Fundamentalist Atheists, Fundamentalist Atheism: They Don't Exist
Atheists are called "fundamentalists" and intolerant if they are open and unapologetic in their criticism of religion. This is an inaccurate and unfair representation of both atheist and fundamentalism. There is no such thing as fundamentalist atheism or fundamentalist atheists because there is nothing for atheists to be fundamentalists about.
Atheist Bigotry: Are Atheists Bigots for Generalizing About Religious Theists?
One complaint made about some atheist activists is that they are in fact anti-religious and anti-theistic bigots who are just expressing their personal bigotry, not arguing on behalf of atheists' rights and liberty. There is a legitimate point to be made here, in that generalizing about an entire class of people for the actions of only some members is technically incorrect. What's missing, though, is an appreciation for how the "silent" majority perpetuate and benefit from injustice.
One complaint made about some atheist activists is that they are in fact anti-religious and anti-theistic bigots who are just expressing their personal bigotry, not arguing on behalf of atheists' rights and liberty. There is a legitimate point to be made here, in that generalizing about an entire class of people for the actions of only some members is technically incorrect. What's missing, though, is an appreciation for how the "silent" majority perpetuate and benefit from injustice.
Civility vs. Decency: Do Atheists Have a Duty to Civility, No Matter What?
It's common for religious theists, especially Christians, to complain that atheists are undermining civil society by not being civil enough in their criticisms of religion, religious beliefs, and theism. It's no coincidence that some of these Christians are political conservatives who make the same complaints about liberals who are critical of conservative and Republican political policies. These demands for civility are really demands for acquiescence to indecency and injustice.
It's common for religious theists, especially Christians, to complain that atheists are undermining civil society by not being civil enough in their criticisms of religion, religious beliefs, and theism. It's no coincidence that some of these Christians are political conservatives who make the same complaints about liberals who are critical of conservative and Republican political policies. These demands for civility are really demands for acquiescence to indecency and injustice.
Myth: Atheists are Making a Tactical Mistake by Insulting Religious Theists
An increasing popular criticism of atheists today is that they are too rude and insulting to religious theists — this typically goes hand-in-hand with the claims that atheists are "intolerant" and should be more "respectful" of religion, religious beliefs, and theism. According to purveyors of this myth, atheists are just hurting themselves and their own causes by being so rude and impolite. You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, so atheists should try to moderate their tone.
An increasing popular criticism of atheists today is that they are too rude and insulting to religious theists — this typically goes hand-in-hand with the claims that atheists are "intolerant" and should be more "respectful" of religion, religious beliefs, and theism. According to purveyors of this myth, atheists are just hurting themselves and their own causes by being so rude and impolite. You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, so atheists should try to moderate their tone.
Myth: Atheists Are Becoming More Rude by Criticizing Religious Believers
One complaint which some religious theists keep raising is how allegedly 'militant' atheists are 'rude' because of the ways in which they publicly, unapologetically, and pointedly challenge religious believers. Such atheists ask that believers actually defend and support the claims they publicly make. Such atheists criticize those beliefs, pointing out the flaws in them and argue that they are mistaken, wrong, or even dangerous. Some religious theists find this intolerable.
One complaint which some religious theists keep raising is how allegedly 'militant' atheists are 'rude' because of the ways in which they publicly, unapologetically, and pointedly challenge religious believers. Such atheists ask that believers actually defend and support the claims they publicly make. Such atheists criticize those beliefs, pointing out the flaws in them and argue that they are mistaken, wrong, or even dangerous. Some religious theists find this intolerable.
Myth: Militant Atheists are Atheist Fundamentalists, a New Atheism
There seems to be an increasing number of people responding to atheist critiques of religion or theism by labeling the person a "fundamentalist" atheist. The label is problematic because there are no essential or "fundamental" beliefs for an atheist to be "fundamentalist" about. So why do people use the label? Why do so many people feel that the label is appropriate? This seems to be mostly due to misunderstandings about and prejudice against fundamentalism.
There seems to be an increasing number of people responding to atheist critiques of religion or theism by labeling the person a "fundamentalist" atheist. The label is problematic because there are no essential or "fundamental" beliefs for an atheist to be "fundamentalist" about. So why do people use the label? Why do so many people feel that the label is appropriate? This seems to be mostly due to misunderstandings about and prejudice against fundamentalism.
Myth: Fundamentalist Atheists are Dogmatic, Dismissive of Research into Religion
Fundamentalist atheism cannot exist because there are no 'fundamental' beliefs for atheists to hold. This myth demonstrates why this is true by attempting to create out of thin air a belief for atheists: the idea that they reject religion so firmly that they no longer care about further research on it and are therefore dogmatic in their views. The errors made in this myth are so simple, basic, and obvious that it's difficult to credit anyone who repeats it with understanding atheism at all.
Fundamentalist atheism cannot exist because there are no 'fundamental' beliefs for atheists to hold. This myth demonstrates why this is true by attempting to create out of thin air a belief for atheists: the idea that they reject religion so firmly that they no longer care about further research on it and are therefore dogmatic in their views. The errors made in this myth are so simple, basic, and obvious that it's difficult to credit anyone who repeats it with understanding atheism at all.
Myth: Fundamentalist Atheists Lack a Sense of the Mysterious and Beautiful
It's not a coincidence that allegedly 'fundamentalist' atheism is being paired with science here because this is basically the same complaint which some religious theists - and perhaps some of the same religious theists - make about allegedly "fundamentalist" science itself. Whether the target is atheists or science, the basic claim is the same: subjecting empirical claims about the world to rational, methodical scrutiny removes magic, mystery, and beauty from the world.
It's not a coincidence that allegedly 'fundamentalist' atheism is being paired with science here because this is basically the same complaint which some religious theists - and perhaps some of the same religious theists - make about allegedly "fundamentalist" science itself. Whether the target is atheists or science, the basic claim is the same: subjecting empirical claims about the world to rational, methodical scrutiny removes magic, mystery, and beauty from the world.
Myth: Fundamentalist Atheists are Elitist, Privileged, Look Down on Others
Some religious theists try to rebut atheist criticisms of religion by saying that so many atheists are 'fundamentalists' because they are 'elitist.' Apparently, atheists can't really claim to truly understand religion because they are so privileged economically, socially, and academically. They haven't lived alongside regular religious believers, especially poor ones, who gain so much from their religions and religious beliefs. Like so many other myths, this horribly misrepresents atheists.
Some religious theists try to rebut atheist criticisms of religion by saying that so many atheists are 'fundamentalists' because they are 'elitist.' Apparently, atheists can't really claim to truly understand religion because they are so privileged economically, socially, and academically. They haven't lived alongside regular religious believers, especially poor ones, who gain so much from their religions and religious beliefs. Like so many other myths, this horribly misrepresents atheists.
Myth: Fundamentalist Atheism is Authoritarian, Give Science too much Authority
One of the most serious problems with religion is how often and easily it can tend towards or support authoritarian movements. This is something irreligious atheists frequently criticize about religion, so perhaps it should be expected for religious theists to try to turn this back around and accuse their critics of being authoritarian as well. In doing so, however, they not only misrepresent atheists and atheism but completely distort the nature of authoritarianism itself.
One of the most serious problems with religion is how often and easily it can tend towards or support authoritarian movements. This is something irreligious atheists frequently criticize about religion, so perhaps it should be expected for religious theists to try to turn this back around and accuse their critics of being authoritarian as well. In doing so, however, they not only misrepresent atheists and atheism but completely distort the nature of authoritarianism itself.
Myth: Atheists are Intolerant for Criticizing Religion, Theism
There are several myths here, all tightly intertwined for the apparent purpose of getting atheists to cease making uncomfortable and unwelcome criticisms of religion and theism. Religious believers, mostly Christians, are responding to atheistic critiques of religion by claiming that vocal, unapologetic atheists are analogous to religious terrorists and that criticism of religion is a form of religious intolerance. The implication is that believers shouldn't have to be faced with criticism.
There are several myths here, all tightly intertwined for the apparent purpose of getting atheists to cease making uncomfortable and unwelcome criticisms of religion and theism. Religious believers, mostly Christians, are responding to atheistic critiques of religion by claiming that vocal, unapologetic atheists are analogous to religious terrorists and that criticism of religion is a form of religious intolerance. The implication is that believers shouldn't have to be faced with criticism.
New Atheism & Militant Atheism: Should Atheists Respect Religion and Theism?
There is an increasingly popular attitude that religion and theism deserve automatic respect and deference from everyone - even those who don't share that religion or that theism. People attack atheists for failing to show the 'appropriate' respect to religious and theistic beliefs. Atheists shouldn't say things which constitute pointed, direct, or harsh challenges to religious and theistic claims. At the risk of further accusations of being intolerant and disrespectful, this is nonsense.
There is an increasingly popular attitude that religion and theism deserve automatic respect and deference from everyone - even those who don't share that religion or that theism. People attack atheists for failing to show the 'appropriate' respect to religious and theistic beliefs. Atheists shouldn't say things which constitute pointed, direct, or harsh challenges to religious and theistic claims. At the risk of further accusations of being intolerant and disrespectful, this is nonsense.
What is Respect? What Does it Mean to Respect Religion or Theism?
What does it mean to 'respect' someone's religion or religious beliefs? Many religious theists insist that their religion deserves to be respected, even by non-believers, but what exactly are they asking for? If they are simply asking to be let alone in their beliefs, that's not unreasonable. If they are asking that their right to believe be honored, then I agree. The problem is, these basic minimums are rarely, if ever, what people are asking for; instead, they are asking for much more.
What does it mean to 'respect' someone's religion or religious beliefs? Many religious theists insist that their religion deserves to be respected, even by non-believers, but what exactly are they asking for? If they are simply asking to be let alone in their beliefs, that's not unreasonable. If they are asking that their right to believe be honored, then I agree. The problem is, these basic minimums are rarely, if ever, what people are asking for; instead, they are asking for much more.
What is Intolerance? What is Tolerance? What Does it Mean to be Intolerant?
More and more, religious theists are objecting to what they call 'intolerance' on the part of irreligious atheists who are critical of religion, religious beliefs, and theism. Religious theists insist that atheists are being intolerant and rather than criticizing or mocking religion, atheists should become more tolerant of religion. Liberal democracies place a high value on tolerance, so this sounds at first like a reasonable request but it's not because of how "tolerance" is being defined.
More and more, religious theists are objecting to what they call 'intolerance' on the part of irreligious atheists who are critical of religion, religious beliefs, and theism. Religious theists insist that atheists are being intolerant and rather than criticizing or mocking religion, atheists should become more tolerant of religion. Liberal democracies place a high value on tolerance, so this sounds at first like a reasonable request but it's not because of how "tolerance" is being defined.
Disagreement is Not Intolerance; Saying Someone is Wrong is Not Intolerance
Many religious theists insist that irreligious atheists who criticize religion, religious beliefs, and theism are being intolerant and disrespectful. What are these irreligious atheists doing — are they calling for religion to be banned? For religious believers to be put in jail? No, nothing of the sort. All of this alleged intolerance and disrespect occurs because irreligious atheists disagree with religious theism, say it is wrong, argue that it's harmful, and want people to change.
Many religious theists insist that irreligious atheists who criticize religion, religious beliefs, and theism are being intolerant and disrespectful. What are these irreligious atheists doing — are they calling for religion to be banned? For religious believers to be put in jail? No, nothing of the sort. All of this alleged intolerance and disrespect occurs because irreligious atheists disagree with religious theism, say it is wrong, argue that it's harmful, and want people to change.
Hating the Sin, Loving the Sinner: Attacking Sins Can Lead to Attacking People
The idea that Christians should 'hate the sin but love the sinner' is a popular defense of Christian attacks on homosexuality, abortion, and other behavior which they consider abhorrent. Critics rightly point out that hating the sin can quickly become hating the sinner as well, something which many Christians appear to indulge in when it comes to gays, for example. Is this a problem with atheist critics of religion can succumb to as well?
The idea that Christians should 'hate the sin but love the sinner' is a popular defense of Christian attacks on homosexuality, abortion, and other behavior which they consider abhorrent. Critics rightly point out that hating the sin can quickly become hating the sinner as well, something which many Christians appear to indulge in when it comes to gays, for example. Is this a problem with atheist critics of religion can succumb to as well?
How Moderate Should Atheists Be? How Should Atheists Be Less Extreme?
Many religious theists would like atheists to be more 'moderate' in their criticisms of religion, religious beliefs, and theism. They contend that atheists are too intolerant of religion and should show more respect to religious beliefs. There are good reasons to dispute how religious theists use the terms "tolerance" and "respect" in these contexts and one way this can be demonstrated is by asking just what sort of "moderation" they expect atheists to demonstrate.
Many religious theists would like atheists to be more 'moderate' in their criticisms of religion, religious beliefs, and theism. They contend that atheists are too intolerant of religion and should show more respect to religious beliefs. There are good reasons to dispute how religious theists use the terms "tolerance" and "respect" in these contexts and one way this can be demonstrated is by asking just what sort of "moderation" they expect atheists to demonstrate.
Atheists Should Respect Religious Differences and the Right to Disagree
There is no reason to think that religion and theism will disappear any time soon, which means that godless atheists must remember to respect and tolerate religious differences between themselves and others as well as between adherents of various religions. Accepting the existence of these differences doesn't mean tolerating discrimination, bigotry, violence, or hatred, but it does mean not mistaking sincere -- if mistaken -- beliefs as an excuse for personal attack or bigotry themselves.
There is no reason to think that religion and theism will disappear any time soon, which means that godless atheists must remember to respect and tolerate religious differences between themselves and others as well as between adherents of various religions. Accepting the existence of these differences doesn't mean tolerating discrimination, bigotry, violence, or hatred, but it does mean not mistaking sincere -- if mistaken -- beliefs as an excuse for personal attack or bigotry themselves.