The philosophy of Rome owed much to Greece, and so it is not surprising to find some of the same critical themes later taken up by Roman writers and philosophers. In fact, it's hard to find much that's entirely new and original in Roman philosophy -- the Romans tended to eschew speculative philosophy in favor of more practical concerns regarding morality and how to live a good life. Even here, though, they tended to lean heavily on Greek writings.

Read Article: Skepticism & Atheism in Ancient Rome

America's Christian Right has long made the idea of 'law and order' an important political slogan. Religious conservatives have attacked the prison system for being too lenient, for emphasizing rehabilitation over punishment, for pampering prisoners, and for being too sentimental. It's as if they are more interested in the vengeful God of the Old Testament than the forgiving Jesus of the New Testament. There is a precedence for such arguments, but it's not a pleasant one.

 

Read Article: Moral Panics, Authoritarian Government, and Conservative Christianity - Comparing Attitudes towards Crime & Prison in Weimar Germany & America

Because atheism is more common and accepted in Europe, we don't see the problem there of Christians (usually liberal and moderate) complaining that critics of religion are really just "fundamentalist atheists" who are too "intolerant" and "strident" to be taken seriously. Yet, almost exactly the same phenomenon is happening in Europe -- but instead of these attacks being directed against atheists who are publicly critical of religion generally, they are people applied to people like Hirsi Ali who are critical of Islam in particular and patriarchal religion generally. Read more...

Religious apologists keep insisting that atheists are being offensive, rude, insensitive, and even "militant" for purchasing billboards and bus advertisements to communicate the fact that they exist, the fact that there is nothing wrong with atheism, and even that people should reconsider religious theism. These ads have sparked a lot of positive interest in the atheist community -- but which one do you like best? Which one do you think is most effective?

The critical reactions from religious apologists come regardless of what the ads say, which indicate that the problem for apologists is that atheists are speaking out at all, not that they are speaking out with an inappropriate tone or message. These reactions are, I think, best explained by fear -- but fear of what? Are they afraid that the more people learn about atheists and atheism, the harder it will be for religious leaders to preserve the stigma that they have managed to attach to disbelief? Are they afraid that when atheists stake out an equal place in the public square, then they might not be able to compete?