Is there a danger that the militant atheism is just driving atheists and theists further apart?

Question

By the militant athiesm I mean thinkers like Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris who present an explictly hostile attitude towards religon. I can see this movement creating further conflict and lowering chances of creating a peaceful society.

I don't deny that religous fanatics are a far larger problem, but I think militant atheism risks exacerbating the problem.

Answer 1

You have a point it may not be helping bring us all together . But whenever you have extremists on one side you will always have extremists on the other side . Most of us will fall in the middle . I believe that they may have a point in the fact that as long as religious extremists have so much power in this country someone needs to do battle with them

Answer 2

I believe the question answers it self when you mention "militant atheism" Atheism like religion is a belief system and is subject to all the same uses and abuses any religion is. I am a religious person, and although I will talk about religion to those who wish to, I believe if someone does not believe that is their prerogative. What I see however is that anti religious individuals will prosecute their beliefs upon others with the same fervor as religious fanatics, their really is not a lot of difference, regardless of claims to the contrary.

Answer 3

And from their point of view, there is more danger in not speaking out.

For too many years atheists were forced, by society in general, to hide their lack of beliefs, play along with the crowd and pretend everything was perfectly alright. In the last several years, people like Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, Brian Flemming, etc .. have encouraged people and let them know that hiding doesn't have to be an option anymore. That we are just as free to speak against religion and to announce that we find it dangerous as religions are to preach.

Although I may not agree with a few things that Richard Dawkins had to say in his last book, I very much agree with the basis that both he and Sam Harris represent. I find religion to be dangerous. It's found it's way into too much of our everyday lives, and for the non believer this isn't only unwelcome, it's intrusive. Religious sects continue to try to impact society and laws based on their faith, which I consider dangerous for the community at large.

I write atheist articles and blogs and am heavily involved in activities that help to fight against organized religion interfering where it doesn't belong. And I'll continue to do so as long as people aren't keeping their personal beliefs personal.

As a matter of fact, I have to go and upload my video for the Blasphemy Challenge. Have a good day. :)

Answer 4

One would hope that in a free society the exchange of ideas would never be dangerous. It's only when these exchanges become a matter of forced obedience do they become dangerous. The Bible instructs me to share the gospel of Christ with non-believers. If someone chooses not to accept the free gift of Jesus or to refuse to open their mind and heart to what I believe, I can't force it upon them.

My question is why try so hard to disprove something you don't believe exists? I don't believe in unicorns but, I've not devoted my life to attacking people that have these window stickers of unicorns on their car. If you don't believe you simply don't believe.

Someone made the arguement that people of faith shouldn't use their beliefs to encourage laws. Wow, ok. I believe that stealing your car, burning your house down, mudering your children and raping your wife are all sins against God and humans. But, if atheists would rather we live in a society without such faith based laws how would we maintain peace and order? Are you willing to sacrifice your families' safety so that you can be totally free of my God?

To all that read this, may Jesus Christ bless you and keep you.

Answer 5

You said the word''thinkers'', which says it all.The conflict is not between the atheist and the theist, it's between the ''thinkers'' and those who chose not to( the theist).The only ''militant athesis'', are the ones that refuse to give up reason to faith.Long may they live.

Answer 6

militant athiesm is simply a manifestation of fear.....they are in the same place as an abusive, judgemental christian....they just settled on diff titles....true peace cannot be influenced by hostility, in whatever form it takes or what it calls itself....ie brutal honesty is still brutality, therefore a form of abuse.....peace recognizes hostility in all its forms and titles

Answer 7

There will be always two poles apart, but the poise is between the extremes.

Answer 8

Funny, in my mind the religious fanatics are the ones driving people further apart.

Answer 9

..I worry about the people who believe in fantasy who don't look at logic and are not allow to discover what's real and what's not...they are the ones with their fingers on the button..

Answer 10

Thanks for answering that for you.