Atheism is a Positive Belief

Atheism is a passive label for a positive, radical belief system: the assertion that reality is natural, and that we as natural beings are responsible for interpreting and governing our lives without being directed by imaginary supernatural beings.

Atheists believe that we live in a natural world, which is part of a natural universe, which may be part of a wider natural reality. And we believe that we, as natural thinking sentient beings, are responsible for discovering the nature of all of this reality, for forming ethical judgments and for governing our lives. As an important part of this belief system, we reject the idea that gods exist, but the core of our belief is the positive assertion that reality is natural.

As it happens, most but not all atheists also typically share some other beliefs and values. We usually believe in rational thinking, ethical behaviour and secular government. So, in practice, this is an extra set of secondary beliefs that most but not all atheists can also unite around. But the core belief that we all share is that reality is natural, and free from supernatural direction.

The Label Atheism

For whatever historical reasons, the word ‘atheism’ happens to be the label that has become most associated with this particular view of the world. Etymologically, the label ‘atheism’ seems to be passive (it derives from the Greek ‘atheos’, meaning ungodly). But the concept that the label points to is a positive naturalistic belief system.

The belief that reality is natural, and that we as thinking sentient beings are responsible for discovering the nature of this reality and forming ethical judgments and governing our lives, is not an added set of positive beliefs, separate from the absence of a belief in gods. Instead, these positive beliefs are at the core of the concept labelled ‘atheism’.

The passive etymology of the label is a distraction. Many passive labels also describe positive concepts. The label ‘freedom’ means not being coerced, but the positive concept that it describes is the ability to make our own choices. Fearless people are brave. Nonsectarian people are tolerant. Blameless people are innocent. Nongovernmental groups are independent. And atheists believe that reality is natural.

Using Other Labels

Historically, many atheists have tried to address this issue by adopting labels that sound more positive than the label ‘atheism’. We can call ourselves humanists, rationalists, secularists, freethinkers and a host of other names. All of these labels serve useful purposes, and there are times when I would describe myself in each of these terms.

But none of these labels capture the core, the essence, of the radical belief system that we share, as effectively as the word ‘atheist’ does. For whatever historical reasons, ‘atheism’ happens to be the label that has become most associated with our core beliefs. So, in practice, choosing not to use the label serves to marginalise the concept.

We may choose to use another label, because we are uncomfortable with the label atheist. But, to others, what comes across is that we are uncomfortable with the concept of atheism. Or we may choose to define atheism as a passive absence-of-belief, because it puts the onus of proof on theists in debates. Which is tactically useful in certain circumstances.

Using the Label Atheist

Instead, I believe that we should use the label atheist with integrity and pride. We should seek to reframe it as the positive, radical belief system that it represents. And we should assertively challenge theists whenever they use the idea of gods to dictate how we live our lives.

As atheists, we can and should campaign on such issues as rational thinking, ethical behaviour and secular government. We should do this as individuals, as groups of atheists, and as part of wider campaigns that include people with any beliefs about gods.

But it is only by adopting the label atheist, with integrity and pride, that we can also promote our radical core belief: that reality is natural, and that we as natural beings are responsible for interpreting and governing our own lives without being directed by imaginary supernatural beings.

Photo: In Celebration by Midirisyu (cc)

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