Analyzing Atheism Through the Lens of the Ideology Matrix

Atheism, especially in its modern form known as New Atheism (represented by figures such as Richard Dawkins), is often presented as a lack of belief in the supernatural or as pure rationalism. However, when analyzed through the lens of the ideology matrix, atheism reveals traits of a closed system of thought, exhibiting all the hallmarks of an ideology. Let’s examine atheism according to the key points of the matrix, with an emphasis on dogmas, taboos, and double standards that make it an active ideological position rather than merely a negation of belief.

Foundation (Basis)

Definition: The hidden or explicitly stated foundation from which everything else follows.

“There is nothing supernatural,” “Reality is only the physical world.”
The basis of atheism rests on materialism, which claims that all that exists can be reduced to matter and energy governed by physical laws. This axiom, articulated for instance by Richard Dawkins as “There is nothing beyond the natural, physical world, no supernatural creative intelligence lurking behind the observable universe” (The God Delusion), is taken for granted and serves as the foundation for all subsequent conclusions. Any attempts to discuss metaphysics or alternative ontologies are dismissed as “unscientific,” immediately establishing rigid boundaries for thought.

Permissible Framework

Atheism clearly defines what is permissible: only that which corresponds to the scientific method and a materialist worldview. What is “correct” is what is rational, empirically verifiable, “scientific.” What is “incorrect” is belief in the supernatural, mysticism, or religion. For example, discussions of spiritual experiences or hypotheses about the nature of consciousness that do not fit materialism are deemed “irrational.” This framework creates a binary division between “reasonable” and “unreasonable,” excluding all alternative approaches.

Internal Authority

The authority in atheism is “science” as an abstract institution, as well as specific figures like Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, or Christopher Hitchens. Their books, lectures, and public statements are seen as standards of truth. Scientific journals, universities, and science popularizers also play the role of “priests,” shaping the “correct” worldview. For instance, Dawkins in The God Delusion becomes not just a scientist but a preacher whose words are accepted as a guide to action.

Sacred/Immovable Corpus of Knowledge

Atheism relies on a set of dogmas presented as self-evident truths, but which are often unprovable and ideological in nature. Among them:

1. There is nothing but matter — The claim that reality is exhausted by matter and energy is not supported by proof, as science cannot disprove the existence of the non-material.
2. Consciousness is a by-product of the brain — Dawkins asserts, “Consciousness is a by-product of the brain” (The God Delusion), but the nature of consciousness remains one of science’s greatest mysteries, and alternative hypotheses (panpsychism, dualism) are dismissed without discussion.
3. Evolution is random, meaning is an illusion — All complexity, including life and mind, is explained by random mutation and selection, and any discussion of “purpose” is equated with religion.
4. Science answers all meaningful questions — Questions about the meaning of life or free will are dismissed as “pseudo-problems,” even though science lacks the tools to resolve them.
5. Religion is the root of all evil — Dawkins in the documentary The Root of All Evil? advances the thesis that religion underpins wars and violence, ignoring complex social and political factors.
6. Death is the absolute end — Any possibility of existence after death is denied.
7. Humans are just animals — Human uniqueness is denied, despite the lack of scientific explanation for phenomena such as morality or creativity.
8. Free will is an illusion — It is claimed that all actions are determined, although this contradicts subjective experience and is unproven.
9. Anything not proven by experiment does not exist — This dogma limits reality to what is measurable, ignoring philosophical and existential questions.

These “articles of faith” form an immovable corpus that is not to be questioned within the system. Any criticism is seen as ignorance or apostasy.

Promise of the Future / Enlightenment

Atheism promises liberation through rationality and science. “Enlightenment” is achieved by abandoning “superstitions” and embracing the materialist worldview. Dawkins and other new atheists paint a utopia in which science will solve all humanity’s problems and religion will vanish as a relic of the past. This promise of progress—“science defeats the darkness of ignorance”—becomes a kind of eschatology, replacing religious salvation.

Ritualized Practices

Atheist rituals include:

• Collective reading of books such as Dawkins’s The God Delusion or watching lectures on YouTube.
• Participating in public debates with religious figures, marching “for science,” or campaigning against creationism.
• Creating and sharing memes such as the “Flying Spaghetti Monster” that reinforce group identity.
• Online forums and social networks where atheists share “debunkings” of religion or mock opponents.

These practices confirm loyalty to the system and create a sense of belonging to the “enlightened” group.

Hierarchy and Caste System

There is a division in atheism between the “knowers” (scientists, science popularizers, New Atheism leaders) and the “uninitiated” (those just beginning to reject religion). Dawkins, Harris, or Dennett occupy the top echelons as “priests of reason,” while newcomers or “laymen” are considered less enlightened. This hierarchy upholds the authority of the leaders and their right to define “truth.”

Dichotomy of “Us–Them”

Atheism divides the world into the “rational” (atheists, agnostics, skeptics) and the “irrational” (believers, mystics, supporters of pseudoscience). Religious people are often portrayed as “deluded” or “ignorant.” For example, Dawkins in his books calls believers “victims of a mind virus,” strengthening the opposition between “us” (the enlightened) and “them” (the backward).

Institution of Exile/Punishment

“Atheist heretics” are those who admit the possibility of the supernatural or criticize the dogmas of materialism. Such people are subject to moral isolation: they are ridiculed, accused of “unscientific thinking,” or excluded from communities. For example, a scientist supporting the idea of “intelligent design” risks his reputation and expulsion from academia. In the online sphere, “apostates” are blocked from forums or “canceled” on social media.

System of Taboos and Prohibitions

Atheism establishes strict taboos that reveal its double standards:

• Taboo on positive discussion of religious experience: Personal mystical experience is labeled as a “brain glitch” or “illusion.” Dawkins in The God Delusion asserts such experiences are worthless, ignoring their psychological or cultural significance.
• Taboo on metaphysics: Any questions that go beyond materialism (e.g., about the nature of consciousness or the meaning of life) are considered “pseudo-problems.” This limits discussion and contradicts atheism’s claimed openness.
• Taboo on criticizing the scientific method: The scientific method is absolutized as the only criterion of truth, although it cannot answer philosophical or existential questions.

These taboos are accompanied by double standards: atheists demand proof from religion but themselves accept unprovable dogmas (e.g., about the nature of consciousness) as self-evident. Books by Dawkins and Harris often employ rhetoric and ridicule instead of dialogue, contrary to their stated commitment to “rationality.”

Set of Enemies and “Heretics”

Atheism’s enemies are religious institutions, priests, creationists, advocates of alternative medicine or esotericism. Dawkins in The Root of All Evil? portrays religion as the source of all evils, ignoring other factors such as politics or economics. These “heretics” serve to rally the atheist community, creating an image of an external threat.

Propaganda of Exclusivity

Atheism, especially New Atheism, advances the idea that only the materialist worldview is true. Dawkins claims: “Science is the only path to truth” (The God Delusion), while all other systems (religion, philosophy that allows the supernatural) are declared false or outdated. This exclusivity appears in slogans like “Science defeats the darkness of ignorance” or “To believe is not to know.”

Self-Reproducing Language

Atheism employs a specific language that creates a barrier for “outsiders” and strengthens the identity of “insiders.” Typical New Atheism phrases include:

• “I’m an atheist because I think for myself.”
• “God is an invention for the weak.”
• “Religion is a mind virus.”
• “Science is the only path to truth.”
• “Facepalm at every believer’s argument.”

Terms such as “rationality,” “skepticism,” “falsifiability,” or memes like the “Flying Spaghetti Monster,” become codes accessible only within the community.

Conclusion

Atheism, especially in the form of New Atheism as represented by Richard Dawkins, is not simply a lack of belief but an active ideological position possessing all the features of a closed system of thought. Its dogmas, such as “there is nothing but matter” or “consciousness is a by-product of the brain,” are accepted without evidence, while taboos and double standards (for example, the prohibition on discussing metaphysics while elevating science to the absolute) restrict the openness atheism claims. Rituals, hierarchy, mechanisms of exile, and the propaganda of exclusivity make atheism not the antithesis of ideology, but an example of it. Any system that absolutizes its methods and boundaries becomes an ideology, even if it initially opposed other ideologies. Understanding atheism as an ideological system helps us see its limitations and its psychological role in shaping group identity.