Thougths Of An Atheist.
THE MIRROR OR THE WINDOW
A recent conversation I had went like this:
Me: … even I believe that, and I’m not catholic.
My brother: What do you mean you’re not catholic?
Me: (look of disbelief)
My brother: If you’re not catholic then what are you?
Me: I’m Atheist, you know that!!!
My brother: Yeah, but I thought you would have outgrown that by now.
I spent long hours soul-searching for my faith. I found the answers that resonate with me are inconsistent with God (of any faith). This belief explains the world as I see it. You (the non-atheists), have found your own belief. And, just as you can poke holes at my belief, I can do likewise to yours. Accordingly, in this post, I will not defend my beliefs. Nor will I attack yours. Here I will only attempt to dispel some of the myths surrounding Atheism.
Many non-atheists try to understand it. The failure to do so adequately often originates from that they look at atheist through their own system of beliefs. I equate this with trying to observe by looking into a mirror. Success would more easily be achieved from an objective point of view, in other words, by looking through the window.
Please note that since Christians represent the bulk of persons who have expressed their curiosity of atheism to me, I use the word Christian to represent all faiths.
ATHEISTS ARE PEOPLE WITHOUT FAITH
MIRROR: From the perspective of people who share a widely held faith, this would seem obvious. By looking in the mirror, you suppose that anyone who does not believe as you do is wrong or imperfect, that those who do not believe lack a proper faith. Is this an exaggeration? Which of the two following questions do you ask atheists?
“Why don’t you believe in God?”
“What do you believe?”
WINDOW: Atheists also have a system of beliefs which are as important to us as yours are to you. It isn’t that I don’t believe in God. That is the lack of belief. It is that I believe there is no God. That is an alternate belief. The arguments in favour of one vs. the other are irrelevant to this argument. Whichever belief hold true in the absolute sense is debatable. Not debatable is the fact that atheism is not a lack of faith.
ATHEIST ARE REBELLING AGAINST CHURCH WRONGDOINGS
MIRROR: By looking into the mirror, you see atheist complaints about past church transgression as a weak excuse for their “desertion”. Christians who believe this have fallen victim to the “post hoc, ergo proctor hoc” fallacy. Atheistic beliefs are not caused by the complaints that precede them.
WINDOW: Bear in mind that the complaints are, in most instances, expressions of opinions on important historical events, not the source of deep-rooted beliefs. Atheists are well aware that, for every Urban II or Leo X, there were innumerable good Christians. No one feels that modern Christians have reason to be ashamed for the isolated instances of misconduct by religious zealots of the past.
However, the beneficial outcomes of organized religion do not excuse it from enquiry and criticism. Proponents of the enquiry adhere to the adage “he who does not learn from the past is condemned to repeat it”. This group not populated solely by atheists.
ATHEIST ARE REBELLING AGAINST RELIGIOUS PRACTICES
MIRROR: By looking into the mirror, Christians see atheism as an excuse on the part of indolent “would-be Christians” to disregard burdensome doctrines. This is the most self-righteous view of atheism of all. Rejection of dogmatic practices is not a benefit sought by atheist. They are simply incompatible with our own beliefs.
WINDOW: The source of my belief, as noted above, was thoughtful soul-searching. This is presumably the case for most atheists. Like many atheists, I believe organized religion is an outdated social construct. That belief however, is neither the root, nor the result of atheism.
Atheists find it difficult to see the relationship between the traditions, rituals, sacraments, etc, and a deeper connection with God. They will then express opinion of these religious practices. As an unfortunate side effect of the ensuing arguments, Christians are left with the impression that avoiding these practices is the reason for atheism. I have not yet to meet the atheist who converted to avoid the trauma of touching blessed water.
I hope you will indulge me in a short digression… Christians who hold the view above are those that I consider as most self-righteous. As if adherence to a code of conduct created by people was a real measure of devotion to ones faith. Only the truly sanctimonious cannot see a line between socially accepted doctrines and individually held beliefs.
ALL SECULARIST ARE ATHEISTS
This myth is, to some extents, excusable. I found two definitions of secularism on online dictionaries. The first defines it as religious scepticism or indifference. This definition is so broad that it could partially define atheist. It could also apply to agnostics, heretics or even less-than-pious Christians. Because of its over-extended reach, I will ignore it. The second definition of secularism is the view that religious considerations should be excluded from civil affairs and public education. The belief that this definition is interchangeable with that of atheism is also prevalent and is what I will address.
MIRROR: By looking in the mirror, you see the principles of your faith as an important source of guidelines conducive to social well-being. By focusing on the mirror, you might get the impression that no other source could exist and therefore, anyone who doesn’t see God as part of civil affairs must not see God at all.
WINDOW: If you look through the window, you will see that religion does not hold a monopoly as a source of guidelines conducive to social well-being. For example, I believe that, to continue to evolve, we must bring societal standards in-line with Utilitarian values, which is a philosophical view disconnected from religious beliefs.
If this perception of secularist comes from exposure to the minority who take secularism too far, note that the extremist are on the fringes of secularism and are no more representative of moderate secularists that the KKK is representative of Christianity. Most atheists are not offended by existing Christian influences in society. Most secularists aren’t either. I’m not sure that removing the words “God keep our land” would create any benefit for anyone.
In general, the arguments in favour of secularism are not to remove God from the system. Rather, they are o introduce a different set of values. When these are inconsistent with Christian values, secularists are willing to separate religion from the organization of societal systems. This separation is easier for atheist and agnostics, which creates the impression that all secularists are atheists. But, it is conceivable that some Christians believe their faith to be for individuals and not necessarily applicable to an entire society. Therefore secularism is not limited to atheists (or vice versa)
ATHEIST HAVE NO VALUES OR MORES
MIRROR: You follow the teachings of Jesus (or the equivalent for followers of other religions). Since that is the only source of ethics that you know of, it must the only one.
WINDOW: Until I questioned my faith I had never considered where my values came from. I simply assumed that I behaved in a manner expected of a good Christian, that my religion was the source and that all Christians behave similarly. In fact, that was largely true. But then how can I explain that I continue to behave that way now that I am no longer Catholic?
I said I did not intent to defend atheism in this post but this point is important so I will explain it in more detail while attempting not to be preachy. Over time, I came to understand that, what I described above as largely true was not that religion was the source of my values, but, that it was my source of understanding them. Religion was the source of the verbalization of my values and their meanings.
This is a difficult concept to grasp. If the origin is not religion; what is it? I could only speculate on the answer to that question. For example, it may be that values are evolutionary tools hard-wired into our DNA which help humans work together in a manner that promotes survival.
In any case, without being able to answer the question why values are ingrained in all persons regardless of religion, I still believe this to be true. Consider that people of all religion have so many similarities in their respective values; Christians, Buddhist, Atheists, etc. The similarities are not reserved to organized monotheist groups either. Consider the similar values of superstitious tribes as dispersed as those from the Amazon to Papua. Surely there must be a common thread besides religious beliefs.
Now I can return to the window. My ethics are generally utilitarian. Other atheist may derive theirs from a different philosophy. Whatever the case, there is no material reason to suspect atheists as being more likely to unethical behaviour than anyone else.
CONCLUSION
People in general have a habit of attributing characteristics to entire groups of people rather than getting to really know them. Although I can be guilty of this myself, my skin crawls when I hear things like “Catholics are a bunch of hypocrites”. Your’s should crawl too when you hear “Atheist are a bunch of (insert stereotypical observation here)”. This system of beliefs may be newly recognized but it is already far to complex to be stuffed into the little box of pre-conceived notions.
Now that you can see through the window, it’s time for the next step. Open it.
A recent conversation I had went like this:
Me: … even I believe that, and I’m not catholic.
My brother: What do you mean you’re not catholic?
Me: (look of disbelief)
My brother: If you’re not catholic then what are you?
Me: I’m Atheist, you know that!!!
My brother: Yeah, but I thought you would have outgrown that by now.
I spent long hours soul-searching for my faith. I found the answers that resonate with me are inconsistent with God (of any faith). This belief explains the world as I see it. You (the non-atheists), have found your own belief. And, just as you can poke holes at my belief, I can do likewise to yours. Accordingly, in this post, I will not defend my beliefs. Nor will I attack yours. Here I will only attempt to dispel some of the myths surrounding Atheism.
Many non-atheists try to understand it. The failure to do so adequately often originates from that they look at atheist through their own system of beliefs. I equate this with trying to observe by looking into a mirror. Success would more easily be achieved from an objective point of view, in other words, by looking through the window.
Please note that since Christians represent the bulk of persons who have expressed their curiosity of atheism to me, I use the word Christian to represent all faiths.
ATHEISTS ARE PEOPLE WITHOUT FAITH
MIRROR: From the perspective of people who share a widely held faith, this would seem obvious. By looking in the mirror, you suppose that anyone who does not believe as you do is wrong or imperfect, that those who do not believe lack a proper faith. Is this an exaggeration? Which of the two following questions do you ask atheists?
“Why don’t you believe in God?”
“What do you believe?”
WINDOW: Atheists also have a system of beliefs which are as important to us as yours are to you. It isn’t that I don’t believe in God. That is the lack of belief. It is that I believe there is no God. That is an alternate belief. The arguments in favour of one vs. the other are irrelevant to this argument. Whichever belief hold true in the absolute sense is debatable. Not debatable is the fact that atheism is not a lack of faith.
ATHEIST ARE REBELLING AGAINST CHURCH WRONGDOINGS
MIRROR: By looking into the mirror, you see atheist complaints about past church transgression as a weak excuse for their “desertion”. Christians who believe this have fallen victim to the “post hoc, ergo proctor hoc” fallacy. Atheistic beliefs are not caused by the complaints that precede them.
WINDOW: Bear in mind that the complaints are, in most instances, expressions of opinions on important historical events, not the source of deep-rooted beliefs. Atheists are well aware that, for every Urban II or Leo X, there were innumerable good Christians. No one feels that modern Christians have reason to be ashamed for the isolated instances of misconduct by religious zealots of the past.
However, the beneficial outcomes of organized religion do not excuse it from enquiry and criticism. Proponents of the enquiry adhere to the adage “he who does not learn from the past is condemned to repeat it”. This group not populated solely by atheists.
ATHEIST ARE REBELLING AGAINST RELIGIOUS PRACTICES
MIRROR: By looking into the mirror, Christians see atheism as an excuse on the part of indolent “would-be Christians” to disregard burdensome doctrines. This is the most self-righteous view of atheism of all. Rejection of dogmatic practices is not a benefit sought by atheist. They are simply incompatible with our own beliefs.
WINDOW: The source of my belief, as noted above, was thoughtful soul-searching. This is presumably the case for most atheists. Like many atheists, I believe organized religion is an outdated social construct. That belief however, is neither the root, nor the result of atheism.
Atheists find it difficult to see the relationship between the traditions, rituals, sacraments, etc, and a deeper connection with God. They will then express opinion of these religious practices. As an unfortunate side effect of the ensuing arguments, Christians are left with the impression that avoiding these practices is the reason for atheism. I have not yet to meet the atheist who converted to avoid the trauma of touching blessed water.
I hope you will indulge me in a short digression… Christians who hold the view above are those that I consider as most self-righteous. As if adherence to a code of conduct created by people was a real measure of devotion to ones faith. Only the truly sanctimonious cannot see a line between socially accepted doctrines and individually held beliefs.
ALL SECULARIST ARE ATHEISTS
This myth is, to some extents, excusable. I found two definitions of secularism on online dictionaries. The first defines it as religious scepticism or indifference. This definition is so broad that it could partially define atheist. It could also apply to agnostics, heretics or even less-than-pious Christians. Because of its over-extended reach, I will ignore it. The second definition of secularism is the view that religious considerations should be excluded from civil affairs and public education. The belief that this definition is interchangeable with that of atheism is also prevalent and is what I will address.
MIRROR: By looking in the mirror, you see the principles of your faith as an important source of guidelines conducive to social well-being. By focusing on the mirror, you might get the impression that no other source could exist and therefore, anyone who doesn’t see God as part of civil affairs must not see God at all.
WINDOW: If you look through the window, you will see that religion does not hold a monopoly as a source of guidelines conducive to social well-being. For example, I believe that, to continue to evolve, we must bring societal standards in-line with Utilitarian values, which is a philosophical view disconnected from religious beliefs.
If this perception of secularist comes from exposure to the minority who take secularism too far, note that the extremist are on the fringes of secularism and are no more representative of moderate secularists that the KKK is representative of Christianity. Most atheists are not offended by existing Christian influences in society. Most secularists aren’t either. I’m not sure that removing the words “God keep our land” would create any benefit for anyone.
In general, the arguments in favour of secularism are not to remove God from the system. Rather, they are o introduce a different set of values. When these are inconsistent with Christian values, secularists are willing to separate religion from the organization of societal systems. This separation is easier for atheist and agnostics, which creates the impression that all secularists are atheists. But, it is conceivable that some Christians believe their faith to be for individuals and not necessarily applicable to an entire society. Therefore secularism is not limited to atheists (or vice versa)
ATHEIST HAVE NO VALUES OR MORES
MIRROR: You follow the teachings of Jesus (or the equivalent for followers of other religions). Since that is the only source of ethics that you know of, it must the only one.
WINDOW: Until I questioned my faith I had never considered where my values came from. I simply assumed that I behaved in a manner expected of a good Christian, that my religion was the source and that all Christians behave similarly. In fact, that was largely true. But then how can I explain that I continue to behave that way now that I am no longer Catholic?
I said I did not intent to defend atheism in this post but this point is important so I will explain it in more detail while attempting not to be preachy. Over time, I came to understand that, what I described above as largely true was not that religion was the source of my values, but, that it was my source of understanding them. Religion was the source of the verbalization of my values and their meanings.
This is a difficult concept to grasp. If the origin is not religion; what is it? I could only speculate on the answer to that question. For example, it may be that values are evolutionary tools hard-wired into our DNA which help humans work together in a manner that promotes survival.
In any case, without being able to answer the question why values are ingrained in all persons regardless of religion, I still believe this to be true. Consider that people of all religion have so many similarities in their respective values; Christians, Buddhist, Atheists, etc. The similarities are not reserved to organized monotheist groups either. Consider the similar values of superstitious tribes as dispersed as those from the Amazon to Papua. Surely there must be a common thread besides religious beliefs.
Now I can return to the window. My ethics are generally utilitarian. Other atheist may derive theirs from a different philosophy. Whatever the case, there is no material reason to suspect atheists as being more likely to unethical behaviour than anyone else.
CONCLUSION
People in general have a habit of attributing characteristics to entire groups of people rather than getting to really know them. Although I can be guilty of this myself, my skin crawls when I hear things like “Catholics are a bunch of hypocrites”. Your’s should crawl too when you hear “Atheist are a bunch of (insert stereotypical observation here)”. This system of beliefs may be newly recognized but it is already far to complex to be stuffed into the little box of pre-conceived notions.
Now that you can see through the window, it’s time for the next step. Open it.
Sandro
"In the absence of evidence for or against God's existence, the wise man will choose to believe, since if he is correct he will gain his reward, and if he is incorrect he stands to lose nothing"
- Blaise Pascal
posted by zotfest @ 10:26 p.m.
3 comments
