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| − | '''Atheist fundamentalism''', or similar terms, are sometimes used as [[snarl word]]s by critics of [[atheism]], who regard outspoken [[atheist]]s such as [[Richard Dawkins]] as the equivalent of religious [[fundamentalism|fundamentalists]]. However, the term is largely inaccurate as it is used only to discredit atheistic ideas and those who dare to voice them to media commentators or the public, who are composed largely of some sort of "believers", and are thus easily offended.
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| − | ==Using the term==
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| − | The term is relatively recent, being developed and popularised in response to the so-called "[[New Atheism|new atheists]]": a group of authors, scientists, and journalists who don't just have the bad taste to ''be'' atheists, but also the damn audacity to write books about it!
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| − | *Alister McGrath's critique of Dawkins' ''The God Delusion'' is entitled ''The Dawkins Delusion: Atheist fundamentalism and the denial of the divine''.<ref>See ''[[WP:The Dawkins Delusion?|The Dawkins Delusion?]]'' at Wikipedia.</ref>
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| − | *In December 2007, the [[Church of England]]'s Archbishop of Wales warned that "atheistic fundamentalism" was exerting a growing influence in [[Britain]], in a speech regarding the alleged [[War on Christmas]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7156783.stm BBC News], 22 December 2007.</ref>
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| − | *The [[Discovery Institute]]'s "Evolution News & Views" website includes an article entitled "Atheist Fundamentalism and the Limits of Science".<ref>[http://www.evolutionnews.org/2007/10/fundamentalism_and_dr_forrest.html "Atheist Fundamentalism and the Limits of Science"] at the DI's "Evolution" site.</ref>
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| − | The phrase "atheist fundamentalist" is used by these authors similarly to terms like "[[atheist thumper]]", meaning those who are zealous, vocal, and possibly forceful in their atheist views. It is often used as an exaggerated [[straw man]] in criticisms of atheism in general, rather than just a critic of vocal atheists themselves.<ref>See, for example, [http://www.tektonics.org/parody/fundyath.html "You ''may'' be a fundamentalist atheist if...."] at Apologetics Ministries.</ref>
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| − | ==Problems with the term==
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| − | ===Atheism isn't a religion===
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| − | "Atheist fundamentalism" is essentially meaningless as a label because ''[[Secular religions#Atheism as a religion|atheism is not a religion]]'' (no more than baldness is a hair color). A fundamentalist is somebody who adheres strictly to the fundamental tenets of a [[religion]], philosophy or any other prescribed thought or dogma - and will have no room for change or deviation from these ideas and practices, such as Biblical literalism and creationism. Atheism, by the definition accepted by most atheists, has no positive beliefs intrinsic to it. It is only defined as a ''lack of belief'' in any of the many [[god]]s found in holy books throughout the world. There is no set of people who can be considered "more atheist" than the mainstream or moderate belief and hence there is no distinction between a "fundamentalist" and any other kind of atheist.
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| − | Critics often accuse the more vehement atheists of adhering to [[science]] in the same way that a [[theism|theist]] adheres to religion. Although undoubtedly a poignant term in the eyes of the critics, this is a [[false analogy]]. Firstly, science deals with knowledge which has been proven through [[falsifiability]] and in its application; something which religion does not do, and in most cases cannot do. Secondly, as science and "scientific belief" is capable of, and indeed thrives on change, anyone adhering strictly to science won't be adhering to an unchanging dogma, which is characteristic of fundamentalism.
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| − | ===Misidentified as fundamentalism===
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| − | [[Richard Dawkins]] does address the idea of fundamentalist atheism in ''The God Delusion'' and any accusations made towards him regarding being a fundamentalist. In this refutation, he states that people using the term are merely confusing "passion" with fundamentalism. Dawkins is clearly passionate; he can certainly talk on the subject at ''great'' length, so any criticism that he's a little obsessed on the subject may be valid. But, as he openly admits that sufficient evidence will change his mind, he cannot possibly be described as a fundamentalist, someone who by definition can't, and won't, change their views.
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| − | Certainly there are people whose worldview is not just atheistic, but [[antitheism|antitheistic]] or anti-religious, where their philosophy is not just limited to the rejection of gods, but expands to a quite active abhorrence of religion and all things associated with it. These individuals or groups may attempt to convince (or convert) others who have no wish to listen of their beliefs; they're often referred to as so-called "militant" atheists. Often they are guilty of using the same kind of fallacious arguments and forceful tactics that religious fundamentalists apply in their own conversion attempts. Though, even in this case we are drawing a similarity not between the beliefs promoted, but the techniques used, therefore the term "fundamentalist" is probably still inaccurate - and quite unnecessary - as "arsehole" will do just fine.
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| − | ==See also==
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| − | *[[Achristian]]
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| − | *[[Antitheism]]
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| − | *[[Atheist thumper]]
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| − | *[[New Atheism]]
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| − | *[[Secular religions]]
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| − | ==External links==
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| − | *[http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2006/may/03/cananatheistbeafundamenta "Can an atheist be a fundamentalist?"], ''The Guardian'', 3 May 2006.
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| − | *[http://www.daylightatheism.org/2007/04/on-atheist-fundamentalism.html "On Atheist Fundamentalism"] at Daylight Atheism
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| − | *[http://atheism.about.com/od/atheismmyths/p/Fundamentalist.htm "What is Fundamentalist Atheism? Who are Fundamentalist Atheists?"] at About.com.
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| − | ==Footnotes==
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| − | <references/>
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| − | [[Category:Atheism]]
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| − | [[Category:Neologisms]]
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| − | [[Category:Religion]]
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