Happy Atheist Forum

How's it going guys? I'm new to these boards and I felt like finding a place where I can share my atheist ideals with others.

Anyways I got a question: For an assignment in my AP Literature class I'm supposed to pick some people that influenced my view on life based on their poetry, fiction, essays, or plays. I'm wanting to talk about Richard Dawkins who is a world famous Evolutionary Scientist who happens to be a hardcore atheist. After listening to him talk in videos that I've watched, he reinforced my atheist ideals. I'm not sure if I should talk about how he assured me that there is no invisible man in the sky that will cast judgment on me when I die.

Here's a snippet from my assignment: "Dawkins has helped me make sense of the world and he has assured me that I do not have to fear eternal damnation and that an invisible man in the sky is not watching my every move. I know that life did not begin with what people call “Intelligent Design,” but rather it began with what rationalists like to call the “Theory of Evolution.”"

Do you guys think I would get in any sort of trouble?

I heart Richard Dawkins. Before I started The God Delusion, I was about 80% sure that the bible was bs, but I was still very afraid of hell and had trouble sleeping. I just needed a dose of reality, served up by the Dawkins, to get me through that last 20%.

QuoteDo you guys think I would get in any sort of trouble?

I doubt it. Regardless, the classroom is a perfect setting to express your rationalism. Go for it!

Welcome to the forum. I would say as well to go for it. I had to do a similar assignment at my old catholic school thirty years ago (shit, I'm getting old). The topic of the assignment was something like "Why don't you go to church anymore?". I've never regretted it to tell the truth.

Would you get in any kind of trouble? Well, if your high school was anything like mine, you may not get into any trouble but they might "strongly suggest" you change topics...that's what I get for growing up in rural south Texas.

I feel bad for you that you have to question the topic of your assignment. I'm from Europe and here, most people don't give a sh*t about whether you're religious or not (it's also very unpolite to ask someone about their religion), so I've got no experience with this situation, but I think you should just go for it. Say what you have to say. Make America a little less god-dependent!

Welcome!  I adore Richard Dawkins' points of view, so I wholeheartedly support your assignment.  I think you'll be fine.