Why Are Filipinos So Anti-Atheist?
I am an agnostic atheist, meaning, naniniwala ako na walang diyos (as the mainstream religions desrcibe it), but open ako for future events na makakapag-prove sa akin na meron ngang diyos. I was formerly a Catholic, born and raised. Simula bata pa ako, I was forced to be a church-goer, since I was promised na "paparusahan ako ni lord" if i don't. I thought that was weird, because bakit naman gagawin yun ng isang all-loving na god? But, since nalamon na ako ng dogma, dinismiss ko nalang yung skepticism ko. Keep in mind, this all happened when I was in elementary.
I started to question my beliefs, again, as a test for me to "prove my allegiance to god". Little did I know, dun ko malalaman ang truth about my religion, and its dirty practices, kept under the radar. I started to watch videos of Alex O'Connor sa Youtube. Dun ko na realize na andali palang i-refute nung mga teachings ng bible. I also realized na punong-puno ng immoralities yung mismong "salita ng diyos". Right after a month of research, I gave up on my beliefs entirely, and became a full-fledged agnostic.
As for my problem? It's the reaction of people around me, that utterly angers me to my core. Almost lahat ng taong nalalaman na atheist ako, pumupunta sa mga 'to :
1) "You're going to hell" 2) "What if mali ka? Isn't it better na maniwala ka nalang?" 3) "Ibig sabihin nyan, di ka talaga naniwala kay Hesus"
Okay, they are pretty exaggerated, but you get the point. The point is, the moment na malaman yung pagka-atheist ko, either pagbabantaan ako, or mai-invalidate yung belief ko. The question is, why? Why is it so hard-coded to the minds of Filipinos that - without religion, life loses meaning?
Edit : I'm not "anti-theist". I don't oppose religion, i just don't believe in it. So please, before you comment, please consider that I am not insulting your beliefs. I am not the typical "screw you, there is no god" atheist, I am actually open to switching again to religion, if there is reasonable proof thereof.
Edit 2 : Don't tell me to not express my atheism, in the comments. If religious people can express their beliefs, why can't I? And DON'T tell me that if I do stuff like this, I'll face consequences. I KNOW THAT ALREADY. What I'm wondering is, why do I experience the prosecution, without even arguing with people? I don't even express my belief that much. Yet it's still a big deal.