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Related: About this forumDebate, Part Three: "There’s no such thing as atheist fundamentalism"
This week, two atheists are debating whether or not atheist fundamentalists exist. Todays contribution is by James Croft, a leader in training at the Ethical Society of St. Louis. The views expressed in this piece do not necessarily reflect those of his employer. Below, Croft argues against the idea of atheist fundamentalism.Chris Stedman | Dec 19, 2014
Since soon after the New Atheists spurred a resurgence of outspoken atheist critiques of religion and religious beliefs, atheists have been dogged with complaints that they are just as bad as the fundamentalists they oppose.
To some degree I understand the charge. There is dogmatism in the atheist community for sure, some of which is particularly strong among the most fervent advocates of the atheist position. (A 2013 University of Tennessee study found that anti-theists score highest on dogmatism.)
This is unsurprising: atheists are human beings, and all human beings and groups are susceptible to dogmatic modes of thought. In a highly religious country like the United States, where atheists are politically marginalized routinely denigrated, atheism can become a core part of someones identity. This leads some to respond to challenges to atheism as if they are personal attacks. I have met individual atheists who seem as closed-minded as some fundamentalists.
But fundamentalism is a more specific and more limited term than dogmatism. To be a fundamentalist one must adhere closely to a set of core principles agreed upon by a community of belief, usually drawn from scripturethe fundamentals. The original fundamentalists were Christians who came together at the start of the Twentieth Century to assert the five fundamentals of Christian belief, hence the name.
http://chrisstedman.religionnews.com/2014/12/19/no-such-thing-as-atheist-fundamentalism/
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Debate, Part Three: "There’s no such thing as atheist fundamentalism" (Original Post)
rug
Dec 2014
OP
he makes great points. My opinion would be closer to his than the other writers.
cbayer
(146,218 posts)2. He makes some excellent points, but he is arguing more about semantics
than the overall concept.
He really makes the case for fundamentalism early in his piece, then backs down because he chooses to use a strictly religious definition and because he thinks it is used in a negative way.
It appears that he also has difficulty making distinctions. He talks primarily about your average atheist and seems to recognize that there are atheists with specific beliefs. However, he doesn't want to go too far in defining them.
Can't say I blame he. The wrath he might incur could be quite uncomfortable.
He says we should use clearer terms but fails to offer one.
I'd be happy to use a term that was acceptable to all.