So What Kind of Atheist Are You? Exploring Cultural Universals and Differences

Nearly two decades ago, I had the occasion to spend a Fulbright sabbatical in Israel working with my long-time colleague and mentor, Professor Miriam Erez, at the Technion in Haifa, Israel. Coincidentally, this was the year of the Gulf War in 1990–1. During these tense times, we sought refuge in humor and distraction in daily ironies. A colleague described the experiences of a recent immigrant to Israel who had decided to become a naturalized citizen. In pursuing citizenship, the person completed an extensive interview form, after which she was called in for a personal interview with a government official. During the interview, the official looked at her form and asked her, “What religion are you?,” to which she replied, “I’m an atheist.” After a few moments of reflection, the immigration officer again repeated his question, “What religion are you?,” and again, she answered, “I’m an atheist.” Now showing some irritation, the officer demanded, “No, what RELIGION are you?” and she angrily replied, “Look, there wasn’t a box for it on the form so I wrote in that I’m an atheist. … I don’t believe in God, and I’m an atheist.” The officer looked at her and said, with some frustration and bewilderment, “Fine—are you a Jewish Atheist, a Muslim Atheist, or a Christian Atheist?”