Debate, Part Three: "There’s no such thing as atheist fundamentalism"
This week, two atheists are debating whether or not “atheist fundamentalists” exist. Today’s 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 someone’s 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 scripture—the “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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