Original Article: "Trying to Understand Angry Atheists"
Mr. Gellman,
I am writing in response to your article, “Trying to Understand Angry Atheists.” I am an atheist, but I could hardly be described as angry. I laugh often (and not even bitterly) because my world is darn wonderful and I have much to be glad of. I have sunshine, museums, travel, volunteering, books, coffee, wine, chevre, trees, projects, dancing, animals, love, hope, dreams, and a belief system that encourages me to savor every moment of my life. There isn’t room for the sort of all-pervasive “atheist anger” you describe in the rich, albeit godless, life I inhabit.
I am an atheist because of logic, not because of trauma. I had fairly idyllic upbringing in the Methodist church, where I tried very hard to find the “spiritual bliss” of my fellow worshipers. I was baptized, twice. I’ve explored a wide variety of religions, considered the facts, and see no reason to fake something that just doesn’t make sense to me.
I sometimes find myself indignant- perhaps that is what you’ve mistaken for anger. No, I don’t want my tax dollars used to subsidize religious activities. I don’t want people to confuse biblical law with constitutional law. It does frustrate me when people equate atheism with amorality. I cringe when studies, such as a recent one by the University of Minnesota, find atheists are the least trusted group in the United States. Finally, it’s hard to resist a flash of irritation when people write articles beginning with the assumption that all atheists are angry. We aren’t all angry, but based on how we are sometimes treated and often perceived, a degree of indignation seems only fair.
You write that you “don't know many religious folk who wake up thinking of new ways to aggravate atheists.” Nor do we wake up every day trying to think up new ways to undermine the fabric of society, something of which we are often accused. Yes, I understand, not all “religious folk” are trying to aggravate us. Similarly, were I to play ACDC at full volume in a studio apartment at 2 am, I might not be trying to aggravate my neighbors. More likely, I just want to listen to my music. This doesn’t mean, however, that my neighbors don’t also have a right to not listen to ACDC at full volume at 2 am. I don’t have an issue with other people being religious, but I also believe that freedom of religion should include freedom from religion. Perhaps the “religious folk” you describe above could just consent to using some sort of religious headphones- or at least to turning down the volume a bit. They can listen to whatever sort of music they want; I’d just ask for a minimum of intrusions as I create own tune.
