navigating atheist identities: an analysis of nonreligious perceptions and experiences in the ...

359 Pages·2016·4.03 MB·English

NAVIGATING ATHEIST IDENTITIES: AN ANALYSIS OF
NONRELIGIOUS PERCEPTIONS AND EXPERIENCES IN THE
RELIGIOUSLY DIVERSE CANADIAN CITY OF OTTAWA

Steven Tomlins

Thesis submitted to the
Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the Doctorate in Philosophy degree in Religious Studies

Department of Classics & Religious Studies
Faculty of Arts
University of Ottawa

© Steven Tomlins, Ottawa, Canada, 2016
ii

Abstract

There is very little research that is empirically-based about atheism in Canada; this thesis seeks
to contribute foundational knowledge in this area. It begins with a historical and contemporary
overview of atheism in Canada by examining its appearance in government, law, and media. It
then addresses the question: “How do atheists construct their identities in the context of a
religiously diverse Canada?” through an analysis of data collected from participant-observation
with an atheist university club, the Atheist Community of the University of Ottawa (ACUO),
followed by an analysis of five significant themes which arose from forty life history interviews
(twenty with ACUO members; twenty with Ottawa-area atheists who did not belong to an atheist
community that met in person). These themes are: loss of religious identity and/or development
of atheist identity; group belonging; perceptions of media and public understanding of atheism;
the use of the United States for narrative or comparative purposes; and the frequency of
receiving a negative reaction simply for being an atheist. This study found that most interviewees
perceived the Canadian public and the media as not understanding atheism because the subject is
not commonly reported on or discussed, and many said that (ir)religiosity rarely came up in
conversations with strangers, acquaintances, or co-workers. These notions were often seen as
resulting from a Canadian social etiquette which dictates that controversial subjects should be
avoided in order to minimize the risk of causing offense. Moreover, members of the ACUO often
said that they joined an atheist community because they wanted a safe space to meet like-minded
people with whom they could freely discuss religion without causing offense to religious others.
Unlike in findings from the United States, interviewees did not speak of their atheist identities as
being considered ‘un-Canadian’ or as excluding them from their conception(s) of Canadian
society. While interviewees often said they were selective with whom they decided to express
their atheism, most felt quite positive about living as an atheist in Canada, especially compared
to the plight of atheists living in other countries, and atheism came across as being ‘just’ another
‘idea’ in a mosaic of cultural ideas.
iii

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the staff and faculty of the Department of Classics and Religious Studies at
the University of Ottawa who have been exceptionally supportive throughout my years of study.
My research has been conducted under the SSHRC-funded Religion and Diversity Project which
is directed by my supervisor, Dr. Lori G Beaman. I am indebted to Dr. Beaman for her constant
encouragement and inspiration.

I would like to offer my gratitude to those who welcomed me as a participant-observer into their
community, as well as those who agreed to be interviewed, trusting me with their intimate life
stories and personal thoughts on religion and atheism. Without them this thesis would never
have been possible, and I am truly appreciative!

I am deeply thankful to my family for their continuous support and to my friends and colleagues,
who were always there to listen, share ideas, and offer advice during my studies.

Finally, I would like to offer a heartfelt ‘thanks’ to the late Anne Catherine Stevenson who
provided me with a place to stay when I was an undergraduate at the University of Prince
Edward Island. I am forever grateful for her kindness.
iv

Table of Contents

Chapter One: Introduction………...………………………………………………..…………..1
1.1 Topic of Research…………………………………………………………………......1
1.2 Development of Thesis Subject Matter and Focus………………………………...….3
1.3 Scope………………………………………………………………………………..…6
1.4 Terminology………………………………………………………………………...…7
1.5 Previous Literature on ‘Modern’ Atheism………………………………………..….11
1.5.1 Primary Sources: Select Principle Actors in the Rise of Modern
Atheism…….…………………………………………………………..…..12
1.5.2 Contemporary Secondary Sources………………………………………....16
1.5.2.1 Previous Literature on Atheism in Canada…………………...….19
1.6 Structure and Organization………………………………………………………..…20

Chapter Two: Setting the Scene: Canada’s Historical and Contemporary Religious
Character as it Pertains to Atheism……………….…………………………………………..21
2.1 Historical……………………………………………………………………………..21
2.1.2 Confederation…………………………………………………………...….23
2.1.3 Blasphemous Libel………………………………………………………....25
2.1.3.1 R. v. Pelletier..................................................................................27
2.1.3.2. R. v. Kinler………………………………………………………27
2.1.3.3 R. v. Sherry……………………………………………………….28
2.1.3.4 R. v. St. Martin…………………………………………………...29
2.1.3.5 R. v. Rahard……………………………………………………...30
2.1.4 The Case of Ernest and Cornelia Bergsma…………………………...……31
2.1.5 Summary………………………………………………………………..….37
2.2 Contemporary…………………………………………………………………….….39
2.2.1 Federal…………………………………………………………………...…39
2.2.2 Demography……………………………………………………….……….47
2.2.3 Atheist Organizations………………………………………………………48
2.2.3.1 Centre for Inquiry Canada…………………………………...…..48
2.2.3.2 Humanist Canada…………………………………………….…..50
2.2.4 Legal Matters – Atheist Activism………………………………………….51
2.2.4.1 Prayer and the Distribution of Bibles in Public Schools……...….52
2.2.4.1.1 Zylberberg v. Sudbury Board of Education…………....53
2.2.4.1.2 R.C. v. District School Board of Niagara………...……54
2.2.4.2 Town Council Prayers………………………………………..…..56
2.2.4.2.1 Freitag v. Penetanguishene…………………………....56
2.2.4.2.2 Allen v. Corporation of the County of Renfrew………..60
2.2.4.2.3 Other Recent Cases…………………………………….62
2.2.4.2.4 The Last Word on Prayer……………………………....63
2.2.5 Treatment of Atheism by the Mainstream Media…………...………..……67
2.2.5.1 Negative Portrayals…………………………………………..…..69
2.2.5.2 Positive Portrayals………………………………………...……..78
2.2.6 The Atheist Bus Campaign………………………………………...………82
2.2.6.1 Legal Matters………………………………………………...…..83
v

2.2.6.2 Social Responses……………………………………...………….86
2.2.6.3 Follow Up………………………………………………………..89
2.2.7 Multiculturalism and Atheism……………………………………………..92
2.2.8 Summary………………………………………………………..………….97
2.3 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………..……….99

Chapter Three: Herding Cats: Methodology, Procedure, and Theoretical
Frameworks................................................................................................................................101
3.1 Why Study Atheism in Canada?................................................................................101
3.1.1 Research Question……………………………………………….……….103
3.3 Theoretical Approach………………………………………………………...……..104
3.3.1 Lived Religion……………………………………………………..……..104
3.3.2 Identity................................................………………………………..…..108
3.4 Methodological Approach…………………………………………………….……110
3.5 Limitations…………………………………………………………………...……..116
3.6 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………….117

Chapter Four: Nonreligion in Action: The Atheist Community of the University of
Ottawa……………………………………………………………………………………….....119
4.1 Locational Context and Historical Overview…………………………………...….120
4.2 Main Events……………………………………………………………..………….127
4.2.1 “Does God Exist?” Debate (2010)………………………………………..127
4.2.2 “Founders of Religions” Debate (2011)……………………………….…131
4.2.3 The Muhammad Stick Figure ‘Controversy’ (2011)……………………..134
4.2.4 The Abortion Debate (2011)……………………………………….……..141
4.2.5 Reason Week (2012)……………………………………………..……….146
4.3 Concluding Remarks………………………………………………………..………154

Chapter Five: Demographics and Transitions: Losing One’s Religion……...………...….158
5.1 Demography: ACUO……………………………………………………….………161
5.2 Demography: NGAA……………………………………………………………….164
5.3 Becoming an Atheist: ACUO……………………………………………...……….166
5.3.1 James………………………………………………………….…………..166
5.3.2 Sylvia……………………………………………………………..………168
5.3.3 Wade………………………………………………………..…………….171
5.3.4 Krista………………………………………………………..…………….172
5.4 Becoming an Atheist: NGAA………………………………………………………175
5.4.1 Patrick……………………………………………………………...……..175
5.4.2 Ken………………………………………………………………..………177
5.4.3 Juliana……………………………………………………….……………178
5.4.4 April……………………………………………………...……………….180
5.5 Discussion……………………………………………………………………..……181
5.6. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………..……..194

Chapter Six: To Join or not to Join: Choosing to Belong to an Atheist Community.…....197
6.1 Joining an Atheist Community: ACUO…………………………………………….198
vi

6.1.1 Glen………………………………………………………….……………199
6.1.2 Andrew………………………………………………………...………….200
6.1.3 Evelyn…………………………………………………………………….202
6.1.4 Billy…………………………………………………………………..…..203
6.2 Not Joining an Atheist Community: NGAA……………………………….……….205
6.2.1 Jean…………………………………………………………………….…206
6.2.2 Hayden…………………………………………………………..………..207
6.2.3 Nick……………………………………………………………………….208
6.2.4 Ashley…………………………………………………………………….210
6.3 Discussion…………………………………………………………….…………….211
6.4 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………….218

Chapter Seven: Atheism in Canada: Perceptions of the Public and the Media ….………221
7.1 Perceptions of the Public and the Media: ACUO……………………………..……223
7.1.1 Gerard……………………………………………………………….……224
7.1.2 Heather……………………………………………………………………226
7.1.3 Edward……………………………………………………………...…….228
7.1.4 Alison……………………………………………………………..………231
7.2 Perceptions of the Public and the Media: NGAA………………………….……….233
7.2.1 Brian………………………………………………………………………233
7.2.2 Warren……………………………………………………….……………235
7.2.3 Natalie…………………………………………………………………….237
7.2.4 Cody……………………………………………………………..………..239
7.3 Discussion…………………………………………………………………………..241
7.4 Conclusion………………………………………………………….………………246

Chapter Eight: Imagining Ourselves as Different: Atheism in Canada vs. the United
States of America…………………………………………………………………………..….249
8.1 Atheism in Canada vs. the United States of America: ACUO……………..………253
8.1.1 Mike…………………………………………………………………..…..253
8.1.2 Tonya……………………………………………………………..………255
8.1.3 Brendon……………………………………………………….…………..258
8.1.4 Matthew…………………………………………………………………..260
8.2 Atheism in Canada vs. the United States of America: NGAA…………….……….261
8.2.1 Darryl…………………………………………………………..…………261
8.2.2 Tracy…………………………………………………………….………..263
8.3.3 Ian……………………………………………………………...…………264
8.4.4 George…………………………………………………………………….267
8.3 Discussion……………………………………………………………………..……268
8.4 Conclusion…………………………………………………………………...……..270

Chapter Nine: Social Interactions: The Low Frequency of Negative Reactions…….…...273
9.1 Negative Reactions: ACUO…………………………………………………..…….275
9.1.1 Belinda……………………………………………………………...…….275
9.1.2 Colin…………………………………………………………….….……..277
9.1.3 Dan………………………………………………………………………..279
vii

9.1.4 Donovan…………………………………………………….…………….281
9.2 Negative Reactions: NGAA………………………………………………..………283
9.2.1 Derrick……………………………………………………………………283
9.2.2 Elissa……………………………………………...………………………285
9.2.3 Kevin………………………………………………………...……………287
9.2.4 Hanna……………………………………………………………………..289
9.3 Discussion…………………………………………………………………………..291
9.4 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………….296

Chapter Ten: Conclusions….……………………………………………………………...…300
10.1 Summaries and Significant Findings………………………...........………………300
10.2 Atheist Identity in Ottawa: Final Considerations……………………..………….308
10.3 Future Research Avenues…………………………………………………………313

APPENDIX I…………………………………………………………………………………..318

APPENDIX II………………………………………………………………………………….323

APPENDIX III………………………………………………………………………………...324

APPENDIX IV………………………………………………………………………………...326

APPENDIX V………………………………………………………………………………….328

APPENDIX VI ………………………………………………………………………………..329

APPENDIX VII …………………………………………………………………………...…..331

Bibliography…………………………………………………………………………………...340
viii

List of Tables

Table 1: Ottawa Citizen’s “Ask the Religion Experts” July 10, 2013 – November 23, 2013:
Questions and Respondents…………………………………………….………………………..81

Table 2: Questions for all participants………………………………………………………….129

Table 2.1: Questions for Miller……………………………………………..…………………..129

Table 2.2: Questions for Raza………………………………………………………………….129

Table 2.3: Questions for Montogemery………………….……………………………………..130

Table 2.4: Questions for Montogemery and Raza………………………..…………………….130

Table 3: Questions for all participants…………………….……………………………………133

Table 4: Signs displayed during Reason Week……………………………..………………….149

Table 5: Demography (ACUO)………………………………………………..….……………163

Table 6: Demography (NGAA)………………………………………………...………………165

Table 7: Political, moral, and social policy views……………………………….……………..184

Table 8: The public and the media in Canada……………………………………..……………241

Table 9: Negative responses to atheism…………………………………………..…………….292
ix

Legend

ACUO = Atheist Community of the University of Ottawa

CFI = Centre for Inquiry

NGAA = Non-Group-Affiliated Atheists
1

Chapter One: Introduction

Atheism is nothing more than the noises reasonable people
make in the presence of unjustified religious beliefs.1
– Sam Harris

The statement “I do not believe in God” has meant
something slightly different at each period of history. The
people who have been dubbed “atheists” over the years
have always denied a particular conception of the divine.2
– Karen Armstrong

1.1 Topic of Research
The title of the crime “identity theft” is misleading, yet it continues to be used in regular
conversation and in some cases official state acts and laws. As Kwame Anthony Appiah
explains, identities are social forms that include characteristics such as “genders and sexual
orientations, ethnicities and nationalities, professions and vocations;” they are derived from
social categorizations and function collectively “to structure possible narratives of the individual
self.”3 Identities are thus not something concrete that can be stolen, but rather, identity theft
refers to the impersonation of another person’s ‘legal’ identity, often through obtaining elements
of identification such as a person’s date of birth, address, credit or debit card, bank account
number, passport, insurance numbers, driver’s license, and so on. When an atheist is a victim of
identity theft, the thief is in all likelihood not stealing the atheistic elements of an atheist’s
identity, for being an atheist is but one aspect of an individual’s identity – a socially-dependent

1 Sam Harris, Letter to a Christian Nation, (New York: Vintage Books, 2008), 51.
2 Karen Armstrong, A History of God: The 4,000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity and Islam, (New York:
Ballantine Books, 1993), xx.
3 Kwame Anthony Appiah, The Ethics of Identity, (New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2005), xiv; 22.