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I assume Christopher Hitchens is someone of note within some atheist circles(?), but regardless: name dropping for credibility by association in the same paragr

I assume Christopher Hitchens is someone of note within some atheist circles(?), but regardless: name dropping for credibility by association in the same paragraph as lamenting "thought clergy" is ironic.

willcipriano 5y ago
I would describe him as a militant antitheist, but he was a product of a different time. Things like teaching evolution in schools wasn't a given. Proper sex education was rare, abstinence only was more typical. State governments would routinely justify choices with biblical verses. They had mandatory prayer in some public schools. Gay people weren't allowed to get married. We needed to fight back against a religious power structure that was visible in media and government. Great news, we won! While all of those issues aren't resolved perfectly, they are largely solved. Religious leaders just don't have the clout they did twenty years ago. Nobody cares what the Pope says. It's over, or will be over soon. Now, in my opinion, atheists should choose to be gracious winners. We should attempt to find common ground with the religious, and agree to disagree where we can. We don't need to turn into the monster that we have just slain and put our boot on their neck. Revenge stories like that are best left in the old testament.
- BLKNSLVR 5y ago
  As an atheist I actually believe (some) religious establishments have found their niche in providing care, attention, and even love for people who have no other avenue for such things. A lightning rod for the less fortunate, as is their doctrine. There for those who need it, can be ignored, or even appreciably but minimally acknowledged, by those who do not.
- systemvoltage 5y ago
  Well said. I still see Hitchens and Dawkins as the people that changed my life for the better. I was in highschool and their influence has led me to live a more fulfilling life. I am grateful for that.
- trasz 5y ago
  Meanwhile in the US in several states christian fundamentalists managed to introduce an abortion ban. Similar stuff is happening in parts of Eastern Europe. It’s nowhere near resolved yet.
BLKNSLVR 5y ago
I thought Christopher Hitches is someone relatively difficult to avoid if one's done any research on atheism. Christopher Hitchens is _the_ definition of militant atheist. If you've not heard of him, look him up, there's gold you're missing.

willcipriano 5y ago

I would describe him as a militant antitheist, but he was a product of a different time. Things like teaching evolution in schools wasn't a given. Proper sex education was rare, abstinence only was more typical. State governments would routinely justify choices with biblical verses. They had mandatory prayer in some public schools. Gay people weren't allowed to get married. We needed to fight back against a religious power structure that was visible in media and government. Great news, we won! While all of those issues aren't resolved perfectly, they are largely solved. Religious leaders just don't have the clout they did twenty years ago. Nobody cares what the Pope says. It's over, or will be over soon. Now, in my opinion, atheists should choose to be gracious winners. We should attempt to find common ground with the religious, and agree to disagree where we can. We don't need to turn into the monster that we have just slain and put our boot on their neck. Revenge stories like that are best left in the old testament.

BLKNSLVR 5y ago
As an atheist I actually believe (some) religious establishments have found their niche in providing care, attention, and even love for people who have no other avenue for such things. A lightning rod for the less fortunate, as is their doctrine. There for those who need it, can be ignored, or even appreciably but minimally acknowledged, by those who do not.
systemvoltage 5y ago
Well said. I still see Hitchens and Dawkins as the people that changed my life for the better. I was in highschool and their influence has led me to live a more fulfilling life. I am grateful for that.
trasz 5y ago
Meanwhile in the US in several states christian fundamentalists managed to introduce an abortion ban. Similar stuff is happening in parts of Eastern Europe. It’s nowhere near resolved yet.

BLKNSLVR 5y ago

I thought Christopher Hitches is someone relatively difficult to avoid if one's done any research on atheism. Christopher Hitchens is _the_ definition of militant atheist. If you've not heard of him, look him up, there's gold you're missing.