A Better Life in Yosemite with Alex Honnold

Rock climber Alex Honnold on being an atheist, and his passion for nature and the outdoors for the upcoming photography book A Better Life: 100 Atheists Speak Out on Joy and Meaning in a World Without God. For more information, visit:

http://www.theatheistbook.com

http://www.facebook.com/theatheistbook

Alex is arguably the best free solo rock climber in the world. In addition to breaking many speed records, he has completed the only known solo climb of the Yosemite Triple crown Mt. Watkins, El Capitan, and Half Dome. He has been featured on the cover of National Geographic and was profiled on CBS's 60 Minutes.

Music credit: "Into The Light" by Brokenkites.

• Category

  People & Blogs

[Fran G]

If i understood you.you're saying that you think atheist try to fill in some way what they are missing from religion/god. I don't agree. I think seeking a meaning is a natural thing for a human.Believers use god to find that meaning, to fill that void, and atheist we try to find it somewhere else or we just accept the void. I don't know, for me god and in particular religion just seem like a way not to face the sad reality; we're gonna die, it's scary! Not trying to fight.I just like debates

[kiwidubz]

Train by day, Joe Rogan podcast by night

[Kevin Berger]

Insert religious comment here explaining my superiority over other YouTube commenters.

[Eben Daggett]

I'll admit, most atheists are atheists because religion doesn't allow them to smoke pot, or it's not cool. However, the true atheists I know don't try to fill anything or need a meaning of life. We understand that here and now is all you get, so live it up! It is the religious hordes that must fill their lives with meaning and anticipate the next life, all while neglecting this one. I feel sorry for them. My life started when I realized it was all a big lie. I'll never do that to my kids.

[Luckey Verhoeven]

OK Justin, it's Ok not to believe in anything. I am fine with it. However, it's not possible, and I bet you have some beliefs too. Perhaps not in a white bearded old Guy in an anti-septic corner of space, or not even in a universal energy/consciousness, or whatever. But atheism colors your outlook and beliefs; your conditioning. All my atheist Friends prove to me that they actually have quite strong beliefs, such as the origin of the universe, etc. And they try to convert me too! Ciao Amigo.

[jstnhnh]

(facepalm) It's not a belief system. an institution, or something that people "follow", either. It's not something you can convert people to or raise a child under. It's just a lack of belief. Just because religion is complicated doesn't mean the lack of it is, too.

[Luckey Verhoeven]

It's just semantics really, Justin. Atheism is another belief system, and I guess I look at all religions from that wide angle. So, if Religion should be left out of sport, then Atheism should be as well. Believing something, or believing in not believing are one's own personal affairs. Best to leave it that way. Regards.

[jstnhnh]

Atheism is actually a lack of religion.

[IronicAtheist]

Ah ok, I understand now.

[jstnhnh]

BeepimajeepBeep. Climbers are usually pretty mellow.

[IronicAtheist]

Who does?

[jstnhnh]

"Also, you seem to be an asshole."

Lol, he seems pretty intense for a rock climber.