This post was not about fundamentalism…it was about evangelicism. Specifically, it was about certain atheists adopting the unpleasant tactic of those they consider their most-hated enemies i.e. evangelical Christians.

Evangelicalism differs greatly than moderate religion because one has a conversion mission while the other is more introspective.

Why is atheism popular on the left?
Reality has a liberal bias. That and many conservative ideas can only be supported on relgious grounds.

Youth Movement?
Most likely it is because younger people are more internet savy and use computers more- not sure.

Know each other?
Nope I was talking in the plural you- great… I’m begining to think Spanish’s method is better- they don’t have that problem.

Atheism is a faith
No it isn’t. “A faith” means it is a religion (which it isn’t), while based on faith is absolutely untrue- I myself am entirely faithless.

Tolerance
I don’t tolerate a lot of things. I may respect people, but their opinions? Never. The truth lives and dies on its own merits. It is nice to see you get along with your neighbor… but if she believes that all nonbelievers are going to burn in Hell… well, you should be offended she isn’t trying to convert you.

we trust each other. we love each other. and the most interesting thing is that we have very similar values and goals and hopes. i guess where we differ is in the means.

I think that’s all we can ask for is to treat each other with respect and accept that we can be different and even celebrate that fact.

‘atheism is a faith too’

I love that! It’s so true. Neither one of us will know who is right until the lights go out. I think that’s why I see the atheists verses believers debate as so pointless.

i must say i agree with a lot of what leftcoastlibrul has written. i know my move towards atheism was a very personal one that began many moons ago and was not led by the rise of the religious right; though, watching the religious right in action did work to solidify my choice.

in the end, we must remember that atheism is a faith, too. and i don’t read the hitchens’, etc. books either. i cannot and will not challenge anyone’s choice to believe in god, but i will challenge anyone who tries to impose their religious beliefs on me, either one-on-one or through political maneuvering.

again, without a large-scale survey, we don’t know the trends. we only know what we see in our own lives and the crazy, provocative “harpies” (thanks, leftcoast) who get all the face time in the media.

i can tell you that my best friend up here is my next door neighbor, who is a conservative republican and who is very involved in her church and her religion. she knows i am an atheist and a liberal.

we trust each other. we love each other. and the most interesting thing is that we have very similar values and goals and hopes. i guess where we differ is in the means.

I get the impression we know each other.

And if you think my complaints about evangelical atheism is one-sided, I suggest you read here.

Could be you are right, though I would also suggest this ‘youth movement’ is lead by some ‘old dogs’.

You’ve given me some good points to think about. My thanks!

I can certainly see a backlash against the “Christian right’s” political pressure of the past 8 years, although I’m not convinced that’s entirely atheistic. Personally, I’d like to see fiscal conservatives take their party back from the fundamentalist base. Our country needs good conservatives to bring us back to center when the liberals and progressives push too far to the left, just like a car needs brakes and for much the same reasons. Those checks and balances need to be exercised.

Sorry, got off on a tangent. Is it possible that atheism is, like liberalism, currently seen as a youth movement? The more vocal members are younger and more likely to be open about their atheism.

Antitheism is rising due to the tide of religion in America AND in Europe. Duh!

I can’t believed you missed Europe by the way- it is a combo of old fashion immigrant fears and the fact that… well, they are causing problems. Like honor killings, terrrorism, suicide bombings, rape and murder- general bad stuff in the name of Allah the merciful.

Antitheism is opposed to ALL forms of religion- Obama as well as McCain. You seem not to understand- antitheism is not tied to liberalism or conservativism- it simply is tied to liberalism in the US because the conservatives are so insane. Antitheists canhave conservatives beliefs- just not the whole package.

God is a scientific notion. You see things that EXIST fall under the domain of science. Have you even read the bible? You know, the part where the Lord God creates the heavens and the Earth? Sounds like a theory to me! For more… abstract versions, logic can simply be brought to bear.

Liberals are atheists? Funny- this doesn’t seem to be reflected in the Democratic party… at all. None of the presidential canidates where atheists and ONE member of congress is. If you think liberals fall easily to trends and this is being picked up as fashionable… well, I won’t insult your intelligence. I’d point out that your belief is 180 degrees out of line with reality- the Democratic party is “finding religion”.

Now it could just be liberals and not democrats. In which case I’d have to point out that reality has a liberal bias.

“Evangelical atheists” are disrepectful because we hurt people’s feeling and don’t play nice? What ever shall we do?

You know what I see? I see someone so mired in mushy wushy feel good philosophy they can’t see their own feet! Look at what you are saying- evangelical atheism is bad because… well, they simply are. You don’t give an example or show them ACTUALLY doing anything. You seem to think belief in God is well supported without realizing what that implies- you know, the fundamentalist are right. The reason antitheists attack ALL religion is because of people like you. People who, as soon as some points out the whole thing is nonsense, immediately cry foul.

Give me ONE piece of actual evidence for God, one solid argument and you have me and the rest of the atheists sold. Give me but one example and I might agree the New Atheists have gone overboard. You can’t. You never will and you never have been able to.

I apologize if you find my tone insulting, but the simple fact is you didn’t think through what you wrote. Faith, by definition, has no objective grounding. You can’t attack evangelicals without attacking their faith- for it is their faith that provides the justification for their actions. But without faith “moderate” religion is so much nonsense too.

If you actually are curious you could go to google, type in atheism and actually read the hits. You see that’s what I do- why do you think I am here?

“sigh” And before you ask, I am interested in posts- It just happens I have heard this particualar topic a thousand times and heard it refuted a thousand more.