Combating phlegmatic atheism

Added: Jan 23, 2008

From: InReasonWeTrust

Duration: 4:59

Phleg-mat-ic (adj.): (1) Of or relating to phlegm.(2) Having a calm, sluggish temperament; unemotional. "Combating phlegmatic atheism" For years, I prided myself as apathetic when it came to my religious beliefs - it was difficult overcoming the mental baggage of years of indoctrination, and I left my teenage deconversion trauma somewhat disoriented and jaded by the shear enormity of the step I took. Because the process tore at me, I feared how sensitive the subject might be to others, and being the nice guy that I am, I did not want to cause my family or friends undue stress. Yet all the while, being a closet disbeliever led to resentment. Everybody made assumptions and my insights into the meaning of life, and the fundamental nature of my life, went unappreciated by those who claimed to know me. Those incessant little assumptions: The religious season cards that naively identified you as a member of God's Team of Believers; or the kindly stranger that asks for God to bless you—even though it was her ungodly overdose of perfume that set you sneezing; or those majority-polling politicians that insist that everyone must know that they are part of Your supposed In-club of Majority Believers. When it comes to any belief, it's particularly easy to keep things private if you want to. Unless you go public—on the Internet or Television— religious family members may hint or inquire about what you believe, but cop out replies are easy. Mine was, "I don't believe in institutional religion" (the age-old, "I'm spiritual, but not orthodox" argument) or eventually, "I'm staying open minded, but I think I'm probably agnostic or maybe I'm just ambivalently unsure about all or part of it." Rather than hide your beliefs, there is often value in being boldly visible; to family, friends, coworkers and even strange mal-odorous woman who bless you on the street. Atheistic philosophies are exciting. Why aren't we more evangelical? What is the value of PASSIONATE skepticism and religious dissent? First, given the difficulty many have in overcoming their childhood indoctrination, there is a clear need for strong and exciting role models. Unlike life in the pre-webbed world, when role models were unavailable, the Internet offers many models for alternative perspectives. So foremost, being a positive and enthusiastic atheistic provides support for those struggling with their newfound disbeliefs. Second, there are ever-present affronts to freedom of thought and to equality that erode the foundations of democratic institutions, and these should make you mad. Too often, disbelievers comprise a shy and silent minority, and the shy and silent tend to be shy and silent when repressed. Finally, the alternatives to religious explanations are exciting. Embracing the here-and-now instead of the myth of eternal consciousness alters the value and meaning of life. I became more deeply bonded to life on earth and appreciative of my own life. I am a stronger person for becoming more skeptical while being welded to the value of science. I am constantly stunned by its power of discovery. Overcoming phlegmatic disbelief requires a strong dose of passion. For me, that passion comes from sharing my insights and experiences and from my queerly Puritanical intolerance of intolerance and faith in the individual. There must always be room for religion, but for me, a good and livable society needs loud and passionate voices of doubt.

Channel: People

Tags: atheism  atheist  closet  passionate 

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