Militant atheism
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Most generally, the term "militant" means anyone who is organised and vigorous about their cause and the activities they use to go about supporting it. In this case it is just an adjective to describe a particular attitude and is technically accurate - the only reason that "militant evangelical" isn't a widely used term, though it would be equally technically accurate, is because it would be pretty redundant. However, the word derives from the Latin ''militare'', which is associated with soldiers and the military, and while not exclusively associated with "official" armies, is still used to describe armed militias, rebel groups. The connotations of using violence, particularly [[gun|armed violence]], are still strong especially when used as a noun, i.e., "''a'' militant". This is probably not helped by the fact that "militant Islam" is a term associated with terrorism and wielding AK-47s in the middle-east, and "militant Christianity" is associated with [[gun nut]]s in the [[United States]]. By contrast, the most militant action done in [[Richard Dawkins]]' name is a peaceful rally against the Pope's [[Papal visit to the UK 2010|state visit to the UK]] - so the comparison in terms of these implications of the term "militant" is somewhat unfair. | Most generally, the term "militant" means anyone who is organised and vigorous about their cause and the activities they use to go about supporting it. In this case it is just an adjective to describe a particular attitude and is technically accurate - the only reason that "militant evangelical" isn't a widely used term, though it would be equally technically accurate, is because it would be pretty redundant. However, the word derives from the Latin ''militare'', which is associated with soldiers and the military, and while not exclusively associated with "official" armies, is still used to describe armed militias, rebel groups. The connotations of using violence, particularly [[gun|armed violence]], are still strong especially when used as a noun, i.e., "''a'' militant". This is probably not helped by the fact that "militant Islam" is a term associated with terrorism and wielding AK-47s in the middle-east, and "militant Christianity" is associated with [[gun nut]]s in the [[United States]]. By contrast, the most militant action done in [[Richard Dawkins]]' name is a peaceful rally against the Pope's [[Papal visit to the UK 2010|state visit to the UK]] - so the comparison in terms of these implications of the term "militant" is somewhat unfair. | ||
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| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | *[[Accommodationism]] | ||
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[[Category:Atheism]] | [[Category:Atheism]] | ||
[[Category:Neologisms]] | [[Category:Neologisms]] | ||
[[Category:Religious discrimination]] | [[Category:Religious discrimination]] | ||
[[Category:Religious terms]] | [[Category:Religious terms]] | ||
Revision as of 13:56, 28 August 2012
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Militant atheism is a derogatory neologism associated primarily with the New Atheism movement, used to describe atheists and secularists who actively campaign against religion or religious influence in public life or government ruling. It's generally thought of as "being on the rise", particularly given the religious turmoil spurred on by 9/11.
Militant activities
Activities of militant atheists include:
- Campaigning against public and enforced prayer - particularly in schools.
- Working against discrimination on religious grounds.
- Holding rallies against religious figures.
- Writing books.
Basically, any vocal activity by an atheist or group of atheists is considered "militant" because it steps on the toes of religious privilege.
Militant? Really?
Most generally, the term "militant" means anyone who is organised and vigorous about their cause and the activities they use to go about supporting it. In this case it is just an adjective to describe a particular attitude and is technically accurate - the only reason that "militant evangelical" isn't a widely used term, though it would be equally technically accurate, is because it would be pretty redundant. However, the word derives from the Latin militare, which is associated with soldiers and the military, and while not exclusively associated with "official" armies, is still used to describe armed militias, rebel groups. The connotations of using violence, particularly armed violence, are still strong especially when used as a noun, i.e., "a militant". This is probably not helped by the fact that "militant Islam" is a term associated with terrorism and wielding AK-47s in the middle-east, and "militant Christianity" is associated with gun nuts in the United States. By contrast, the most militant action done in Richard Dawkins' name is a peaceful rally against the Pope's state visit to the UK - so the comparison in terms of these implications of the term "militant" is somewhat unfair.