MACAPAAR, ISMAEL S.

1-F

SEMINAR 2 03/21/17

ATHEISM: A MATTER OF CHOICE

In our Constitutional Law 2 discussions guaranteeing the fundamental right to freedom of

religion, we have discussed that just because a person does not believe in a higher being or a
deity immediately supposes the fact of lack of religion. As a law student I take cognizance of the
ruling by the highest court of the land itself, the Supreme Court, in the case of Estrada vs.
Escritor (2006) where non-theistic beliefs should be accorded a characteristic of existence.
Various legitimate sources define Atheism as a belief that a higher being or supernatural beings
are man-made construct myths and legends or who believe that these concepts are not
meaningful.

Personally, I believe that people who choose to be an atheist are people who also follow a
structure of practice or system like any other religion. Atheism is in itself a religion, as the
definition of religion should not be narrowly constricted to include those who espouse a belief in
a higher being or a supernatural being. In the same Supreme Court case I have cited, a religion
has 4 factors: (1) A belief that take place in the believers life, (2) Demonstrable degree of
sincerity, (3) Existence of a moral code, and (4) Associational ties. All of these are well-existing
in persons that practice Atheism, per my personal experience with Atheists.

Furthermore, I dont believe in the purpose of examining why people choose to be an

Atheist because it is the same as questioning why, in the first place, I chose to be a Muslim and
perform all the required practices attached to it. Many atheists, including those I know, all
spontaneously stated that they believe in the lack of a higher being because of various
circumstances in their life that made them do so. Once I recognised I was an atheist, I didn't have
to do anything. No church, no praying, no begging forgiveness. No rules. I live my life without
worrying about whether or not I am adhering to the facets of a faith. I can just be, quipped an
atheist.

One atheist who was interviewed by Huffington Post stated that one reason why he chose
to be an atheist is because in such belief there is no need to differentiate between, or give weight
to, confusing levels of belief, and I respect this statement of his. Whether someone believes in
Allah, Jesus, Buddha, Vishnu, or other Higher Beings, our Faith should not focus on proving that
our God or our religion is the correct one and the others are wrong. We must just focus on
practicing and strengthening our faith just like Atheists believe in its non-existence but do not
question others on why they believe on such existence.

In conclusion, our 1987 Constitution itself guarantees us a Freedom of religion and with
this, the freedom to believe in the existence or non-existence of a Higher Being and the freedom
to act on this belief (Iglesia ni Cristo vs. Court of Appeals).