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When I was 19, I stopped believing in God. There was no grand moment of rebellion, no tragic event that turned me bitter, and certainly no clichéd lightning bolt of clarity. It was more of a slow unraveling—a quiet but undeniable realization that I just didn’t buy into it anymore.
Table of Contents
The Moment I Stopped Believing
A personal story of leaving Christianity at 19.
Exploring philosophy, Taoism, and the journey to self-discovery.
What Fulfillment Looks Like Without Faith
Finding meaning in family, friends, community, and self-made morality.
Debunking the Myths About Atheism
Challenging stereotypes about atheists being negative or lost.
Living with Purpose as a Positive Atheist
Embracing this life as the ultimate source of meaning.
The Balance Between Belief and Non-Belief
Acknowledging the value of faith while staying true to atheistic perspectives.
Why atheism is a call to live fully and authentically.
WHAT DOES ATHEISM MEAN?
Atheism is the absence of belief in any gods or divine beings, representing a worldview centred on logic, evidence, and human experience. Unlike religious belief systems, atheism does not adhere to sacred texts, rituals, or universal doctrines, making it uniquely diverse and individualistic. Globally, atheism is on the rise, particularly in secular and high-income nations, where individuals seek meaning through personal growth, relationships, and ethical values rather than religious frameworks. This perspective often aligns with humanist principles, prioritising morality, empathy, and societal progress without reliance on
supernatural beliefs.
The Moment I Stopped Believing
I remember sitting in church one Sunday morning, looking around at the congregation. Everyone seemed genuinely moved by the songs and sermons, but I felt like an outsider. I wasn’t feeling what they were feeling. Instead, I was grappling with questions no one seemed to want to answer—or even admit were worth asking. The problem wasn’t God, per se. The problem was that I seemed to be pretending to believe in something I didn’t.
So, I stopped pretending.
The Road to Meaning (Sans Religion). My search for meaning.
Dropping Christianity wasn’t easy. It felt like stepping off a train that everyone else in my life was still riding. For a while, I floated in this weird liminal space—half free, half lost. That’s when I turned to books. If faith couldn’t answer my questions, maybe philosophy could. I devoured Nietzsche, Alan Watts, Sartre, Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, and even dabbled in existentialism and Taoism.
Taoism especially hit home for me. Its emphasis on balance and flow—without any promises of heaven or threats of hell—felt freeing. I didn’t need to force answers to the big questions because, sometimes, life doesn’t offer them. And that’s okay. Taoism’s "non-answer answers" (as I like to call them) made sense to me in a way religious certainty never had.
But let’s be honest, walking the atheist path in a world dominated by belief systems isn’t all rainbows and Taoist poetry. Atheists are often pegged as cynical, unhappy, or morally bankrupt. I’ve been a naturally positive person all my life, so this stereotype feels wildly unfair. The truth?
Atheists like me don’t need a deity to find meaning, morality, or happiness. We find it right here, in this one great life.
What Fulfillment Looks Like for a Positive Atheist
For me, fulfillment doesn’t come from awaiting rewards in an afterlife. It comes from building something meaningful in this life. I find it in:
Family and Friends: There’s nothing more grounding than spending time with people who truly know and love you. I cherish the moments I get to laugh, cry, and grow with them.
Community: Helping others and being part of something larger than myself fills my life with purpose.
Deciding My Own Morality: I don’t need commandments on a stone tablet to tell me to be good. Being kind for kindness’s sake feels more authentic.
The Little Things: A good cup of coffee, a stunning sunset, the smile on my sons face.
When you strip away the expectation of another life, the beauty of this life becomes much sharper.
Why Atheism Isn’t the Villain
Let’s clear something up: Atheists aren’t nihilists. We don’t all sit around in dark rooms muttering about the void. Sure, there are atheists who lean that way (just like there are miserable people in any belief system), but for me, atheism is the opposite of despair. It’s liberation.
By letting go of the idea that a higher power is orchestrating everything, I’ve found more peace than I ever did waiting for divine intervention. I know that my life is mine to shape, and I’m not wasting time hoping someone else will fix it.
As an Atheist, I take more responsibility for my actions, my thoughts, and my choices.
The Balance of Belief and Non-Belief
Some people ask me if I “hate” religion. The answer is no, I don’t. I can see the comfort it brings to others, and I respect that. But for me, it didn’t fit.
Atheism doesn’t have to mean rejecting everything about faith communities. There’s still wisdom to be found in philosophy, meditation, or ancient teachings like Taoism. I’m not here to “convert” anyone, just to offer a perspective that often gets buried under stereotypes.
Atheism statistics around the world
Atheism continues to grow globally, with significant variations in prevalence depending on cultural, societal, and historical contexts. In 2024, China leads the world with 91% of its population identifying as atheists or non-religious, reflecting the country's longstanding secular approach to governance and cultural norms.
Other nations with high rates of atheism include Japan (86%) and Sweden (78%). In the UK, atheists now outnumber theists for the first time, reflecting a broader trend in Western Europe where secularism is becoming increasingly dominant. In contrast, regions like Sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia maintain high levels of religiosity, with atheism often below 2% of the population.
Interestingly, atheism often challenges stereotypes. Studies reveal that atheists value family, freedom, and community to a similar extent as the general population.
They frequently reject the notion of "purposelessness," instead finding meaning in personal autonomy, human dignity, and a connection with nature. While atheism varies widely across demographics and cultures, its growth is largely influenced by generational shifts, education, and social norms, particularly in wealthier nations. This evolving demographic offers a rich perspective on morality and purpose outside traditional religious frameworks.
A Life Worth Living
I believe in being good because it’s good—not because I’m chasing a VIP pass to heaven. I believe in making the most of this one incredible life we have, not because I think it’s all meaningless, but because it’s so meaningful.
Life as an atheist is about freedom, responsibility, and connection. It’s about looking at the world and saying, “This is enough.” Because it is.
So, if you’ve ever felt like you don’t fit the mould of traditional belief systems—or like you’re searching for purpose outside of faith—you’re not alone. There’s a whole world of fulfillment waiting for you, no divine strings attached.
And if you’re curious about how to navigate life without the promises of an afterlife, well, that’s what Life 2.0 is all about.
Let’s embrace this one amazing life—together.
Cheers,
Matt Jones is a writer and entrepreneur
with multiple businesses who enjoys
inspiring others. He is also a professional
musician who has been to over 40 different
countries on all 7 continents. His personal
mission is to create and inspire. He is from
Los Angeles but is now based in Greater
London. His latest book "Life 2.0" is available on Amazon.
Nice post. I've been an atheist for many years now. Your perspective is very helpful.