Atheists & Agnostics
In reply to the discussion: Dishonesty and thoughtlessness in believers. [View all]EvolveOrConvolve
(6,452 posts)As atheists, we have NOTHING to be "fundamentalist" about. We have no dogma. There are no sacred texts that we rely upon for "truth". It's a meaningless word when describing unbelievers.
The term is only used as a pejorative, often by apologists or anti-atheists as a strawman (since they have no logical basis upon which their argument stands). People using the term are viewed with suspicion, since it's often used either 1) without proper aforethought; 2) as a device in a debate intended to shut down opposing views; or 3) as a passive-aggressive attack on free-thinkers, atheists, or agnostics.
Using the term to describe atheists or scientists is really a short-cut to thinking, but you're free to use it. Just don't expect a warm welcome or fond farewells from the group here.