Reminder to all atheists: pointing and laughing is not an argument.
Renovations
I take a lot of heart in the fact that atheism has worked its way into the mainstream over the last few years. This is in large part thanks to the surprising success of Richard Dawkins’ “The God Delusion” and Christopher Hitchens’ “God is not Great“. I have only heard the audiobook of the former (and this was at work, so I was only half paying attention), and I haven’t read the latter - so I can’t really talk so much about the tone within those books. From what I recall of the Dawkins, it is largely well-reasoned and argued, and not too deliberately insulting, but I couldn’t say much more than that. No doubt a large part of their success comes from the strident nature of their titles. If a bit of harsh polemic is necessary to get the dialogue going, then so be it. It’s had the desired effect.
What bothers me is the growing smugness among vocal atheists. It’s damaging.
For a group that prides themselves on thinking logically, many atheists (particularly those who write/comment on the numerous atheist-circle-jerk blogs out there) don’t seem to understand that belittling their opponents is exactly the wrong way to convince them to reconsider their faith. Telling a Christian who may have some private doubts about her religion that the “invisible sky-dad’s zombie son was nothing but a raving lunatic” is a fine way to push her to the other side of the fence.
And really, the argument was won at least a century ago - it just hasn’t caught up with most of the world’s population. The bulk of contemporary philosophers did away with God a long time ago, as have most scientists. As the globe gets smaller and its various religions interact with greater frequency, the idea of a single “true” religion becomes increasingly difficult to hold (though a personal pastiche spirituality becomes easier). Doubtless there are those among the faithful who fear atheism because they expect divine vengeance, a valueless society, or simply out of a compassion for the surge of souls running headlong into the various hells that await the faithless. Still, there are certainly those who fear atheists because we might be right.
For a while I was almost tempted to join Dawkins’ “OUT” campaign. Unfortunately, the “Red A” logo is truly a crime against typography and good design. What’s more, the whole thing is at least as obnoxious as the Jesus Fish people stick on their cars. It seems a little silly to create another sect, when a common complaint against religion is its tendency to tribalism. Fighting fire with fire isn’t the way to go, here.
I should also address the Atheist Bus campaign, given that it’s spread beyond the UK, making its way to Toronto among other cities. In spite of myself I enjoy the campaign. I don’t really like the slogan (it’s vague at best), but the whole thing is playful enough that it manages to avoid most of the high-minded taunting that is so common when you get a bunch of atheists together in the same room.
It’s difficult. It’s really easy to be smug and cavalier about how silly religion is when you’re an atheist. I’ve damaged important friendships by taking a light attitude with what, to the spiritually minded, is a very serious thing. I still lapse into it on occasion, catching myself only after it’s too late. But please, people, let’s at least try to be a bit more civil. If our objective is to make the world a freer and more inclusive place, let’s not write off the majority of the population as fools. If we do, we’re the stupid ones.
