Knoxville's Friendly Atheist

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Why Do Atheists Care So Much About Christianity?

Atheists often find themselves explaining why they care so much about religion—specifically Christianity. The question is understandable. After all, if someone doesn’t believe in a deity, why invest time and energy into discussing or debating a particular faith? The answer is rooted in the unique nature of Christianity, its history, and its evangelical mission, which sets it apart from many other religious traditions.

The Exclusivity of Christianity: A Historical Perspective

Bart Ehrman, a prominent scholar of religious studies, has extensively analyzed the historical context of Christianity’s rise and its marked difference from other ancient religions. One of his key points revolves around the exclusivity and evangelistic nature of Christianity. Unlike most religions in the ancient world, which were relatively open-ended and didn’t concern themselves with the beliefs of non-adherents, Christianity introduced a starkly different paradigm.

In ancient times, most religions were not particularly concerned with what others believed. People worshiped a variety of gods and participated in numerous rituals without feeling the need to convert others or insist that their way was the only path to spiritual fulfillment. For example, the Roman Empire was religiously pluralistic; various gods and goddesses were worshiped, and citizens often adopted new deities from the cultures they interacted with. There was no concept of “conversion” as we understand it today. People could honor multiple gods, blend religious practices, and follow local customs without any conflict.

Christianity, however, broke this mold by asserting itself as the exclusive path to salvation. It wasn’t just another option on the religious menu; it was presented as the only choice. This exclusivity meant that all other paths were, by default, wrong or misguided. The early Christians believed that unless you followed their particular belief system, you were doomed to an eternity in hell. This was a significant departure from the ancient world’s prevailing attitudes toward religion.

The Evangelistic Imperative

Unlike most ancient religions, Christianity was inherently evangelistic. Early Christians were driven by the belief that they had “Good News” that everyone needed to hear—and accept. This was a defining feature that shaped Christianity’s growth and global influence. The idea that one must spread the gospel and “save” others is embedded in Christian doctrine. Jesus’ commandment to his disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19) is the cornerstone of this evangelistic zeal.

By contrast, other religions generally lacked this imperative. Judaism, for example, is not a missionary faith. It is rooted in a covenant between God and a specific people, and there is no explicit command to seek converts among non-Jews. Hinduism, with its multiplicity of deities and philosophical schools, is similarly not evangelistic. It does not seek to impose its beliefs on others or claim exclusive possession of the truth. Buddhism, while it spread through missionary efforts, has often been more concerned with personal enlightenment than with enforcing a doctrinal uniformity or threatening eternal damnation for non-believers.

Christianity’s evangelistic mission has led to a situation where its adherents actively seek to convert others, sometimes aggressively. This unique feature has not only shaped the religion itself but has also created a unique relationship with those outside of it, including atheists.

Why Atheists Engage with Christianity

Given this context, it’s easier to understand why atheists might be particularly focused on Christianity. For many atheists, Christianity represents a worldview that is not content to remain within the personal or communal sphere. Instead, it is a belief system that often seeks to influence laws, education, politics, and even the personal lives of those who do not share its beliefs.

The historical baggage of Christianity’s exclusivity and evangelistic imperative creates friction in secular societies. When a religion holds that it alone possesses the ultimate truth and that all other beliefs are false, it can manifest in ways that impact everyone—believers and non-believers alike. From political campaigns to educational curricula to public policies, Christian doctrine has a pervasive presence in many Western societies, particularly in the United States.

Atheists, as proponents of secularism, often find themselves at odds with Christianity because of its influence over public life. They are not concerned with Christianity because they want to suppress religious freedom or ridicule personal beliefs. Rather, they are concerned about the implications of a religion that seeks to enforce its tenets beyond its own adherents.

The Uniqueness of Christian Claims About Hell

One of the more specific reasons atheists engage with Christianity is its unique stance on hell. Many Christians believe in a literal, eternal hell for those who do not accept Jesus as their savior. This idea of eternal punishment is not only exclusive but also deeply unsettling to those who don’t share that belief.

Historically, this belief in hell has been used to justify a wide range of actions, from proselytizing efforts to social and political campaigns aimed at enforcing Christian morals on a broader society. For example, the idea that non-believers are destined for hell can lead to the demonization of atheists, the marginalization of other religions, and even aggressive conversion tactics that seek to “save” people against their will.

This concept of hell, as articulated in Christian doctrine, is virtually unique among world religions. Most ancient religions did not focus on the fate of non-believers, and even today, many religious traditions do not have such a rigid and punitive stance regarding the afterlife of those outside the faith. For atheists, the idea that millions of people are supposedly destined for eternal suffering simply because they do not adhere to a particular belief system is morally and intellectually objectionable.

A Matter of Public Discourse

Another reason atheists care about Christianity is the sheer ubiquity of its discourse in public life. In many parts of the world, especially in the West, Christianity is the dominant cultural and religious force. Its symbols, language, and rituals are woven into the fabric of daily life. From politicians who invoke Christian doctrine in policy debates to the presence of Christian symbols in public spaces, Christianity is often the loudest voice in the room.

When a single religion holds such a powerful place in society, it is natural for those who do not share that faith to engage with it critically. Atheists care about Christianity because they live in societies where Christian beliefs frequently intersect with secular life. They care because they are affected by laws and social norms shaped by Christian doctrine. They care because they believe in the freedom to think differently without fear of eternal damnation or social ostracism.

In Conclusion

Atheists care about Christianity not because they are inherently antagonistic toward religion but because Christianity is uniquely positioned to impact their lives. Its exclusivity, evangelistic imperative, and claims about eternal punishment for non-believers set it apart from other religions. By understanding this context, we can better appreciate why atheists engage with Christianity more than other faiths. It’s not a question of being “against” Christianity, but rather about seeking to navigate a world where one religion often makes itself everyone’s concern.

Signed,

Your friendly neighborhood Atheist

Musical Quandaries, 2/20/21

            Some artists transcend their medium and enter a realm that can affect all of our senses. Variation in musical genre contributes to the richness of its listeners’ experiences; although many listeners prefer a specific genre, many of the greatest musicians have been capable of performing in any classification that suits their artistic goals. Often considered drastically different artists, Dolly Parton and Michael Jackson created musical genius in their own specific genre, theatrical expression, and performance style.

            It’s challenging to hear Dolly Parton’s name without then thinking of all she did to further advance the country music genre. Dolly Parton’s roots were in a variant of country music, bluegrass. Her greatest asset, her song-writing ability, was best refined through the expression of Country music. It was her creative ability in connecting with her audience through narrative story telling that made Country music uniquely precise for her performances, but her talent for entertainment could not be constrained by any musical genre.

            Similar to Dolly Parton’s association with country Music, it’s nearly impossible to separate the genre of pop from its regal defining agent, Michael Jackson. As the “King of Pop,” Michael Jackson developed his earliest understanding of music creating popular music consistent with the era of his upbringing. It didn’t take long for Michael Jackson’s ability to create music and unique performances to elucidate his identity. Although Michael Jackson is often best remembered for his spectacular dance performances, but his ability to write unique songs that created multi-level connections with his audience could have been applied to any genre.

           There were few that expressed such a theatrical ambiance with the magnitude that Dolly was able; whether it was her hair, makeup, or exaggerated figure, she ensured a dramatic persona would be a fixture to any performance. Dolly Parton often opens up a concert with a story about her child-hood. Her larger than life persona has never been able to outshine her relatable story-telling that connects her background directly to the experiences of her observers. To limit her spectacle to her appearance would not quite do it for Dolly Parton; her appearance was always sure to be matched by her energy, talent, and love for her audience.  Whether it was her appearance or her singing, it was a virtual certainty that Dolly’s audience would remain utterly captivated.

            Similarly, Michael Jackson, for the majority of his career always had a consistent commencement to any performance: a grand entrance; Whether he entered through the floor or descended from above, it was generally accepted that Michael would enter any performance in unique and theatrical fashion. Accompanying a dramatic entrance, Jackson made unique outfit accessories an expected fixture to his performances. Jackson’s performances were often littered with glitter-spattered socks, a glove retrieved from a briefcase, or checkerboard penny loafers; his distinctive and eccentric expression of self created an iconic persona that was regularly matched by his other-worldly dance moves and cataclysmic vocal range.

            To experience a performance by Dolly Parton is to experience a variety of different stories from various eras all seemingly dissonant yet lovingly segued together with incredible transitions of story-telling, singing, and orchestral organization. Dolly Parton’s writing was matched by performative genius. She could play a guitar, sing a song, or simply speak the story; each piece of her performance was executed with precise energy and connection to her audience. Many feel that Dolly Parton is one of the greatest entertainers in history; it is her quirky and unmatched performances that bring value to her listening observers every outing.

            Correspondingly, Michael Jackson’s performances are almost fabled in their retellings. His approach often elicited emotions from his audience that can only be described as fantastical. Whether singing, dancing, or freezing with anticipation, Jackson’s energy exceeded that of any other artist for the duration of his performance. Comparably to Dolly Parton, Michael Jackson is known for his eccentricities in his presentations, but bringing joy to his audience was always carried out with care and fidelity.

            Both Dolly Parton and Michael Jackson are considered some of the greatest musicians to ever take the stage. Although it would be easy to consider their differences, their unique mastery of musical genre, theatrical expression, and performance style makes them incontrovertibly analogous. Both artists offer lifetimes of historically commensurate performances. The depth of their influence is untouched, and generations of performers and musicians will lead their journeys out of the impact of the King of Pop music and the Queen of Country.