Christian Atheism

Ok, now for a more theological post.

Many have either read or at least heard of The Selfish Gene by the famously vocal atheist, Richard Dawkins (if you have not, you can find it here. I really recommend it!). This hugely popular book stipulated genes to be the central players in evolution and that any entity beyond the level of genes (such as insects or humans). Organisms are merely evolving tools to ensure the success of these genes in terms of global copy number. In other words: to maximise the inclusive fitness of genes globally.

This elegant theory has been studied and continued since The Selfish Gene was published more than thirty years ago. However, besides the biological side of gene-centred inclusive fitness, Dawkins made a very important anthropological contribution by applying this theory to so-called ‘cultural evolution’.

In The Selfish Gene, Dawkins uses the concept of a ‘meme’ (the cultural version of a gene) to explain that cultural ideas such as melodies, catch-phrases or beliefs can be transferred to or imitated by a larger population. More popular (more fit) ideas propagate successfully. The less culturally fit ideas lose the Darwinian race and cease to exist. ‘Memetics’ is now a widely studied theory and can be applied not only to human culture, but also to e.g. tool-making by great apes.

Religion can be memetic and genetic. It is a particular successful ‘gene’. This claim has been supported by anthropologists and psychologists. Pascal Boyer argues the persistence of religion from a psychological standpoint in his book Religion Explained (can be found here). He argues religion to be a natural product humans have gained during the evolutionary development of the cognitive mind. We, as humans, are perhaps evolutionarily primed to have faith.

Religion has also proven itself to be a particular successful meme. Dawkins has himself supported this claim. Susan Blackmore studies this concept in greater detail in her excellent book, The Meme Machine (get it here). In the chapter ‘Religion as memeplexes’ she discusses religions to have mechanisms to prevent people from using reason, thus they convert to faith-based explanations. However, many religions have guidelines and doctrines that benefit individuals and societies. These can range from altruism (‘love thy neighbour’) to personal care (circumcision) and are generally based on the religious texts.

Aside from strong historical, auspicious and liberating reasons for the success of Christianity, I would like to argue for the triumph of the Christian belief from an anthropogenic and sociological perspective. Christianity has many guidelines benefitting people, even in modern times. The non-violent nature of Jesus’ teachings was appealing in a time when the world was a very violent place. Benevolent moral philosophies such as equality and love have promoted this belief and its clear, acceptable values taught by a single philosopher ameliorated its adoption. Original Christian teachings abolished hierarchy and gave spiritual wealth to those who followed.

Christian humanism has led to the establishment of welfare institutions which has benefitted many, who in turn dedicated their lives to helping others. The needs of the community were provided by the community by Jesus’ humanitarian principles. This put Christianity on a higher moral plain than, perhaps, other religions of the time. It also gave people a sense of belonging and with this, support during hard times.

In modern times we can adopt the altruistic and social nature of Christianity and outgrow the supernatural and religious side of it. This, together with an intrinsic humanism, can lead to a continuation of Jesus’ teachings as they were originally intended. This is what Christian atheism is about.

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