From Atheism to a Deeper Understanding of Belief

My journey away from atheism was not a simple one but a complex exploration of belief systems, morality, and community. I used to be an atheist, driven by a scientific approach and a need to explain the world without the intervention of a higher power.

A Scientific Approach and the Reevaluation of Belief

Initially, my atheism was rooted in the scientific method, where everything must be proven and explained through empirical evidence. However, as my understanding of the Bible evolved, I began to see it not as a literal scientific guide but as a psychological and social origin story, filled with allegorical tales that have deep meaning and resonance.

Atheism: A Lack of Unity and Shared Belief

A key issue with atheism as a movement is its lack of a unifying ideology. While we all reject belief in God, the reasons behind this rejection can vary widely. Some came to atheism as a reaction to oppressive organized religions, while others, like myself, were driven by a desire to reject unproven beliefs that we couldn't prove existed.

A prominent issue I noticed was the lack of a shared belief system, which is crucial for a cohesive community. Unlike organized religions, atheism can be seen as a lack of a religious belief rather than a shared ideology. The movement was also rife with ideological differences. On one side, we had scientific atheists like Richard Dawkins, who emphasized the scientific approach, while on the other, there were progressives who viewed atheism as a way to establish a non-religious community.

Morality and Ethics: A Shared Blueprint

One of the common challenges faced by atheists is the questioning of moral and ethical standards. atheists often argue that morality doesn't need to come from a divine source, but this perspective is not a panacea. Many religions rely on a shared set of moral codes that are undebatable and provide a framework for judging actions. The Bible, for instance, offers a set of ethical guidelines that can be debated, much like any other text.

In the extreme, some atheists argue that proclamations of a nihilistic stance on ethics are cleverly disguised apologies for immoral behavior. This is a natural response when one attempts to invalidate traditional ethical frameworks. The rebranding of pedophilia to "minor attraction" is a prime example, where some argue that such actions are acceptable within a new moral framework. This trend highlights the difficulties in establishing and maintaining a coherent set of ethical beliefs without a religious framework.

The Strength of Community: Beyond Ideologies

Despite the challenges, we can't ignore the strength of community in any belief system. Organized religions often provide a sense of belonging and stability. Similarly, atheism offered a community online, primarily focused on debunking Young Earth Creationists. However, with the erosion of this "enemy," the movement began to fracture, leading to internal conflicts such as the "Elevator Gate" scandal.

Other ideologies, such as feminism, gradually became intertwined with the atheist movement. This was partly due to the shared antagonism towards traditionalist conservatism, which was often both Christian and opposed to feminist ideology. This fusion of different ideologies has weakened the momentum of atheism and created tensions within the community.

The Role of Existentialism and New Religion

One of the key debates in atheism is the search for meaning in the absence of a divine being. Existentialism offers a framework where humans must create their own meaning in a world devoid of a higher power. Philosophers like Sartre and Camus argue that life is inherently absurd and difficult, and humans must find their own path to happiness and fulfillment. This perspective aligns with the idea that we can create a new ideal of humanity, akin to a new "god" figure.