Atheism Quote by Alec Ryrie
““All these people described their doubts in the same way: as having been thrust unwillingly into their minds by the devil. We might be inclined to dismiss that. In fact it is vital for understanding what this kind of unbelief was and why it matters. First of all, it shows that these narratives are a literary genre, akin to the modern genre of narratives of recovery from mental illness. Like that genre, they suffer from survivorship bias. Early modern Protestants who lost their struggles with atheism did not tell their stories, any more than did those who killed themselves.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The World of the Reformation by Alec Ryrie, 2016
The passage argues that early modern Protestant accounts of doubt were framed as demonic intrusion, creating a literary genre that hides the full range of experiences due to survivorship bias.
In simple terms: Protestant doubt was portrayed as devilish, skewing our view of belief struggles.
Key Takeaway
Recognize hidden narratives behind dominant stories.
Themes
religion
history
psychology
literature
bias
Mood
reflective
critical
inquisitive
Type
analytical
historical
theological
When to use this quote
- theological debates
- mental health discussions
- historical research
- faith counseling
Key Concepts
survivorship bias
genre theory
faith crisis
narrative framing
Questions to Reflect On
- How might we uncover the silenced stories of those who left faith?
- What does survivorship bias reveal about historical narratives?
A Different Perspective
The focus on devilic explanations may oversimplify complex intellectual struggles.
