Atheism as Rebellion & Pride: Are Atheists Just Rebelling Against God?
There are many popular myths about atheism and atheists which claim that people are atheists on account of some sort of rebellion (against god, religion, church, families, fathers, etc.) or pride. At most, these myths might be true of some but not all or even most atheists; even if true, however, none of these myths would have any implications for the truth or reasonableness of atheism itself.
Atheism as Rebellion & Pride: Are Atheists Just Rebelling Against God…
There are many popular myths about atheism and atheists which claim that people are atheists on account of some sort of rebellion (against god, religion, church, families, fathers, etc.) or pride. These myths come primarily from Christians whose religious mythology gives an important place to rebellion against divine rules as the origin of evil in the world (Satan is depicted as having rebelled a…
There are many popular myths about atheism and atheists which claim that people are atheists on account of some sort of rebellion (against god, religion, church, families, fathers, etc.) or pride. These myths come primarily from Christians whose religious mythology gives an important place to rebellion against divine rules as the origin of evil in the world (Satan is depicted as having rebelled a…
Myth: Atheism is a Crutch, Opiate of the Egotistical, Prepackaged Worldview
It's not uncommon for atheists to argue that religion and theism are a sort of crutch that makes it easier for people to deal with problems in life, so perhaps it's not a surprise that some might try to turn this around and argue that atheism is actually the crutch. How, though, can mere disbelief in gods act like a crutch in any manner - no matter how metaphorical? The problem lies in misrepresenting atheism as if it were a belief system.
It's not uncommon for atheists to argue that religion and theism are a sort of crutch that makes it easier for people to deal with problems in life, so perhaps it's not a surprise that some might try to turn this around and argue that atheism is actually the crutch. How, though, can mere disbelief in gods act like a crutch in any manner - no matter how metaphorical? The problem lies in misrepresenting atheism as if it were a belief system.
Myth: Atheism is the Conviction that Nothing is Beyond Human Knowledge
Atheists are frequently accused of being arrogant for thinking that they know too much. Sometimes they are accused of thinking they can know God doesn't exist (but it's OK for theists to say they know God does exist). Other times they are accused of presuming to know more than intelligent theists who believe in God (but it's OK for theists to presume to know more than intelligent atheists). Here, we have the accusation that atheists think nothing is beyond human knowledge.
Atheists are frequently accused of being arrogant for thinking that they know too much. Sometimes they are accused of thinking they can know God doesn't exist (but it's OK for theists to say they know God does exist). Other times they are accused of presuming to know more than intelligent theists who believe in God (but it's OK for theists to presume to know more than intelligent atheists). Here, we have the accusation that atheists think nothing is beyond human knowledge.
Myth: You're Not Really an Atheist, You Just Want to be Contrary
There are many popular myths about atheists which portray them as not really being serious about disbelieving, while other myths suggest atheists are in denial about what they really think. This myth combines both and presents them at the same time. First the atheist is only proclaiming atheism in order to be "contrary" with others while at the same time denying what they really believe - someday, they will admit the truth and will give up acting like they don't believe in God.
There are many popular myths about atheists which portray them as not really being serious about disbelieving, while other myths suggest atheists are in denial about what they really think. This myth combines both and presents them at the same time. First the atheist is only proclaiming atheism in order to be "contrary" with others while at the same time denying what they really believe - someday, they will admit the truth and will give up acting like they don't believe in God.
Are Atheists are in Denial? Atheists Know God Exists and are Lying
Some people are so sure of the existence of their god that they have trouble imagining that someone else could honestly not feel the same way. Some may also imagine that the existence of evidence for their god is so abundant and so overwhelming that genuine disbelief cannot exist. It may be possible for a person to be confused as to what the 'real' God is, but not that God does exist.
Some people are so sure of the existence of their god that they have trouble imagining that someone else could honestly not feel the same way. Some may also imagine that the existence of evidence for their god is so abundant and so overwhelming that genuine disbelief cannot exist. It may be possible for a person to be confused as to what the 'real' God is, but not that God does exist.
Myth: Atheism is the Denial of God, Atheists Deny God
The most common misunderstanding about atheism involves the definition. Many people insist that atheism is really the denial of the existence of God, but there are two errors here. First, it pretends that atheism is exclusively about their god, the god common to Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Second, it focuses on a narrow sub-set of atheism and atheists to the exclusion of all others. Standard dictionaries list 'disbelief in god or Gods' as the first and primary definition of atheism.
The most common misunderstanding about atheism involves the definition. Many people insist that atheism is really the denial of the existence of God, but there are two errors here. First, it pretends that atheism is exclusively about their god, the god common to Christians, Jews, and Muslims. Second, it focuses on a narrow sub-set of atheism and atheists to the exclusion of all others. Standard dictionaries list 'disbelief in god or Gods' as the first and primary definition of atheism.
Myth: Atheists Refuse to Accept Divine Rule
Robert Morey, in his book 'The New Atheism and the Erosion of Freedom', argues that people today become atheists because they 'actually hate God.' Why? According to Morely, atheists are distraught at God's demands for servitude. Atheists don't want to acknowledge any authority above themselves, and so attack the idea of a god in order to deny the existence of that Supreme Authority.
Robert Morey, in his book 'The New Atheism and the Erosion of Freedom', argues that people today become atheists because they 'actually hate God.' Why? According to Morely, atheists are distraught at God's demands for servitude. Atheists don't want to acknowledge any authority above themselves, and so attack the idea of a god in order to deny the existence of that Supreme Authority.
Myth: Real Atheism Requires Omniscience
This argument makes the mistake of assuming that an atheist, to be an atheist, must have certain knowledge that no gods exist. It also makes the mistake of assuming that universal negatives cannot be proven. Neither is true. Atheism is just the absence of belief in gods, not an attitude of certainty. Even when an atheist denies the existence of any gods, it's not impossible to prove a negative.
This argument makes the mistake of assuming that an atheist, to be an atheist, must have certain knowledge that no gods exist. It also makes the mistake of assuming that universal negatives cannot be proven. Neither is true. Atheism is just the absence of belief in gods, not an attitude of certainty. Even when an atheist denies the existence of any gods, it's not impossible to prove a negative.
Myth: Atheism Caused By Bad Relationships With Fathers
It sounds bizarre to suggest that atheism has anything to do with one's relationship with their father, but this myth has become popular due to the efforts of Paul Vitz, a psychologist and former atheist who argues that the basis of atheism can be found in a person's defective relationship with their father. Thus the denial of God - the Heavenly Father - is a reflection of our inability to be close to an earthly father.
It sounds bizarre to suggest that atheism has anything to do with one's relationship with their father, but this myth has become popular due to the efforts of Paul Vitz, a psychologist and former atheist who argues that the basis of atheism can be found in a person's defective relationship with their father. Thus the denial of God - the Heavenly Father - is a reflection of our inability to be close to an earthly father.
Myth: Atheists Are Angry That God Didn't Do Something, are Just Being Petulant
The myth that atheists are angry in general is itself already quite popular, but the myth that atheists are angry specifically at God for not having done what they want may be more popular. This combines the idea that atheists are angry, that they are prideful enough to think that they know better than God, and that they are rebelling against what God wants for the world. Atheists are thus attacked from a variety of convenient directions, except for the fact that the claim is all wrong.
The myth that atheists are angry in general is itself already quite popular, but the myth that atheists are angry specifically at God for not having done what they want may be more popular. This combines the idea that atheists are angry, that they are prideful enough to think that they know better than God, and that they are rebelling against what God wants for the world. Atheists are thus attacked from a variety of convenient directions, except for the fact that the claim is all wrong.
Myth: Atheists are Too Proud to Admit Error, That's Why they Deny God
This particular myth about atheists doesn't specifically address atheism itself — it doesn't come out and say that atheism is wrong nor does it argue that their theism is more reasonable. Instead, it is a personal attack on the character of the atheist being addressed. The reason why is not clear, but it appears to be an attempt to imply that atheism is wrong because atheists share some negative attribute. Even if this myth were true, however, it would not be a reason to reject atheism.
This particular myth about atheists doesn't specifically address atheism itself — it doesn't come out and say that atheism is wrong nor does it argue that their theism is more reasonable. Instead, it is a personal attack on the character of the atheist being addressed. The reason why is not clear, but it appears to be an attempt to imply that atheism is wrong because atheists share some negative attribute. Even if this myth were true, however, it would not be a reason to reject atheism.
Myth: Atheists Are Just Angry That They Aren't God, Can't Make All the Rules
Sometimes people who don’t believe in any gods are accused of actually wanting to be God themselves. This may be because some religious theists place their god in charge of everything in their lives — all of their decisions and choices are made on the basis of what they assume their god wants. Atheists, however, make their decisions on their own and thus might appear to be putting themselves in the place where others have their god. Thus, atheists may appear to be assuming the position of God.
Sometimes people who don’t believe in any gods are accused of actually wanting to be God themselves. This may be because some religious theists place their god in charge of everything in their lives — all of their decisions and choices are made on the basis of what they assume their god wants. Atheists, however, make their decisions on their own and thus might appear to be putting themselves in the place where others have their god. Thus, atheists may appear to be assuming the position of God.
Myth: Atheism as Rebellion Against Parents & Family, Against Family Religion
Most people acquire their religion through the influence of their families — whatever religion one's parents and siblings belong to, that is the religion a person learns about from their earliest years and to which a person professes adherence through most, if not all, of their life. It may thus seem reasonable to conclude that anyone who deliberately abandons the religion of their parents must be "acting out" and rebelling against their family.
Most people acquire their religion through the influence of their families — whatever religion one's parents and siblings belong to, that is the religion a person learns about from their earliest years and to which a person professes adherence through most, if not all, of their life. It may thus seem reasonable to conclude that anyone who deliberately abandons the religion of their parents must be "acting out" and rebelling against their family.
Myth: Atheists are Rebelling Against the Church, Religious Institutions, Leaders
It is true that there are people who have become atheists due to anger at their church and/or religious institutions generally. It is also true that some of these same atheists have not let go of their anger even today, allowing it to influence their critiques of religion and theism. It's wrong, however, to conclude that therefore atheism is necessarily or inherently an act of rebellion against church and religion. Many, if not most, atheists come to atheism via means other than rebellion.
It is true that there are people who have become atheists due to anger at their church and/or religious institutions generally. It is also true that some of these same atheists have not let go of their anger even today, allowing it to influence their critiques of religion and theism. It's wrong, however, to conclude that therefore atheism is necessarily or inherently an act of rebellion against church and religion. Many, if not most, atheists come to atheism via means other than rebellion.