What are atheists for?

In Hypothesis on the functions of non-belief in the evolution of religion (Religion, Brain & Behavior Vol. 2, No. 1, Feb 2012), Dominic Johnson explores, for the first time, evolutionary theories of atheism. You can read the entire article here (http://dominicdpjohnson.com/publications/pdf/2012JohnsonWhatAreAtheistsFor.pdf).

So often, evolutionary scientists suggest that religious beliefs are nothing more than remnants of evolved traits. Religious beliefs, as the theories go, provided survival and reproductive advantages to those cave men and cave women whose psychology first varied in a way that allowed them to wonder “is there anybody out there?” Comfortably numb in their condescending hubris, modernists believe they have overcome evolutionary traits. Belief in the supernatural evolved. Disbelief is the overcoming of evolution. I appreciate that Johnson forces the question; if religious belief is no more than an evolved adaptation, can atheism be different?  

My paraphrase of Johnson’s 10 theories of why atheism might have evolved follows.

I suggest Theory 11. There really is a God. Just nod if you can hear me.

Theory 1. There Are No Atheists. Religious beliefs evolved in everyone, even if some deny it.

Theory 2. Natural Variation. Religious beliefs evolved in everyone, and atheism is just an individual variation in the human propensity to hold religious beliefs.

Theory 3. Unnatural Variation. Religious beliefs evolved in everyone and atheism can only be explained as a result of an ‘‘unnatural’’ variation imposed by modern culture.

Theory 4. Frequency Dependence. Atheism provided a survival and reproductive advantage as long as it was not too common.

Theory 5. Exploitation.  Atheism provided a survival and reproductive advantage for those with power and status.

Theory 6. Ecological Contingency. Atheism provided more survival and reproductive advantages in some socio-ecological settings than others.

Theory 7. Catalyst. Atheism evolved to facilitate the survival and reproductive advantages of believers.  

Theory 8. Bolstering. Atheism evolved to strengthen the survival and reproductive advantages of belief in the face of skepticism.

Theory 9. Restraint. Atheism evolved to restrain and tone down religious doctrine and to keep it credible.

Theory 10. Atheism Is A Religion. Atheism evolved for the survival and reproductive advantages it affords its members in the same ways that belief benefits the survival and reproductive advantages of believers.