New Atheist?

May 7, 2007 at 9:32 AM
9 comments

Madeleine Bunting's article on "New Atheism" in the Guardian.

Who the hell coined the term "New Atheist?" Every time I read it its dripping with hate, tied up with misconceptions and ignorance. Maybe the word "atheist" has begun to lose it's negative connotations and we need to fix that?

Oh, and Miss Bunting, if you're looking for "deconverts," try here.

I'll have more to say on this hideous article if I somehow find the time to write it.

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Or maybe the world is just fine with atheists as long as they keep their mouths shut...

Stephen replied to lightandstorm’s comment:
May 7, 2007
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And the reason atheists should keep their mouths shut would be ... ?

lightandstorm replied to Stephen’s comment:
May 7, 2007
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I figured that might get interpreted wrong. No worries, I was being sarcastic and actually agreeing with you. That perhaps people want to define Neo-Atheists as militant and evil and regular atheists as okay only because "regular" atheists keep mainly to themselves. They are just fine with atheism as long as you don't talk about it.

If that's the case, then it's really sad.

Stephen replied to lightandstorm’s comment:
May 7, 2007
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Ah, my mistake. I thought it rather odd that you'd say such a thing. I think I need to cool my jets a bit.

Anyway, yes, yes, of course I agree with everything you said right there. I think we all need to talk about our ideas to figure out a better way to get along on this pale blue dot, it's awful lonely in this corner of the cosmos.

lightandstorm replied to Stephen’s comment:
May 7, 2007
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Yeah, that statement taken seriously is *way* out of character for me.

After a bit of thought, I think another reason for this lable is to more firmly put these Neo-Atheists on the other side of the battle. Not believing in God is one thing, but to *attack* religion? They must be stopped!

Nevermind that many of the church fathers and Christian philosophers of old would bring up many of the same objections... Some even did it outright. Kierkegaard's (1800's) criticism of the church unfortunately still holds and seems particularly relevant. Of course, wikipedia only gives you an overview, but suffice to say that Kierkegaard was just as displeased with Christendom as many of these "Neo-Atheists" are (minus the actual atheist part).

But as long as religion makes these people enemies that they don't have to waste time listening to, religion will never get anywhere. They need to stop trying not to hear the points and start truly examining themselves and their tradition!

Sorry, ranted a bit. :)

Interestingly, she doesn't seem to be getting too much support in the comments on her article. Nor should she.

Hey Snowy. Thanks for the link you sent me. I love some of the responses like AlanNZ.

Because religion is just bureaucracy in drag, with officious demi-gods appointed to tell you all what to think and what to do.

Funny how the demi gods reckon God thinks just like they do. In olden days God thought coloured folk were an under class. Now he is smarter, he knows they are equal. Does this mean God had an epiphany or he just had trouble getting his message understood by his Oracles?

Sounds like it's just a boys club to me.

[this is good]

I for one want to know what on earth she's on when she talks about moderates finding interesting questions emerging from the 'science/faith debate'. What science/faith debate? Not much to debate from a science point of view, is there? Let's see - is there a god? Ummm... no! It's like suggesting there are interesting dental tips coming from the dental association/tooth fairy debate.

And the term Neo-Atheist also irritates me to no end. The only thing that separates New Atheists from Old Atheists is more media coverage. Contemporary atheists don't believe in god(s). The last generation of atheists also didn't believe in god(s). I fail to see anything new about that philosophy, it's pretty easy to understand...

... Unless you write for the Guardian, of course.