BTHEISM

 A

The article "Why I am still an atheist," recently published on 3 Quarks Daily (March 2026), is a reflective critique of modern belief systems and the internal evolution of a non-believer.

Here is a 3-point summary of the core arguments:

1. Rejection of "New Atheist" Dogmatism

The author distances themselves from the "New Atheist" movement (often associated with figures like Dawkins and Hitchens). They argue that this brand of atheism has become its own form of "quasi-religious dogmatism" that is often as uninformed and illiberal as the fundamentalism it opposes. The author suggests that a true non-believer shouldn't feel the need to preach or rationally justify their lack of interest in the supernatural any more than they would justify a lack of belief in fairies or Santa Claus.

2. The Limits of Scientific Materialism

The piece argues that while science can explain the physical world, it fails to provide a satisfying foundation for human morality or the subjective experience of the mind. The author critiques the "materialist" worldview that sees humans as merely biological machines, noting that scientific findings cannot determine ethical values. Instead, they suggest that understanding the human condition requires the "human sciences"—literature, history, and sociology—rather than just brain scanners and gene sequencers.

3. Meaning-Making vs. Revealed Truth

The author posits that religious belief is a natural human response to the "anxiety and sadness" of existence and the mystery of death. However, they argue that atheists often fall into the same trap as believers by inventing "secular religions"—such as a blind faith in technological progress (space travel, AI consciousness) or a worship of human achievement. The central thesis is that being an "honest atheist" means admitting that we live in a state of vast ignorance and must create our own meaning without claiming it to be an objective, universal "Truth."