Looks like Christians aren’t the only ones with an image problem. Now Atheists are now struggling with the way people perceive their movement. "Atheism is quite often mistakenly seen as a cold and distant world, rather than the beautiful, important, and engaging philosophy that it is," says Matt Luckhurst, an MFA student at the School of Visual Arts.
Luckhurst, an atheist himself, set out to change the face of this growing movement. For his MFA these, he attempted to tell the story of a new generation of atheists who are enjoying life and thinking clearly. He began collecting essays, articles, and artwork that express what Luckhurst believes is the heart of this movement. Now a robust web site, Illuminated Atheist attempts to help people become “reasonable, rational, and human.”
Illuminated Atheist Introduction from Illuminated Atheist on Vimeo.
You won’t find any tirades on Illuminated Atheist. Dawkins and Hitchens aren’t welcome here. Instead, you’ll find thoughtful content and striking artwork. “Viewing the world in a rational manner, as we understand it through science, in no way removes the significance of life or the lives humans live, rather it gives us understanding and appreciation,” Luckhurst says. “We do not rant or rave against religion, rather we attempt to give stories of all forms of non-belief a stage to show them at their best.”
This efforts is at the very least intriguing, but some might question the assumption. Is branding Atheism’s real problem? There’s little doubt that the angry, screeching invectives of some new atheists isn’t helping the cause. But is that the reason why, despite a slew of bestselling books on atheism, non-believers still make up around 15% of the American population?
Some would say that there is a deeper chasm between atheists and America’s religious that needs to be crossed: the innate human longing for transcendent truth. Human beings have shown an incredible affinity for belief in God historically, and some contend it's because that's how we’re wired. Perhaps that’s why Illuminated Atheist’s tagline is “For those void of religion and full of belief.” It seems even non-believers believe in something.
How did you respond emotionally and intellectually when you saw the images, videos, and artwork on Illuminated Atheist? In your opinion, does Atheism have an image problem and, if so, is that their greatest problem?
