Explaining Certain Atheists

Frozen, now, for a 100 years?  Many of the questions I asked of Hitchens are raised, and level, other of his faction; namely, the scientistic polemicist's need for a missionary atheism.  Read John Gray's wonderful essay, "The Atheist Delusion."  All of it is so interesting that I cannot bear to cite just parts of it.

(Okay, fine. I have to. But just this: "Dawkins's "memetic theory of religion" is a classic example of the nonsense that is spawned when Darwinian thinking is applied outside its proper sphere.")

Comments

[Mohammed Husain]

Haroon,

I'd really be interested in your comments on Gray's article. Gray obviously has a very insightful analysis of the new movement of militant atheism. I might also suggest "The Devils Delusion" written by David Berlinski which makes very similar points.

The condescending attitude towards religion and faith in general, however, still pervades the piece. And I'd imagine that might call for Muslims to articulate their own position, in not only criticizing the militant atheists, but also in making a case against the ardent secularists. For instance Gray says with respect to the atheists: "One does not want to deny anyone the consolations of a faith, but it is obvious that the idea of progress in history is a myth created by the need for meaning."

Though Gray is targeting atheists here, there is also a commentary on faith in general. I find very often that those un-inclined towards religion reduce religion to a method of finding consolation. This seems to be making a straw man out of religion.

He also says "It is not necessary to believe in any narrative of progress to think liberal societies are worth resolutely defending. No one can doubt that they are superior to the tyranny imposed by the Taliban on Afghanistan, for example." While I'd certainly agree with Gray about the superiority of liberal societies over the Taliban, I have a sneaking suspicion that Gray would extend this to all non-liberal and also all Islamic societies. I don't know if its so self-evident, frankly. How exactly does one judge a society as a whole on a basis agreeable to everyone? There are certainly Muslims and therefore people in this country who return to their homes because they find their own societies in someway superior, for whatever reason. Why should Gray be right and they wrong?

[Baraka]

Salaam dear Haroon,

You might be interested in Chris Hedges' new book "I Don't Believe in Atheists." As a journalist and Divinity school graduate he wrestles deeply with matters of faith and the world.

Warmly,
Baraka

[Haroon]

I've seen that recently in the bookstores; have you read it? I really wanted to, but everything I ever want to read gets buried deep down on a list somewhere.

Also, Mohammed: I'll get back to your comment.

[Baraka]

I just heard him speak in SF recently and purchased his book so it's on the 40+ to-be-read list now. Hopefully I'll get to it soon!

In the meantime you could read his own perspective summarized at Alternet or his interview at Salon.

http://www.alternet.org/rights/80449/

http://www.salon.com/books/int/2008/03/13/chris_hedges/

[electromagnetic]

Do you think the phenomenon of atheists shifting into militant/fundamentalist/dogmatic/missionary gears is an indication that atheism is losing ground as an intellectually coherent/tenable and emotionally or pyschologically fulfilling cognitive mode?

[Muse]

I'm currently reading Hedges' book and he makes similar points, specifically this one that caught my eye.

"One does not want to deny anyone the consolations of a faith, but it is obvious that the idea of progress in history is a myth created by the need for meaning."

I have the same question as Mohammad Husain. Although Hedges and Gray rightly and aptly criticize militant secularism, the undertone of both of their works is not faith-friendly. Ofcourse, it need not be - one can accomplish one thing well without upholding the other. But I would love to read an intelligent voice who speaks against militant atheism from a faith-friendly perspective.

[Haroon]

See next post.