Expert: Austin Cline - 3/28/2009

Question
Hi there. I am not sure whether or not this is within your range of expertise, but I thought I would give it a shot. I was raised in a devoutly christian home, and started to rebel around the age of seventeen. I am now in my mid twenties, and a devout atheist! I have always had a big problem with the idea of my fate being in someone else's hands, and having to answer to someone else. I mean, christians aren't even entitled to their own thoughts! Normal human emotions like jealousy for example, or lust, are considered "sinful" and we are supossed to repent for them. In my home, my parents were very strict about what we listened to, watched, read etc They didn't want us exposed to anything "non christian". My parents were especially hard on us girls when it came to how we dressed, dating etc

My parents paid for all three of my brothers to go to college/university, but I had to pay for my own schooling. They said that my focus should be on finding a husband, starting a family etc and that it was up to my husban
d to provide for me. I didn't agree. I am now living a life my parents totally disapprove of. I have a career that I love, live with my boyfriend etc

That's a little background for you! I am really into tattoos, and use them as a way to express myself. I already have an upside down cross on the back of my neck, which expresses the contempt I have for christianity. I want to get something a little more subtle this time around(but equally powerful), and wondered if you knew of any other "anti christian symbols"?

A friend of mine told me that vampires are supossed to be REALLY anti christian, but I'm not sure why? Do you know? That could be an idea, since I love horror movies AND vampires! I was thinking maybe it had something to do with them being immortal, and hence not having to answer to a "god". I hope this isn't too weird of a question. LOL Thanks.

Leigh


Answer
I would suggest thinking about the question from a different perspective. It makes sense to express hostility towards Christianity given your background, but Christianity isn't the only religion or ideology which teaches the sorts of anti-human, misogynistic values which caused you problems.

So why not pick something that expresses support or approval for a more human, this-worldly value and which constitutes at least an implicit challenge to all religions - not just Christianity, but also Islam, Judaism, Hinduism and non-religious conservative ideologies?

Unfortunately, I'm sort on specific ideas here. You need to think about what these systems teach, what the opposite might be, and then if there are any symbols which can represent it.

For example, these systems are heavily authoritarian, so the opposite is extensive personal liberty. One symbol of that would be the anarchism symbol - but that would only work if you are an anarchist on any level. Communism is also a boogey-man for all religious and political conservatives and it comes with a wealth of possible symbols or images.

These systems are heavily anti-sex, but are there any pro-sex, pro-sexuality symbols?

These systems are heavily anti-woman, but would the traditional symbol for femininity work for you? Can it be combined with anything?

Well, I can't quite answer your question, but hopefully I've helped you come up with answers by thinking about the matter in new ways. I'd be interested to learn what you finally choose!