While many religions have set rules and doctrines, atheism and agnosticism are not held to such guidelines. According to religious.pewform.org, 1.6 percent of Americans are atheist and 2.4 percent are agnostic. The student body at Hoover has a tendency to mirror the general beliefs of the American population.

The same beliefs are present in senior Rowan Hanning.

“I chose to become an atheist because I find more validity in modern explanations for life than that of what a Bible would use to explain certain phenomena,” he said. “Beyond that, the belief [in] an ever-present omnipotent and all-controlling God strips away the idea of human free will. I refuse to believe in an existence in which we are predetermined in fate as to what we do in our lives.”

Nick Glunt, a columnist for the Kent Stater, said being an atheist may not always be popular and those who choose this belief may have to endure the criticisms of their peers. However, he does not allow the opinions of others to influence his attitude toward religion.

“The stereotype of the atheist is that they’re rude, demanding and condescending of other religions,” he said. “Many people believe atheists are untrustworthy and aggressive. Though some people fit this stereotype — just like any stereotype — not everybody does.  Just like any stereotype, it does drive people from the belief. I sometimes think about calling myself something less offensive to people’s ears so as not to upset people when they hear my beliefs.”

Hanning agreed.

“The biggest problem with religion is intolerance, and in some religions it’s even preached,” he said.

However, Hanning said it is not impossible for people with different religions to be friends with an atheist.

“I’ve got two really good [friends], almost like brothers, that are Christian. It never comes between us for the most part, and I don’t treat them differently,” Hanning said.

Glunt agreed and said he also respects the beliefs of his friends.

“Of my close friends, there is a Christian, a Catholic, some non-religious people and a few anti-religious people,” he said. “I am interested in their religious beliefs, even if I do not agree with them. I do not choose my friends based on religion; I choose my friends based on whether they’re good people.” 

Glunt said he is able to associate with friends from such diverse walks of life, because while he believes there is no God, he is not forceful about his adversity to God.

“Even though I’m an atheist and I believe there isn’t a god, I admit that this is merely a belief,” Glunt said. “I would never say, ‘There is no God.’ I’m not sure one way or the other. All I’m saying in my atheism is that based on the evidence presented to me, I do not think there is a God.”

According to dictionary.com, atheism is the lack of belief in a God, while agnosticism is the belief of the existence of the ultimate cause, as God, and the essential nature of things that are unknown and unknowable, or that human knowledge is limited to experience; a person who denies or doubts the possibility of ultimate knowledge in some area of study.

Atheists and agnostics deal with holidays similarly. Junior Laura Kingsley, who is agnostic, said she does not believe holidays are solely about the religious aspect.

“I celebrate with my family,” she said. “I guess I have my own beliefs. People say Christmas is a time to celebrate Jesus’s birth, but I say it’s to celebrate the spirit of giving.”

Junior Stephy Grable, who is also agnostic, agreed.

“My parents are both Lutheran so we celebrate the typical holidays,” she said. “I make it easier for my parents but they are very  [accepting] of my chosen religion. I love Christmas and Easter more for decorations rather than the actual thought behind them.”

While her Lutheran family believes in God, Grable views him as “someone that lived once, but isn’t a great overseer anymore.”

However, Kingsley said she is not as sure.

“I’m open to ideas, but none of those will become solid for me until I have hard facts,” she said.

Just as atheists do not believe there is a God, Kingsley said she is speculative about the existence of a heaven or hell.

 “No one knows; no one is certain,” she said. “[People] can say what they think, or what they’re told to think, but in the end, no one knows.”

In contrast, Grable said she is sure of her fate.

“I really don’t think [there is a heaven or hell],” she said. “I think there is good and evil after you die but not somewhere you are judged for your actions.”

Just as atheists are stereotyped for their beliefs, agnostics also take criticism from their peers.

“It’s one thing to ask [someone] about their religion or even ask them to defend it, but judging their religion and shoving your religion down their throat is not okay,” Grable said.

Kingsley said it is not okay to judge others.

“If someone is a die-hard Christian, there’s similarities between other Christians,” she said. “But I don’t think it’s okay to pass ‘judgment’ on them per se. Especially without knowing them.”

Kingsley said family can be an important influence on religion.

“My sister pointed me in the right direction, but never told me what the belief was called,” Kingsley said. “I later learned it was called agnosticism.”

Grable also said her family influenced her decision.

“My brother is the reason [I’m agnostic],” she said. “When I

was at a time where I was trying to [figure] out my own religion, my brother was in a very dramatic phase and told me there are so many contradictions. Now I just don’t believe.”

Though religion can be influenced by those we trust, Hanning said there is a strong difference between being forceful and being influential.

“The biggest thing I do in terms of [my religion] is make sure I don’t shove my ideals down someone’s throat,” Hanning said.