Militant Atheism: Religion Or Political Affiliation?

[Earthling]

That's not the average atheist.

That has been my experience. The people I've known all my life are average atheists. My friends, family, etc. The only religious person I know is my mother, and she used to be somewhat atheistic. No, I wouldn't say she was atheist, she was irreligious.

 

[Altfish]

Well, that's kind of the point. It's a class struggle of sorts. Repugnant, but all things political are.

You must be imagining a different set of people than I am; Dawkins has never said anything remotely repugnant as the likes of Franklin Graham; Bill Donohue; Rick Wiles and the likes.
What is it that Dawkins has said that makes him 'militant'?

 

[Earthling]

If it makes you happy, so be it.

I don't understand your reaction. You obviously wouldn't object to the term militant atheist unless you thought it was unfairly being applied to yourself. Do you object to the existence of militant atheism?

 

[Augustus]

The definition of 'militant' says it all; how do Sam Harris or Richard Dawkins fall into those categories?

It's a perfectly standard usage of the term. Like militant feminist, outspoken and (verbally) combative.

Some folk get a little oversensitive about terms like militant atheist, evangelical atheist or New Atheist, take them overly literally and act like they don't make sense when pretty much everyone here knows exactly what kind of ideological persuasion is being referred to.

The problem is not the terms themselves, just that some people misrepresent their views which would happen whatever term they used to describe them.

 

[Altfish]

I don't understand your reaction. You obviously wouldn't object to the term militant atheist unless you thought it was unfairly being applied to yourself. Do you object to the existence of militant atheism?

If any atheists used violence in furtherance of their argument; I would accept the phrase/description but they don't. Why aren't evangelical preachers described as 'militant'?
It is a redefinition of the word 'militant' to suit an agenda.

 

[Earthling]

You must be imagining a different set of people than I am; Dawkins has never said anything remotely repugnant as the likes of Franklin Graham; Bill Donohue; Rick Wiles and the likes.
What is it that Dawkins has said that makes him 'militant'?

Did I mention Dawkins? I'm a believer in the Bible. There are, unfortunately, televangelists. Dawkins to me is what I imagine Pat Robertson or Oral Roberts is to you.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

It's problematic in that there is such a stark contrast to the militant atheist and the average atheist on the street that finds the militant atheist somewhat embarrassing. The so called "militant" atheist is outspoken where the average atheist doesn't see the sense in directing that much attention on themselves. The average atheists doesn't bother themselves with the nonsensical doings of the believer. They don't care if the Nativity Scene is in the courtyard, or Christmas lights strung up at the local post office or whatever. 10 Commandments in the courthouse? Who cares? It's all corrupt nonsense anyway.

But if you talk to some of the militant atheists, once you get passed the bumper sticker slogans, billboard blasphemy, and incessant and inane ramblings about evolution, education and ecclesiastical society, it narrows down to politics.

They don't like people who vote opposite of them if those other people happen to believe in God. So, if they vote that its okay to kill babies if those babies are unwanted it pisses them off if someone believes in God and votes it isn't okay to kill babies. So the believers have no right to express their concern over the matter because they believe in God and this influences them? The whole of civilization is based upon such a belief.

It makes absolutely no sense. If one were to make a documentary on the militant atheists it would be like watching political convention. Nothing makes sense and everything seems like something it isn't.

Where are the militant atheists?

 

[Revoltingest]

Why would there be a campaign against atheists?

I gave the definitions here. This is what I think a militant atheist is. If y'all don't fall into that category, then what's the problem?

Definition of militant: combative and aggressive in support of a political or social cause, and typically favoring extreme, violent, or confrontational methods.

Definition of militant atheist: An atheist who has become insufferably elitest. Unlike a majority of most atheists, he has decided that it is his duty to rid the world of all religion. Ironically, he never shuts up about religion, putting him into the same level of irritation as most religious fundamentalists. Source

When you run into such insufferably elitist militant atheists,
try pointing out that such behavior doesn't advance their cause.
If they were friendlier, they'd accomplish more.
I can think of one on RF who'd benefit from your counsel.
Give it a try, eh?

 

[Earthling]

If any atheists used violence in furtherance of their argument; I would accept the phrase/description but they don't. Why aren't evangelical preachers described as 'militant'?
It is a redefinition of the word 'militant' to suit an agenda.

I see. To you militant is a misnomer if applied to atheism or atheists. We are not talking about violence, we are talking about outspoken, combative. Whenever I use the term militant atheist or militant theist that's what I mean. Outspoken, combative.

 

[Nakosis]

It's problematic in that there is such a stark contrast to the militant atheist and the average atheist on the street that finds the militant atheist somewhat embarrassing. The so called "militant" atheist is outspoken where the average atheist doesn't see the sense in directing that much attention on themselves. The average atheists doesn't bother themselves with the nonsensical doings of the believer. They don't care if the Nativity Scene is in the courtyard, or Christmas lights strung up at the local post office or whatever. 10 Commandments in the courthouse? Who cares? It's all corrupt nonsense anyway.

But if you talk to some of the militant atheists, once you get passed the bumper sticker slogans, billboard blasphemy, and incessant and inane ramblings about evolution, education and ecclesiastical society, it narrows down to politics.

They don't like people who vote opposite of them if those other people happen to believe in God. So, if they vote that its okay to kill babies if those babies are unwanted it pisses them off if someone believes in God and votes it isn't okay to kill babies. So the believers have no right to express their concern over the matter because they believe in God and this influences them? The whole of civilization is based upon such a belief.

It makes absolutely no sense. If one were to make a documentary on the militant atheists it would be like watching political convention. Nothing makes sense and everything seems like something it isn't.

 

[Altfish]

It's a perfectly standard usage of the term. Like militant feminist, outspoken and (verbally) combative.

I disagree, there are militant feminists who have attacked people or destroyed property. I will accept any atheist who has done that as militant.

 

[Nakosis]

I see. To you militant is a misnomer if applied to atheism or atheists. We are not talking about violence, we are talking about outspoken, combative. Whenever I use the term militant atheist or militant theist that's what I mean. Outspoken, combative.

mil·i·tant
/ˈmiləd(ə)nt/Submit
adjective
1.
combative and aggressive in support of a political or social cause, and typically favoring extreme, violent, or confrontational methods.

Seems a stretch to call Dawkins a militant.

 

[Altfish]

I see. To you militant is a misnomer if applied to atheism or atheists. We are not talking about violence, we are talking about outspoken, combative. Whenever I use the term militant atheist or militant theist that's what I mean. Outspoken, combative.

So Trump is a militant. Hannity is a militant. Obama was a militant. Corbyn is a militant.

OK if that's your definition, it's a bit like the way Peterson redefines words to suit his argument.

 

[Earthling]

Where are the militant atheists?

Well, let's see . . . let me just take a look. There's one over there . . . timid creatures, indeed.

 

[viole]

It's problematic in that there is such a stark contrast to the militant atheist and the average atheist on the street that finds the militant atheist somewhat embarrassing. The so called "militant" atheist is outspoken where the average atheist doesn't see the sense in directing that much attention on themselves. The average atheists doesn't bother themselves with the nonsensical doings of the believer. They don't care if the Nativity Scene is in the courtyard, or Christmas lights strung up at the local post office or whatever. 10 Commandments in the courthouse? Who cares? It's all corrupt nonsense anyway.

But if you talk to some of the militant atheists, once you get passed the bumper sticker slogans, billboard blasphemy, and incessant and inane ramblings about evolution, education and ecclesiastical society, it narrows down to politics.

They don't like people who vote opposite of them if those other people happen to believe in God. So, if they vote that its okay to kill babies if those babies are unwanted it pisses them off if someone believes in God and votes it isn't okay to kill babies. So the believers have no right to express their concern over the matter because they believe in God and this influences them? The whole of civilization is based upon such a belief.

It makes absolutely no sense. If one were to make a documentary on the militant atheists it would be like watching political convention. Nothing makes sense and everything seems like something it isn't.

When you say babies, you mean embryos, right?

Ciao

- viole

 

[Augustus]

I disagree, there are militant feminists who have attacked people or destroyed property. I will accept any atheist who has done that as militant.

Militant feminist is rarely used to mean a feminist who has engaged in violent act though, just like social justice warrior doesn't refer to an actual fighter.

There's no need to take the term excessively literally. About half of the atheists here on RF have a problem with any language that is remotely metaphorical being used in connection with any aspect of their worldview.

 

[Woberts]

Hmmm...… in regards to the title, it's neither. You can't be a religion nor a political affiliation when you don't exist.

 

[Altfish]

Militant feminist is rarely used to mean a feminist who has engaged in violent act though, just like social justice warrior doesn't refer to an actual fighter.

There's no need to take the term excessively literally. About half of the atheists here on RF have a problem with any language that is remotely metaphorical being used in connection with any aspect of their worldview.

No, we have an issue with language that appears to make us violent.
Antifa are militant; Terrorists are militant; Animal liberationists can be militant. I'm still waiting for an example of one of these 'militant' atheists being violent.

 

[Shad]

It's problematic in that there is such a stark contrast to the militant atheist and the average atheist on the street that finds the militant atheist somewhat embarrassing. The so called "militant" atheist is outspoken where the average atheist doesn't see the sense in directing that much attention on themselves. The average atheists doesn't bother themselves with the nonsensical doings of the believer. They don't care if the Nativity Scene is in the courtyard, or Christmas lights strung up at the local post office or whatever. 10 Commandments in the courthouse? Who cares? It's all corrupt nonsense anyway.

But if you talk to some of the militant atheists, once you get passed the bumper sticker slogans, billboard blasphemy, and incessant and inane ramblings about evolution, education and ecclesiastical society, it narrows down to politics.

They don't like people who vote opposite of them if those other people happen to believe in God. So, if they vote that its okay to kill babies if those babies are unwanted it pisses them off if someone believes in God and votes it isn't okay to kill babies. So the believers have no right to express their concern over the matter because they believe in God and this influences them? The whole of civilization is based upon such a belief.

It makes absolutely no sense. If one were to make a documentary on the militant atheists it would be like watching political convention. Nothing makes sense and everything seems like something it isn't.

I could easily fit the militant atheist mold but find myself increasingly siding politically with the conservative side of the spectrum. You seem to be confusing atheism with wider political views. Although I will concede I find far more atheists following a left-wing spectrum than right-wing

 

[Earthling]

mil·i·tant
/ˈmiləd(ə)nt/Submit
adjective
1.
combative and aggressive in support of a political or social cause, and typically favoring extreme, violent, or confrontational methods.

Seems a stretch to call Dawkins a militant.

I didn't say anything about the idiot in the OP. I don't know if I mentioned him somewhere in the thread, but I don't think of him as militant himself, more like a poster boy for the militant.