The former CEO and current chairman of Microsoft is widely known for his Windows operating systems and very large contributions to various charities. Bill and Melinda Gates, through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, donated 6.8 billion dollars to 19 different foundations between 2011 and 2012. (Foundation Fact Sheet) The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation works on over 17 global development, and health issues ranging from agricultural development to global libraries, to HIV. The couple, open Agnostics (a person who holds the view that any ultimate reality (as God) is unknown and probably unknowable. (Merriam-Webster)) believe that every life has equal value (Foundation Fact Sheet). Bill and Melinda, two of the most giving human beings on earth, are agnostic; they don't practice religious guidelines, and from observation, just do good things. They, much like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, are example that a person does not have to go to church, or follow religious guidelines to contribute to society. The Gates, not only contribute through their foundation, but in the past have been responsible for huge technological advancements. This is proof, hard fact that one doesn't have to believe in God to be a good person; one can see a need, and address it because they innately know that it is the right thing to do. .
According to the Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry, "in an atheist world view, lying, cheating, and stealing are neither right or wrong. " (The Failure of Atheism to Account for Morality) From firsthand experience, as well as a personal interview with Ben Wilson- atheist, and host of Atheist on Air, that statement is far from the truth. I have grown up in and out of church for most of my life, and much like Mr. Wilson, former preacher, who was strict in his faith for many years; we each have experienced events in our life to make us question the existence of a higher power.
