Religion
In reply to the discussion: Richard Dawkins to atheist rally: 'Show contempt' for faith [View all]longship
(40,416 posts)Because he has stated very clearly that it is not. I think you can put Hitchens in the same category.
But political strategy theories set aside, what Dawkins et al are saying is still based on the facts of the situation. Religion has a grip on the world that it does not deserve. It has achieved this solely by way of force, for much of the last millennium, on pain of torture and death.
The new atheists are merely stating that this privilege of religion must not stand if humans are to avoid future pain and suffering. All of them talk about this. I suggest Dennett's Breaking the Spell which is a very well reasoned book where he goes into much detail on how humans have come to this situation.
If you don't like Dawkins, that's fine. Many people don't. You can dislike his tactics but it won't change the fact that he's correct.
But more importantly he's not the only one raising his voice. Don't like him? Then don't listen to him.
I'll tell you one thing, he does a lot of good for the non-believing community whether you like him or not. His God Delusion is a good read.