What is Liberation Atheology? What are Liberation Atheology's Goals?
Given religion's role in preserving, defending, and justifying oppressive systems and ideologies, nothing progressive and no liberation can be achieved without taking on religion first. Even progressive believers have had to start with criticism of their own traditions. Liberation atheology stops trying to replace a bad religious system with a slightly less worse one. Instead, the goal is to reveal how oppression depends on religious beliefs which should be dispensed with anyway.
Defending Gay Marriage Against Conservative, Religious Attack…
On November 15, 2008, people in major cities all over America marched in protest of the passage of Proposition 8 in California. Gays who all too briefly enjoyed the right to marry each other on an equal basis next to straight couples had this fundamental civil right ripped away because of prejudice, ignorance, and hate. Proposition 8 was a serious blow against the effort of Americans to promote e…
On November 15, 2008, people in major cities all over America marched in protest of the passage of Proposition 8 in California. Gays who all too briefly enjoyed the right to marry each other on an equal basis next to straight couples had this fundamental civil right ripped away because of prejudice, ignorance, and hate. Proposition 8 was a serious blow against the effort of Americans to promote e…
Unapologetics: Countering Apologetics with Sarcasm, Laughter,…
Unapologetics are sarcastic, critical posters that take popular theological beliefs and turn them on their heads to point out how absurd they are. Maybe it feels more intellectual to counter them with sophisticated arguments, but sometimes an image and short phrase are sufficient to unmask the pretensions behind them. Sometimes, it's more productive to point and laugh at silly arguments than to t…
Unapologetics are sarcastic, critical posters that take popular theological beliefs and turn them on their heads to point out how absurd they are. Maybe it feels more intellectual to counter them with sophisticated arguments, but sometimes an image and short phrase are sufficient to unmask the pretensions behind them. Sometimes, it's more productive to point and laugh at silly arguments than to t…
Theology vs. Atheology: Systematic Engagement with Religion & Theism
Theology and atheology are systematic ways of thinking and talking about god-concepts, religious symbols, religious beliefs, religious traditions, and how they relate to human society. Whereas theology begins by taking basic religious beliefs for granted, atheology begins by questioning them and challenging their validity. Theologians believe that the basic truths of religion can be known; atheologians believe that the claims of religion are questionable at best and may be proven false.
Theology and atheology are systematic ways of thinking and talking about god-concepts, religious symbols, religious beliefs, religious traditions, and how they relate to human society. Whereas theology begins by taking basic religious beliefs for granted, atheology begins by questioning them and challenging their validity. Theologians believe that the basic truths of religion can be known; atheologians believe that the claims of religion are questionable at best and may be proven false.
Goals of Liberation Atheology: What Should Liberation Atheolo…
It's difficult to describe a single set of goals for liberation atheology because atheists are so individualistic in their own goals. For some the goals will be relatively moderate while others will seek to push them to what appears to be their logical conclusion. At best, this might allow us to describe a continuum of goals: a bare minimum to start with and without which liberation atheology mak…
It's difficult to describe a single set of goals for liberation atheology because atheists are so individualistic in their own goals. For some the goals will be relatively moderate while others will seek to push them to what appears to be their logical conclusion. At best, this might allow us to describe a continuum of goals: a bare minimum to start with and without which liberation atheology mak…
Liberation Movements: Atheology as an Instrument of Liberatio…
Criticism of religion is a prerequisite of liberation because religion helps preserve, defend, or justify oppressive systems. Even believers who support liberation must engage and critique traditional forms of their own religion. Liberation theology seeks to reform religious traditions from within; liberation atheology dispenses with religion as unreformable, complicit in oppression, and/or hopel…
Criticism of religion is a prerequisite of liberation because religion helps preserve, defend, or justify oppressive systems. Even believers who support liberation must engage and critique traditional forms of their own religion. Liberation theology seeks to reform religious traditions from within; liberation atheology dispenses with religion as unreformable, complicit in oppression, and/or hopel…