Don't Categorise And Pigeonhole Individuals In A Hurry: A Rejoinder

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 18 May 2024 "Maturity Consists Of Not Allowing Childhood Traumas To Determine Your Adult Life." While I appreciate Mr Nasser’s aforementioned pithy observation, I don't agree with its uniformity in all spheres. This apercu is much more applicable to psycho-sexual behavioural patterns. For example, the behaviour or proclivity of rapists and pederasts is often determined by the sexual trauma experienced at a tender age. That trauma affects their psyche and turns them into sexual predators at a later age and stage. But in the case of an individual abnegating religion and god and turning to atheism cannot always be ascribed to childhood traumas or a difficult relationship with one's father. Mr Naseer has cited just a few examples of the so-called atheists who didn't get along with their father. Moreover, Voltaire and Franz Kafka cannot be branded as atheists. Voltaire was a rationalist; sort of an iconoclastic rationalist. You cannot call him an atheist. Likewise, Kafka declared himself an atheist in his adolescent years. So, it was more of a ' schoolboy atheism, ' or more aptly known as 'starry-eyed atheism' not originating from any sense of disillusionment but out of fashion. The writer suggests that atheism and apostasy are behavioural aberrations born out of childhood traumas and a difficult relationship with one's father. Three famous figures of ancient India, Makkhali Gosala (Ajivika teacher), Gautam Buddha and Mahavir were natural atheists (Prakrit Nastik in Sanskrit). They were born more than 2, 600 years ago and were coevals. All three had no problem with their fathers. Nagarjun, the exponent of Madhyam Marg (Middle Path) in Buddhism and a Mahayana Buddhist philosopher was very attached to his parents even after becoming an ascetic. This 'second Buddha' (Divam Buddham) vehemently denied god and scriptures and even criticised Buddha on many occasions. Dharmkirti (6th or 7th century) was one of the main contributors to logic in classical India, he developed a refutation of god's existence like many of his fellow Buddhist thinkers. He called his father Pratidhaan (Sanskrit for 'an ideal father') as it was his father who egged him on to doubt and question. Auguste Comte, father of Sociology, enjoyed a cocooned childhood but became an atheist. Daniel Dennett didn't undergo any childhood trauma but throughout his life, he denied the existence of god and considered theism to be a mental aberration and a psychological anomaly. Russian writer, philosopher and anarchist Mikhail Bakunin (1814-1876) was close to his parents. Yet, he was an atheist. World's most celebrated atheist Richard Dawkins has no issues with his dad. He had a smooth childhood. The list of such atheists who never faced any childhood trauma is endless. An observation, however great or sagacious it may appear, cannot apply to all situations and individuals. An attempt to find weak roots and connexions to prove one's point often falls flat. Moreover, psychology doesn't and cannot always help explain intricate human behaviour and preferences because every human is a veritable ' volcano of emotions ' and is unique. So, please don't categorise and pigeonhole individuals in a hurry. Mr Naseer will not disagree with me on this count. ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/categorise-pigeonhole-individuals/d/132339 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism