46 Hobbes argues that without a strong legal framework to prevent conflict, society will descend into chaos. Atheism, in this context, can be seen as a result of this breakdown—a consequence of religious minorities, like Christians, being persecuted or ignored by the state and majority religious groups, leading to a loss of faith in oppressed groups that no longer see the value of maintaining their religious identity. Third, fear and power. Hobbes argues that humans are driven by fear and the desire for power to secure their self-interest. Discrimination stems from these two forces—fear of others and the desire to dominate or control. For Hobbes, fear is a central component of human existence and morality. Fear, according to Hobbes, is the root of justice, virtue, and social order. The abuse of power based on vanity, also leads individuals to act in corrupt and unjust ways. To prevent chaos and ensure justice, all power, according to Hobbes, should be vested in a sovereign authority, a government that has the legitimacy to enforce laws and maintain peace. This central authority is supposed to be based on the collective agreement of the people, ensuring that no one group can dominate or oppress others. J.W.N. Watkins elaborates on Hobbes' view, arguing that fear may similarly be an essential tool for preserving control, to serve as a check on people’s impulses, helping prevent chaos from spiraling out of control. For individuals in the minority, the absence of a protective legal framework and the oppressive actions of the majority can create an environment where they feel powerless. In such an environment as in Indonesia, atheism may emerge as a coping mechanism—an attempt to reject religious identity altogether in order to escape from persecution. Fourth, the stability of law and order versus the spirit of equality. Hobbes contends that in society, maintaining the stability of laws and the community is more important than the pursuit of equality. For Hobbes, order takes precedence over the equal treatment of all individuals, which can justify the marginalization or oppression of certain groups. In Leviathan, he asserts that the pursuit of equality, where everyone seeks the same things in the same way, naturally breeds competition and discord. In his view, the more people desire the same things, the more quickly they will come into conflict with one another. Hobbes identifies two key principles that often lead to quarrels and threaten the stability of society: competition and glory. He writes: "Competition makes men invade for gain; Glory makes them invade for reputation." — Leviathan, Chapter 13 Competition for resources, wealth, or power, is tied to power and dominance and the pursuit of glory , fame or social status. This can lead to violence when individuals or groups are willing to harm
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