Talk:Militant atheism/2011JUL13-LeadDrafting

Militant atheism Lead Draft

Militant atheism is a term applied to atheism which is militantly hostile towards religion. British philosopher Julian Baggini describes an atheistic active hostility to religion as militant and says hostility "requires more than just strong disagreement with religion — it requires something verging on hatred and is characterized by a desire to wipe out all forms of religious belief." Militant atheists, Baggini continues, "tend to make one or both of two claims that moderate atheists do not. The first is that religion is demonstrably false or nonsense, and the second is that it is usually or always harmful." Militant atheism, according to Karl Rahner, differs from the philosophy of theoretical atheism, which he states, may be tolerant and deeply concerned.

Militant atheism was an integral part of the materialism of Marxism-Leninism, and significant in the French Revolution, atheist states such as the Soviet Union, and Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution. According to Baggini, the "too-zealous" militant atheism found in the Soviet Union was characterized by thinking the best way to counter religion was "by oppression and making atheism the official state credo."

Recently both the term militant atheist and the term atheist fundamentalist, have been used, frequently pejoratively, to describe leaders of the New Atheism movement, who share a belief that religion "should not simply be tolerated but should be countered, criticized and exposed by rational argument wherever its influence arises."

The term militant atheist has been used going back to at least 1894, and it has been applied to people, namely political thinkers. The appellation has also been criticized by Dave Niose, who feels that the term is used indiscriminately for "an atheist who had the nerve to openly question religious authority or vocally express his or her views about the existence of God."

Militant atheism Lead Draft Cite Compare

Militant atheism is a term applied to atheism which is militantly hostile towards religion.

"Atheism which is actively hostile to religion I would call militant. To be hostile in this sense requires more than just strong disagreement with religion—it requires something verging on hatred and is characterized by a desire to wipe out all forms of religious beliefs. Militant atheists tend to make one or both of two claims that moderate atheists do not. The first is that religion is demonstrably false or nonsense, and the second is that is is usually or always harmful." • Baggini 2003: pp. 150. link

"Philosophically speaking, atheism means denial of the existence of God or of any (and not merely of a rational) possibility of knowing God (theoretical atheism). In those who hold this theoretical atheism, it may be tolerant (and even deeply concerned), if it has no missionary aims; it is "militant" when it regards itself as a doctrine to be propagated for the happiness of mankind and combats every religion as a harmful aberration." • Rahner 1975: pp. 47. link

"In contrast, militant atheism, as advocated by Lenin and the Russian Bolsheviks, treats religion as the dangerous opium and narcotic of the people, a wrong political ideology serving the interests of antirevolutionary forces; thus force may be necessary to control or eliminate religion." • Tong 2009: pp. 214. link

"Scientific atheism is the theoretical basis for tolerating religion while carrying out atheist propaganda, whereas militant atheism leads to antireligious measures. In practice, almost as soon as it took power in 1949, the CCP followed the hard line of militant atheism. Within a decade, all religions were brought under the iron control of the Party: Folk religious practices considered feudalist superstitions were vigorously suppressed; cultic or heterodox sects regarded as reactionary organizations were resolutely banned; foreign missionaries, considered part of Western imperialism, were expelled; and major world religions, including Buddhism, Islam, Catholicism, and Protestantism, were coerced into "patriotic" national associations under close supervision of the Party. Religious believers who dared to challenge these policies were mercilessly banished to labor camps, jails, or execution grounds." • Yang 2004: pp. 103. link

"In contrast, militant atheism, as advocated by Lenin and the Russian Bolsheviks, treats religion as a dangerous narcotic and a troubling political ideology that serves the interests of antirevolutionary forces. As such, it should be suppressed or eliminated by the revolutionary force. On the basis of scientific atheism, religious toleration was inscribed in CCP policy since its early days. By reason of militant atheism, however, atheist propaganda became ferocious, and the power of “proletarian dictatorship” was invoked to eradicate the reactionary ideology (Dai 2001)." • Yang 2006: pp. 100. link

British philosopher Julian Baggini describes an atheistic active hostility to religion as militant and says hostility "requires more than just strong disagreement with religion — it requires something verging on hatred and is characterized by a desire to wipe out all forms of religious belief." Militant atheists, Baggini continues, "tend to make one or both of two claims that moderate atheists do not. The first is that religion is demonstrably false or nonsense, and the second is that it is usually or always harmful."

"Atheism which is actively hostile to religion I would call militant. To be hostile in this sense requires more than just strong disagreement with religion—it requires something verging on hatred and is characterized by a desire to wipe out all forms of religious beliefs. Militant atheists tend to make one or both of two claims that moderate atheists do not. The first is that religion is demonstrably false or nonsense, and the second is that is is usually or always harmful." • Baggini 2003: pp. 150. link

Militant atheism, according to Karl Rahner, differs from the philosophy of theoretical atheism, which he states, may be tolerant and deeply concerned.

"Philosophically speaking, atheism means denial of the existence of God or of any (and not merely of a rational) possibility of knowing God (theoretical atheism). In those who hold this theoretical atheism, it may be tolerant (and even deeply concerned), if it has no missionary aims; it is "militant" when it regards itself as a doctrine to be propagated for the happiness of mankind and combats every religion as a harmful aberration." • Rahner 1975: pp. 47. link

Militant atheism was an integral part of the materialism of Marxism-Leninism,

"One fundamental element of that system was its propogation of a doctrine called Marxism-Leninism, and one fundamental element of that doctrine was militant atheism. Until only a little over three years ago, militant atheism was the official religion, one might say, of the Soviet Union and the Communist Party was the established church in what might be called an atheocratic state." • Berman 1993: pp. 394. link

"For seventy years, from the Bolshevik Revolution to the closing years of the Gorbachev regime, militant atheism was the official religion, one might say, of the Soviet Union, and the Communist Party was, in effect, the established church. It was an avowed task of the Soviet state, led by the Communist Party, to root out from the minds and hearts of the Soviet state, all belief systems other than Marxism-Leninism." • Berman 1996: pp. 289. link

and significant in the French Revolution,

"So was the French Revolution fundamentally atheist? There is no doubt that such a view is to be found in much Christian and atheist literature on the movement. Cloots was at the forefront of the dechristianization movement that gathered around the militant atheist Jacques Hébert. He "debaptised" himself, setting aside his original name of Jean-Baptiste du Val-de-Grâce. For Cloots, religion was simply not to be tolerated." • McGrath 2006: pp. 45. link

atheist states such as the Soviet Union,

"On the other hand the Communist Party has never made any secret of the fact, either before or after 1917, that it regards 'militant atheism' as an integral part of its ideology and will regard 'religion as by no means a private matter'. It therefore uses 'the means of ideological influence to educate people in the spirit of scientific materialism and to overcome religious prejudices..' Thus it is the goal of the C.P.S.U. and thereby also of the Soviet state, for which it is after all the 'guiding cell', gradually to liquidate the religious communities." • Simon 1974: pp. 64. link

"Soviet 'militant atheism' led to the closure and destruction of nearly all the mosques and madrasahs (Muslim religious schools) in Russia, although some remained in the Central Asian states. Under Stalin there were mass deportations and liquidation of the Muslim elite." • Elliott 2006: pp. 79. link

and Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution.

"Seeking a complete annihilation of religion, places of worship were shut down; temples, churches, and mosques were destroyed; artifacts were smashed; sacred texts were burnt; and it was a criminal offence even to possess a religious artifact or sacred text. Atheism had long been the official doctrine of the Chinese Communist Party, but this new form of militant atheism made every effort to eradicate religion completely." • Grim 2010: pp. 132. link

According to Baggini, the "too-zealous" militant atheism found in the Soviet Union was characterized by thinking the best way to counter religion was "by oppression and making atheism the official state credo."

"However, although this defense is certainly enough to justify a "not guilty" verdict in the court of history, the Soviet experience does point to two dangers of atheism. The first of these is a too-zealous militancy. It is one thing to disagree with religion and quite another to think that the best way to counter it is by oppression and making atheism the official state credo. What happened in Soviet Russia is one of the reasons why I personally dislike militant atheism." • Baggini 2003: pp. 131. link

Recently both the term militant atheist and the term atheist fundamentalist,

"Aware of the accusation that his hostility to religion marks him out as "a fundamentalist atheist," Dawkins defends himself by delineating an overly simplified and shallow definition of "fundamentalism."" • Watson 2010: link

Interview response: Phil Zuckerman - "When we talk about militant atheists or fundamentalist atheists, I have a problem with those terms because... a militant or fundamentalist atheist simply says. "You can have your beliefs; just keep them private and don't force them on us." • Rodrigues 2010: pp. 347. link

"It is no exaggeration to describe the movement popularized by the likes of Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennet, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens as a new and particularly zealous form of fundamentalism— an atheist fundamentalism." • Aslan 2010: pp. xiii. link

"Ian Hutchinson tells us in this video discussion that New Atheism -- a term used to describe recent intellectual attacks against religion -- is actually a misnomer. It is better, he says, to call the movement “Militant Atheism”. In fact, the arguments made by New Atheists are not new at all, but rather extensions of intellectual threads which have existed since the late 19th century. The only unique quality of this movement is the degree of criticism and edge with which its members write and speak about religion. According to Hutchinson, the books written by New Atheists in the past decade simply restate many of the same arguments which have emanated from atheist thinkers for decades. The militant edge of these arguments is what makes “New” Atheism unique and elevates it to a level of popularity within a subset of the population. It is because these Militant Atheists show no respect at all for religion, says Hutchinson, that they are receiving status as a new movement." •Hutchinson 2011: link

have been used, frequently pejoratively, to describe leaders of the New Atheism movement, who share a belief that religion "should not simply be tolerated but should be countered, criticized and exposed by rational argument wherever its influence arises."

"What the New Atheists share is a belief that religion should not simply be tolerated but should be countered, criticized and exposed by rational argument wherever its influence arises." • Hooper 2011: link

The term militant atheist has been used going back to at least 1894, and it has been applied to people, namely political thinkers.

"At the same time, however, we admit that militant Atheism is still, as of old, an offence to the superfine sceptics who desire to stand well with the great firm of Bumble and Grundy, as well as to the vast army of priests and preachers who have a professional interest in keeping heresy "dark," and to the truling and priviledged classes, who feel that militant Atheism is a great disturber of the peace which is founded on popular superstition and injustice." • Foote 1894: pp. 247. link

The appellation has also been criticized by Dave Niose, who feels that the term is used indiscriminately for "an atheist who had the nerve to openly question religious authority or vocally express his or her views about the existence of God."

"When the media and others refer to a "militant atheist," the object of that slander is usually an atheist who had the nerve to openly question religious authority or vocally express his or her views about the existence of God." • Niose 2011: link

Sources

Books

Baggini, Julian (2003). Atheism: A Very Short Introduction. USA: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0192804242.

Product descriptions...Take with salt.

Is a life without religion one without values or purpose? Julian Baggini emphatically says no. He sets out to dispel the myths surrounding atheism and to show how it can be both a meaningful and moral choice. He directly confronts the failure of officially atheist states in the twentieth century, and presents an intellectual case for atheism that rests as much on reasoned and positive arguments for its truth as on negative arguments against religion.

Julian Baggini is editor of Philosopher’s Magazine and the author of several books on philosophy. He has also written for a variety of newspapers and journals, including the Guardian, the Independent, and New Humanist.

Grim, Brian; Finke, Roger (2010). The Price of Freedom Denied: Religious Persecution and Conflict in the Twenty-First Century. USA: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0521146838.

Product descriptions...Take with salt.

"We have all heard numerous anecdotes about religious persecution around the world. Now, Brian Grim and Roger Finke provide the most comprehensive empirical overview of persecution available to date, detailing both when and where it is occurring. As an added bonus, their research explains why such persecution occurs. This book sets a new standard for research on religious freedom and should be in easy reach of any scholar, missionary, or human rights activist interested in the just treatment of people of faith."-Anthony Gill, University of Washington

"A true global landmark, this work is one of the most important contributions to the struggle for religious freedom and international peace since the 1918 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. With rigor and flair, Grim and Finke probe the timeless question of why religious liberty matters. Their answer is theoretically elegant and empirically powerful: Restrictions on religious freedom produce persecution and conflict, undermine democracy and contribute to terrorism and international instability. For policy makers and religious leaders across the globe, this book offers a way to navigate the crucible of the twenty-first century - living with our differences in a volatile world."-Allen Hertzke, University of Oklahoma

"This is the most necessary book I have encountered in many years."-Rodney Stark, Baylor University, author of The Rise of Christianity

Simon, Gerhard (1974). Church, state, and opposition in the U.S.S.R. USA: Univ of California Press. ISBN 978-0520026124.

If it is useful information add it.

McGrath, Alister (2006). The Twilight of Atheism: The Rise and Fall of Disbelief in the Modern World. USA: Galilee Trade. ISBN 978-0385500623.

Product descriptions...Take with salt.

In this bold and provocative new book, the author of In the Beginning and The Reenchantment of Nature challenges the widely held assumption that the world is becoming more secular and demonstrates why atheism cannot provide the moral and intellectual guidance essential for coping with the complexities of modern life.

Atheism is one of the most important movements in modern Western culture. For the last two hundred years, it seemed to be on the verge of eliminating religion as an outmoded and dangerous superstition. Recent years, however, have witnessed the decline of disbelief and a rise in religious devotion throughout the world. In THE TWILIGHT OF ATHEISM, the distinguished historian and theologian Alister McGrath examines what went wrong with the atheist dream and explains why religion and faith are destined to play a central role in the twenty-first century.

A former atheist who is now one of Christianity’s foremost scholars, McGrath traces the history of atheism from its emergence in eighteenth-century Europe as a revolutionary worldview that offered liberation from the rigidity of traditional religion and the oppression of tyrannical monarchs, to its golden age in the first half of the twentieth century. Blending thoughtful, authoritative historical analysis with incisive portraits of such leading and influential atheists as Sigmund Freud and Richard Dawkins, McGrath exposes the flaws at the heart of atheism, and argues that the renewal of faith is a natural, inevitable, and necessary response to its failures.

THE TWILIGHT OF ATHEISM will unsettle believers and nonbelievers alike. A powerful rebuttal of the philosophy that, for better and for worse, has exerted tremendous influence on Western history, it carries major implications for the future of both religion and unbelief in our society.

Collections

Rahner, Karl (1975). Encyclopædia of Theology: A Concise Sacramentum Mundi. USA: Burns & Oates. ISBN 978-0860120063.

Product descriptions...Take with salt.

An essential and reliable reference work and manual of the Christian faith this book provides both students and interested readers with a basic text presenting the findings of modern scholarly thought and research. Ecumenical in spirit and approach, no responsible and inquiring Christian can afford to be without it.

Tong, Liang (2009). "Atheism And Secularity In China". In Zuckerman (ed.). Atheism and Secularity: Volume 2: Global Expressions. USA: Praeger. ISBN 978-0313351853.

If it is useful information add it.

Berman, Harold (1993). "Christianity and Democracy in Soviet Russia". Faith and Order : The Reconciliation of Law and Religion. USA: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0802848529.

Product descriptions...Take with salt.

This book argues that despite the tensions existing in all societies between religious faith and legal order, they inevitably interact. In the course of his discussion Berman traces the history of Western law, exposes the fallacies of law theories that fail to take religion into account, examines key theological, prophetic, and educational themes, and looks at the role of religion in the Soviet and post-Soviet state.

Berman, Harold (1996). "Religious Rights in Russia at a Time of Tumultuous Transition: A Historical Theory". In Van der Vyver (ed.). Religious Human Rights in Global Perspective: Legal Perspectives. USA: Springer. ISBN 978-9041101778.

Product descriptions...Take with salt.

In this Dickensian century' of human rights, the world has cultivated the best of religious rights protections, but witnessed the worst of religious rights abuses. In this volume, Jimmy Carter, John T. Noonan, Jr., and a score of leading jurists assess critically and comparatively the religious rights laws and practices of the international community and of selected states in the Atlantic continents. This volume and its companion "Religious Human Rights in Global" "Perspective: Religious Perspectives" are products of an ongoing project on religion, human rights and democracy undertaken by the Law and Religion Program at Emory University.

Foote, George (1894). "Flowers of Freethought, Volume 2". Nabu Press.

If it is useful information add it.

Aslan, Reza (2010). "Preface". In Amarasingam (ed.). Religion and the New Atheism: A Critical Appraisal. USA: Brill. ISBN 978-9004185579.

Product descriptions...Take with salt.

The term "new atheism" has been given to the recent barrage of bestselling books written by Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Daniel Dennett, Christopher Hitchens, and others. These books and their authors have had a significant media presence and have only grown in popularity over the years. This book brings together scholars from religious studies, science, sociology of science, philosophy, and theology to engage the new atheism and place it in the context of broader scholarly discourses. This volume will serve to contextualize and critically examine the claims, arguments and goals of the new atheism so that readers can become more informed of some of the debates with which the new atheists inevitably and, at times unknowingly, engage.

"This collection will prove to be most valuable to readers who wish to understand the implications and phenomenal success of the new atheism from a multidisciplinary perspective. The editor is to be congratulted for assembling such an impressive list of contributions.---John F. Haught, Senior Fellow, Science & Religion, Woodstock Theological Center, George-town University

"The new atheism, a species of secular fundamentalism, has excited a great deal of comment and controversy in recent years. Religion and the New Atheism raises the discourse to a new level."---Randall Balmer, Episcopal Priest and author of The Making of Evangelicalism

"Amarasingam's collection of original essays dealing with various aspects of the recent work of new atheists is a most engaging read. The chapters included offer a wide array of perspectives, touching on numerous aspects and angles of New Atheism and its relationship to contemporary religion. While I most definitely did not agree with all of the contributions in the volume, and while I am generally more supportive of the new atheists than I am of their detractors, I found this volume over-all to be a compelling, engrossing, and provocative contribution."---Phil Zuckerman, Associate Professor of Sociology, Pitzer College, Author of Society Without God.

Journal Papers

Yang, Fenggang (2004). "Between Secularist Ideology and Desecularizing Reality: The Birth and Growth of Religious Research in Communist China" (PDF). Sociology of Religion. 65 (2): 101–119.

If it is useful information add it.

Yang, Fenggang (2006). "The Red, Black, and Gray Markets of Religion in China" (PDF). The Sociological Quarterly. 47 (1): 93–122.

If it is useful information add it.

Interviews

Rodrigues, Luís (2010). "Interview with Phil Zuckerman". Open Questions: Diverse Thinkers Discuss God, Religion, and Faith. USA: Praeger. ISBN 978-0313386442.

Product descriptions...Take with salt.

Subjects such as spirituality, the existence of God, atheism, and the concept of one true religion are profound, incendiary topics. This collection of interviews about faith and religion will fascinate anyonebeliever or nonbelieverwho is interested in the interaction of science, religion, and belief in contemporary culture.Open Questions: Diverse Thinkers Discuss God, Religion, and Faith is a compelling invitation to each of us to examine our positions on these highly charged subjects. It will both answer questions and inspire new inquiries. In the process of creating this book, author and interviewer Luis F. Rodrigues was driven by his natural and intense curiosity rather than by dogmatic or institutional bias; he had no agenda other than to fairly present multiple points of view on the widely debated topics at hand. This compilation of easy-to-read interviews with individuals like John Dominic Crossan, Dinesh D'Souza, A.C. Grayling, and James Randi will appeal to general readers as well as theologians and academics.

Travel Guides

Elliott, Mark (2006). Russia & Belarus. USA: Lonely Planet. ISBN 978-1741042917.

Product descriptions...Take with salt.

Cosmopolitan cities, bubbling volcanoes, spectacular mountains and breathtaking art - Russia is as diverse as it is dramatic, while Belarus satisfies those in search of a Soviet experience. Untangle the conspiracy theories and immerse yourself in the rich heritage - from Minsk to Moscow, Siberia to Kamchatka, make sure you're carrying this best-selling guide to the world's most enigmatic destination. Cultural Context - in-depth background information brings you up to date on Belarusian politics and Tuvan throat-singing. Discerning Reviews - hand-picked listings from our team of expert authors reveal Moscow's swankiest clubs and Siberia's finest adventure tours. 140+ Maps - detailed, grid-referenced maps throughout. Comprehensive Language Chapter - includes Cyrillic script.

Book Reviews

Watson, Simon (2010). "Review Essay: Richard Dawkins' The God Delusion and Atheist Fundamentalism". Anthropoetics: the Journal of Generative Anthropology. 15 (2).

If it is useful information add it.

Blogs

Hutchinson, Ian (2010). "Ian Hutchinson on the New Atheists". The BioLogos Foundation. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)

If it is useful information add it.

Hooper, Simon (2011). "The rise of the 'New Atheists'". Cable News Network (CNN).

If it is useful information add it.

Niose, Dave (2011). "The Myth of Militant Atheism". Psychology Today.

If it is useful information add it.