Atheism Is for the Privileged, the Poor Can’t Be Atheist

Atheism is now considered as "the hallmark of enlightenment" in the modern intellectual world. It is considered a courageous step from superstition to the light of reason.

But there's a problem with this blanket disbelieving.

After removing the cushions of modern society, the security and safety nets, the financial position, the social standing, you will discover that atheism is a luxury.

It's a privilege for those who have an assured survival. To appreciate the appeal of the poor and the needy to hold onto faith, one must understand the harshness of living without security.

There is no such thing as an underprivileged person who doesn't know where their next meal will come from and can afford to ignore God.

For the privileged, the question of God's existence becomes a matter of university lectures, dinner parties, a philosophical debate.

Underprivileged people don't have a choice of faith. They need faith to survive. They cannot afford to entertain intellectual doubts, since they are struggling to survive at all times.

Suppose a homeless person lives on the streets. Tomorrow they may not know whether a truck will hit them or not. They do not know where food is going to come from.

Without faith in God, you have not set them free; you have left them helpless. In this weak lifestyle, atheism becomes a death sentence. They have no choice but to be religious.

Hope is a physical need, and losing it is dangerous

Hope is not only a philosophical idea: it's also biological and historical. A study exists about historical travelers who died of thirst in the desert. They were found with water still in their bottles.

Why would they die of dehydration when they had water? They had hope. They thought that if they could save water, they would have been able to cross the desert or save it for a time when they needed it more.

Together with that water, they died because hope is a strong and sometimes irrational force that pushes people forward. We are human beings of hope, and that is what religion is, the strongest source of hope.

The majority of religious people are optimistic people. They feel there is a better life out there for them. This sense of optimism is not only a personality trait. It's also a survival mechanism.

People who are continually hurt by life cannot be pessimists. You're already dead inside! If you're suffering and believe there is no hope, no Higher Power, and no better future, life can feel unbearable.

If a person without any support is a pessimist, they believe they will never escape their troubles.

When a man thinks there is no good that lies ahead of him and there is no one to come to his help, then he fails to have a will to live.

You need a secure life before you can question it

When we have a place of wealth, we have a place of security in our identity, and we're free to ask questions such as, "Why was I born?" or "What is the purpose of life?" You can think about reality because you have a comfortable reality.

Religion provides people with the confidence to ask these questions at some point in time or even to not accept their answers. It helps people feel accepted in life.

"God accepts you as you are without asking you to explain yourself" is an attractive message to those who feel rejected by the world.

This security is just the first step. Once a person feels secure, they can think more critically about the world.

However, one without any security cannot have the courage to ask any question. When a person is in survival mode, he or she can't think about anything but how to survive.

The main point is that all atheists have some privilege. They don't believe in God because they feel safe.

Religion is what people hold when life falls apart

Life is ruthless towards all humans. Tragedy can happen to the privileged, but tragedy is the constant companion of the poor.

Suppose someone lost many of his family members, and he does not believe in anything. Imagine the emptiness of his mental state. Religion is a source of comfort for people that secular philosophy is not.

The more unsafe a person's life is, the more they rely on religion. It provides a base that makes you feel accepted.

People may face personal crises, money problems, breakups, or career failures. They feel hopeless and are at their lowest point.

If we are not attractive, if we do not have money, if we are in ruins, no one is coming for us, we start believing in God. This is where religion comes in. It is required by those who have no other hope.

Most people consider God their hope. Because God gives them a reason to get up the next day and face it with a positive mindset. They believe somebody is looking out for them!

Final thoughts

Everyone should try to stay positive about life. No one should feel that life is not worth living because they are miserable and think things will never get better. Things change, and people change too.

When life gets hard, it's helpful to have faith in something bigger than you. Seeing the world in a materialistic way is a privilege that requires a safety net. This should not divide us but help us understand each other better.

It should make us realize that the poor and the desperate are not crazy; they are survivors. Their faith will be the lifeline they have in a storm which the privileged will never face.

When you next have to consider the question of whether or not there is a God, keep in mind that for many, God is not just a theory; He is the reason they are breathing.

Disclaimer: This article is based on my personal views and opinions.