AOF Activities & Events

Disdain, Part Deux

A few months back we looked at various aspects of the atheist conceit (c'mon, you know we do it). Non-believers are notorious for being dismissive of religious people, just as religious people can be deeply intolerant of us. Is it simply human nature? 

Tribal roots tend to demand an in-group and an out-group, if for no other reason than to set boundries. Our group's characteristics define us, and straying from the norm can trigger suspicion, anger, worry, curiosity, envy, fear, sometimes even admiration. If the adventurous member returns to his or her original group, they may be ostracized, attacked, or welcomed as a hero.

We are definitely a squirrely species.

Can we move beyond that archaic in-group/out-group dynamic? Or is our need for belonging as strong as our apparent need to exclude? What steps could we take to shed that primitive way of living?

Let's talk about this.