Atheism For Dummies (For Dummies (Religion & Spirituality)) (8 page)

Why young adults of today are a lot less religious than any other generation was when
they
were young adults

Why (some) atheists are (sometimes) so angry

What September 11, 2001 did to modern atheism

Different kinds of nonbelievers

Gender and ethnicity in the movement

Atheist issues in other countries

That’s all in
Chapter 14
, one of my favorites.

Then there’s the nagging question of whether a person can possibly be good without belief in God — the focus of
Chapter 15
. The answer is
yes,
which should be a relief to everyone because nonbelief is growing rapidly and possibly even coming to a next-door neighbor near you. This chapter also defines morality, shows how it actually works, and helps everyone relax about it.

Chapter 16
is all about how the world looks with no gods blocking the view. Conventional wisdom has it that the loss of faith is followed by a plunge into an abyss of despair, after which the new atheist climbs out of the abyss and starts hurting puppies.

I can report that “freedom and relief” is a much more common description of the post-religious life than “despair and puppy smooshing.” And there’s also a common feeling of overwhelming responsibility and accountability after you realize that it really, truly is just humanity here, and that people could all use a hug once in a while. Or a nice, smoky, single-malt scotch.

Then there’s

The setting aside of Bronze Age ideas about virtues, vices, and honest doubt

The updating of cultural views on sex and gender

The challenge of accepting death as a reality — not a yummy one, sure, but part of the package, and something that can actually make life much more precious

The fact that a universe this wonderful happened naturally (which isn’t the same as happening by chance, as you’ll see) is much more amazing than if an intelligence designed it

The question of whether an atheist can be spiritual, which depends on your definition of spiritual

The opportunity to grasp the real implications of evolution

The slightly scary but ultimately invigorating freedom to decide for yourself what life is all about