Changes

'''Multiculturism, assimilation and the desecularization of Europe:'''

'''Multiculturism, assimilation and the desecularization of Europe:'''

[[File:Europe map CIA 2005.jpg|thumbnail|right|175px|In the Europe of tomorrow, immigration and religious fertility will increase the proportion of committed Christians in Europe, many from the developing world.<ref>[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf  Shall the Righteous Inherit the Earth? Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century] by [[Eric Kaufmann]]</ref> ]]

[[File:Europe map CIA 2005.jpg|thumbnail|right|175px|In the Europe of tomorrow, immigration and religious fertility will increase the proportion of committed Christians in Europe, many from the developing world.<ref>[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf  Shall the Righteous Inherit the Earth? Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century] by Eric Kaufmann</ref> ]]

Professor [[Eric Kaufmann]] in an academic paper entitled ''Shall the Righteous Inherit the Earth? Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century'' wrote:

Professor [[Eric Kaufmann]] in an academic paper entitled ''Shall the Righteous Inherit the Earth? Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century'' wrote:

In the Europe of tomorrow, immigration and religious fertility will increase the proportion of committed Muslims and Christians, many from the developing world. It may seem fanciful to imagine a moral conservatism uniting white and nonwhite Christians as well as Muslims against 'secular humanists'. However, a version of this process has occurred in the United States, and it can be argued that the cocktail of cultural relativism, secular exhaustion and demographic change is even more potent in Europe than America. The division between native ethnic groups and immigrant groups is currently more important in Europe, but as the Muslim and religious Christian minorities grow, they will become as important for conservative politicians as the religious Hispanics of America whom the Republicans have so assiduously courted. At some point, it will make more electoral sense for European conservatives to appeal to a trans-ethnic coalition of moral conservatives than it will to stress anti-immigrant themes and ethno-nationalism. The liberal-left will find it extremely difficult to craft a defense of secularism given its investment in cultural relativism, the exhaustion of its secular religions, and its laissez-faire attitude to demographic change.

In the Europe of tomorrow, immigration and religious fertility will increase the proportion of committed Muslims and Christians, many from the developing world. It may seem fanciful to imagine a moral conservatism uniting white and nonwhite Christians as well as Muslims against 'secular humanists'. However, a version of this process has occurred in the United States, and it can be argued that the cocktail of cultural relativism, secular exhaustion and demographic change is even more potent in Europe than America. The division between native ethnic groups and immigrant groups is currently more important in Europe, but as the Muslim and religious Christian minorities grow, they will become as important for conservative politicians as the religious Hispanics of America whom the Republicans have so assiduously courted. At some point, it will make more electoral sense for European conservatives to appeal to a trans-ethnic coalition of moral conservatives than it will to stress anti-immigrant themes and ethno-nationalism. The liberal-left will find it extremely difficult to craft a defense of secularism given its investment in cultural relativism, the exhaustion of its secular religions, and its laissez-faire attitude to demographic change.

Standing back from the fray, we can think of demography as the achilles heel of liberalism.<ref>[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf  Shall the Righteous Inherit the Earth? Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century] by [[Eric Kaufmann]]</ref>}}

Standing back from the fray, we can think of demography as the achilles heel of liberalism.<ref>[http://www.sneps.net/RD/uploads/1-Shall%20the%20Religious%20Inherit%20the%20Earth.pdf  Shall the Righteous Inherit the Earth? Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century] by Eric Kaufmann</ref>}}

See also: [[Desecularization]] and [[Multiculturism and European desecularization]]

See also: [[Desecularization]] and [[Multiculturism and European desecularization]]

{{cquote|Right from the start, the 2012 Reason Rally in Washington, D.C., set the tone that was to dominate the rest of the day. As the crowd was filtering in to the National Mall, a band fired up the crowd with a rousing song that lampooned the belief in “Jesus coming again,” mixing it with sexual innuendo. As the assembled crowd clapped and sang along to other songs satirizing religion, a large costumed puppet figure of Jesus danced among spectators. “We’re not here to bash anyone’s faith, but if it happens, it happens,” comedian and master of ceremonies Paul Provenza announced to laughter and applause at the outset of the event. The bashing and attacks on religion, mainly Christianity (in its evangelical and Catholic forms), happened as much if not more than positive portrayals of secularism and were in sync with new atheist leader and scientist Richard Dawkins’s advice to “mock and ridicule” people’s beliefs. When one of the authors asked an official from the Secular Students Alliance, a group prominent in organizing the event, about whether the ridiculing of religion was productive, he answered, “This is what we do.”<ref>[http://www.salon.com/2014/12/06/is_mocking_religion_enough_harris_dawkins_and_the_future_of_atheistsecular_politics/ Is mocking religion enough? Harris, Dawkins and the future of atheist/secular politics] by Richard Cimino and Christopher Smith, Salon magazine</ref>}}

{{cquote|Right from the start, the 2012 Reason Rally in Washington, D.C., set the tone that was to dominate the rest of the day. As the crowd was filtering in to the National Mall, a band fired up the crowd with a rousing song that lampooned the belief in “Jesus coming again,” mixing it with sexual innuendo. As the assembled crowd clapped and sang along to other songs satirizing religion, a large costumed puppet figure of Jesus danced among spectators. “We’re not here to bash anyone’s faith, but if it happens, it happens,” comedian and master of ceremonies Paul Provenza announced to laughter and applause at the outset of the event. The bashing and attacks on religion, mainly Christianity (in its evangelical and Catholic forms), happened as much if not more than positive portrayals of secularism and were in sync with new atheist leader and scientist Richard Dawkins’s advice to “mock and ridicule” people’s beliefs. When one of the authors asked an official from the Secular Students Alliance, a group prominent in organizing the event, about whether the ridiculing of religion was productive, he answered, “This is what we do.”<ref>[http://www.salon.com/2014/12/06/is_mocking_religion_enough_harris_dawkins_and_the_future_of_atheistsecular_politics/ Is mocking religion enough? Harris, Dawkins and the future of atheist/secular politics] by Richard Cimino and Christopher Smith, Salon magazine</ref>}}

[[Richard Dawkins]] has encouraged his supporters to go beyond humorous ridicule.<ref>[https://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/dawkins-mock-them-ridicule-them-in-public/ Dawkins: Mock them. Ridicule them! In public]</ref>  At the [[Reason Rally]] he exclaimed, "Mock them. Ridicule them! In public."<ref>[https://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/dawkins-mock-them-ridicule-them-in-public/ Dawkins: Mock them. Ridicule them! In public]</ref>  He also wrote, "I lately started to think that we need to go further: go beyond humorous ridicule, sharpen our barbs to a point where they really hurt."<ref>[https://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/dawkins-mock-them-ridicule-them-in-public/ Dawkins: Mock them. Ridicule them! In public]</ref>

Richard Dawkins has encouraged his supporters to go beyond humorous ridicule.<ref>[https://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/dawkins-mock-them-ridicule-them-in-public/ Dawkins: Mock them. Ridicule them! In public]</ref>  At the [[Reason Rally]] he exclaimed, "Mock them. Ridicule them! In public."<ref>[https://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/dawkins-mock-them-ridicule-them-in-public/ Dawkins: Mock them. Ridicule them! In public]</ref>  He also wrote, "I lately started to think that we need to go further: go beyond humorous ridicule, sharpen our barbs to a point where they really hurt."<ref>[https://shadowtolight.wordpress.com/2012/03/25/dawkins-mock-them-ridicule-them-in-public/ Dawkins: Mock them. Ridicule them! In public]</ref>

{{See also|Atheism and intolerance#Examples of intolerance from Richard Dawkins|l1=Richard Dawkins and intolerance}}

{{See also|Atheism and intolerance#Examples of intolerance from Richard Dawkins|l1=Richard Dawkins and intolerance}}

After refusing to debate the Christian apologist [[Sye Ten Bruggencate]], Penn Jillette said,  “I’m not trained in debate. It’s turning conversation into competition."<ref>[http://debunkingatheists.blogspot.com/2011/09/penn-jillettes-greatest-disappearing.html Penn Jillete's greatest disappearing act yet!]</ref> See also: [[Atheism and cowardice]] and [[Atheist hypocrisy]]

After refusing to debate the Christian apologist [[Sye Ten Bruggencate]], Penn Jillette said,  “I’m not trained in debate. It’s turning conversation into competition."<ref>[http://debunkingatheists.blogspot.com/2011/09/penn-jillettes-greatest-disappearing.html Penn Jillete's greatest disappearing act yet!]</ref> See also: [[Atheism and cowardice]] and [[Atheist hypocrisy]]

A [[National Public Radio]] reviewer of one of atheist [[Penn Jillette]]'s books found the book "showy and assaultive" in terms of its use of [[profanity]].<ref>[http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/08/16/139669958/penn-jillettes-god-no-an-atheist-libertarian-on-tricks-bacon-and-the-tsa National Public Radio [NPR) review of the book ''God, No! Signs You May Already Be an Atheist and Other Magical Tales'' by Penn Jillette]</ref> See: [[Atheism and profanity]]

A [[National Public Radio]] reviewer of one of atheist [[Penn Jillette]]'s books found the book "showy and assaultive" in terms of its use of [[profanity]].<ref>[http://www.npr.org/blogs/monkeysee/2011/08/16/139669958/penn-jillettes-god-no-an-atheist-libertarian-on-tricks-bacon-and-the-tsa National Public Radio (NPR) review of the book ''God, No! Signs You May Already Be an Atheist and Other Magical Tales'' by Penn Jillette]</ref> See: [[Atheism and profanity]]

Hateful mockery can backfire - especially when a group in the minority. Atheists are the least trusted group in America (see: [[Views on Atheists|Views on atheists]]).

Hateful mockery can backfire - especially when a group in the minority. Atheists are the least trusted group in America (see: [[Views on Atheists|Views on atheists]]).

==== Atheism and trolls and atheist trolls ====

==== Atheism and trolls and atheist trolls ====

Both atheists and [[Islam|Muslims]] have developed a reputation of being thin-skinned (and for wanting to impose their ideology on others). It has been quipped that "Atheism is the [[Atheism is a religion|easiest religion]] to [[Internet Trolling|troll]]".<ref>[https://twitter.com/wefail/status/33097235830526771 "Martin Wefail" on Twitter]</ref><ref>[http://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/15847/why-is-atheism-such-an-easy-religion-to-troll Atheism is the easiest religion to troll]</ref>  Internet trolls often actively pursue trolling atheists due to their penchant of being so proud and [[Atheism and anger|so easily angered]].<ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2012/nov/09/confessions-of-an-internet-troll ''Limmy's Show: Confessions of an internet troll''],'' The Guardian'', Brian Limond

Both atheists and Muslims have developed a reputation of being thin-skinned (and for wanting to impose their ideology on others). It has been quipped that "Atheism is the [[Atheism is a religion|easiest religion]] to [[Internet Trolling|troll]]".<ref>[https://twitter.com/wefail/status/33097235830526771 "Martin Wefail" on Twitter]</ref><ref>[http://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/15847/why-is-atheism-such-an-easy-religion-to-troll Atheism is the easiest religion to troll]</ref>  Internet trolls often actively pursue trolling atheists due to their penchant of being so proud and [[Atheism and anger|so easily angered]].<ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2012/nov/09/confessions-of-an-internet-troll ''Limmy's Show: Confessions of an internet troll''],'' The Guardian'', Brian Limond

The Guardian, Friday 9 November 2012 10.00 EST</ref>   

The Guardian, Friday 9 November 2012 10.00 EST</ref>   

At the present time, the [[cowardice]] associated with atheism has become so obvious that it is making newspaper headlines.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/08/19/christian-pastor-atheists-debates/?test=latestnews Christian Philosopher William Lane Craig Is Ready to Debate, but Finds Few Challengers]</ref><ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8511931/Richard-Dawkins-accused-of-cowardice-for-refusing-to-debate-existence-of-God.html Richard Dawkins accused of cowardice for refusing to debate existence of God]</ref>  For example, on May 2011, the [[UK]]'s ''The Daily Telegraph'' alluded to the cowardice of Richard Dawkins who flip-flops between being an [[agnosticism|agnostic]] and an atheist as far as his public persona (see: [[Richard Dawkins and agnosticism]]).<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/08/19/christian-pastor-atheists-debates/?test=latestnews Christian Philosopher William Lane Craig Is Ready to Debate, but Finds Few Challengers]</ref><ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8511931/Richard-Dawkins-accused-of-cowardice-for-refusing-to-debate-existence-of-God.html Richard Dawkins accused of cowardice for refusing to debate existence of God]</ref>

At the present time, the [[cowardice]] associated with atheism has become so obvious that it is making newspaper headlines.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/08/19/christian-pastor-atheists-debates/?test=latestnews Christian Philosopher William Lane Craig Is Ready to Debate, but Finds Few Challengers]</ref><ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8511931/Richard-Dawkins-accused-of-cowardice-for-refusing-to-debate-existence-of-God.html Richard Dawkins accused of cowardice for refusing to debate existence of God]</ref>  For example, on May 2011, the [[UK]]'s ''The Daily Telegraph'' alluded to the cowardice of Richard Dawkins who flip-flops between being an [[agnosticism|agnostic]] and an atheist as far as his public persona (see: [[Richard Dawkins and agnosticism]]).<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/08/19/christian-pastor-atheists-debates/?test=latestnews Christian Philosopher William Lane Craig Is Ready to Debate, but Finds Few Challengers]</ref><ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/religion/8511931/Richard-Dawkins-accused-of-cowardice-for-refusing-to-debate-existence-of-God.html Richard Dawkins accused of cowardice for refusing to debate existence of God]</ref>

In addition, prominent atheists and evolutionists have established a reputation of dodging debates (see: [[Atheism and cowardice]]). For example, in 2012 both the new atheist [[Richard Dawkins]] and the British Humanist Society dodged debates with Dr. [[William Lane Craig]]. Also, due to Christian creationists generally winning creation vs. evolution debates in the 1970's and 1980's  atheists [[Creation scientists tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates|tend to dodge creation vs. evolution debates.]]  Richard Dawkins has established a reputation of [[Richard Dawkins and debate|avoiding his strongest debate opponents]].

In addition, prominent atheists and evolutionists have established a reputation of dodging debates (see: [[Atheism and cowardice]]). For example, in 2012 both the new atheist Richard Dawkins and the British Humanist Society dodged debates with Dr. [[William Lane Craig]]. Also, due to Christian creationists generally winning creation vs. evolution debates in the 1970's and 1980's  atheists [[Creation scientists tend to win the creation vs. evolution debates|tend to dodge creation vs. evolution debates.]]  Richard Dawkins has established a reputation of [[Richard Dawkins and debate|avoiding his strongest debate opponents]].

{{See also|Atheism debates}}

{{See also|Atheism debates}}