Positive Atheism at its Best

The Tri-City Herald (Washington state) has a front-page story today about atheist Fernando Aguilar. The article is called “A belief in the here and now”:

This guy’s incredible.

Aguilar, 55, of Walla Walla, is a civil engineer and his work has taken him to some of the most dangerous places in the world. He’s been to Iraq twice and Afghanistan once since 2003, helping to build water systems, hospitals and schools.

He’s also done relief work in Southeast Asia and volunteered in Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina.

…

Aguilar says no two atheists hold exactly the same views because atheism isn’t a belief system. It’s simply a way of describing someone who doesn’t believe there’s a God.

For Aguilar, that’s the only take that makes sense. He’s an engineer, and he understands what he can measure and prove.

He believes that when you die, your mind and consciousness die too. That urgency gives his life meaning.

He tries to be a good partner to Yvonne and a good father. He has a daughter in college and son who’s a teacher, and he beams when he talks about them.

He tries to help other people when he can. That’s what he believes in.

…

Yvonne told a story about when Aguilar was in Iraq he didn’t pray to God when the mortar rounds were exploding around him. He turned to a friend and asked if she needed help.

How amazing is that.

I sent a note to reporter Sara Schilling thanking her for the terrific article. If you’re able, please do the same! Her email address is at the bottom of the article.


[tags]atheist, atheism[/tags]