ChatterBank2 mins ago
Are The 'new Atheists' Becoming The New Islamophobes?
32 Answers
http://
/// Lean argues that few atheists in the western world historically paid much attention to Islam, concentrating instead on debunking Christianity and, to a lesser extent, Judaism. But after the September 11 attacks, the New Atheists “found their calling”. Criticism of all religion on an equal footing was one thing. But the New Atheists, he argued, have begun flirting with Islamophobes, using irrational hatred, as opposed to rational critique, to attack an already deeply misunderstood and much maligned faith. ///
Surely it is not only Islam that is a target for their irrational hatred?
/// Lean argues that few atheists in the western world historically paid much attention to Islam, concentrating instead on debunking Christianity and, to a lesser extent, Judaism. But after the September 11 attacks, the New Atheists “found their calling”. Criticism of all religion on an equal footing was one thing. But the New Atheists, he argued, have begun flirting with Islamophobes, using irrational hatred, as opposed to rational critique, to attack an already deeply misunderstood and much maligned faith. ///
Surely it is not only Islam that is a target for their irrational hatred?
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Well I am trying to get AoG to clarify a number of points from his post.
Not least, some evidence in support of this sentence of his;
"Surely it is not only Islam that is a target for their irrational hatred".
Where is AoGs evidence of irrationality or hatred on the part of these "New Atheists"? And whilst we are at it, who or what are "New Atheists"
Not least, some evidence in support of this sentence of his;
"Surely it is not only Islam that is a target for their irrational hatred".
Where is AoGs evidence of irrationality or hatred on the part of these "New Atheists"? And whilst we are at it, who or what are "New Atheists"
This article is full of nonsense.
For one thing, the group of writers and intellectuals informally known as 'The New Atheists' do not disproportionately focus on Islam. If anything, their works do slightly disproportionately focus on Christianity given that they are all from countries with indigenous Christian cultures.
The only example that this article has actually provided of 'irrationality' is a tweet by Richard Dawkins and a hideous and borderline-slanderous misrepresentation of Sam Harris*. There is nothing of the arguments these people have actually put forward in their works, or the rationalisations they provide for their conclusions.
Incidentally, if anyone wants to hear a response from the other side, you can read a rebuttal written by Sam Harris on his blog here:
http://
For one thing, the group of writers and intellectuals informally known as 'The New Atheists' do not disproportionately focus on Islam. If anything, their works do slightly disproportionately focus on Christianity given that they are all from countries with indigenous Christian cultures.
The only example that this article has actually provided of 'irrationality' is a tweet by Richard Dawkins and a hideous and borderline-slanderous misrepresentation of Sam Harris*. There is nothing of the arguments these people have actually put forward in their works, or the rationalisations they provide for their conclusions.
Incidentally, if anyone wants to hear a response from the other side, you can read a rebuttal written by Sam Harris on his blog here:
http://
"Surely it is not only Islam that is a target for their irrational hatred".
aog has repeatedly failed to justify his assertion that so called 'new atheists' display irrational hatred
i suppose it is clear to any reasonable person that it is aog who belongs in his 'dunce's corner' not lazygun or anyone else
why do you think aog is always so ready to blame other ABers for his own communication failings and combine not only stupidity but also rudeness in his responses to reasonable requests for clarification?
aog has repeatedly failed to justify his assertion that so called 'new atheists' display irrational hatred
i suppose it is clear to any reasonable person that it is aog who belongs in his 'dunce's corner' not lazygun or anyone else
why do you think aog is always so ready to blame other ABers for his own communication failings and combine not only stupidity but also rudeness in his responses to reasonable requests for clarification?
Atheists are no longer hesitant to voice justified criticism for fear of condemnation, exclusion – or worse – at the hands of that alleged bastion of compassion - religion. Irrational hatred, AOG? You’ve got your sights set on the wrong people.
Em: New atheism: http://
It really means atheists who are no longer afraid to speak out. Nothing more.
Em: New atheism: http://
It really means atheists who are no longer afraid to speak out. Nothing more.
Statement:
/// using irrational hatred, as opposed to rational critique, to attack an already deeply misunderstood and much maligned faith. ///
My response:
/// Surely it is not only Islam that is a target for their irrational hatred? ///
Reason for such response:
Atheists new or old, regularly 'attack' and 'ridicule' supporters of Christianity and to a lesser extent Judaism for their beliefs, so why should Islam be any different?
Short of being able to draw it out, I cannot make it any clearer.
/// using irrational hatred, as opposed to rational critique, to attack an already deeply misunderstood and much maligned faith. ///
My response:
/// Surely it is not only Islam that is a target for their irrational hatred? ///
Reason for such response:
Atheists new or old, regularly 'attack' and 'ridicule' supporters of Christianity and to a lesser extent Judaism for their beliefs, so why should Islam be any different?
Short of being able to draw it out, I cannot make it any clearer.
Ah! One of the most corrupted words ever to make it into the English language.
Islamophobia - A word created by cultural marxists to imply that anyone who criticizes Islam has some mental deficiency.
There is nothing irrational about the fear of extreme Islam especially if you are a woman or gay or a Jew.
Islamophobia - A word created by cultural marxists to imply that anyone who criticizes Islam has some mental deficiency.
There is nothing irrational about the fear of extreme Islam especially if you are a woman or gay or a Jew.
@AoG.
This is the sentence you wrote.
"Surely it is not only Islam that is a target for their irrational hatred"
Thanks for the clarification - but to adduce this
"Atheists new or old, regularly 'attack' and 'ridicule' supporters of Christianity and to a lesser extent Judaism for their beliefs, so why should Islam be any different?"
As the meaning for your original sentence would be next to impossible for any reader.
And, if you are going to claim that atheists act our of "irrational Hatred" when criticising Islam, or any other religion, you really ought to be able to offer evidence or example to support such an incendiary claim, or just admit from the start that it is entirely your own, uninformed opinion.
It seems to me that it is mostly the "True Believers"- upset, their sensibilities offended by the ridicule or criticism - that attempt to dismiss such observations as being born our of "irrational Hatred".
And by the way,this applies as much to discussions about political ideologies as it does religious. For believers and the faithful, politics and religion can be much the same, with a manifesto commitment or policy proposal holding as much weight- regardless of any supporting real world evidence of its benefit -as a religious doctrine does for the religiously inclined.
This is the sentence you wrote.
"Surely it is not only Islam that is a target for their irrational hatred"
Thanks for the clarification - but to adduce this
"Atheists new or old, regularly 'attack' and 'ridicule' supporters of Christianity and to a lesser extent Judaism for their beliefs, so why should Islam be any different?"
As the meaning for your original sentence would be next to impossible for any reader.
And, if you are going to claim that atheists act our of "irrational Hatred" when criticising Islam, or any other religion, you really ought to be able to offer evidence or example to support such an incendiary claim, or just admit from the start that it is entirely your own, uninformed opinion.
It seems to me that it is mostly the "True Believers"- upset, their sensibilities offended by the ridicule or criticism - that attempt to dismiss such observations as being born our of "irrational Hatred".
And by the way,this applies as much to discussions about political ideologies as it does religious. For believers and the faithful, politics and religion can be much the same, with a manifesto commitment or policy proposal holding as much weight- regardless of any supporting real world evidence of its benefit -as a religious doctrine does for the religiously inclined.
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