Why Should Atheists Care About Religion? Atheists and Religious Criticism:
Atheism is merely the absence of belief in gods, not the absence of religion, so why does so much criticism of religion come from atheists rather than theists? Christian theism has dominated Western culture, politics, and society for over 1,500 years and there have been few sources of religious or theistic resistance to this domination. Such resistance has thus pulled people towards irreligious atheism. Atheism doesn't have to be irreligious or anti-religious, but cultural trends in the West have created a high correlation among atheism, irreligion, and opposition to religion.
Atheism is merely the absence of belief in gods, not the absence of religion, so why does so much criticism of religion come from atheists rather than theists? Christian theism has dominated Western culture, politics, and society for over 1,500 years and there have been few sources of religious or theistic resistance to this domination. Such resistance has thus pulled people towards irreligious atheism. Atheism doesn't have to be irreligious or anti-religious, but cultural trends in the West have created a high correlation among atheism, irreligion, and opposition to religion.
Why the Definition of Religion is Important:
Atheists cannot adequately critique religion or respond to religious claims without being clear what exactly they are discussing. Religious theists themselves are rarely clear on what religion is, as demonstrated by how often they claim atheism, science, evolution, secularism, and other unrelated subjects are religions when they aren't anything of the sort. The definition and nature of religion, including what differentiates religion from other belief systems, matters because religion matters. Atheists need to be clear in their minds what they are and aren't critiquing, and why. Definition of Religion
Atheists cannot adequately critique religion or respond to religious claims without being clear what exactly they are discussing. Religious theists themselves are rarely clear on what religion is, as demonstrated by how often they claim atheism, science, evolution, secularism, and other unrelated subjects are religions when they aren't anything of the sort. The definition and nature of religion, including what differentiates religion from other belief systems, matters because religion matters. Atheists need to be clear in their minds what they are and aren't critiquing, and why. Definition of Religion
Importance of Theology and the Philosophy of Religion:
Although theology tends be apologetic in nature while the philosophy of religion tries to be more objective and critical, both deal with the same subject: studying the nature of religion, its claims, its arguments, and its functions. Every time atheists engage in critiques of religion, they are engaged in the philosophy of religion; every time atheists debate theists, they put their philosophy of religion against someone else's apologetics and theology. There is thus no question of whether these topics are important, but whether atheists care about doing it well — and they should. Theology & Philosophy of Religion
Although theology tends be apologetic in nature while the philosophy of religion tries to be more objective and critical, both deal with the same subject: studying the nature of religion, its claims, its arguments, and its functions. Every time atheists engage in critiques of religion, they are engaged in the philosophy of religion; every time atheists debate theists, they put their philosophy of religion against someone else's apologetics and theology. There is thus no question of whether these topics are important, but whether atheists care about doing it well — and they should. Theology & Philosophy of Religion
Importance of Religious History:
The true nature of a religion is defined more by what religious believers do than the doctrines and dogmas they profess. A person's actions tell us more about what they really value and think than the statements they make, and this means that understanding the nature of a religion like Christianity requires that we have some understanding about the history of that religion: what its adherents have done, what its institutions have done, how it has affected world history, etc. Religion cannot be understood, much less critiqued, outside the context of how religion and religious believers have behaved.
The true nature of a religion is defined more by what religious believers do than the doctrines and dogmas they profess. A person's actions tell us more about what they really value and think than the statements they make, and this means that understanding the nature of a religion like Christianity requires that we have some understanding about the history of that religion: what its adherents have done, what its institutions have done, how it has affected world history, etc. Religion cannot be understood, much less critiqued, outside the context of how religion and religious believers have behaved.
Importance of Religious Violence, Bigotry, Hatred:
A common criticism made by atheists against religion is its record of violence, warfare, bigotry, prejudice, and hatred. There is certainly a lot to choose from — perhaps too much. It's so easy to find egregious examples of violence and hatred that it's common to get lazy and not look too closely at what's really going on and why. Atheist critics of religion may thus focus just on the individual acts of violence rather than larger trends or more fundamental and structural causes. Criticism of religious violence is important, but it's also important that it be done well. Religious Violence & Extremism
A common criticism made by atheists against religion is its record of violence, warfare, bigotry, prejudice, and hatred. There is certainly a lot to choose from — perhaps too much. It's so easy to find egregious examples of violence and hatred that it's common to get lazy and not look too closely at what's really going on and why. Atheist critics of religion may thus focus just on the individual acts of violence rather than larger trends or more fundamental and structural causes. Criticism of religious violence is important, but it's also important that it be done well. Religious Violence & Extremism
Importance of Religious Holidays & Celebrations:
Some scholars define religion primarily by its separation of the world into the sacred and profane; since holidays are religions' sacred times, religious holidays may be among the most important aspects of religion. In a highly religious society, they are one aspect of religion which everyone can get caught up in, including atheists who otherwise have nothing to do with religion. Broader critiques of religions themselves as well as narrower critiques of how religion can be imposed on atheists will thus depend upon one's understanding of the nature and role of holidays in religion. Religious Holidays
Some scholars define religion primarily by its separation of the world into the sacred and profane; since holidays are religions' sacred times, religious holidays may be among the most important aspects of religion. In a highly religious society, they are one aspect of religion which everyone can get caught up in, including atheists who otherwise have nothing to do with religion. Broader critiques of religions themselves as well as narrower critiques of how religion can be imposed on atheists will thus depend upon one's understanding of the nature and role of holidays in religion. Religious Holidays
Importance of Religious Authority & Religious Institutions:
Every religious community has some conception and system of authority which is a source of cohesion, stability, and continuity. The nature and structure of religious authority thus provides important insights into the nature and structure of both religious communities and religious belief systems. Religious authorities, both individuals and institutions, are responsible for defining apostasy and blasphemy, for promoting violence and war, for conflict and compromise with civil authorities, etc. Unless we understand how authority is structured in a religion, we can't evaluate and critique it. Religious Authority
Every religious community has some conception and system of authority which is a source of cohesion, stability, and continuity. The nature and structure of religious authority thus provides important insights into the nature and structure of both religious communities and religious belief systems. Religious authorities, both individuals and institutions, are responsible for defining apostasy and blasphemy, for promoting violence and war, for conflict and compromise with civil authorities, etc. Unless we understand how authority is structured in a religion, we can't evaluate and critique it. Religious Authority
Importance of Ancient Religion & Mythology:
Few people pay much attention to ancient religions and mythologies, but their significance for modern religion should not be underestimated. A careful review of ancient religious beliefs and practices reveals many parallels and similarities to modern religions, belying claims that these modern religions are anything other than creations of human culture which have naturally developed from earlier forms. It's also easy to find practices and beliefs which help undermine any claim that there is something inherently good about religion itself, as if religion can never be used for evil. Ancient Religion & Mythology
Few people pay much attention to ancient religions and mythologies, but their significance for modern religion should not be underestimated. A careful review of ancient religious beliefs and practices reveals many parallels and similarities to modern religions, belying claims that these modern religions are anything other than creations of human culture which have naturally developed from earlier forms. It's also easy to find practices and beliefs which help undermine any claim that there is something inherently good about religion itself, as if religion can never be used for evil. Ancient Religion & Mythology
Importance of Religious Art & Literature:
Aesthetics rarely comes up in atheists' discussions about religion, but religious and theistic ideas may be more often communicated in various forms of art (film, books, games) than in formal arguments. Atheistic critiques of religion cannot ignore this and what impact it has on people's religious beliefs. Furthermore, many Christians argue that a great deal of popular art in modern culture is subversive when it comes to their religious beliefs and values. Analysis of religious art, as well as art generally, should play a larger role for atheists than it currently does.
Aesthetics rarely comes up in atheists' discussions about religion, but religious and theistic ideas may be more often communicated in various forms of art (film, books, games) than in formal arguments. Atheistic critiques of religion cannot ignore this and what impact it has on people's religious beliefs. Furthermore, many Christians argue that a great deal of popular art in modern culture is subversive when it comes to their religious beliefs and values. Analysis of religious art, as well as art generally, should play a larger role for atheists than it currently does.
