I am, when stripped to my core foundations of complete belief (or lack there of), an Atheist.
However, I do consider myself a pagan.
As I recognize at the base of my heritage my ancestors were curious of their surroundings. As they observed everything that brought life and death they recognized the power the universe held. Even without knowing the infinite expansion as we know it today, they were the first explorers into a new era of knowledge.
So as I recognize that my ancestors were pagan, I feel that I am too.
As my ancestors split up many years ago and created a colorful selection of belief systems I feel as though part of me is connected with everyone and that we are all one in the same created equal and birthed humbly in the nude.
I believe that the universe as a collection of energy manifested in different entities. We are all a manifestation of this energy along with the planets and stars. I am a pantheist.
As a pantheist I rely on science and reason for understanding better the things around me. I can share my curiosity with like minded (and some times unalike) people like yourselves.
I am an Atheist. As an individual I feel bound by reason like the energy in me is bound by the bond of electrons and protons within me that I have no true awareness of.
I am proud to be human. To be given this gift of consciousness is like winning the lottery.
After coming through a long road of pain and anguish, laughter and excitement, I am happy where I have ended up. I am most of all curious to see where I will go.
Sometimes I have trouble deciding whether I am more pantheist or atheist... as I do not believe in a god, I do believe that the universe is connected by an energy that flows through us all. I also sometime think that I may be Satanist, as I know they do not worship or may not even believe that deities exists. They believe that as a human being they hold the power to anything they desire. I recognize this power. I know I can achieve anything I will. I could end my own life, and that itself is unlimited power. So in this I might also be a Satanist.
Technically speaking, I am happy to be a "free thinking" Atheist.
There is nothing holding me back. I have a universe to discover and a lifetime to explore it.