Atheism: I Can’t Believe It
Vincent Truman
I am an atheist. My stance was arrived at following nearly twenty years of study and fence-sitting, starting with a text-heavy “introduction to the seminary” course (not the official title, hence the lower case letters) when I was 18 and followed by independent study and research over the next couple of decades. The post-911 tomes by Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens were merely icing on the secular cake, illustrating sociological, biological and intellectual angles which I had not had opportunity to delve into as deeply as the authors. I eventually found my own type of personal peace through my philosophy, which I can best illustrate by not wanting or needing anyone to think as I do.
As an atheist, I am occasionally exposed to various platforms and proclamations of what is termed the “atheist movement” and, especially since Mr. Hitchens’ death in 2011, I have grown increasingly irritated and annoyed with what I could only describe as Whiny Bitch Syndrome.
To wit, I recently learned of atheists being excluded from Boston’s interfaith service held on private property promoting healing on April 18, 2013. I offer up these quotations and links:
“We gave the White House an opportunity to exert a little more influence to help include us, and I’m disappointed that didn’t happen,” [author Greg] Epstein added. “We spoke to high ranking members of the governor’s staff multiple times — people we know for a fact were involved in organizing the vigil — in fact we called them every hour on the hour. And when I say we, I don’t mean me: I mean our lobbying office, the Secular Coalition for America.”
“It won’t be for lack of trying that we aren’t represented in the collective response to this tragedy,” said Zachary Bos, co-chair of the Secular Coalition for Massachusetts, and State Director for American Atheists. “We know that historically it’s been a easier to engage with people who are religiously-identifying and more likely to be organized… We’re telling them we’re here and available to stand beside religious leaders at any interfaith event, so that these public responses can be representative of Bostonians of all ethical traditions.”
Boston Atheists report that they repeatedly reached out to the Governor’s Office of Community Affairs, the Massachusetts Council of Churches, and the Mayor’s Office in an attempt to secure a place at the public table, but were ignored and stonewalled by public officials.
http://www.examiner.com/article/humanists-excluded-from-boston-marathon-interfaith-service
You will note that no specific names are mentioned, and no quoted refusal is given. Should these efforts be taken on faith then? It is surprising to me that the atheist community, on a day of grieving and healing, is taking the opportunity to stomp their feet, and yet not give enough detail for a thinking person to wish to do the same. A friend of mine posted a link to one of the above articles and when I requested evidence (eg, who refused who), I was told I was “arrogant” and subsequently “lazy.” All for asking for evidence. Eventually, I did end the dialogue with a less-than-brilliant “go fuck yourself.” I didn’t even get a chance to explore my second question, which is: why would atheists want to be involved in a self-proclaimed “interfaith” ceremony? Just to be seen? I heard there were no Quakers or Native Americans on the roster; should that inspire equal outrage, or is atheism just looking out for their own now?
An atheist is merely someone who disagrees with the idea there is a deity. I certainly can allow that atheists should be skeptical, but if skepticism is criticized within the skeptic community, then said community is little more than a club more interested in in-fighting and appearances than critical thinking. A collection of like-minded lemmings, the type of which I thought atheists deplored. Richard Carrier, a doctor speaking at a summit for something called Atheist Plus, determined one of the group’s tenants as being “making more atheists.” Apparently, the days of imparting knowledge to help people reach their own conclusions have been supplanted by the need for more team members, like some secular pyramid scheme.
In a full-throated atheist voice, I can proclaim: I just can’t believe it.
