I’m an Atheist

“If we know suicide doesn’t discriminate, then why are we discriminating people from the conversation? Suicide is everyone’s business.”

The world of grief and loss is saturated with religion. There are those who will push their beliefs on others without even considering or acknowledging that some are not comforted by the supernatural. Atheists are already marginalized and if you’re in mourning, it might be difficult to find a safe place to voice your non-beliefs, without fear of being ostracized or shunned.

Not too long after her late husband’s suicide, the artist found a community without religion called Oasis. Her blind-contour drawings capture speakers, musicians, various artists and activists seen at Oasis meetings.

I was motivated to create this series because some of the very same people who say to speak up on mental health are also the ones creating silence and continuing the stigma. Are they really wanting to help everyone or just those who believe in the same religion as they do? I’ve been to awareness and prevention events that pray at the attendees or tell audiences that their loved one is in heaven with god. I’m an Atheist and so was my late husband. What if an audience was told there was no god? How would that make them feel?

Some atheists, agnostics, humanists, and/or freethinkers are told they are evil, immoral, misguided souls who are going to hell. Some will criticize secular communities, like Oasis, and dismiss them as an “Atheist Church.” For me, I am grateful that Oasis and communities like Oasis put people before beliefs. Thank you for reminding us that we can be good and godless. Thank you for welcoming and including those who dare to think differently.