Why Do Atheists Bash Religion?

There is power in the unity of atheists. In this pin, we discover that smashing two atheists together produces atomic fission.

I found another interesting article over on the American Atheists web site, this one entitled To Bash Or Not To Bash. What do I have against atheists? Absolutely nothing. (I could insert here that some of my best friends are atheists, but no one believes that is a valid argument anymore. We're not allowed to like or love individuals if they belong to a particular group, especially one we don't agree with.)

I do have a problem with Evangelical Atheists. These are the people who find it their responsibility to preach the gospel of atheism. These are the people who live with the haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may actually believe in God. These are people who just can't seem to leave religion alone. These are people who reach out to convert others to secular humanism.

Ah! You've found my little trap. You, the clever reader, have already noted that I have engaged in atheism bashing. Why is it, you ask, that I can't leave atheism alone? I can answer that, but you, gentle reader won't like the answer.

I bash atheism for the same reason that atheists bash religion.

Although, of course, I'm right and they're wrong.

Back to the article. Eddie Tabash, the writer's article, makes the following claim:

When we fear being accused of "religion bashing," we are buying into the trap our opponents have set for us. Republicans can criticize the political philosophy of Democrats and vice versa. Socialists and capitalists can criticize each other's basic worldview. Religionists, however, have insidiously snuck into the public consciousness the notion that religious doctrines deserve special insulation from criticism, ridicule, and doubt. Religionists have poisoned the debate about religion by passing off this concept that, from the outset, religious claims must be treated with a kinder and gentler type of criticism than that leveled at other types of belief systems.

Eddie has cleverly found out religionists' little trap. Insidious religionists want everyone to believe that religious doctrines deserve special insulation. That might be a valid conclusion if atheistic religion bashing were confined to arguments against doctrine. The problem is, however, that religion bashing nearly always produces ad hominem fallacies. These types of attacks are condemned by people who hold many differing belief systems. Why can't religionists also condemn such attacks?

Here are some examples. If I say, "Atheists are a bunch of sorry, intractable, obdurate, inflexible, perverse, contrary, pigheaded, stiff-necked, egotistical biggots," then atheists will feel attacked. (I would never say such a thing. I'm just the messenger.) The same holds true if I say, "Homosexuals are a bunch of idiots." We call that gay bashing and society doesn't condone such speech.

So why is it all right to religion bash? Eddie continues:

There is no rational basis for providing religious dogma with its own special exemption from harsh criticism. We do secular humanism an immense disservice if we buy into the mindset that criticism of religion has to be more muffled than criticism of other ideologies. Religion is so entrenched in our society that its proponents have been able to foist off onto popular culture the notion that religion always deserves kid glove treatment. Because religion is so entrenched, in order to dislodge it, we have to use all available tactics, including destroying the misconception that religious beliefs are entitled to some special immunity from piercing criticism.

To atheists, personal attacks are perfectly acceptable as an "available tactic." And if atheists allow all available attacks, why are they surprised when religionists turn around and use the same sorts of tactics? The hypocrasy runs thick.

Helping today's university students become indignant over the absurdities of religious dogma is an essential part of persuading them to consider a secular alternative. If we don't start, very soon, to replenish our ranks with young people, out future will be dim....

We thus need to end the pointless debate about whether to "bash" or not "bash" religion in the process of promoting secular humanism. The opponents of religious dogma should be able to attack and ridicule religious beliefs the same as opponents of any other belief system can attack and ridicule that belief system.

Here's the atheist agenda, to attack religion to promote secular humanism - to convert the young people to fill the ranks of the atheistic ideal. (Ever wonder where I came up with the term Evangelical Atheists?)

If atheists claim the right to oppose "religious dogma" and "be able to attack and ridicule religious beliefs" then I claim the same right for religionists. Eddie says: "There is definitely a time and place to make religion look as ridiculous as it actually is."

So, atheists, don't be surprised when those who hold the "belief system" of religion make atheism look as ridiculous as it actually is.