In all things, don’t be a dick

Those of you who have been paying attention to my writings here have probably been able to glean a few things about me: I suffer from severe depression and anxiety as I have discussed a length, I am passionate about defending those who are marginalized, and I am an atheist. Mental health and social justice are the things I write most about on here, because those are the things that tend to be at the forefront of my mind most of the time. I don’t spend a lot of time talking about being an atheist because I’m not really interested in trying to convince people that their beliefs are wrong. I am not convinced by the answers that religion has to offer regarding our origins or our purpose. I am more swayed by empirical evidence than I am religious teaching. And, while I won’t shy away from expressing and defending my views when asked or debating with those of opposing view points in a good natured and respectful way, I feel no need to convince anyone that they are wrong and I am right. I’m writing this now, because I have been noticing a disturbing trend among a large number atheists: a tendency to demonize and ridicule those of religious faith. This tendency isn’t always focused on just one religious group, but lately the worst of the vitriol seems to be directed at those who practice Islam.

I understand this tendency very well. I’ve experienced it from both sides. In my late teens and early twenties I was a devout Christian who felt like it was me and Jesus versus the world. I devoured books on apologetics and intelligent design, ostensibly to “always be prepared to give a defense for the hope lies with you”, but in reality it was to more effectively beat nonbelievers into submission with the power of my argument. When, through reading and research and growth, I was no longer convinced by my own arguments, with equal fervor I stolidly defended atheism by spouting the words of Dawkins, Hitchens, Sagan, Harris, and Krauss. I took great comfort in my dualistic worldview; in my us-versus-them mentality. And those men that I revere, with the exception of Hitchens and Sagan, do as well. The problem lies in the fact that, when you view a belief system as inherently bad, it becomes difficult to separate the belief system from the believer. If the religion is the object of ridicule, then the religious become ridiculous. All that is to say, when we see ourselves as having risen above the need for religion, it is also easy to see ourselves as having risen higher, become better, than that religion’s adherents.

Here is what it boils down to: I don’t accept Islam’s claims about our origins, their laws regarding purity and food, I find the regressive way in which women are treated in most pre-dominantly Muslim cultures abhorrent, and I am appalled by the acts of terrorism committed in that religion’s name. But — I don’t view Islam as evil. I am not offended my the fact that my female, Muslim colleagues cover their heads. I don’t believe that chauvinism and rape are an intrinsic part of being a Muslim. Most importantly, I don’t believe that being Muslim makes one a terrorist. The historical record bears out that terrorism is not unique to Islam and that most acts of terrorism are committed by the severely disenfranchised who are desperate for change.

My lack of belief does not make me better than anyone else. Nor does it make me worse. I have met amazing, kind people of all kinds backgrounds and beliefs. I have also met horrible, garbage people of all kinds of backgrounds and beliefs. I guess this is just a long way of saying “don’t be a dick”. So. Don’t be a dick.