that article on atheists and christians totally misses the point of militant atheism. Militant atheism is like a gay coming out of the closet. It's like the black power panthers in the 60's.
The point of being a militantly aggressive atheist is to tell those other atheists in the USA that it's ok to not believe in god. Atheists in a religious environment feel like they need to keep their head down, to pretend that they are agnostic if asked what they believe, instead of just telling their christian coworkers that they are full blown atheists.
Being a militant atheist is about enabling those atheists who are trying to pass. It lets them know that it's ok to just come right out and say you are an atheist, nobody will stone you for it.
I just skimmed it, but I noticed they mentioned Mehta. I just listened to a podcast interview with him, and he sounds interesting, especially since the religion of his youth was Jainism, not Christianity. I'd like to read his book "I sold my soul on ebay" sometime.
I think that saying that Dawkins treats believers like the enemy isn't entirely correct. It's true that he thinks that religion is an evil that should be eradicated, but he goes out of his way (in "The God Delusion" at least) to try to bridge differences and make nice with believers, even if he doesn't agree with the beliefs.
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Date: 2007-05-14 02:56 pm (UTC)The point of being a militantly aggressive atheist is to tell those other atheists in the USA that it's ok to not believe in god. Atheists in a religious environment feel like they need to keep their head down, to pretend that they are agnostic if asked what they believe, instead of just telling their christian coworkers that they are full blown atheists.
Being a militant atheist is about enabling those atheists who are trying to pass. It lets them know that it's ok to just come right out and say you are an atheist, nobody will stone you for it.
Christians and atheists start a calmer dialogue
Date: 2007-05-14 04:26 pm (UTC)I think that saying that Dawkins treats believers like the enemy isn't entirely correct. It's true that he thinks that religion is an evil that should be eradicated, but he goes out of his way (in "The God Delusion" at least) to try to bridge differences and make nice with believers, even if he doesn't agree with the beliefs.