Quote:
Originally Posted by peter12
I actually find it kind of worrying that science has been taken up by the more militant crusading atheists (haha, see how easy labels are?), specifically Dawkins. It categorizes science as aggressive and confrontational. Worse, it makes it look like an ideology, when all science is is a state of mind, a cognitive tool that best tells us about our physical surroundings and history.
The categories of atheism are quite fascinating. Hitchens is like a libertarian. His only reason for hating religion is that it amounts to a fantasy of a celestial North Korea.
It's always interesting to learn why people believe what they believe.
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Atheists appear militant because thats what the church(es) tell you and want the people to hear. In fact we are more "vocal" about belief systems and how they actually came about. When theists are presented with "the facts" they get irritated and label Atheists in derogatory ways in order to remove the focus off of themselves. (See CalgaryBornAgains rant against myself and Thor a few posts back). Fortunately many of the Freethinkers of today are knowledgeable enough to ignore the rants.
It is also fortunate that atheists dont wear the same stripes as a sect of Christians or Muslims. This enables us to respond in many different ways. Hitchens, Dawkins, Harris et al are very different and appeal to different audiences.
I dont think there has been anything more militant in our history than that of the church...in all of its colors.