I've never been comfortable with those who hold their religious beliefs so fervently that they close themselves off to all other possibilities. The world is full of scary religious fanaticism. For the same reason, however, I could never be an atheist. Atheism is in itself a religion, and in some places an organized religion. While most religions claim to be monotheistic it is an atheistic religion. How depressing to have a belief system centered around the belief that there is nothing out there and that we are truly alone. It's the same with professional skeptics, who make a living out of taking away the mystery in the world.
I've always figured that most people embraced religion because it provides comfort and certainty in an uncertain world. What benefits does atheism provide? I'm not arguing that one should adopt a religion or believe in a God, because I truly question what is out there. Still I'm guided by a certain spirituality and the knowledge that in a world where almost every element has been dissected into it's most basic components there are still things we don't understand, mysteries that exist. Call it God, magic, science or don't call it anything at all. Because sometimes it's in not knowing and being comfortable with our own ignorance that we open ourselves up to true discovery.
