Atheist Zeal
I responded to a garrulous forum thread. My reply pleases me but treats the idea too shallowly to belong on my website. I considered posting it to myspace but I have not visited there in ages. Strangely, Facebook incorporates only minimal blogging capability.
The BIG QUESTION! Gregrios > Thu Feb 12, 2009 5:39 pm
Why do some atheists passionately argue out against Christianity? I've managed to narrow it down to two logical explanations. 8-)
1) they sincerely care for the mental well being of Christians.
2) they are fighting against what they know deep down is true.
Honestly, the second seems much more probable.
Even though I see the general arc of this thread
Some atheists are passionate because atheism is itself a "religion." I encountered a 'definition' of religion that is independent of theism and consider it appropriate:
Obviously, atheism does not imply a specific set of rituals, ethical beliefs, ect. However, atheism is grounded in valuing specific premises that conclude in atheism. Sometimes, this is empirical evidence (and there is filtering at work here). Sometimes, it is a reaction to experiences with the dominant religion (which would definitely encourage passion).
If the atheist believes that various aspects of the dominant religion threaten those values (the other kids make fun of Tommy because he pauses during the pledge), then that atheist will act or argue defensively. This is the same for vociferous christians or muslims, ect. Why is it important to stamp out sinners and the Great Satan? Because these threaten something that X extremely values.
A subset of this occurs during early 'conversion' of any religion (again including atheist variants). Enthusiasm is highest when someone is new to an idea. Here, the focus centers on the positive aspects presented. Not enough time has passed for the responsibilities to kick in. <span="comment">My girlfriend moved in a little while ago and she is starting to nag about my habits. She wasn't such a downer when we first met. That person looks back at his/er former worldview with astonishment and hopes to accomplish the same change for friends and family. <span="comment">How did I ever get by on Windows? Mac is so spiffy-licious! Eventually, the aspirant A) runs out of amenable audiences, B) reflects on a more nuanced view of the idea, potentially reducing enthusiasm.
Take those for what they are worth, limited cases. I am describing some atheists; Gregrios describes some atheists; and so on for the other serious answers. Individual personalities are not monads, no group can hope to be either.