I know I'm late to the party, but I've finally gotten a chance to begin reading Dawkins' celebrated best-seller, The God Delusion. It's been a very engaging and enjoyable read so far and I'm hoping to post a number of reflections here as I stumble across provocative passages. In the first chapter, Dawkins aims to embolden beleaguered atheists who have been cowed by societal and familial pressures. I second his call to transparency, to being our authentic selves in the public square. Along the way, he paints a picture of the plight of atheists in the Western world, and in America in particular, that to me seems off. He suggests that, "the status of atheists in America today is on a par with that of homosexuals fifty years ago." And, it is only "slightly exaggerating" to say that "making fun of religion is as risky as burning a flag in an American Legion Hall". Dawkins makes some good observations about real prejudices that atheists do face, but this is absurd. I know Dawkins is a Brit, looking in from afar, but has he ever: 1) Watched The Simpsons, The Family Guy, or The Daily Show (all wildly popular amongst believers and non-believers alike); 2) Read The Onion, a college newspaper, or a big city's "independent" paper; 3) Hung out in the Humanities department of any major American university; 4) Opened a Bible in West Hollywood, or in a local high school, for that matter? Ironically, many Christians also complain that it is they who are persecuted and prevailed upon to keep their beliefs in the closet. And the truth is, they're both right. The Persecuted Atheist?
Reflections on Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion .
I know I'm late to the party, but I've finally gotten a chance to begin reading Dawkins' celebrated best-seller, The God Delusion. It's been a very engaging and enjoyable read so far and I'm hoping to post a number of reflections here as I stumble across provocative passages. In the first chapter, Dawkins aims to embolden beleaguered atheists who have been cowed by societal and familial pressures. I second his call to transparency, to being our authentic selves in the public square. Along the way, he paints a picture of the plight of atheists in the Western world, and in America in particular, that to me seems off. He suggests that, "the status of atheists in America today is on a par with that of homosexuals fifty years ago." And, it is only "slightly exaggerating" to say that "making fun of religion is as risky as burning a flag in an American Legion Hall". Dawkins makes some good observations about real prejudices that atheists do face, but this is absurd. I know Dawkins is a Brit, looking in from afar, but has he ever: 1) Watched The Simpsons, The Family Guy, or The Daily Show (all wildly popular amongst believers and non-believers alike); 2) Read The Onion, a college newspaper, or a big city's "independent" paper; 3) Hung out in the Humanities department of any major American university; 4) Opened a Bible in West Hollywood, or in a local high school, for that matter? Ironically, many Christians also complain that it is they who are persecuted and prevailed upon to keep their beliefs in the closet. And the truth is, they're both right. Print
In our diverse, multi-cultural society, virtually every ideology or way of life finds itself slighted by others whose views of the world are fundamentally different. We're all victims these days, judging by the complaints of such from all quarters. While an outspoken atheist might feel unwelcome in Birmingham, so would an outspoken Christian in San Francisco. Religious types might have sway in your suburban Homeowners Assocation, but Naturalists and Postmodernists rule the roost at your state university. Biases shift from blue state to red state, from county to county. Each of the competing ideologies of our day have their realms of influence, and unfortunately, within those realms, those who hold minority viewpoints are often not treated with the respect they should be. Nonetheless, in my estimation, the freedom in the U.S. to express whatever one believes is profound, evidenced by the existence of every conceivable point of view boasting a think tank, a publication, and its own little corner of the Web.
I was living in Europe when all the hullabaloo erupted over the Dixie Chicks' critical remarks about George Bush and the War in Iraq. My European friends insisted that "America" was "censoring" them. Meanwhile, the Dixie Chicks were making the rounds on all the morning talk shows to tell their story about some radio stations in the South who were refusing to play their music. Oh, the injustice! This episode is instructive. It reveals what I take to be an (understandable) European naiveté about the American cultural landscape. And, it underscores the reality that articulating a particular viewpoint will garner criticism from some quarters and praise from others. But criticism is not censorship, nor is it persecution.
All of this being said, I agree with Dawkins that there is a curious, widespread antipathy toward atheists. I've never understood it. In our postmodern, relativistic society, where just about anything "may be 'true' for you", there does remain a surprising suspicion of atheists even by those who have thoroughly rejected "organized religion". I also sympathize with those who experience the disappointment or even rejection of their parents when they feel compelled to "leave the faith". This experience is not unique to atheists, but common to most who discard their families' traditions, whether they be political, cultural, or religious.
Fortunately, there are those who show a better way. Indeed, Alister McGrath's responses to Dawkins' works over the years are a model of respectful disagreement. I look forward to seeing if Dawkins himself is equally charitable as I continue reading.
~ Nathan
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