The New Atheists are Christians
I remember when it was easy for me to identify a label for myself in the Christian arena. In fact up until about 5 or 6 years ago, I had no trouble at all describing my niche as Conservative-Non-Denominational-Evangelical-Charismatic…aka: the apex of evangelicalism. Branding my belief was an important step in being able to draw a clear philosophical and theological line in the proverbial sand.
Today, it’s way more complicated. As I glean new understanding of theological ‘otherness’, I pick up more and more descriptors because there is something that resonates with me in each one. Right now I’m more of a post-modern-post-evangelical-emerging-Emergent-occasionally-atheistic-Contemplative-Mystical-Evolutionary-Universalist-follower of God in the Way of Jesus kind of girl…I’m pretty sure that’s not static…*sigh*
When asked, rather than try to explain on the spot which side of doctrinal divides I find myself and what religious affiliation most closely describes me, I typically amalgamate all of my labels into a moniker that’s super easy and concise, yet broad, that most will not forget nor disagree with. Heretic, it just says so much.
I recently read a brilliant blog post, The Problem of Pietism: Why Non-dualistic Mystics and Atheists Get It Right, by Mike Morrell, an amazingly diverse human with a gift for communication and innate spiritual bravery. The title struck me immediately as it features more labels for me to explore and consider.
In this current piece, Mike shares his experience as friend to an increasing number of Atheist Christians. Think you know what’s coming next? You might be surprised. Contrary to what might seem logical to those who come from foundational Christian roots, these Atheists aren’t hardcore Dawkins and Hitchins-loving non-believers. Instead, they are former fully devoted followers of Christ that have come to an atheistic perspective in surprising settings, like their churches, the Biblical texts and via thinkers like Boenhoeffer, Zizek and Caputo. The article is full of brilliant quotes, video clips and links to all kinds of awesomeness…Read the full text here: mikemorrell.org
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I found what you shared very interesting. As an artist, pictures are my way of communication rather than words. My belief system has changed so dramatically in the past ten years. It began when my son, praise and worship leader in our church was asked to leave because he shared that he was gay. That was followed by my husband having a massive stroke. I found that when I attended church alone, the same people who were friendly to me when my husband was with me, did not speak. For a while I attended church on tv. That felt like I was being bent over for money. Since my husband passed away I am free to use his computer to explore world religions. It has facinated me. I have loved my experience. It is like art. I find myself believing a little bit of each one. What a beautiful tapestry. I feel free for the first time in my life. I would not trade where I am today for anything or anyone.
Thanks for the article, Joy. And for your sharing, Kathy. I have only recently been willing (even a bit eager?) to actively re-align with the Christian “fold,” as most broadly defined. I didn’t leave via disillusionment or being hurt… nothing “negative” except my problem with what seemed only 2 basic, unsatisfactory choices: orthodoxy (tho I knew it came in many flavors) and liberalism (ditto). I was already more formally and informally educated than most and I still love and write about the theological and conceptual side of faith and Christianity. But I also want to now participate more in living out the questions and loving all around who also seek and wish to love and be loved. So I’m pursuing that with positive anticipation tho I don’t currently have a place I’m really “plugged in.”