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Atheist Identity and Lifestyle Among Activists in Edmonton by Jonathan

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Atheist Identity and Lifestyle Among Activists in Edmonton by Jonathan ! Atheist Identity and Lifestyle Among Activists in Edmonton by Jonathan Scott Simmons A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Sociology University of Alberta © Jonathan Scott Simmons, 2018 ! ! ! ! ABSTRACT This dissertation joins a vibrant conversation about atheism in Canada. Although the sociology of non-religion has exploded in the last decade, Canada remains an understudied component of atheism research. Consequently, the focus of this research is secularist activists in a major Canadian city, and how they negotiate differences and intra-movement conflict while pursuing highly individualistic activist identities. Drawing on qualitative data from participant observation and interviews, I make an empirical contribution to the study of Canadian atheism. Additionally, this dissertation contributes to lifestyle movement theory, a framework that undergirds much of the empirical work in the following pages. I found that many atheists saw themselves as activists despite their reticence to engage in organizationally oriented collective action. Despite their lack of conventional participation, they saw themselves as principled actors with morally coherent projects based on Enlightenment values, and that those private, individualized actions potentially could change the world for the better. Even in the absence of such optimism, many of my participants pursued a reason-driven life in any capacity that allowed them to maintain their individuality. Given the emergence of new atheism and more specific currents within the atheist movement, many secularists felt compelled towards intellectual homogeneity for the sake of mobilization and the movement’s continuing health. In response to these pressures, my participants deliberately ! ""! ! ! adopted a contrarian lifestyle that preserved their quest for authenticity as well as other ideals such as scientific skepticism and critical thinking. ! """! ! ! PREFACE This dissertation follows the journal-article format (sometimes called a “paper- based” thesis or dissertation by article) as specified by the Faculty of Graduate Studies at the University of Alberta. In other words, each empirical chapter is in publication or under review. The dissertation is composed of four articles along with contextual sections that include the introduction, a more detailed methods section, my theoretical framework, and a discussion and conclusion. Each article is a self-contained discussion of some different aspects of secularist activism in Edmonton, Alberta, and though each provides unique analysis, they are connected by a similar concern with the individual lifestyles and identities. Chapters four and five are currently in review. Chapters six and seven appear as the following publications (respectively), Simmons, Jonathan. "‘Not that kind of atheist,’ scepticism as a lifestyle movement." Social Movement Studies (2018), 1-13. Simmons, Jonathan. "Atheism Plus What? Social Justice and Lifestyle Politics Among Edmonton Atheists." Canadian Journal of Sociology (Online) 42, no. 4 (2017), 425-446. This thesis is an original work by Jonathan Simmons. The research project, of which this dissertation is a part, received research ethics approval from the University ! "#! ! ! of Alberta Research Ethics Board. Project, The Debunkers, ID Pro00045141, April 4, 2014. ! #! ! ! ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Without the help and guidance of several people, this research project would not have been possible. I would like to thank the staff and faculty of the Department of Sociology at the University of Alberta for their support. I am indebted to my supervisor, Dr. Stephen A. Kent, for his patience and good humor. I also thank my committee members, Drs. Kevin Haggerty and Dominique Clément for their interest, encouragement, gentle guidance, and support offered throughout. I want to thank the chair of my defense, Dr. Temitope Oriola, as well as my external examiners, Dr. Jesse M. Smith, and Richard Reimer. Finally, special thanks go to Drs. Lisa Stroschein, Ingo Brigandt, and Ajay Sandhu for their kindness and helpful comments throughout this journey. I am deeply thankful to my family for their support throughout the years. Also, I wish to express my gratitude to my friends and colleagues who were always there to offer advice during my studies. Most importantly, I thank Maryna, not only for her patience, encouragement, and support during the years I worked on this dissertation but also for her invaluable editorial comments. ! #"! ! ! TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT .............................................................................................................. ii PREFACE ................................................................................................................ iv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS .......................................................................................... vi TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................... vii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................... 1 Development of Subject Matter .......................................................................... 5 Scope .................................................................................................................. 9 Terminology ...................................................................................................... 13 The “New” in New Atheism ................................................................................... 18 Skepticism .............................................................................................................. 20 Chapter Outline ................................................................................................ 22 Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 28 References ........................................................................................................ 31 CHAPTER TWO: THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK ..................................................... 35 Social Movements ............................................................................................. 36 New Social Movements ..................................................................................... 38 Lifestyle Movements ......................................................................................... 40 Collective Identity ............................................................................................. 44 References ........................................................................................................ 46 CHAPTER THREE: DATA AND METHODS ............................................................ 51 Research Approach ........................................................................................... 52 The Selection of Methodology .......................................................................... 54 Site and Participant Selection ........................................................................... 57 Recruitment of Participants ............................................................................... 59 Data Collection ................................................................................................. 60 Interviews ............................................................................................................... 63 Sampling ................................................................................................................ 66 Participant Observation ......................................................................................... 68 Data Analysis .................................................................................................... 80 Limitations ........................................................................................................ 81 Ethical Assurances............................................................................................. 82 Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 83 References ........................................................................................................ 84 CHAPTER FOUR: A TYPOLOGY OF ATHEIST ACTIVISTS ...................................... 91 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 92 ! #""! ! ! Methods ........................................................................................................... 94 Background ...................................................................................................... 97 Towards a Typology of Atheist Activists ........................................................... 99 Firebrands ............................................................................................................ 102 Diplomats ............................................................................................................. 108 Skeptics ................................................................................................................ 113 Builders ................................................................................................................ 115 Conclusion ...................................................................................................... 119 References .....................................................................................................
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