Real in the sense that they occur in real life, they certainly have a population online but well you know how that goes(I could probably find an online community of people who think they are unicorns).
Are there really people who would go home and scrub til they bleed if they accidentally set foot in a mosque? Refuse to eat Ezekiel brand bread?
Another theory I’m entertaining is that this is a fictional boogey man created by the opposite side of the spectrum.
(Someone asked me why I named my son what I did being an atheist, I said who cares? )
Presumably a few, but that sounds like a parody. Or religious people projecting their own behavior onto atheists.
As for there being real life “militant atheists”, the answer is “of course”, given that “militant atheist” really just means an atheist who fails to either remain silent or grovel before the religious. Simply admitting to being an atheist without apologizing for it or “admitting” that the religious are morally superior is being “militant”.
At least, that’s the definition of “militant atheist” I’ve always seen used in practice. If you want another, you’ll have to provide it.
When I first became an atheist, I was what most people would call a “militant atheist”. You know, refused to patronize religious businesses, wouldn’t buy things from religious producers, wouldn’t set foot in a church without mocking it, looked forward to laughing at street preachers, the whole nine yards.
Then I turned 17 and realized it wasn’t worth it, and might as well live and let live. Being a dick wasn’t going to change anyone’s mind and it was pissing off some of my friends.
So do they exist in real life? Sure. Are they more common online? Sure, but I have a feeling that’s mostly “internet tough guy syndrome”. Is it mostly immature atheists, much like militant christians/muslims/jews/hindus/whatever? Yep.
I wouldn’t have worded it like that, but yes, the definition of “militant atheist” online seems to be “someone who, if their belief was religious instead of atheist, wouldn’t be remarked upon at all.” In other words, any atheist who admits to it.
So any atheist who doesn’t “admit” that the religious are morally superior fits the definition of “militant atheist”? :dubious: By your definition “atheist”=“militant atheist”.
Marriage is a government contract, not a religious matter; no one needs a church to get married. And where do you get the idea that stepping foot in a church is prohibited? Prohibited by what? Do you think that atheists spontaneously ignite if we cross the threshold?
Not my definition; by the definition most people normally use in practice. Atheists are supposed to remain silent or be deeply apologetic and ashamed of their atheism.
You said any atheist who doesn’t admit that non-atheists are morally superior are “militant atheists”. If this is the definition most people use, do you have any sort of cite or anything besides just your own opinion to support this?
Not necessarily about this exact title specifically, but any position that is generally considered “extreme” is very easily labeled as militant. And IME, even in one of the most liberal parts of the U.S., declaring yourself to be an atheist is considered pretty extreme. We think nothing of people who don’t practice religion, but you’re supposed to at least be “spiritual” or be open to maybe going to church one day or something.
I’m not sure what you would consider a “cite” for such a thing. All the polls do show that the great majority of Americans regard atheists as immoral and untrustworthy, if that counts.
Sounds a lot like me, other than it took me longer to grow up. I was up on hilltops cutting down crosses into my 20s. I was really, really poisonously anti-religion.
Funny thing: it was a BBS discussion group, much like this one, that cured me. A nice pastor guy was a member, and he took the time and effort to help me work through my anger. Don’t ever let anybody tell you that BBS discussions “never change anybody’s mind.”
Militant atheist is a lot like gay activist. Admitting to being an atheist makes you militant, wishing people “Happy Pride month” on your facebook page makes you an activist. (Yes, that is a real example from a far right wing christian site)
I asked you for anything other than your own opinion that supported that definition of “militant atheist”, which you said was used by most people. You have given me nothing.
What I was asking Der Trihs is about the room, if any, between the terms “atheist” and “militant atheist”.
Agreed. I’ve been directly told that I’m not really an atheist because of course I believe in God! To a lot of people, the basic concept of not believing in any supernatural entity just isn’t possible.
