Can anyone else but me tell what's in my heart?

Nope.

But let's back up, what am I even talking about?! As I've shared before, I'm an atheist and I do not believe in a god or gods.

And despite the fact that I try to be as clear as I can about my lack of belief and why it makes sense to me, some theists tend to turn around and tell me that I know it in my heart that god exists. But let me tell you, you don't and can't know what's in my heart and there is only one authority on what my position is and why I hold it - and that's me! I don't go around telling you that you believe in a deity because you are scared of death or because reality scares you, do I? If we are discussing religion, I would try to understand what your reasons for believing in what you believe in actually are and I don't go around inventing reasons for you. I expect you to extend the same courtesy to me.

And after all, how on Earth could begin to claim to know what's in my heart anyway? Instead of inventing my reasons for me, wouldn't you rather hear why I disagree with your world view and why I reject your claims? It doesn't matter if I'm right or wrong, you will at least know my point instead of substitute my position with your stereotype about the evil atheists that angry at god or something.

Well, that's really all I wanted to rant about. If you are talking to somebody that you disagree with, ask them about their reasons, don't invent imaginary and usually unrealistic reasons of your own for them. I bet that the answers you'll get and the discussions you'll have would be much more interesting and enlightening even if nobody gets convinced of anything new. I know it for a fact that I have found this approach much more productive.

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