I Don’t Believe in Atheists - Me Neither!

It was just over a year ago when throughout the land of Books, specifically ‘Best Sellers’ that the top five within the Religious Section were all written by atheists (thankfully ‘The Shack’ was released to move into top spot). Interesting dynamic – Top five best sellers in religion don’t have anything good to say about the subject – They don’t even believe in God – How could they? It was that phenomena that lead me to read this book: ‘I Don’t Believe in Atheists’.

Author Chris Hedges opens a door to a post 911 world where he fears the potential of the fundamentalist not just from the world of Islam, but from the heritage of his own nation, the world of Christianity in the USA. Hedges is not writing from a personal Christian or Muslim experience, but (if possible) a subjective observation highlighting the dangers of both, as well as any other extreme position found in religion. In a statement about the book, Hedges states “the book was motivated by debates he had with atheist authors Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens who overly demonized religion, particularly Islam, in ways that Hedges believed were eerily similar to the thinking of Christian fundamentalists”.

His work at times rises through humour with brilliance, but sadly much is lost in the plethora of philosophy. It was somewhat like the college reading ancient philosophers once again; a lot to say, but people spend a lifetime trying to figure it out! He no doubt comes with a wealth of knowledge and experience in this subject (English Literature Degree from Colgate University and a Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School) however his views are limited to observation without participation in any formal religious belief. The son of a Presbyterian minister, it would seem from the last chapter of the book he no longer embraces a faith.

If I may suggest the ‘good’ of the book it comes in challenging once again a believer’s faith! Hedges is a ‘thinker’ and those who read him will have no choice but to respond in the same manner. He pushes the envelope through science and reason. He challenges the very essences of human relationships through the dangers of extreme‘ism.’ He addresses the ‘right-wing’ of US Politics in his chapter: ‘The New Fundamentalism.’ His conclusion is probably best summed up in two thoughts: His chapter titled ‘Self-Delusion’ and his quoting the Biblical scripture of Ecclesiastes (although poorly contextualized) – all is vanity!

The book is not formally a ‘new age’ release with a self-proclamation of deity but there are threads throughout his work that fringe on much of Gnostic beliefs where all is one, equal and eternal. What may make this a conflict with new age philosophy is that Hedges highlights ‘The Myth of Moral Progress.’ He is convinced we are not moving in a good direction as human beings. May I suggest, a good read for some – challenging for a few and a difficulty for many! Thumbs Out!