Examining Religion And Belief: Atheists

For many years, RE teachers have included non-religious
voices within the classroom, not least because many of the
students we teach have no particular religious background
or affiliation. More recently, the need to see non-religious
beliefs as a focus of study has increased. The wider context
includes a significant increase of ‘nones’ (those identifying with no religion); the ‘spiritual but not religious’; those signing up as humanists; and those who are indifferent to religion. This book offers ways of examining non-religious beliefs in the classroom.

The book reflects on ways in which atheism is delineated
by things in which atheists do not believe (see pp. 18–29).
While there have probably been sceptical, naturalistic
attitudes to religious beliefs throughout history, this
‘negative atheism’ has largely arisen as a reaction against
traditional Western theism. However, the book also
explores some of the positive ways of living that are
embraced by people living ‘post-Christian’ or post-religious
lives, such as those who are active humanists (pp. 12–15).

The borders between different voices are not clear,
however (pp. 2–3 and 4–5). There are religious people who
would see themselves as both secular (not wishing to
see religious beliefs privileged in the public sphere) and
humanist (valuing humanity, reason and making this life
count). As research shows, there are many who identify
themselves as atheists or non-religious who maintain
beliefs that would usually be regarded as religious (e.g.
in heaven or the soul). Doctor Lois Lee’s research project
(see pp. 6–7) talks about ‘hybrid configurations’, where
an individual holds a mixture of materialist, agnostic and
religious views.

Original source material and contemporary voices are
accompanied by thoughtful and creative ways of using
the material, in order to enable students to extend their
knowledge and understanding and to reflect deeply on
their own ideas and responses