The new atheists are attempting to make themselves more publicly known, but the tactics being used are creating conflict and confusion among their own ranks.
Determining what flavor of atheist you are going to be packaged as is part of the deal if you claim to be an atheist today. The image of atheism is being framed on billboards and other forms of media and the results will push people into the "anti-theists” or “confrontationalists” or the “accommodationists" camps.
The new atheists have got some belief bullies who are picking a whole bunch of fights for you, so you atheists better brush up on your apologetics because your fellow God haters are setting fires that will consume up what's left of the pluralistic neutral ground once envisioned by our American forefathers.
Some great dialogue and debate is happening in the godless zone and well worth reading if you are feeling like Poland with Germany breathing down your neck. You hear the boots of the Nothinglanders foot soldiers coming to enlist you in their fight even though you had once thought atheism was glorious Switzerland. Not so, there is ideological blood to be spilled, the atheism of closeted yesteryear is gone, it's the age of bombastic bellowing and you've been drafted.
So Stalin loving, Nietzsche quoting, Voltaire memorizing, red book carrying, Hawkities, dig in and pick your titles and claim your sides because war is upon you!
Here are some manifestos for the comrades:
What Are The Goals of the Atheist Movement?
Chris Stedman: The Problem With 'Atheist Activism', "Effective criticism of religious dogmatism accounts for the diverse spectrum of religious expression. It is balanced, it is rooted in compassion, and it responds to what people actually believe and practice, not just the most extreme forms of religious thought."
"Focusing one's activism on criticizing a caricature of religion does nothing to improve atheism's image; in fact, it actively hampers attempts to improve the conditions of life for nonreligious people," Atheist" and "anti-religious" are not synonyms."
David Silverman 'American Atheists', “The election of our leaders in the United States is one of the most important decisions that we as citizens make. Allowing our judgment to be clouded by sheer silliness is unacceptable. We want to show the people of our country the foolishness of mixing religion with politics.”
"If a person believes stupid things, then we have every right to question his or her judgment, and that directly impacts how the non-religious voter votes," Silverman.
As for the holy underwear wearing, man in a fish believing, Crusades connected, terrorist spawning, pedophile protecting, holy finger wagging, Homo-rooter-outers...well, you aren't the only obnoxious, over-generalizing people group haters on the block anymore.
Welcome to 'Muricka,' where everyone is holier-than-thou and the name of the game is wide-scale mockery of anything and everyone, sacred or secular.
Long live the Spaghetti Monster!
(Images courtesy www.atheist.org).
Tracy Simmons | Aug 14, 2012 | 10:08am
Dave, on Facebook said, “so much for tolerance?”
Tracy Simmons | Aug 14, 2012 | 11:41am
And Ryan, on Facebook, said, “Tolerance need not entail respecting a belief system”
Ryan Downie | Aug 14, 2012 | 11:43am
Whether or not this particular atheist group has the appropriate method, it seems at least understandable that this would be the course of action they would take given that atheists have often been marginalized and vilified by the religious. Also, sometimes mockery is the only way to shock people into really and rationally considering whether they do, in fact, believe what is being mocked.
Ryan Downie | Aug 14, 2012 | 11:48am
Perhaps believers should take the atheist response here as a sign to understand why or what has driven them to lash out. It is certainly a sign that they are hearing an irrational message from believers backed up only by threats of eternal damnation. Perhaps, then, it is also a sign that believers are the ones who need to alter their approach. Perhaps it is time believers enter back into the arena of reason rather than basking in the fortress of faith?
Ryan Downie | Aug 14, 2012 | 11:58am
I must admit, I sympathize with these atheists and their desire to pillory much of religious belief. Sometimes it seems that the religious get so comfortable launching egregious and ridiculous truth claims from behind their wall of faith with no accountability and it is frustrating, especially for one who wants to know what is true. Many here know that I have struggled with a tendency toward vitriolic response and it has only been recently through the blossoming of a friendship with a Christian friend who has approached me with understanding, a listening ear, sophistication and rigorous philosophical/scientific thought (and argument) that my sentiments have become much less hostile and open.
Ernesto Tinajero | Aug 14, 2012 | 3:08pm
Hey PT Barnum has become the spiritual leader of America. This groups knows that saying outrageous things will get them noticed and then they can go on with their message. But they failed to understand the message takes on the shape of their medium. They start by using mocking and foolishness and end as mockers and fools.
And yes Ryan, this happens to believers and non-believers alike. The way of shock and awe is a temptation that happens in many forms of promotion and propaganda, but it can easily slip into a parody of a Saturday Night routine.
Can anyone read this billboards signs and think they… encourage the development and public acceptance of a humane ethical system stressing the mutual sympathy, understanding, and interdependence of all people and the corresponding responsibility of each individual in relation to society;
Thomas J. Brown | Aug 14, 2012 | 3:49pm
Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t see a point to this post. Are you being critical of atheism? Then why post some of the quotes, which (I think) actually support atheism? Are you trying to say that it’s inappropriate for atheists to mock the religious? That argument is destroyed by your own mocking of atheists, and your almost immediate invocation of Godwin’s Law.
I guess I’m just confused because every time I think I’ve figured out what it is you’re trying to accomplish with the post, I realize that *you yourself* have made a strong argument against the point.
Bruce | Aug 14, 2012 | 5:27pm
The question is, will the church respond by following the example of Christ and going to the cross, or by firing back?
Eric Blauer | Aug 14, 2012 | 7:50pm
Part of the ‘tone’ was meant to be over the top to play to the issue of extremes. Using the same hyper focus and unfair labeling that is being used to paint a ridiculous group and lump everyone into that group. Guilt by association. It’s loony logic and tries to say ALL Muslims, Fundies, GLBT, Democrats, republicans, christians or athiests are this or that. Something a billboard type of convo will provoke. Hopefully we can see the straw man for what he or she is.
Sam Fletcher | Aug 15, 2012 | 9:42am
There’s a lot of pent-up anger and resentment. Religious people had the keys to the city, and they didn’t do a good job taking care of the city or the people in it. It’s pretty natural for intelligent people to assume that because what they are hearing in churches is not intelligent, means that intelligent people should be atheists. I doubt it’s going to be a lasting movement because I think atheism is rather too much of a void for humans that very early on evolved a desire to commune and interact with a spiritual dimension.
The Rev Deb Conklin | Aug 15, 2012 | 11:46am
As someone who is now an ‘insider’, I get really frustrated when I get painted with the anti-gay, anti-reason, creationism, threaten people into heaven, pedophile, inquisition brush…. And as someone who has been an ‘outsider’ and who’s faith journey has meandered far and wide, I get that some Christians have, at some point, committed every one of these sins. But, just as I try to be open to the unique character and beliefs of each person I meet, I expect that some openness in return.
Eric Blauer | Aug 15, 2012 | 7:43pm
I’m not a fan of the “you deserve it” response, it assumes everyone is guilty as charged. I do think there is much value in listening to the conversations, be it shouting or whisper or just the look in the face and seeking to understand the message and the messenger. I love that Ryan has found people wiling to dialogue and share more than slogans and billboards with one another. I pray more and more people will utilize the fire of rhetoric to warm more than burn. It can happen. But somethings always got to be destroyed to bring heat and comfort or to cook something too.
Sam Fletcher | Aug 16, 2012 | 10:00am
I dunno Eric, I think mockery and sarcasm has a place in public debate. It’s an equalizer that amplifies the public voice of groups that are in a minority numbers-wise, resources-wise, or both. It isn’t really effective as the sum total of a debate, but it can be an excellent attention-getter for the underdogs and enjoys a proud place in the history of minority rights movements. People I’ve talked to who are white, straight, protestant, and/or male have a hard time seeing their place of power and privilege as the morals-setters in society.
Dennis | Aug 18, 2012 | 8:33pm
I’m am humbled and glad to be in the camp of creationist, Bible believer, preacher and lover of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and willing to suffer to stay true to those Bible truths and to the Author of the Bible, and my Lord. I haven’t had to do much of that yet, but I can see the day coming soon. I won’t have to be mean, cruel, arrogant or proud, just a faithful believer. So be it.
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