Turn the Other Cheek

I’m increasingly bothered in some of my regular hangouts - places like the Atheism Reddit, YouTube and some atheist blogs. To my disappointment, I’m even bothered by some of my own writings.

What’s bugging me is the arrogant, condescending attitude we often have toward believers. Certainly not everyone is guilty of this and, of those, not everyone is guilty all the time but it is, in my estimation, still too prevalent.

You’d be right to say that we atheists are often the object of arrogance and disrespect and that all we’re doing is a tit-for-tat thing but, do two wrongs make a right? Do you really want to have that kind of dialogue?

7 Pillars I Try to Live My Life By was my first shot at conveying that, although I have no belief in god, I do have values that might connect with people examining their own beliefs. And that’s what I think we should be striving for - to connect and demonstrate alternative world views, and communicate that we do not lead empty, uncaring, valueless lives.

Perhaps more importantly, is a group of people who speak degradingly of others a group that someone questioning their faith would want to be a part of?

One of my pillars is being empathetic to others, but I think compassion and being humble are also important when it comes to discussing atheism. Overall, I’d rather be empathetic and treat people with compassion, than add fuel to the theist-atheist fire.

Of course, in doing so, I’m sure there will be those who do not respond in kind. That’s ok. The conversations I want to have are with people exploring belief versus non-belief in a non-combative manner, and I think that those people will turn away from discussing atheism if all they see from the messenger is arrogance and condescension.

So, I’m going to take one out of that book many of us like to ridicule and turn the other cheek.

My Pledge: If you’re coming here to learn about atheism, I will give my best effort to always treat you with respect. I hope you’ll afford me the same courtesy.

I’m not interested at all in patting myself and other atheists on the back for being more clever than “those poor, dumb, deluded religious people”. No, to spread atheism, we don’t need an ego building initiative - we need to convince others that there are hope-filled, meaningful alternatives to being religious.

I understand that for questioning theists, a leap of unfaith can be a difficult and scary thing. I’m here to respect - not denigrate - that challenge.

August 6, 2008 · Filed Under Atheism

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