Wasps on the window sill

[rug]

Saturday, 20 October 2012
Nicky Clark

Last Saturday I posted a piece with the New Statesman which talked about belief, my atheism and when extremes of belief go very wrong.

Because the piece talked about anti-choice versus pro-choice it drew the eye of some of the members of 40 days for life and there were some pretty vile reactions which targeted me personally.

I wasn't surprised but it did make me reflect on the notion of aggression, which I've found from some determined of their "truth", to be neither passive or reasoned.

Atheists can be aggressive, so can anyone, but the notion of aggression as being entirely the domain of those who don't believe compared to the long list of aggression perpetrated by those who do, seems too obviously hypocritical to be credible yet it remains a popular notion.

http://nickyclark.blogspot.com/2012/10/me-with-mum-in-1979-last-saturday-i.html

This post (long but well wirthwhile) got me thinking. Almost every story I've heard from an atheist is a very personal story. There are exceptions of course but, given the demographics, most arrive at atheism from a different starting point.

I have not found this to be the case with theists. Leaving aside the dramatic stories of conversion, I find most theists to have been born into religion, received beliefs (a gift or a curse depending on your perspective), and end up taking religion for granted or as the natural state of affairs. For the most part, the religious experience is usually far less personal.

While there is overlap, I don't think this is because one group is smarter or more rational than the other nor do I think it's simply a matter of majority privilege. The personal aspect of belief or nonbelief is key and often understated.

FWIW, if these observations are generally true, I think these different paths, perhaps more than the belief or nonbelief, are what these discussions are about.

[clydefrand]

1. religion?

I grew up going to church at least 3 times a week. Never gave it any thought as everyone I knew went also.
When I was in the Army (basic training) we had to go to church every Sunday morning.
After basic, I seldom went to church due to my work schedule.
After the Army, I went to a church affiliated college. I had to take a course in religion, taught by a Dr. of divinity and preacher. We had to read lots of books on the history of religion - almost all written by atheists. The prof. said that was because they wrote without bias. I left that college after 3 semesters. Since then the only time I have been in a church was for weddings/funerals. I had never brought up religion but if anyone asked I simply said I was brought up in the church, but didn't go to church any more. If I'm at any function where prayers are said, I don't complain about it, I ignore it. I have a neighbor (retired missionary) who always wanted to pray with me to 'save my soul'. I finally told him to never again pray in my house. Other than that, I don't preach FOR atheism, nor AGAINST religion. Works for me.

[cleanhippie]

2. I'm happy you found what works for you, but it is that very same apathy that allows the

religious extremists to enjoy so much power and privilege. Until EVERYONE, not just the rational and reasonable among us, adopt the same live and let live attitude, we empower those that would oppress us under the banner of their religion.