept it in my pocket throughout the day even when I had to hide my trans-ness, because it helped me remind myself that I was still me, regardless of if I had to hide that me from others

 

[SpartanBrigade He/Him]

On 5/6/2026 at 8:51 AM, Rynturning_Light said:

Hey all! I've got a really random question, but as people who don't hold religious beliefs, do y'all have any symbols that like give you hope or reassurance or anything?

It's no secret that each religion has, in some form, have symbols or icons that like represent or inspire that religion. For example, Christianity's cross is commonly worn by Christians. Usually to represent their faith, but also to inspire/remind of confidence in that faith.

I've been struggling with my mental health recently and, as an Atheist, I don't really have one of those symbols, but it has gotten me thinking about non-religious symbols that could inspire those feelings of contentment or hope in non-religious people.

For me, I've been wearing around my phoenix necklace more. I like the story of the phoenix and what it represents, and while it might not have a religious connotation or connection (at least to me), it kinda helps to remind me that these hardships only serve to lead me to the next point in my life.

Probably really corny, but I'm curious if anyone else has stuff like that. Important symbols or icons to them that have no religious influence or meaning but still kinda hold the same place as religious symbols

I know this isn't really my place, but a non religious symbol that does mean a lot to me is the Superman crest
Kinda a similar thing to your phoenix
It represents hope and persistence for me 
Helps me stand back up when I don't feel like I have the strength to anymore

[Keke They/he]

On 5/6/2026 at 7:51 AM, Rynturning_Light said:

Hey all! I've got a really random question, but as people who don't hold religious beliefs, do y'all have any symbols that like give you hope or reassurance or anything?

It's no secret that each religion has, in some form, have symbols or icons that like represent or inspire that religion. For example, Christianity's cross is commonly worn by Christians. Usually to represent their faith, but also to inspire/remind of confidence in that faith.

I've been struggling with my mental health recently and, as an Atheist, I don't really have one of those symbols, but it has gotten me thinking about non-religious symbols that could inspire those feelings of contentment or hope in non-religious people.

For me, I've been wearing around my phoenix necklace more. I like the story of the phoenix and what it represents, and while it might not have a religious connotation or connection (at least to me), it kinda helps to remind me that these hardships only serve to lead me to the next point in my life.

Probably really corny, but I'm curious if anyone else has stuff like that. Important symbols or icons to them that have no religious influence or meaning but still kinda hold the same place as religious symbols

Honestly?i have a few. Ironically one was provided by Brandon Sanderson. I carry around a mental health challenge coin. I also had a promise bracelet for the longest time. I never took it off as it was not only a promise to my loved ones that i would survive, but it was proof I was strong enough to. (Though i lost the bracelet as it broke.) that and semi colons

[Verdance he/him]

23 minutes ago, Keke said:

Honestly?i have a few. Ironically one was provided by Brandon Sanderson. I carry around a mental health challenge coin. I also had a promise bracelet for the longest time. I never took it off as it was not only a promise to my loved ones that i would survive, but it was proof I was strong enough to. (Though i lost the bracelet as it broke.) that and semi colons

‘;’?

what

[Keke They/he]

Just now, Verdance said:

‘;’?

what

Semi colons are suicide awareness symbols. 

Like a metaphor, authors use a semicolon when they could have ended a sentence but chose not to. The author represents the individual, and the sentence represents their life.

It’s a way to say my story, your story isnt over. 

[Verdance he/him]

1 minute ago, Keke said:

Semi colons are suicide awareness symbols. 

Like a metaphor, authors use a semicolon when they could have ended a sentence but chose not to. The author represents the individual, and the sentence represents their life.

It’s a way to say my story, your story isnt over. 

I can’t tell if you’re serious or not

Either way its really cool 

[Keke They/he]

Just now, Verdance said:

I can’t tell if you’re serious or not

Either way its really cool 

Im serious, im going to get a tattoo of it when im older. My mom, dad, and two brothers have one. 

See here

[Verdance he/him]

Just now, Keke said:

Im serious, im going to get a tattoo of it when im older. My mom, dad, and two brothers have one. 

See here

Okay, pretty cool, then

[Pathfinder]

On 5/6/2026 at 9:51 AM, Rynturning_Light said:

Hey all! I've got a really random question, but as people who don't hold religious beliefs, do y'all have any symbols that like give you hope or reassurance or anything?

It's no secret that each religion has, in some form, have symbols or icons that like represent or inspire that religion. For example, Christianity's cross is commonly worn by Christians. Usually to represent their faith, but also to inspire/remind of confidence in that faith.

I've been struggling with my mental health recently and, as an Atheist, I don't really have one of those symbols, but it has gotten me thinking about non-religious symbols that could inspire those feelings of contentment or hope in non-religious people.

For me, I've been wearing around my phoenix necklace more. I like the story of the phoenix and what it represents, and while it might not have a religious connotation or connection (at least to me), it kinda helps to remind me that these hardships only serve to lead me to the next point in my life.

Probably really corny, but I'm curious if anyone else has stuff like that. Important symbols or icons to them that have no religious influence or meaning but still kinda hold the same place as religious symbols

Love the question and love all the answers!!!!

For myself I do not have a symbol I look to for hope. I really like @CoderDrag0n8 ‘s answer regarding relying on other people. I think that is the closest I could say to that for myself. 

[Usseewa ✾ She♡They ✾]

is anyone else interested/intrigued by religion (at least sometimes) despite being an atheist?

i am

[Deception He/Him]

3 hours ago, Usseewa said:

is anyone else interested/intrigued by religion (at least sometimes) despite being an atheist?

i am

Yes same. I am atheist and don't intend to convert but I still think religion is interesting sometimes. I am from a household where some uncles and stuff practice various religions and we celebrate christian holidays, but nobody at least in my immediate family really cares about religion. Probably has something to do with the fact that I am autistic so "faith" goes against my core being, and that my dad is a quantum physicist.

[Usseewa ✾ She♡They ✾]

3 hours ago, Deception said:

Yes same. I am atheist and don't intend to convert but I still think religion is interesting sometimes. I am from a household where some uncles and stuff practice various religions and we celebrate christian holidays, but nobody at least in my immediate family really cares about religion. Probably has something to do with the fact that I am autistic so "faith" goes against my core being, and that my dad is a quantum physicist.

I grew up religious for a bit then not and family not really religious kinda and yeah stuff

it's not that i don't believe in anything

i just believe in nothing

 

...

 

lol

 

[Deception He/Him]

20 minutes ago, Usseewa said:

it's not that i don't believe in anything

i just believe in nothing

 

...

 

lol

?

[Usseewa ✾ She♡They ✾]

7 hours ago, Deception said:

?

it was a dumb thing that didn't have much meaning to be honest 

[Hmmm lies she/her]

18 hours ago, Usseewa said:

is anyone else interested/intrigued by religion (at least sometimes) despite being an atheist?

i am

For sure, I always love looking at it from a psychological, political, and historical perspective. Especially longer ago, stuff thousands of years ago tends to interest me more than the modern day. Stuff like formation of religions and stuff.

 

I wanna write a big thing about criticism of the concept of sin later but not rn.

[Aeoryi she/her]

interestingly the philosophy behind truth and religion are fun little puzzles to analyze

[Ink and Embers Any pronouns]

20 hours ago, Usseewa said:

is anyone else interested/intrigued by religion (at least sometimes) despite being an atheist?

i am

Very much so! I find the concept of faith fascinating, especially given how incredibly influential it's been in history. And the evolution of religions and the ways in which some converge is always really fun to look at!

[CoderDrag0n8 He/They]

On 6/3/2026 at 1:29 PM, Usseewa said:

is anyone else interested/intrigued by religion (at least sometimes) despite being an atheist?

i am

I like the idea that god is not real, but the pure amount of belief in it has (negatively and positively) impacted the world in a very real way.

[ParaTulip fae/faer (declines as she/her)]

I have recently gotten into a book titled The Gospel of Christian Atheism which I recommend to anyone who does not mind the risk of losing their faith in either Christianity or Atheism. If you say "But I have no faith to lose" I say "Well read then!"

As someone who has come around to seeing faerself as something like a post-christian wiccan pretheist, meaning I passed through Christianity in order to arrive at a modern witchcraft that holds that a true god is yet to enter this world, the book is very interesting. It is trying to synthesize Hegel, Nietzsche, and William Blake to create a radical, non hierarchical, form of Christianity.

No clue why the author wants to cleave to Jesus, but that's his problem.

[Usseewa ✾ She♡They ✾]

Sigh.

I've been listening to the radio at night sometimes to stay up and it's lot of it is religious and/or spiritual. Like, the people are and they talk about it and stuff.

I've been like this for a bit.. where i sort of envy religious people. I'm trying to understand it... Sometimes I envy their belief in an afterlife (though also I believe spiritual nonreligious people can believe in one, too?), their hope... their love. By love I mean... sometimes it feels like .. like they have something to look to, to give them hope or make them feel loved or whatever. Hopefully I'm not misunderstanding idk.

And last night part of the radio thing was someone basically talking about having a vision-esque of Jesus or smth, and feeling love and hope and all that... and other people too just ... idk. I feel stupid saying all this. Maybe I shouldn't be listening to this so much. There's probably other ways to feel happy tbh.. There are..

I struggle to know what I believe anymore and have a sense of my own self and my mind and ... like i was lying in bed and it was weird thinking of the concept of my self my life my body... idk i mainly exist looking at other people's lives. escapism, perhaps.

maybe I haven't found care or love or whatever th heck from peopel ... i mean saying that is stupid cuz i have... but idk. maybe they're up-playing it ... there seemed to be some proseletysing language on the radio... idk.

but like some people seem to use their faith to hold on through rough times, so what do i do?

my life just feels kinds meaningless. i wish i could believe in an afterlife tbh... or *anything* post-death... cuz maybe it'd give me hope.. of something better.. something that meant life doesnt just end..

i wish i could belive in spiritual stuff like some people I know... to find happiness or moments of joy to help with grief that i dont think ive ever felt.. yet..? my parents used to tell me that even when they died (i had... a fear of them dying ... it made me very sad when i was younger to think theyd be gone some day and id have to live without them and .. and like they were really the only people in my world pretty much.. so like yeh..) theyd still be with me and whatnot.. and stuff with next lives and stuff.. but i dont think ive ever believed in that, so it... idk. Maybe i did initially.. and it did make me happy-sad probably.... but idk.

maybe thats why people believe it anyway.

 

ado maybe its that im starting to wonder if im the one who's wrong, since it appears to me that.. pretty much everyone believes in something i dont- religion or spirituality or afterlife in general or the universe stuff, whatever that fits into ("it's a sign from the universe"), or ancestors, or paranormal (kinda spiritual tho?), or.. idk. Basically that's just spiritual and religious.

maybe too cuz the radio people keep saying contradicting political views to mine (ill try not to get into that cuz its against rules maybe). So like, ... idk but its also the only thing there. They talk of "me" (my views) as .. "we" talk of their's. Sigh.. Or maybe ive never been around people with mine. i mean.. i mean that differently and not as literally as it may seem.

i know (or think?) that spirituality and religion are different and probably some people here have beliefs i dont but.. idk. it doesnt rly matter tbh but idk....

i just grew up with all this.. sll this stuff snd i never told them i didnt believe it until like.. it took a while. st least for some of it ... and like for them its a normal part of life, they believe it they dont seem to question it and then i just silently dont hold that beliefs and.. i feel - felt, i guess - alone? i felt so long i was keeping a secret, had to pretend or smth ...

hopefully nothing i say here is hateful.. im not intending to be .. but tbh someone can be so without knowing any better snd then needs to educated..

but like i dont believe in anything. or maybe i do, who knows. maybe i believe in something so innately that it feels "real," which maybe is exactly how others feel?

and sometimes.. sometimes i find myself eithrr... like wanting to erite or make up storoes thst have beliefs i dont have .. badicaly like the fantasy genre sort of. in a way.

then i start hating on myself and accuse myself of wanting to create a religion.. sigh

or maybe i do, but in fiction.. and i cant separate that.

i dont know what i want anymore, but i envy certain aspects of religion. Maybe i just want to feel like my life has meaning. matters. that im not so alone.

 

edit: i was also.. basically raised by one to think that religion is bad (pretty much.. at leadt thsts what i got out of it) and now that its changing and im more curious.. more accepting... which is honestly probably a good think cuz like... you know... discrimination and stuff is bad... including for religion... i assume... so now ive also been questioned if im religious and like "its okay though! just not if you're __________, _________, etc. And not of you __________....".. and basically i still see it as not me and not sometihing i can do cuz ... yeah. uhm.

............

i dont think im religious tho.. dont think i could believ e in anything.

..

sigh i hate .. things.. myself .. i keep feeling like ehat i think of or want is morally wrong and is horrible ..

 

what i want or consider cuz idk what i want cuz i think everything except how i am now (whatever the heck that is..) is wrong...

 

edit2: idk maybe idk idk idk if idk why did i even erite this..

ado... now i js feel sick

Edited Thursday at 05:31 PM by Usseewa