Agnosticism / Atheism Sitemap - Page 46 2013-05-20
Myth: Atheists Deny God Because That Accepts Something Smarter Than Them - Do Atheists Only Deny God to Pretend that They are in Charge, are Smartest?
Most studies show a strong correlation between education and atheism: the more education a person has, the less religious they become and even less theistic. Some religious theists, seeking a way to attack atheism, try to use this against atheists by claiming that atheists' intelligence is a reason for their disbelief not because they really do know more, but because they are too arrogant. Atheists, according to this myth, don't want to admit the existence of a god smarter than they are.
Threatening Atheism - Credible Atheism is a Threat
Faith is a critical pillar in religions like Christianity. This entails treating not only doubt and skepticism as enemies, but also nonbelievers asking critical questions, offering reasons to doubt the reliability of religious claims. This attitude towards doubt may be an important reason why atheists and skeptics are so reviled by conservative evangelicals: the mere existence of atheists is a threat because they demonstrate a person can live and even thrive without faith in any gods.
Speaking Out is Important - Atheists Need to Speak Out, Speak the Truth
There are both atheists and theists who caution that it would be better for atheists not to make so much noise and not attract so much attention to themselves by speaking out against religion or theism. It's claimed that this only creates negative attention, thus encouraging distrust of and animosity towards atheists, but can't the same be said of anyone who dares disagree with the majority and dissent from conventional wisdom? How will anything change if everyone is afraid to speak out?
Recently Reviewed Books on Catholicism
Roman Catholicism preserves many of the oldest traditions in Christianity and it is the largest Christian denomination in the world. With headquarters in the Vatican, they control more land and resources than probably any other religious organization in existence. However, some Christians regard the Catholic Church as a non-Christian organization. There are many books published every year dealing with Catholicism, with some of the best reviewed here.
Religious Right Rethinking Strategy: Has the Christian Revolution Fizzled Out?
America's Religious Right should be basking in the glow of power and success - political leaders who support them occupy important positions of authority in America. Yet, for some reason, things aren't going as planned. Why is sodomy now legal? Why is the prospect of gay marriage becoming more real than ever before? Why hasn't the conservative religious revolution achieved real victory in America?
Religious Right Rethinking Strategy: Why Has the Christian Revolution Failed?
There is a great deal of frustration among the leaders of the Religious Right over the fact that, despite being active for more than 25 years and despite have more power and influence than ever before, they still haven’t’ managed to achieve any real legislative or social gains. What is the cause of these difficulties? Quite simply, religion and government do not mix well.
What is Critical Atheism? What is a Critical Atheist? Explaining Critical Atheism
Critical atheism is the position that theism or belief in gods is irrational and should be rejected by all. Critical atheism is a product of someone making a critical evaluation of theistic claims and arguments then explicitly rejected them because they are insufficiently supported, incoherent, unreasonable, or for some other rational reason.
Negative vs. Positive Atheism: What's the Difference Between Negative & Positive Atheism?
The difference between negative atheism and positive atheism depends on just how far a person is willing to go in rejecting belief in gods. Whereas negative atheism means simply that a person doesn't believe in the existence of any gods, positive atheism means that a person has taken the extra step of asserting that no gods exist.
What is Negative Atheism? What is a Negative Atheist? Explaining Negative Atheism
Negative atheism is any sort of atheism or non-theism where a person doesn't believe in the existence of any gods yet does not necessarily make the positive claim that gods definitely do not exist. Negative atheism closely parallels the broad, general definition of atheism itself as well as similar terms like implicit atheism, weak atheism, and soft atheism.
What's the Definition of Atheism? Atheism FAQ on the Definition of Atheism
The broader and more common definition of atheism among atheists is simply 'not believing in any gods.' No claims or denials need be made. An atheist is just a person (and any person) who does not happen to be a theist. Sometimes this broader definition is called 'weak' or 'implicit' atheism. Most good, complete dictionaries readily include this definition, implicitly or explicitly.
What is Antitheism? What is an Antitheist? Explaining Antitheism
Antitheism is opposition to belief in the existence of gods but can also be defined as opposition to God or gods as well. Antitheism argues for ending the belief in gods, not merely that belief in gods is irrational, mistaken, or a bad idea. The second definition allows for belief in the existence of a god, but requires believing that this god is evil in some fashion and thus must be opposed.
What is Positive Atheism? What is a Positive Atheist? Explaining Positive Atheism
Positive atheism is the positive that claim no gods exist or the denial that the claim 'at least one god exists' is false. Positive atheism is often confused with atheism itself but that is a mistake; positive atheism is a subset of atheism generally and closely parallels related terms like strong atheism.
What is Explicit Atheism? What is an Explicit Atheist? Explaining Explicit Atheism
Explicit atheism is the absence of theism or the absence of belief in gods due to a conscious rejection of it. Explicit atheism was coined by George H. Smith who described it as 'the absence of theistic belief due to a conscious rejection of it.' Explicit atheism is thus a type of atheism based on the reason why a person doesn't believe in any gods.
Does Strong Atheism Imply / Require Certainty? Strong Atheism vs. Certainty
It is not true that strong atheism in any way implies or depends upon certainty. A strong atheist who asserts that no gods exist is not simultaneously asserting that they are certain that no gods exist. No other existential or empirical claims imply absolute certainty, so why should anyone think that the claim of strong atheism implies absolute certainty? This is not to say that a strong atheist couldn't also claim to be certain; merely that it's not inherent.
What is Noncognitivism? What is a Noncognitivist? Explaining Noncognitivism
Noncognitivism, or theological noncognitivism, is the position that religious language - and specifically religious terms like 'god' - are not (cognitively) meaningful. This means that noncognitivism denies the essential meaningfulness of religious language, religious arguments, and religious apologetics. If they aren't meaningful, then they can't be either true or false and believing them to be true is pointless.
Dictionary Definition of Atheism: How Modern Dictionaries Define Atheism & Atheists
What is the definition of atheism? How do atheists define atheism? How do dictionaries define atheism? A common theme throughout the definitions here is the primary use of 'disbelieve' when defining atheism. Some dictionaries drop this, but most comprehensive dictionaries do not. For some reason, however, people simply ignore this word and move right along to the secondary sense of 'denial.' When we take a closer look at the word 'disbelieve,' we find two senses: an active and a passive.
Definition of Atheism in Late 19th Century Dictionaries: Dictionary Definitions of Atheism
What is the definition of atheism? How do atheists define atheism? How do dictionaries define atheism? A common theme throughout the definitions here is the primary use of 'disbelieve' when defining atheism. Some dictionaries drop this, but most comprehensive dictionaries do not. For some reason, however, people simply ignore this word and move right along to the secondary sense of 'denial.' When we take a closer look at the word 'disbelieve,' we find two senses: an active and a passive.
Definition of Atheism in Mid 20th Century Dictionaries: Dictionary Definitions of Atheism
What is the definition of atheism? How do atheists define atheism? How do dictionaries define atheism? A common theme throughout the definitions here is the primary use of 'disbelieve' when defining atheism. Some dictionaries drop this, but most comprehensive dictionaries do not. For some reason, however, people simply ignore this word and move right along to the secondary sense of 'denial.' When we take a closer look at the word 'disbelieve,' we find two senses: an active and a passive.
What is Implicit Atheism? What is an Implicit Atheist? Explaining Implicit Atheism
Implicit atheism is defined as the absence of theism or the absence of belief in gods without the conscious rejection of it. The term implicit atheism was coined by George H. Smith who described it as 'the absence of theistic belief without a conscious rejection of it.' Implicit atheism is thus a type of atheism based on the reason why a person doesn't believe in any gods.
Belief vs. Disbelief: Believing, Not Believing, and Denying Gods
People's misunderstanding about the nature of atheism can sometimes be traced to a misunderstanding about the nature of disbelief. Comprehensive dictionaries generally define atheism as the 'disbelief in or denial of the existence of gods,' and atheists commonly refer to atheism as simply not believing in any gods - but is not believing something the same as denying it?
Gods' Contradictory Characteristics: Making God Impossible to Exist - How Credible is God, Theism, When the Characteristics are Contradictory?
Theists often claim that their gods are perfect beings; they describe gods, however, in contradictory and incoherent ways. Numerous characteristics are attributed to their gods, some of which are impossible and some combinations of which are impossible. As described, it's unlikely or impossible for these gods to exist. This doesn't mean that no god could possibly exist, just that the ones theists claim to believe in don't.
Book Review - Atheism: A Philosophical Justification, by Michael Martin
Is it possible to create a thorough and philosophical defense of atheism and critique of theism? Absolutely, and Michael Martin has done just that in his massive book published in 1990. Despite the difficulty many readers will have with this book, it is a valuable reference work and learning tool concerning the arguments about atheism and theism. Just about everything you could want to know about the topic is here, if you are willing to invest the time and effort to understand the complexities.
Book Review - Arguing for Atheism: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Religion, by Robin Le Poidevin
Can a case be made for positive atheism, that is to say, that there is no personal creator of the universe who has an independent existence outside of our own minds? Robin Le Poidevin certainly thinks so, and attempts to make the case in the context of an introduction to the philosophy of religion which could be used in college courses on the subject. Le Poidevin has written one of the best books on atheism which is currently available.
Stipulative Definitions: Arbitrary Definitions to Introduce New Concepts
We have a stipulative definition any time a word is being defined for the first time or in a brand new way. Stipulative definitions are in a sense completely arbitrary - this means that they are basically non-binding proposals which no one needs to assent to. Stipulative definitions may be too complex, too obscure, or too unclear, but they cannot be judged true or false, accurate or inaccurate.
Atheists vs. Christians; Atheism vs. Christianity: Are Atheists Anti-Christian, Trying to Suppress Christianity?
An essential element of Christianity, one which goes back to the origins of Christianity, is the belief that Christians will necessarily be persecuted for their faith. This was true of early Christians, but many today think that this is a permanent condition and must be the case for all 'true' Christians now. Thus they seek out examples of persecution where none exist and it's popular to claim that atheists are trying to oppress or marginalize Christians in America.
What Do Atheists Say About Religion & Christianity? Are Atheists Anti-Religion?
Because atheists are so often seen critiquing religion, it's common for religious theists to wonder what atheists really think about religion and why. The truth is complex, however, because there is no single atheistic opinion about religion. Atheists' critical stance with regards to religion is more a product of cultural trends in the West than of anything internal to atheism itself, which is only the absence of belief in gods. Atheists have a wide variety of opinions about religion.
Why Do Atheists Debate Theists? Why Do Atheists Care What Others Believe?
People might legitimately wonder why atheists debate religious theists over the validity of both theism and religion. Atheism is only the disbelief in gods; this means that some atheists may themselves be religious while others may not care about either theism or religion. In practice, though, atheists are interested in both theism and religion, commonly regarding both as not only false but harmful to people and society. Atheists care because religion and theism affect them as well.
Atheists Define Themselves By What They are Opposed To
Because atheists are so often involved in criticizing religion, sometimes very strongly, theists can develop the perception that atheism is a belief system characterized by being against everything: against religion, against theism, against Christianity, against God, etc. That people would develop this perception is understandable, but it's still incorrect. Atheism is only the absence of belief in gods; atheism does not entail being anti-religion or even anti-Christian.
Myth: Being Public, Unapologetic About Atheism is Really Anti-Theism - Can Atheists Be Open About their Atheism Without Being Anti-Theists?
If it weren't bad enough that atheists exist, some atheists actually dare to admit to being atheists in public. Many atheists seem to remain cowed and afraid enough to keep their atheism quiet, but growing numbers are unapologetic about not believing in any gods and will actually say so to others. This appears to bother some religious theists — even to the point where they will accuse atheists of actually being anti-theists simply for their openness and honesty about disbelief in gods.
Atheist Bigotry: Are Atheists Bigots for Generalizing About Religious Theists? Privileged Classes Always Object to Generalizations, Criticisms
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
Book Review - September 11: Religious Perspectives on the Causes and Consequences, edited by Ian Markham and Ibrahim Abu-Rabi'
September 11: Terrorism today is rarely just about politics - often, it is at least as much about religion. Because such terrible acts of violence stem in so many ways from religious roots, they also raise uniquely religious questions about things like the nature of faith and the role of religion in society.
Passive vs. Aggressive Atheism - Should Atheists Be Passive or Aggressive?
Different atheists have different attitudes towards their atheism and the theism of others. One difference which gets a lot of attention and debate is whether atheists should adopt a
Noncognitivism & Metaphysical Gods - Can Metaphysical Gods Even Exist?
Noncognitivism is a position on religious language and religious words like 'God' which says that they have no cognitive content - i.e., that they are meaningless. Noncognitivism says that the word 'God' is a placeholder that isn't holding a place for anything in particular; that because 'God' is supposed to be
Book Review - Naturalism and Religion, by Kai Nielsen
What provides the best framework for understanding life and the universe? Is it a religion which relies upon the premise that a supernatural realm or being exists, or rather a thoroughly secular worldview which employs naturalism in science, ethics and politics? That is the question which Kai Nielsen addresses in his book, 'Naturalism and Religion.'
Myth: Militant Atheists Trying to Marginalize Christianity, Christians - Are Atheists Trying to Exclude Christians from American Culture, Society?
Atheists are not only a small minority with little power or influence, but they are also the most despised and distrusted minority in America. This makes them unlikely oppressors of Christians, a majority standing behind the levers of power in society, but this is what many Christians believe. They insist that there is a cabal of godless atheist secularists trying to marginalize Christians and Christianity. These feelings of alienation are genuine, but their target for blame is inaccurate.
Myth: Atheists are Intolerant for Criticizing Religion, Theism - Should Atheists Be More Tolerant? Should Atheists Not Criticize Religion?
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.
You Might Be a Militant Atheist If... How to Tell Someone is a Militant Atheist
It's common to hear religious theists complain about
Book Review - A Rebel to His Last Breath: Joseph McCabe and Rationalism, by Bill Cooke
Just who was Joseph McCabe? Many freethinkers and atheists are familiar with the name, and quite a few have read at least a couple of his many works. But how many really know anything about him - where he came from, what his views were like, etc.? Unfortunately, the answer to that question is
Book Review - A Rebel to His Last Breath: Joseph McCabe and Rationalism, by Bill Cooke
Just who was Joseph McCabe? Many freethinkers and atheists are familiar with the name, and quite a few have read at least a couple of his many works. But how many really know anything about him - where he came from, what his views were like, etc.? Unfortunately, the answer to that question is
Constructing Atheist Identity - Atheists Must Construct Their Own Identity
By itself, atheism doesn't really qualify as an identity or even much of a basis for an identity because mere atheism is simply the absence of belief in gods. Nevertheless, you'll find a lot of people - some atheists, but mostly theists - who try to create just such an
Myth: Militant Atheists Demonize Christians as anti-Science, anti-Intellectual - Should Atheists Be More Tolerant and Respectful of Christian Science?
Atheists today are no less vocal or sharp in their criticisms of theism and religion than they were last year or ten years ago; however, there have been a few very high-profiles books and criticisms which appear to have set some religious theists on edge. They are not accustomed to such pointed, direct attempts to refute or undermine their beliefs and feel they are being demonized by irreligious atheists. Disagreeing with someone and saying they are wrong is not demonization, however.
Fundamentalist Atheists, Fundamentalist Atheism: They Don't Exist
More and more people are responding to atheist critiques of religion or theism by labeling the person a 'fundamentalist' atheist. Atheists are told that they are 'intolerant' when they criticize religion and that they should show more respect to religious believers. In reality, these complaints are more about how atheists are ceasing to be deferential and obsequious towards religion and religious beliefs. Atheists are unapologetic about their atheism - as they should be.
Myth: Fundamentalist Atheists are Dogmatic, Dismissive of Research into Religion - Do Atheists Dismiss Religion as Evil Without Enough Research, Data?
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 are Elitist, Privileged, Look Down on Others - Do Atheists Think They are Superior to Theists?
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 Atheists Lack a Sense of the Mysterious and Beautiful - Do Atheists Fail to Appreciate Wonder and Beauty in the Universe?
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
What is Fundamentalist Atheism? What is an Atheist Fundamentalist?
Fundamentalist atheism is defined as a rigid, intolerant, and dogmatic adherence to atheism or an atheistic ideology. The theory behind this definition is that there exists a religious fundamentalism which is atheistic and which atheists adhere to much like some Christians adhere their own fundamentalist Christianity.
Is Atheism an Ism? Atheism is No Religion, Philosophy, Ideology, Belief System
Because of atheism's long-standing association with freethought, anti-clericalism, and dissent from religion, many people seem to assume that atheism is the same as anti-religion. This, in turn, seems to lead people to assume that atheism is itself a religion - or at least some sort of anti-religious ideology, philosophy, etc. This is incorrect. Atheism is the absence of theism; by itself, it isn't even a belief, much less a belief system, and as such cannot be any of those things.
No Godless Conspiracy Against Christmas: Atheists Are Not Working to Undermine Christmas Holidays
Every year we hear more and more about the so-called Christmas Wars. According to its promoters and alleged 'defenders' of Christmas, the godless liberals and atheists are trying to undermine wholesome Christmas traditions as part of their agenda of undermining Christianity. For these people, this is less about Christmas than it is about cultural dominance: they think they should have the authority to determine how Christmas is celebrated and what status it has in American society.
Conspiracy of Godless Atheists Against America: Are Godless Atheists and Liberals Undermining America, American Values?
Christian Right attacks on atheists have helped ensure that atheists remain the most despised minority in America. These attacks are not a series of isolated criticisms; instead, they are integrated and coordinated. Taken together these attacks effectively portray godless atheists as involved in a conspiracy against America, American values, and Christianity. Atheists have no respect for traditions, for values, for religion, or for anything that makes America what it is.
Christmas in America: Atheists, the Christian Right, and Christmas Traditions
Perhaps the mid-winter holiday season centered around Christmas should be a time of festivities, but in America many other things intrude as well. Atheists are faced with questions about whether they should participate and if they should reveal their atheism. Conservative Christians insist that Christmas is meaningless without their religion - and say that both are under assault from atheists. Should parents lie to encourage belief in Santa? How reliable are gospels stories about the Nativity?
Putting Christ Back in Christmas: Is Jesus the Reason for the Season? Godless Christmas without Christ
Many conservative evangelical Christians at this time of year want to 'put Christ back in Christmas' and insist that 'Jesus is the Reason for the Season.' With these slogans, they hope to remind people that Christmas is a Christian holiday and that without Christ, there would be no Christmas in the first place. Such Christians are offended that so many people enjoy the holidays without any reference to Jesus or Christianity and want it to stop. Unfortunately, they don't have much of a case.
Everyone is Religious, Worships Something: Atheists Worship Satan, Themselves
Many religious theists insist that everyone worships something: they have some sort of god and some sort of religion. Because of the central importance of their religion and worship to their own lives, they assume that atheists not only have a religion and worship something, but also that these things hold a similarly central position in atheists' lives. There are a lot of suggested candidates for what atheists must worship, but none of them are true because the premise itself is false.
Atheism, Religion, Respect: Are Atheists Intolerant By Not Respecting Religion? Religious Theists Demand More Respect & Tolerance, But What Does that
For religious theists, their religion, religious beliefs, and theism are very important to them. They hold their beliefs and institutions in high regard, so become defensive when irreligious atheists are sharply critical of religion and religious beliefs. Theists demand that atheists show more respect and tolerance, but is this justified? What are they really asking for? It can be argued that they are demanding others admire and defer to their religion, which is an illegitimate demand.
Godless Marriage, Families, Children: Atheist Families Don't Need Religion, God for Family Values
America's Christian Right invests a lot of effort arguing for a connection between family values and their religion, but what basic family values require their religion or belief in their god? Godless families exist because values like love, respect, and sacrifice don't depend upon theism. You don't even have to be a theist to oppose abortion or support sexual abstinence until marriage. None of the positive family values necessary for raising healthy children are undermined by being godless.
Why is there Bigotry, Prejudice Against Atheists? Where Does Anti-Atheist Animus Come From?
Bigotry and prejudice against atheists is widespread in the United States. A wide variety of reasons are cited for these anti-atheist attitudes in America, but the one thing they almost all have in common is the fact that they are false: people justify their animus towards atheists by saying things about atheists that simply aren't true. Atheists are thus hated based on what people imagine about them, not based on anything about atheism itself. This makes atheists the new American scapegoats.
Atheists in America: Godless Living, Political Activism, Fighting Bigotry - How Do Godless Atheists Live in America? Are They Discriminated Against?
Godless atheists are a part of America just like religious theists. They have families, raise children, go to work, and do all the same things that others do, except for one difference: so many religious theists can't accept how atheists can go about their lives without gods or religion. This is probably one reason why atheists, skeptics, and secularists can experience so much discrimination and bigotry that they have to hide what they really think from everyone around them.
Who is Prejudiced Against Atheists? Who Attacks Godless Atheism, Liberalism?
It might be expected that conservative Christians would hold at least some animus towards atheists, and in fact hostility towards atheism is almost universal among 'born-again Christians.' Even non-Christians and liberal Christians, however, demonstrate a great deal of anti-atheist animus. Tirades against 'godless liberalism' on the part of the Christian Right may be causing some liberals to tell atheists to simply go away or at least stop agitating on behalf of secularism and science.
Godless Living in America: What Can the Godless Do in a Religious Society? Godless Americans Get Married, Raise Children, and Live Without Gods, Relig
Godless Americans are like other people in America: they grow up, date, get married, raise children, celebrate holidays, and all the other things which religious theists do. Godless Americans simply do it without the structures provided by religion or theism. For many religious theists, this may seem impossible; for godless Americans, it's normal life. Some can experience difficulty, though, because so much of American society is set up to privilege religious beliefs and religious behavior.
Atheist Activism: Write Letters to the Editor & Reach Out to People in your Community
One of the few remaining forums for public opinion, accessible to nearly anyone and read by so many, is the letters to the editors page in newspapers. Most papers have one and you should take advantage of them if you are looking for a way to publicize a godless, secular, humanist, atheist perspective. Make it clear that your perspective is godless and respectable. Write often; your name may be remembered and your letters may rise to the top when controversial issues are discussed.
Bigotry & Discrimination Against Atheists & Godless Liberals in America - Religious Americans are Bigoted Against the Godless, Atheists, Secularists
Critics pretend that godless Americans are part of a massive conspiracy to deny Christians their religious liberties. The truth is that the godless are a small minority in America with relatively little influence or power. Godless atheists are the most despised and distrusted minority in the nation. Circumstances for them can be difficult enough that they have to stay in the closet and hide their atheism from friends and family. When was the last time a Christian in America had to do that?
Adolf Hitler & Christian Nationalism: Nazis’ Program of Positive Christianity
A popular image of the Nazis is that they were fundamentally anti-Christian while devout Christians were anti-Nazi. The truth is that German Christians supported the Nazis because they believed that Adolf Hitler was a gift to the German people from God. German Christianity was a divinely sanctioned religious movement which combined Christian doctrine and German character in a unique and desirable manner: True Christianity was German and True German-ness was Christian.
Book Review - Good Muslim, Bad Muslim: America, the Cold War, and the Roots of Terror. by Mahmood Mamdani
The American government says that we are engaged in a war against terrorism, not a war against Islam. Of course, all of he terrorists being targeted happen to be Muslim, leading to the attempted distinction between 'good Muslims' and 'bad Muslims.' Upon what is this distinction based, and is it a valid way of viewing the Middle East?
Book Review - Good Muslim, Bad Muslim: America, the Cold War, and the Roots of Terror. by Mahmood Mamdani
The American government says that we are engaged in a war against terrorism, not a war against Islam. Of course, all of he terrorists being targeted happen to be Muslim, leading to the attempted distinction between 'good Muslims' and 'bad Muslims.' Upon what is this distinction based, and is it a valid way of viewing the Middle East?
Hitler's Vienna: A Dictator's Apprenticeship - Hitler's Debt to Vienna
Through an analysis of the writings and ideas of people, Brigitte Hamann is able to demonstrate just how much Hitler’s ideology owed to his life in Vienna. Even his earliest confidants noticed this, sometimes in a negative way, lamenting how little like a German Hitler sometimes sounded.
Pledge of Allegiance & God: Politicization of the Pledge of Allegiance (Church/State Myths)
Over time, the Pledge of Allegiance has grown to become not just something for children to recite, but rather a political issue for politicians to use in an effort to prove who is the most authentically patriotic. This politicizing of both patriotism and piety has led to quite a bit of violence against those who have dared to remain silent, whether for political or religious reasons.
Christians Standing Up to the Demofascists: Democrats Seek a Liberal Fascism in America & Christian Men Must Stand Firm
Is there anything genuinely fascist about the political platform of the Democratic party or the attitudes of liberals in America? Fascism can be difficult to define, but there are common characteristics which have been identified and which scholars tend to focus on. None of them apply to the Democratic party specifically or liberals generally. Demofascist is thus as much of a misnomer as Islamofascist, but why is it being used?
Crush the Godless Liberals: All of America's Problems are Due to Godlessness and Godless Liberals
Political movements that are driven by fear and that promote authoritarian government typically require a scapegoat: some group upon which people's fears can be projected and against which authoritarian measures appear justified. There are several groups in America which Christian Nationalists have used as scapegoats, with gays and humanists being among the most popular. In recent years, however, all of the scapegoats have become lumped together into a single group: Godless Liberals.
Godless Sodomites are Enemies of Christianity & the Bible: Christians' Religious Liberty Threatened by Godless Sodomites
It can be difficult for extremists on the Christian Right to convince everyone else that their desire to discriminate against gays, women, atheists, and sundry non-Christians is justified or appropriate in America. The best tactic for convincing others that discrimination and oppression are necessary is to convince them that it's somehow to preserve freedom. It's an Orwellian tactic to get people to believe that War is Peace in this manner, but it can be amazingly persuasive if framed correctly.
Godless Ethics, Morality, and Values: Do Godless Morals & Values Exist?
It's common for religious theists to claim that their religious morality is far superior to secular, atheistic, and godless morality. Of course everyone prefers their own religious morality and the commands of their own god, but when push comes to shove the general attitude is that any religious morality based upon the commands of any god is vastly preferable to a secular morality that doesn't take any gods into account. There are many reasons to think that this viewpoint is false.
Godless Moral Values: Can Godless Atheists Have Moral Values? Morality Does Not Depend on Religion, Gods
A popular claim among religious theists is that atheists have no basis for morality - that religion and gods are needed for moral values. Usually they mean their religion and god, but sometimes they seem willing to accept any religion and any god. The truth is that neither religions nor gods are necessary for morality, ethics, or values. They can exist in a godless, secular context just fine, as demonstrated by all the godless atheists who lead moral lives every day.
Godless Children vs. Religious Families: How Can Atheist Parents Balance Them?
Of all of the problems that atheists might experience with their families, those involving their own children are perhaps among the most emotional and difficult to resolve. Many people honestly believe that children require religion and God in order to be raised morally and properly - if atheist parents don't offer that, they will feel compelled to intervene and replace what they believe the parents are failing provide. Atheist parents, though, should do what they think is best for their kids.
Godless Atheists Menace Western, Christian Civilization: Godless Atheists & Godless Sodomites Imperil Everyone
Given the relatively small numbers of atheists in America, it's curious that they would be portrayed as such an incredible threat. Even if we take into account the larger numbers of irreligious, secular, and atheistic people in other Western countries, they still don't seem to be big enough to constitute any sort of menace. So what's going on? Where's the big threat being posed by irreligious atheists? There are a couple of things which Christian Nationalists have in mind.
Fear and Hatred of Godless Sodomites: Gays and Atheists are Vermin or a Disease to be Eradicated
Christian Nationalists sometimes can't seem to decide whom to attack most and most viciously: gays or atheists. Perhaps that's why they invented the epithet Godless Sodomites, because it allows them to attack both groups simultaneously. It even allows them to pretend that the two groups are effectively the same: that gays are all godless atheists and that atheists are all, or at least tend to be, gay themselves.
Now We Can All Sleep Safely, if Lightly: Vichy Democrats & God's Own Republicans have Bipartisan Torture Agreement
Tell me again why secularists and godless liberals need to learn to be more accommodating of liberal religion and liberal Christianity? The simple and unavoidable fact of the matter is that 'secular' Americans (which must include atheists and agnostics, but probably also some non-religious theists) are far less likely to support torture under any circumstances than any denomination of Christian Americans.
Secularism & Secularization - Importance for Secularism & Secularization
Supporters of secularism and secularization can best rebut attacks from religious critics by emphasizing how the two are vital for democracy, personal liberty, and even religious freedom. Secularism prescribes state neutrality in religious matters, but they are not morally or politically neutral. They are positive goods which must be defended as foundations of liberal democracy. This is why they are opposed by authoritarian religious institutions and authoritarian religious leaders.
Book Review - Beyond the Veil, by Fatima Mernissi
How are women really treated in Islam? Many Muslims argue that Islam gives women a good status and even that Islam was an improvement for women over what they experienced previously. But many others argue that women are treated badly by Islam and have an inferior status. Who is right? According to Fatima Mernissi in her book 'Beyond the Veil,' both are right to a certain degree.
Book Review - The Holy Reich: Nazi Conceptions of Christianity, 1919-1945, by Richard Steigmann-Gall
A popular belief is that Nazism was the polar opposite of Christianity: in Germany, the Nazis planned to eliminate Christian churches while devout Christians opposed the Nazi agenda. Is this perception accurate? No. Some Nazis were anti-Christian and some Christians were anti-Nazi, but the majority were equally at home in both camps.
Weren’t the Nazis Pagans? The Holy Reich: Nazi Conceptions of Christianity, 1919-1945, by Richard Steigmann-Gall
Alongside the Christian Nazis were a number of anti-Christian Nazis who sought to create a new, neo-pagan religion for the German people. These were, however, relatively few in number and their views were never officially endorsed by the Party or by Hitler. Slightly more common were anti-clerical Nazis who continued to accept basic theistic and Christian doctrines, but who repudiated churches and priests. This seems to have been a view gradually adopted by Hitler himself.
Book Review - I'm Perfect, You're Doomed: Tales from a Jehovah's Witness Upbringing, by Kyria Abrahams
What's it like to grow up in an oppressive household run according to the dictates of a fanatical religion? Fortunately, not very many people know and some of those who do let the rest of us in on what's happened to them. It's hard to read their stories without being depressed, horrified, angry, and usually some combination of all the above. It's a rare writer who can tell a tale of oppression, repression, or really horrible decisions yet still be entertaining and amusing.
Book Review - Philosophers Without Gods: Meditations on Atheism and the Secular Life, edited by Louise M. Antony
Critics of atheism and contemporary atheists complain about the tone of so-called 'New Atheism' and insist that it can only have negative effects for atheists in society - as if atheists used to be the subjects of universal adulation and praise. Well, one positive effect of the atheist books which everyone loves to hate is the vastly increased public profile of atheists in society - and thus also the market for even more books by atheists about atheism.
Atheism & Faith - Atheism & Atheists Don't Rely on Faith
Faith is a subject of much debate not only between atheists and theists, but even among theists themselves. The nature of faith, the value of faith, and the appropriate subjects of faith - if any - are topics of intense disagreement. Atheists frequently argue that it's wrong to believe things on faith while theists argue that not only is faith important, but that atheists also have their own faith. None of these discussions can go anywhere unless we first understand what faith is and is not.
What Does it Mean to be Godless? Are Atheists Godless by Definition?
Atheists are by definition godless, but it's possible to draw a subtle distinction between the concepts of atheism and godlessness. Atheism is the absence of belief in gods and godlessness is the absence of gods. Godlessness is generally defined as not recognizing or worshipping any gods, a position which does not technically require atheism. Godlessness need not deny the existence of gods, but it does dismiss their importance.
Pleasures of Atheism: Why Atheists, Agnostics, and Skeptics Find Joy in a Godless Existence
It's impossible to count how many times atheists, agnostics, secularists and freethinkers are told by religious folks of various faiths that we will regret our 'godless' or 'sinful' life sooner or later. I can honestly say I haven't had any regrets for my decision to trade in what I perceived to be the miseries of traditional Catholicism for the pleasures of freethinking.
Book Review - The Ghost in the Universe: God in Light of Modern Science, by Taner Edis
Spiritual, religious, and theistic beliefs have been widely used to explain things about our universe - the origin of life, morality, and even the origin of the universe itself. Are such attempted explanations successful, or is a thoroughgoing naturalism preferable? Is there anything about the universe which suggests that a god of any sort exists?
Review: 'War on Christmas: The Official Field Manual' - Ideas & Suggestions for Fighting the War on Christmas
Are you a godless, liberal secularist who has been anxious to do your part to fight the War on Christmas but have been uncertain about where to even begin, much less how to best proceed? There's no shame in that - this is a complicated, difficult war that will last a long time and not everyone can be expected to march out on their own and be sure of success. Fortunately, there is a new resource available for us which describes a wide variety of covert and overt methods for attacking Christmas.
What is Practical Atheism? What is a Practical Atheist? Explaining Practical Atheism
Practical atheism disbelief in or rejection of gods as a matter of practice if not necessarily theory. Practical atheism is centered on the idea that one disregards belief in gods and the existence of gods in day-to-day living but doesn't necessarily reject the existence of gods when it comes to professed beliefs. Thus a person might profess theism, but in practice be closer to atheism.
Is There a Godless Church of Liberalism or Atheism? Responding to Ann Coulter & Christian Right Smears
Ann Coulter is not the only conservative to use the label 'godless' as a political smear, but she has used it far more than anyone else. Because of her efforts and the efforts of others, it's become common in America to treat 'godless' like a scarlet letter. For some reason, many of these same people imagine that accusing godless liberalism of being a 'church' would constitute a further criticism. Why would people who make a big deal out of being religious believers themselves think this?
Defense of Godless Liberalism: Godless Liberalism, Godless Liberals, and American Politics
Godless liberalism might be defined as a liberal or progressive political perspective which doesn't rely on gods, divine revelation, or religion for its values, ideas, or policies. Because liberalism is hated by America's Christian Right, and godlessness is hated even more, the label godless liberalism is usually used as a form of attack or insult. Yet the label must be reclaimed because there is nothing about godlessness, liberalism, or the combination which deserves derision or hostility.
Godless Marriage: Making Marriage Work Without Gods or Religion
For many in modern American, religion and theism are central features not just in their lives as individuals, but also in their relationships with other people - and this is especially true with their most intimate relationships, such as marriage. It's common for people to regard their religion as a binding force in their marriage, something without which marriage wouldn't be possible. Just because marriage is a religious rite for some, though, doesn't mean it is necessary to all marriages.
Disagreement is Not Intolerance; Saying Someone is Wrong is Not Intolerance - Irreligious Atheists are Justified in Criticizing, Arguing Against Relig
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.
Is Evolution a Religion? Is Evolution a Religious Belief System Based on Faith? Evolution Does Not Have the Characteristics of Religions
It is common for critics of evolution to claim it is a religion being improperly supported by the government when it is taught in schools. No other facet of science is singled out for this treatment, at least not yet, but it is part of a wider effort to undermine naturalistic science. An examination of the characteristics which best define religions reveals just how wrong such claims are.
Christian Right vs Godless Liberalism: Why Does the Christian Right Hate, Attack Godlessness, Godless Liberals?
The nature of godless liberalism can be difficult to understand because of the misuse of the label by the Christian Right. According to them, all liberals are godless because they don't adhere to conservative evangelical or fundamentalist Christianity. Only conservative political policies are seen as compatible with Christianity; therefore, all other policies are anti-Christian, anti-religious, and anti-God. Advocates are all thus godless liberals, but that misrepresents the nature of atheism.
Enjoying the Good Life Without Gods: Gods, Religion Not Needed to Enjoy Life
Many religious theists don't believe that a person could not just live, but enjoy life without any gods or any religion. Because of this, religious theists also often make all kinds of assumptions about irreligious atheists and the sorts of lives they must lead. These assumptions are rarely, if ever, true. Neither gods nor religion are necessary to living a satisfying, fulfilling, and happy life.
Have a Godless New Year: Atheist New Year Resolutions
Being an atheist doesn't require much effort. There aren't any creeds to memorize or religious services to attend regularly. So long as you don't believe in any gods, even if you never give the subject a second thought, you're an atheist. Never thinking about it may not be the best course of action in modern society, though. There are good reasons to think that making a conscious effort to be open and deliberate in your godlessness would be better for you and those around you.
Atheists Worship Science: Evolution is Atheists' Creed, Darwin Their Prophet - Atheists have Replaced God with Science, Religion with Science
Religious theists who believe that everyone worships something and has some sort of religion will at times conclude that atheists' religion must be science. Science is not only secular and godless, but has also been responsible for overturning many of the myths, doctrines, and beliefs which have been fundamental to theistic religions. Science conflicts with religions not because it is a religion itself, but because religions typically conflict with reality. No one worships science, though.
Liberal & Progressive Attacks on Atheists: Marginalizing Atheists & Anti-Atheist Bigotry
Conservative attacks on liberalism for being
Godless Children and the Future of Atheism: Raising Godless Children - How Can Godless Parents Today Affect the Future of Atheism?
It's a simple fact that the godless children being raised by atheists today are likely to be at the forefront of atheism in the future. What's not so simple is what godless parents are going to do about this - what do they want for their children, what sort of atheism do they want their children to express, and what sort of atheism do they want to see develop in the future. This, by extension, should affect what sort of community and society they live in in the future as well.
Godless Children & Family Religious Traditions: What Should Atheists Do? Upholding & Creating Family Traditions, With or Without Religions
A difficult issue for godless parents raising their children without religion is the religious traditions in their extended families. If the parents themselves were raised without gods or religion, this isn't an issue, but most come from at least marginally religious families which have at least a few religious traditions, even if it's merely to attend religious worship services on major holidays. The more devout a family is, the more difficult it may be to exclude yourselves and your children.
Evolution & Creationism Court Cases - History of Evolution Court Cases
In addition to usually losing political fights, creation science supporters also lose in the courts as well. Regardless of what arguments they try to use, the courts inevitably find that teaching creationism is a violation of the separation of church and state because creationists are unable to avoid the fact that their ideology is fundamentally religious and, therefore, inappropriate to teach students in public schools. Only science is appropriate for science classes and that's evolution.
Godless Patriotism: Can Godless Atheists Be Patriotic? Can Godless Atheists Be Good Citizens?
It's impossible to address whether godless atheists can be patriotic Americans without first addressing what might constitute American patriotism in the first place. Too many act like being patriotic requires blind, unswerving allegiance to whatever America's leaders tell them to do or believe. Under such a definition, few thinking Americans could be patriotic. A better conception of patriotism would encompass more of what America should and should not stand for.
Religious Morality vs. Civil Law: Religious Conflicts over Neutral, Civil Laws - Why Do Religious Believers Put Religious Morality Over Civil Law?
When, if ever, should personal religious morality take precedence over neutral, public laws and standards of justice? In a civil, secular society the answer should probably be 'never,' but not all religious believers agree with this. One issue which underlies so many religious conflicts, not to mention religious extremism, is the conviction held by many religious believers that their religious morality, supposedly from their god, should take precedence when they believe the law has failed.
Godless Politics: A Political Manifesto for Godless Atheists
America's Christian Right complains often about godless liberals and godless liberalism, presuming that neither politics nor law can be pursued without a basis in a monotheistic religion - preferably Christianity or Judaism. This is incorrect. Not only is there nothing contradictory about pursuing politics and law from a godless perspective, but the results are not obviously worse, less moral, or less humane than the alternatives. Indeed, it's possible to argue that godlessness has advantages.
Should Atheists Be Politically Active? Atheists & Godless Politics in America
There isn't much in the way of explicit political activism on the part of open, godless atheists in America. There are no godless, atheistic political parties, for example. Why is this and is it a good thing? I think that it is inevitable that godless political parties won't form in America, but I also think that it's unfortunate that atheists aren't more openly active in politics as atheists.
Godless Atheists as Scapegoats: How Atheists are Scapegoats for Everything the Christian Right Hates
Attacks on minorities are frequently not about minorities themselves, but something else: they are scapegoats for something larger, usually something perceived to be a conspiracy against all that is right and proper. Jews and gays, for example, have been scapegoats for reactionary hatred of modernity. Atheists can be scapegoats for fear of modernity as well, but more specifically for a fear of the loss of religious traditions and religious privilege.
2008 Presidential Election Guide for Atheists: Issues & Candidates in 2008; What Matters for Atheist Voters in the 2008 Presidential Election Campaign
Atheists are basically like most other Americans when it comes to most of the political and social issues which matter most to them, but there are also issues and perspectives which are more relevant to atheists than to most other Americans. Godless liberals and the secular left, insofar as they exist, have little to no influence and no real power, but that is something which atheists might be able to change if they work at it. How can or should atheists vote in the 2008 presidential election?
Is Godless Liberalism a Religion? No: Godless Liberalism is not a Religion or Religious
Calling 'Godless Liberalism' a religion should be instantly recognized as an ideological attack rather than a neutral observation of facts. Sadly this is not the case and it has become far too common for critics of liberalism to claim that it's inherently godless and religious, thus hoping to discredit liberal policies before they are even considered. Examining the characteristics which define religions as distinct from other types of belief systems reveals just how wrong such claims are.
Are Godlessness & Secularism a Threat to Religious Liberty? Protecting Religion By Privileging Religion
A common complaint made about secularism is that it is contrary to religious liberty. At best this is a misunderstanding about secularism because a failure to endorse or promote any one religion should not negatively affect the religious liberties of individuals. On the contrary, the creation of spaces where religion is not endorsed or even required can, for many reasons, enhance religious liberty for everyone because it puts everyone one the same footing.
Religion, Atheism, Family Values: Are Religion & God Needed for Family Values? Christian Right is Wrong: Family Values Don't Depend on Religion, God
America's Christian Right invests a lot of effort arguing for a connection between family values and their religion, but what basic family values require their religion or belief in their god? Godless families exist because values like love, respect, and sacrifice don't depend upon theism. You don't even have to be a theist to oppose abortion or support sexual abstinence until marriage. None of the positive family values necessary for raising healthy children are undermined by being godless.
Godless Morality & Ethics: Being Good Without Gods or Religion is Possible and Preferable
Can there be a godless morality? Can we assert a superiority for a godless morality over traditional, theistic, and religious morality? Yes, I think that this is possible. Unfortunately, few people even acknowledge the existence of godless moral values, much less their significance. When people talk about moral values, they almost always presume that they have to be talking about religious morality and religious values. The very possibility of godless, irreligious morality is ignored.
Pressure from Religious Spouses to Baptize Your Child: Atheists and Religious Ceremonies
If your spouse believes that a baptism is necessary, then you face an entirely different set of problems and choices than if the pressure only comes from your families. The two of you probably should have discussed this before you had children and before you were even married. If you did and this represents an attempt by your spouse to alter the earlier agreement, your feelings of discomfort will be understandably increased.
Atheists Should Respect Religious Differences and the Right to Disagree - People, not Opinions, Beliefs, or Ideas, Deserve Respect & Consideration
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.
How Moderate Should Atheists Be? How Should Atheists Be Less Extreme? What Do Religious Theists Want by Demanding that Atheists Be More Tolerant?
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
Moral Panics, Authoritarian Government, and Conservative Christianity - Comparing Attitudes towards Crime & Prison in Weimar Germany & America
America's Christian Right has long made the idea of 'law and order' an important political slogan. Religious conservatives have attacked the prison system for being too lenient, for emphasizing rehabilitation over punishment, for pampering prisoners, and for being too sentimental. It's as if they are more interested in the vengeful God of the Old Testament than the forgiving Jesus of the New Testament. There is a precedence for such arguments, but it's not a pleasant one.
Hitler on Secularism, Atheism: Quotes from Hitler Opposing Secularism & Atheism; How Can Hitler Be an Example of Secular Atheism if He Opposed Both?
Claims from Christian apologists about Adolf Hitler being an example of the evils committed by secularism and atheism are effectively refuted by Hitler's own words condemning secularism and atheism. Adolf Hitler did nothing to promote or encourage Germany's godless, atheists, and freethinkers but he spoke and acted regularly to promote and defend traditional Christian beliefs, values, and political policies.
Myth: Atheists Are Materialistic & Worship Money, Material Goods, Comforts - Atheists are Despised, Distrusted for Rampant Materialism
The belief that atheists are more materialistic than theists isn't one that is founded on any evidence, but it is a popular one. A survey done by researchers in the University of Minnesota’s department of sociology found that atheists are the most despised and distrusted minority in America. The most popular reasons cited were
Separation of Church & State as the Separation of Religious & Civil Authority: Reframing the Debate over Church & State
Despite being part of the political, philosophical, and religious landscape of America for over 200 years, the notion of separating church and state continues to be a radical notion. We need a way to explain the concept which makes it easier to accept without undermining its radical, vital nature. I believe it's possible to reframe the separation of church and state that not only avoids misrepresenting it, but emphasizes what's is most important: separating religious from civil authority.
In God We Trust - Trusting in God as a National Motto
Opponents to church/state separation cite the national motto, 'In God We Trust,' as evidence that there is not and should not be a strict separation of church and state and that America is supposed to be a Christian Nation. These accommodationists fail to explain why the national motto itself is constitutional or why Americans or the American government should be trusting any particular gods. Even worse, they often use the national motto as a reason for further breaches in separation.
Is Godless a Slur? Is it Slander, Libel to Accuse One of Godlessness, Atheism? Only Immoral Bigots Think it Insulting to be Called Godless or Atheist
Who is more of an immoral bigot, the person who uses 'Jew' as a slur or the person who files a lawsuit against having that label applied to them? Is it the person who uses
Scopes Monkey Trial Aftermath - What the Scopes Monkey Trial Meant
John Scopes lost the Scopes Monkey Trial, but many have incorrectly perceived it as a victory for evolution, science, and rationalism. It did put a spotlight on fundamentalism, holding it up to ridicule and leading to widespread rejection of its anti-science stance. The Scopes Monkey Trial also opened the door to wider dissemination of fundamentalists' ideas, leading more people to give them serious consideration. Ultimately, anti-evolution forces were stronger and more successful as a result.
Mt. Soledad Cross & War Memorial: Does the Mt. Soledad Cross in San Diego Violate Church/State Separation?
Located on top of Mt. Soledad in San Diego, California, is a 29-foot-tall concrete cross sitting on a 14-foot-tall platform. It was erected in 1955 to replace an older wooden cross. It was originally designed as a Christian Easter memorial cross. In 1989, after it was challenged as a violation of the separation of church and state, a Korean veterans' war memorial was added to the site in order to create a secular context as an excuse to have the cross remain.
Adolf Hitler: Compromises with Atheism Destroy Religious, Ethical Values - Adolf Hitler Promoted Christians as the Foundation for Moral, Ethical Life
What did Adolf Hitler think about Christianity vs. atheism? Hitler said: 'By its decision to carry out the political and moral cleansing of our public life, the Government is creating and securing the conditions for a really deep and inner religious life. The advantages for the individual which may be derived from compromises with atheistic organizations do not compare in any way with the consequences which are visible in the destruction of our common religious and ethical values.'
Godless Atheists & Holidays: How Should Atheists Deal with Holidays, Rituals?
Holidays can serve to form a connection to your own past by evoking memories of past celebration. Holidays can form and reinforce connections with the friends and family with whom you celebrate. Holiday events can also create connections across an entire society as people develop parallel experiences which forge subtle bonds. Rituals and celebrations, as long as they are not empty of personal meaning, can be worth preserving.
Defending 'Under God' - Defending & Justifying 'under God' in the Pledge - How to Counter Arguments Defending under God in the Pledge of Allegiance
Support for keeping 'under God' in the Pledge of Allegiance is popular in America. Even some atheists and defenders of church/state separation question whether it's appropriate to remove 'under God' from the Pledge. The best defenses and justifications for keeping
Third Reich Christianity: Nazi Germany as Implementation of a Christian Agenda - How Was Nazi Germany an Example of Christian Nationalism & Power?
Hitler and the Nazis are often cited as an example of the horrible crimes which atheists have committed in the 20th century. They are only assumed to be atheists, though, because people can't imagine Christians doing such things; in reality, Hitler explicitly appealed to Christianity on a regular basis and this was part of why he was popular. Not every Christian supported the Nazis, of course, but he was most popular with conservative Christians seeking a restoration of traditional values.
Atheism, Holidays and Rituals: Questions, Problems, Advice
Atheists spend quite a lot of time discussing religion and deeper questions of whether or not there is any rational justification for believing in gods. However, there are also much more practical issues which merit close discussion. One issue which affects pretty much all atheists is how, or even if, they might celebrate local religious holidays (or secular holidays with an important religious component).
Finding Meaning in Holidays: Atheism, Holidays and Rituals
So, the way in which an atheist might best approach the question of religious holidays and the creation of new atheist holidays is to ask: What might this mean to me? Are you going to let Christians
Jeanette B. Welch on God & the Constitution: Protecting Religious Freedom in America
The word God does not appear in the Constitution. It grants neither the president nor the Congress any religious powers. ...The framers of the Constitution had learned the importance of protecting religious freedom. The colonies had a long history of intolerance and persecution enforced by the state. Although they came to America to escape persecution, the settlers reversed roles and became persecutors themselves.
Hillary Clinton's Religious Background, Beliefs: What Does Clinton Believe? Religious Beliefs of Hillary Clinton Affect Positions on Secularism
Hillary Clinton grew up in a Methodist household, she taught Methodist Sunday school like her mother, is a member of a Senate prayer group, and regularly attends the Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington. Hillary Clinton can be placed in the moderate to liberal wing of American Christianity, but she appears to share a number of attitudes with more conservative American Christians. Clinton's liberalism is a relative matter
Myth: Atheists, Like Communists, Want to Alter America's Religious History - Are Atheists Fighting to Conceal America's Religious Heritage?
One of the most popular defenses of government-sponsored, government-financed, and government-maintained displays of religion or religious expression is to argue that these displays really only serve to honor the historical importance of this religion or these religious beliefs in America, not to recommend or promote them today. Atheists who seek to end government involvement in these displays are thus accused of trying to change history and hide the truth about religious history in America.
Myth: Fundamentalists & New Atheists View God Simplistically, Unhistorically
One of the most common complaints made by liberal and moderate believers is that atheist critics are focused on versions of theism and religion which are too 'simplistic' to be legitimate. Atheists are ignoring 'sophisticated' versions of theism and religion which happen to be immune to atheists' arguments. At best atheists are therefore just theologically illiterate; at worst they are targeting a straw man in order to make a weak position look stronger. Is this a fair objection?
Abandonment: Condemned to be Free - Themes and Ideas in Existentialist Thought
As an atheist, Jean-Paul Sartre believed that we live in a godless universe where there are no absolute, objective guides to action, morality, belief, or understanding. For Sartre, we are all free - radically free such that we experience the psychological strain of feeling 'abandoned' and forced to take full responsibility for everything that happens, even though we may not really wish to.
Pope John Paul II, Communism, and Freedom of Conscience: Balancing Faith and Repression
Perhaps one of the most significant and memorable features of John Paul II’s papacy was his battle against 'godless' communism. It is likely that he will be known forever as the pope who helped bring about the fall of communism. Much of John Paul's life as a cleric was lived under communist rule in Poland and all the time he rose through the ranks of the Catholic hierarchy, he refused to compromise or accommodate demands made by the communist government.
Myth: It's Impossible to Treat All Religions Equally or be Religiously Neutral - Is it True that Religious Neutrality is Impossible?
There is a growing belief among Christians that any real government neutrality when it comes to religion is impossible. If government must always favor one religion over others, it might as well be their religion that is favored because it's the only true religion anyway. Even if we grant that no human institution is perfect and so neutrality will never be quite perfect, it doesn't follow that neutrality can't exist at all and that government must always favor religion - much less theirs.
Godless Science: Modern Science Must Be Secular, Godless, Based On Methodological Naturalism
A primary target of the Christian Right in America is secular, godless science. Modern science relies on methodological naturalism, which means that it doesn’t incorporate any supernatural or religious assumptions and doesn’t seek any religious or supernatural explanations for natural phenomena. This outrages believers who think that their religious and theistic beliefs should be incorporated into everything in life. In fact, though, modern science has to be secular and godless.
Science is Not a Religion: Why Science and Scientific Research are not a Religion or Religious System
Calling science a religion should be instantly recognized as an ideological attack rather than a neutral observation of facts. Sadly this is not the case, and it has become far too common for critics of modern, godless science to claim that it's inherently a religion, thus hoping to discredit scientific research when it contradicts genuine religious ideology. Examining the characteristics which define religions as distinct from other types of belief systems reveals how wrong such claims are.
Cathars & Albigenses: What Was Catharism? What did Cathars Believe?
The Cathars came from the region west-north-west of Marseilles on Golfe du Lion, the old province of Languedoc. They were a heretical sect of Christians who lived in Southern France during the 11th and 12th centuries. One branch of the Cathars became known as the Albigenses because they took their name from the local town Albi. Cathar beliefs probably developed as a consequence of traders coming from Eastern Europe bringing teachings of the Bogomils.
Why Should Atheists Care About Secularism?
There is nothing about atheism which requires caring about secularism. In practice, though, atheists' ability to dissent from dominant cultural expressions of religion, to critique religion, and to not be forced into supporting, expressing, or helping religious beliefs or institutions are best protected by secularism and secular government. Secularism also benefits religious theists, but removing presumptions of religious belief and theism from public institutions is most important for atheists
Renaissance Humanism: Renaissance Humanism & Education
One consequence of the development of humanist philosophy during the Renaissance was the increased emphasis on the importance of education. People needed to learn ancient Greek and Latin in order to even begin to understand the ancient manuscripts. This, in turn, led to further education in the arts and philosophies which went along with those manuscripts.
Book Review - Freethinkers: A History of American Secularism, by Susan Jacoby
Secularism and freethought have played important roles in the development of American society, culture, and politics, yet they are roles which have been forgotten or ignored. Americans tend to hear about and be familiar with the role of religion in their nation's history while freethinkers and skeptics are marginalized. This is a tragedy and a travesty that desperately needs to be corrected.
What is Agnosticism? Overview of the Definition of Agnosticism
The term agnosticism is used primarily for a single issue: do any gods exist or not? Those who disclaim knowledge of gods or even that such knowledge is possible are labeled agnostics. There are many misconceptions about agnosticism, agnostics, and the reasons why anyone would adopt agnosticism in the first place. This is unfortunate, because whether agnosticism is conceived of as a philosophy or simply an isolated position on the existence of gods, it is eminently reasonable and defensible.
What is Secular Humanism? Ethics of a Philosophy Focused on Humanity and Human Needs
Secular humanism of course shares with other forms of humanism the basic principles of an overriding concern with humanity, the needs and desires of human beings, and the importance of human experiences. For secular humanists, it is the human and the humane which must be the focus of our ethical attention.
Book Review - Salt of the Earth: The Church at the End of the Millennium: An Interview With Peter Seewald, by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, Peter Seewald
As Cardinal, Joseph Ratzinger wrote a number of books on Christian theology. In his role as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, he had to defend the orthodox positions of the Catholic Church; as a theologian, he could explore religious issues with a bit more freedom. He also gave lengthy interviews which were collected into book form, and these combine both his personal views as well as his official positions on church matters.
Implications of Godlessness: Impact of Godless Atheism on Philosophy, Ideology, and Behavior
Atheism, which is the mere disbelief in the existence of gods, has no inherent philosophical or political implications. There are too many different and opposing atheistic philosophies and political positions for this to be possible. Godlessness, which covers more than just atheism, arguably can have implications because refusing to recognize or worship any gods may influence how we approach important issues. I will argue for some implications which people should draw from their godlessness.
Book Review: A Rumor About the Jews: Reflections on Antisemitism and the Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion,' by Stephen Eric Bronner.
The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion was a forged pamphlet, probably created by the secret police of Imperial Russia in the late 1890's. The goal was to get people to believe that it was actually the minutes of meetings of Jewish leaders plotting to take over the world. What it attacked, however, was not simply Jews but in fact the entire project of the Enlightenment - religious diversity, freedom, toleration, and social progress.
Religious Privilege: How Religion, Religious Groups, and Religious Beliefs are Privileged
The history of human culture can be recounted as the rise and decline of privileges for various groups over other groups in society. The Enlightenment was the beginning of the end for most forms of privilege in Western societies, though it has taken centuries to develop. White privilege and male privilege remain in subtle ways but are in steep decline. Religious privilege, the favoring of religion, religious beliefs, and religious figures, has been much more difficult to kill.
Disconnection & Shunning - Ostracization Practices of Small, Young Religions - Is it Normal for Young Religions to Practice Shunning of Apostates?
The doctrine of disconnection may sound inhuman and atrocious, but it's also similar to what happens in other religions. Many Christian groups, like the Amish and Jehovah's Witnesses, practice some form of shunning whereby apostates and ex-members are ignored and denied access to family members who are still part of the religious group. It's not unusual for members who have doubts and questions to suppress these first steps towards freethinking and freedom because the of liberty is too high.
Why Should Atheists Study Religion? What Does the Study of Religion Offer? Atheists Should Learn About Religious History, Philosophy, Art, Theology
Atheism is disbelief in gods, not the absence of religion, so why does so much criticism of religion come from atheists rather than theists? Christian theism has dominated Western culture, politics, and society such that resistance has pulled people towards irreligious atheism. Atheism doesn't have to be irreligious or anti-religious, but there is a high correlation among atheism, irreligion, and opposition to religion. To be effective, such criticism must be well-informed and educated.
Myth: Atheists are Rebelling Against the Church, Religious Institutions, Leaders - Is Atheism Just Rebellion Against Religion & Church, Against God?
It is true that there are people who have become atheists due to anger at their church and/or religious institutions generally. It is also true that some of these same atheists have not let go of their anger even today, allowing it to influence their critiques of religion and theism. It's wrong, however, to conclude that therefore atheism is necessarily or inherently an act of rebellion against church and religion. Many, if not most, atheists come to atheism via means other than rebellion.
Does Scientology Attack Critics Personally Rather than Rebutting Criticism? Criticism Should Be Addressed Directly, Not Through Personal Attacks
Scientology has justified their attacks on critics by arguing that the critics themselves have much to hide and answer for - they are the criminals who must be investigated, not Scientology. In a 1966 letter, L. Ron Hubbard insists that Scientology must make it 'rough, rough on attackers all the way' because 'being reasonable about it
Myth: Atheism is Anti-Religion, All Atheists Hate Religion, Say Religion's Evil - Do Atheists Want to Ban Religion? Do Atheists Hate Believers?
Atheists often criticize religion, so a perception develops that atheism must be anti-religious - but this is not quite true. Atheism is just the absence of beliefs in gods and can thus occur inside or outside the context of religion. Thus, an atheist might be devoutly religious, devoutly anti-religious, or completely apathetic with regards to religion - exactly as with theists. It all depends on the individual and what ideas, beliefs, or principles they have aside from atheism.
Book Review - An Illusion of Harmony: Science and Religion in Islam, by Taner Edis
Many atheists have had the experience of a Muslim confidently informing them about how many modern scientific discoveries were already revealed to Muhammad by Allah and are recorded for all to see in the Qur'an. Muslims who believe this are convinced that such information should immediately lead to the conversion of all but the most obstinate atheist, but they don't realize just how weak their arguments are -- and how much they reveal about the weakness of science in the Muslim world.
Does Secular Fundamentalism Exist? Do Secular Fundamentalists Exist? What Would Secular Fundamentalism Be?
Some Christians say they are in conflict with
Adolf Hitler on Religion: Quotes from Hitler on the Importance of Religion- If Adolf Hitler was a Secularist and Atheist, Why Did He Promote Religion?
Christian apologists try to portray Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party as being secular and anti-religious, but in reality Hitler regularly proclaimed the importance of religion in society. He opposed religious institutions that presumed to be rivals to the Nazi state for people's loyalty, but that's not the same as being opposed to religion itself. Like so many political leaders, he approved of religion - but wanted religion to know its place and not challenge him much.
Freethought Tracts - Atheists Should Distribute Freethought, Atheist Tracts
A popular means used by religious believers, and Christians in particular, to spread their ideas is the ubiquitous religious tract. Tracts are so common and have spread so far that people tend to overlook them and forget they are there. This is unfortunate because I believe that it causes atheists to also overlook the impact atheist tracts might have. Religious organizations and churches are not the only ones who can benefit from short pamphlets focusing on particular issues.
Separation is Anti-Religion - Is Church/State Separation Anti-Religion?
One tactic against church/state separation is to portray separation as anti-religious. Because the American government cannot be hostile towards religion, it is argued that church/state separation is an illegitimate infringement on citizens' religious liberties. Their 'solution' to what is really a non-existent problem is to mingle religion with government, thus promoting theocratic systems as if that could enhance religious liberty instead of, as is actually the case, undermine it.
Communist Church/State Separation - Is Church/State Separation a Communist Plot
Arguing that the concept of a 'separation of church and state' is an attempt by communists to control the United States used to be more common during the Cold War, but it still gets trotted out occasionally by opponents to church/state separation. As with other things labeled 'communist,' this is more an attempt to discredit through association than any serious critique of separation, it's merits, or its actual history. In reality, church/state separation is very, very American.
Criticizing Religion vs. Criticizing Race: Defending Religion Against Criticism By Portraying it as an Identity
It's becoming more and more popular to argue that there is something fundamentally inappropriate and/or intolerant about criticizing religion and religious beliefs. It sometimes seems as if no serious and pointed criticisms are permitted against what people believe if those beliefs are part of religion - regardless of how bigoted or nasty those beliefs are.
Arguments For Vouchers - Defending Vouchers for Private, Religious Schools
Although voucher programs don't receive quite as much attention in the early 21st century as they did in the late 20th century, the Christian Right hasn't given up on their desire to use private, religious school vouchers to undermine secular public education. Their libertarian allies also haven't give upon on the idea that government funding for private schools would create competition with public schools, leading to improved education for everyone all around.