Changes

=== Atheism and rape ===

=== Atheism and rape ===

[[File:Stalin-140508 27880t.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|When told that Red Army soldiers sexually assaulted German refugees, the atheist [[Joseph Stalin]] reportedly declared: "We lecture our soldiers too much; let them have their initiative."<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1080493/Stalins-army-rapists-The-brutal-war-crime-Russia-Germany-tried-ignore.html | location=London | work=Daily Mail | first=Andrew | last=Roberts | title=Stalin's army of rapists: The brutal war crime that Russia and Germany tried to ignore | date=24 October 2008}}</ref>]]

[[File:Stalin-140508 27880t.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|When told that Red Army soldiers sexually assaulted German refugees, the atheist [[Joseph Stalin]] reportedly declared: "We lecture our soldiers too much; let them have their initiative."<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1080493/Stalins-army-rapists-The-brutal-war-crime-Russia-Germany-tried-ignore.html | location=London | work=Daily Mail | first=Andrew | last=Roberts | title=Stalin's army of rapists: The brutal war crime that Russia and Germany tried to ignore | date=24 October 2008}}</ref>]]

''See also:'' [[Atheism and rape]] and [[Mass rape during the occupation of Germany|Mass rape of German women by the Soviet army]]

''See also:'' [[Atheism and rape]] and [[Mass rape during the occupation of Germany|Mass rape of German women by the Soviet army]]

The journalist Peter Hitchens is the [[ex-atheists|ex-atheist]] brother of atheist [[Christopher Hitchens]] and he covered the Soviet Union during its latter years before it collapsed.  According to Peter Hitchens, an atheistic society degraded the morals of the Russian people during the Soviet period (see: [[Soviet Union and morality]]).<ref>[http://creation.com/britain-needs-god ''Britain needs God'']</ref>  

The journalist Peter Hitchens is the [[ex-atheists|ex-atheist]] brother of atheist [[Christopher Hitchens]] and he covered the Soviet Union during its latter years before it collapsed.  According to Peter Hitchens, an atheistic society degraded the morals of the Russian people during the Soviet period (see: [[Soviet Union and morality]]).<ref>[http://creation.com/britain-needs-god ''Britain needs God'']</ref>  

Estimates of the number of German women sexually assaulted by Soviet soldiers have ranged up to 2 million.<ref name="ElizabethHeineman">{{cite journal |first=Elizabeth |last=Heineman |title=The Hour of the Woman: Memories of Germany's "Crisis Years" and West German National Identity |journal=American Historical Review |volume=101 |issue=2 |year=1996 |pages=354–395 |jstor=2170395 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Kuwert |first=P. |last2=Freyberger |first2=H. |year=2007 |title=The unspoken secret: Sexual violence in World War II |journal=International Psychogeriatrics |volume=19 |issue=4 |pages=782–784 |doi=10.1017/S1041610207005376 }}</ref><ref name="BBC">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/berlin_01.shtml|title=BBC - History - World Wars: The Battle for Berlin in World War Two|publisher=Bbc.co.uk|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="Schissler">Hanna Schissler ''The Miracle Years: A Cultural History of West Germany, 1949–1968'' [https://books.google.com/books?id=00fCzJKt1QMC&pg=PA28&lpg=PA28&dq=soviet+estimates+rape+tens+of+thousands&source=web&ots=xzyKzJm1sj&sig=cy2AfPmp7ZvT7K9YSWPRkXoyp6E]</ref><ref name="NPR">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106687768|title=Silence Broken On Red Army Rapes In Germany|date=17 July 2009|work=NPR.org|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> The historian William Hitchcock declared that in many cases women were the victims of repeated rapes, some women experienced as many as 60 to 70 rapes.<ref name="Struggle for Europe">{{cite book |first=William I. |last=Hitchcock |title=The Struggle for Europe: The Turbulent History of a Divided Continent, 1945 to the Present |publisher=Anchor Books |year=2004 |url=http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385497992&view=excerpt |isbn=978-0-385-49799-2}}</ref>

Estimates of the number of German women sexually assaulted by Soviet soldiers have ranged up to 2 million.<ref name="ElizabethHeineman">{{cite journal |first=Elizabeth |last=Heineman |title=The Hour of the Woman: Memories of Germany's "Crisis Years" and West German National Identity |journal=American Historical Review |volume=101 |issue=2 |year=1996 |pages=354–395 |jstor=2170395 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Kuwert |first=P. |last2=Freyberger |first2=H. |year=2007 |title=The unspoken secret: Sexual violence in World War II |journal=International Psychogeriatrics |volume=19 |issue=4 |pages=782–784 |doi=10.1017/S1041610207005376 }}</ref><ref name="BBC">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/worldwars/wwtwo/berlin_01.shtml|title=BBC - History - World Wars: The Battle for Berlin in World War Two|publisher=Bbc.co.uk|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref><ref name="Schissler">Hanna Schissler ''The Miracle Years: A Cultural History of West Germany, 1949–1968'' [https://books.google.com/books?id=00fCzJKt1QMC&pg=PA28&lpg=PA28&dq=soviet+estimates+rape+tens+of+thousands&source=web&ots=xzyKzJm1sj&sig=cy2AfPmp7ZvT7K9YSWPRkXoyp6E]</ref><ref name="NPR">{{cite web|url=http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106687768|title=Silence Broken On Red Army Rapes In Germany|date=17 July 2009|work=NPR.org|accessdate=10 December 2014}}</ref> The historian William Hitchcock declared that in many cases women were the victims of repeated rapes, some women experienced as many as 60 to 70 rapes.<ref name="Struggle for Europe">{{cite book |first=William I. |last=Hitchcock |title=The Struggle for Europe: The Turbulent History of a Divided Continent, 1945 to the Present |publisher=Anchor Books |year=2004 |url=http://www.randomhouse.com/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385497992&view=excerpt |isbn=978-0-385-49799-2}}</ref>

For more information, please see:

For more information, please see:

[[Image:115523-004-FA619CA3.jpg|thumb|right|201px| The perverse and cruel atheist [[Marquis de Sade]] in prison, 18th century line engraving.]]

[[Image:115523-004-FA619CA3.jpg|thumb|right|201px| The perverse and cruel atheist [[Marquis de Sade]] in prison, 18th century line engraving.]]

The atheist [[Marquis de Sade]] (1740-1814) was an infamous French [[aristocrat]] and [[author]] of heavily [[philosophy|philosophical]] [[pornography]], as well as more traditional [[essays]] on [[philosophy]].<ref>http://www.trivia-library.com/a/biography-of-famous-atheist-marquis-de-sade.htm</ref> [[Sadism]], a [[paraphilia]] in which pleasure is derived from inflicting pain or seeing pain being inflicted on others, is named after him. The debauched lifestyle of the Marquis de Sade caused him to have periods of imprisonment.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A676190</ref>  

The atheist [[Marquis de Sade]] (1740-1814) was an infamous French [[aristocrat]] and [[author]] of heavily [[philosophy|philosophical]] [[pornography]], as well as more traditional [[essays]] on [[philosophy]].<ref>http://www.trivia-library.com/a/biography-of-famous-atheist-marquis-de-sade.htm</ref> [[Sadism]], a [[paraphilia]] in which pleasure is derived from inflicting pain or seeing pain being inflicted on others, is named after him. The debauched lifestyle of the Marquis de Sade caused him to have periods of imprisonment.<ref>https://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A676190</ref>  

His books featured [[murder]], [[torture]], [[blasphemy]] and grotesque, [[violent]], and ritualistic sex.  His more major works remain banned in many countries to the present day, even though some of them have been highly influential; ''Juliet'', a book released early in his career, has been imitated right up until the present, most recently by radical [[feminism|feminist]] [[Andrea Dworkin]].

His books featured [[murder]], [[torture]], [[blasphemy]] and grotesque, [[violent]], and ritualistic sex.  His more major works remain banned in many countries to the present day, even though some of them have been highly influential; ''Juliet'', a book released early in his career, has been imitated right up until the present, most recently by radical [[feminism|feminist]] [[Andrea Dworkin]].

{{See also|Atheism and child pornography}}

{{See also|Atheism and child pornography}}

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the American [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] bishops and the Vatican had noted a growing problem with clerical sexual abuse of children in the U.S. which involved minors/children.<ref>http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=26940</ref> In addition, Ireland and other European countries have experienced problems relating to instances of Roman Catholic priests sexually abusing children.<ref>http://australianconservative.com/2010/04/preparing-for-richard-dawkins%E2%80%99-crocodile-tears/</ref><ref>http://www.daily49er.com/opinion/our-view-catholic-church-needs-administrative-reform-1.2200659</ref> See also: [http://www.conservapedia.com/Homosexuality_and_pederasty#Roman_Catholic_Church.2C_Homosexuality_and_pederasty Roman Catholic Church, homosexuality and pederasty]  

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the American [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] bishops and the Vatican had noted a growing problem with clerical sexual abuse of children in the U.S. which involved minors/children.<ref>https://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=26940</ref> In addition, Ireland and other European countries have experienced problems relating to instances of Roman Catholic priests sexually abusing children.<ref>http://australianconservative.com/2010/04/preparing-for-richard-dawkins%E2%80%99-crocodile-tears/</ref><ref>http://www.daily49er.com/opinion/our-view-catholic-church-needs-administrative-reform-1.2200659</ref> See also: [http://www.conservapedia.com/Homosexuality_and_pederasty#Roman_Catholic_Church.2C_Homosexuality_and_pederasty Roman Catholic Church, homosexuality and pederasty]  

Prominent atheists and other atheists/agnostics frequently bring up this Roman Catholic church scandal.<ref>[http://www.ew.com/article/2010/03/27/bill-maher-hitchens-pope-child-abuse Bill Maher and Christopher Hitchens 'gloat' about Catholic Church child-abuse scandals] by Ken Tucker at ''Entertainment Weekly''</ref><ref>http://australianconservative.com/2010/04/preparing-for-richard-dawkins%E2%80%99-crocodile-tears/</ref><ref>[http://bigthink.com/daylight-atheism/todays-reasons-to-quit-the-catholic-church Today's Reasons to Quit the Catholic Church by the atheist Adam Lee]</ref><ref>[http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2013/06/critic-of-sexual-abuse-forced-to-resign-for-sexual-messages Atheist Who Blamed Faith for Sexual Abuse Forced to Resign for Sexual Messages] by Matthew Schmitz, posted 6-13-2013</ref>  

Prominent atheists and other atheists/agnostics frequently bring up this Roman Catholic church scandal.<ref>[http://www.ew.com/article/2010/03/27/bill-maher-hitchens-pope-child-abuse Bill Maher and Christopher Hitchens 'gloat' about Catholic Church child-abuse scandals] by Ken Tucker at ''Entertainment Weekly''</ref><ref>http://australianconservative.com/2010/04/preparing-for-richard-dawkins%E2%80%99-crocodile-tears/</ref><ref>[http://bigthink.com/daylight-atheism/todays-reasons-to-quit-the-catholic-church Today's Reasons to Quit the Catholic Church by the atheist Adam Lee]</ref><ref>[http://www.firstthings.com/blogs/firstthoughts/2013/06/critic-of-sexual-abuse-forced-to-resign-for-sexual-messages Atheist Who Blamed Faith for Sexual Abuse Forced to Resign for Sexual Messages] by Matthew Schmitz, posted 6-13-2013</ref>  

''See also:'' [[Atheism and irrationality]] and [[Atheism and critical thinking]] and [[Atheism and logic]]

''See also:'' [[Atheism and irrationality]] and [[Atheism and critical thinking]] and [[Atheism and logic]]

[[File:Richard Dawkins at Global Atheism Convention.jpg|alt=Richard Dawkins|thumbnail|200px|right|The [[Oxford University]] Professor [[Daniel Came]] wrote to the New Atheist [[Richard Dawkins]]:: "The absence of a debate with the foremost [[Christian apologetics|apologist]] for [[Christianity|Christian]] [[theism]] is a glaring omission on your [[Curriculum vitae|CV]] and is of course apt to be interpreted as cowardice on your part."<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], ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', May 14, 2011</ref>  ]]

[[File:Richard Dawkins at Global Atheism Convention.jpg|alt=Richard Dawkins|thumbnail|200px|right|The [[Oxford University]] Professor [[Daniel Came]] wrote to the New Atheist [[Richard Dawkins]]:: "The absence of a debate with the foremost [[Christian apologetics|apologist]] for [[Christianity|Christian]] [[theism]] is a glaring omission on your [[Curriculum vitae|CV]] and is of course apt to be interpreted as cowardice on your part."<ref>[https://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], ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'', May 14, 2011</ref>  ]]

Atheists often take great efforts to proclaim how reasonable they are. For example, one of the largest gatherings for the godless was called the [[Reason Rally]].  

Atheists often take great efforts to proclaim how reasonable they are. For example, one of the largest gatherings for the godless was called the [[Reason Rally]].  

[[PZ Myers]] is also a leader within the New Atheism movement and Myers has had problems with being overweight and experienced health problems as a result.<ref>[http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2010/08/23/thats-not-a-heart-its-a-flaili/ That’s not a heart! It’s a flailing Engine of Destruction!]</ref>  2009 pictures of a significantly overweight [[PZ Myers]] can be found [http://gaylejordan.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/dsc02944.jpg HERE] and [https://www.flickr.com/photos/biofortified/4681215568/in/photolist-88Esif-73z2v4-5VC3RT-5VGB9h-5VC96t-5VGjGG-5VCad4-5VG8Cf-5VFSHf-5VBTTt-5VCkja-5VCcrz-5VGhYC-5VBRW6-5VGbwj-5VChY4-5VC6cF-5VBP3F-5VGzNS-5VG7Xo-5VC7Dv-5VC1KP-5VG9g3-6QF6YC-6NEVMU-5VCRQz-6NEXn5-6NEXcY-6NEX5A-5VCWRH-5VHfGo-5VD4uR-5VH4yU-5VDdTM-5VCFQV-5VDbCP-5VCAQa-5VCnb2-5VCJ9n-5VHwkm-5VGSeu-5VCrQe-5VH2mJ-5VCZRr-5VHFSL-5VHrsA-5VGZyS-5VCQw4-5VGKXW-5VHoaN HERE] and [https://flic.kr/p/8ZpQv6 HERE].  

[[PZ Myers]] is also a leader within the New Atheism movement and Myers has had problems with being overweight and experienced health problems as a result.<ref>[http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2010/08/23/thats-not-a-heart-its-a-flaili/ That’s not a heart! It’s a flailing Engine of Destruction!]</ref>  2009 pictures of a significantly overweight [[PZ Myers]] can be found [http://gaylejordan.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/dsc02944.jpg HERE] and [https://www.flickr.com/photos/biofortified/4681215568/in/photolist-88Esif-73z2v4-5VC3RT-5VGB9h-5VC96t-5VGjGG-5VCad4-5VG8Cf-5VFSHf-5VBTTt-5VCkja-5VCcrz-5VGhYC-5VBRW6-5VGbwj-5VChY4-5VC6cF-5VBP3F-5VGzNS-5VG7Xo-5VC7Dv-5VC1KP-5VG9g3-6QF6YC-6NEVMU-5VCRQz-6NEXn5-6NEXcY-6NEX5A-5VCWRH-5VHfGo-5VD4uR-5VH4yU-5VDdTM-5VCFQV-5VDbCP-5VCAQa-5VCnb2-5VCJ9n-5VHwkm-5VGSeu-5VCrQe-5VH2mJ-5VCZRr-5VHFSL-5VHrsA-5VGZyS-5VCQw4-5VGKXW-5VHoaN HERE] and [https://flic.kr/p/8ZpQv6 HERE].  

According to the [[Gallup poll|Gallup Inc.]], "Very religious Americans are more likely to practice healthy behaviors than those who are moderately religious or nonreligious."<ref>http://www.gallup.com/poll/145379/Religious-Americans-Lead-Healthier-Lives.aspx</ref>  In the journal article ''Religion, self-regulation, and self-control: Associations, explanations, and implications'', psychologists McCullough and Willoughby theorize that many of the positive links of religiousness with health and social behavior may be caused by religion's beneficial influences on [[self-control]]/self-regulation.<ref>[http://www.psy.miami.edu/faculty/mmccullough/Papers/Relig_self_control_bulletin.pdf Religion, Self-Regulation, and Self-Control: Associations, Explanations, and Implications]</ref><ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19210054</ref>  In terms of their geographic location, a large majority of Christians live in the Eastern World where individuals tend to be slimmer and practice healthier lifestyles (see: [[Global Christianity]]).<ref>

According to the [[Gallup poll|Gallup Inc.]], "Very religious Americans are more likely to practice healthy behaviors than those who are moderately religious or nonreligious."<ref>https://www.gallup.com/poll/145379/Religious-Americans-Lead-Healthier-Lives.aspx</ref>  In the journal article ''Religion, self-regulation, and self-control: Associations, explanations, and implications'', psychologists McCullough and Willoughby theorize that many of the positive links of religiousness with health and social behavior may be caused by religion's beneficial influences on [[self-control]]/self-regulation.<ref>[http://www.psy.miami.edu/faculty/mmccullough/Papers/Relig_self_control_bulletin.pdf Religion, Self-Regulation, and Self-Control: Associations, Explanations, and Implications]</ref><ref>http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19210054</ref>  In terms of their geographic location, a large majority of Christians live in the Eastern World where individuals tend to be slimmer and practice healthier lifestyles (see: [[Global Christianity]]).<ref>

*[http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=30077 Is Christianity taking over the planet?]

*[https://www.wnd.com/?pageId=30077 Is Christianity taking over the planet?]

*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21167850 Western diet consumption and cognitive impairment: links to hippocampal dysfunction and obesity.]

*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21167850 Western diet consumption and cognitive impairment: links to hippocampal dysfunction and obesity.]

*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16539965 Health-risks associated with Western diet and sedentariness: the obesity epidemia]

*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16539965 Health-risks associated with Western diet and sedentariness: the obesity epidemia]

[[File:African open air Christian meeting.jpg|thumbnail|right|220px|[[Africa]]n Christians clapping at an open-air meeting.  

[[File:African open air Christian meeting.jpg|thumbnail|right|220px|[[Africa]]n Christians clapping at an open-air meeting.  

In 2005, there were four times as many non-[[Western World]] Christians as there were Western World Christians.<ref>[http://www.wnd.com/?pageId=30077 Is Christianity taking over the planet?]</ref>

In 2005, there were four times as many non-[[Western World]] Christians as there were Western World Christians.<ref>[https://www.wnd.com/?pageId=30077 Is Christianity taking over the planet?]</ref>

The traditional [[Africa]]n diet is healthier than many Western World peoples' diets and Africa has some of the lowest obesity rates in the world.<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/2007/02/07/worlds-fattest-countries-forbeslife-cx_ls_0208worldfat.html World's fattest countries]</ref><ref>[http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/030612p26.shtml Traditional African diets are healthier than Western diets], Today's Nutrition</ref> In recent years, Christianity has seen a rapid growth in Africa.<ref>[http://gratefultothedead.wordpress.com/2009/12/16/the-african-apostles-how-christianity-exploded-in-20th-century-africa/ The African apostles: How Christianity exploded in 20th-century Africa]</ref>  [[Secular Europe]] has a higher obesity rate than Africa (See: [[Secular Europe and obesity]]).  In addition, religious Africa has a lower obesity rate than atheistic [[China]] (see: [[China and obesity]]).

The traditional [[Africa]]n diet is healthier than many Western World peoples' diets and Africa has some of the lowest obesity rates in the world.<ref>[http://www.forbes.com/2007/02/07/worlds-fattest-countries-forbeslife-cx_ls_0208worldfat.html World's fattest countries]</ref><ref>[http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/030612p26.shtml Traditional African diets are healthier than Western diets], Today's Nutrition</ref> In recent years, Christianity has seen a rapid growth in Africa.<ref>[http://gratefultothedead.wordpress.com/2009/12/16/the-african-apostles-how-christianity-exploded-in-20th-century-africa/ The African apostles: How Christianity exploded in 20th-century Africa]</ref>  [[Secular Europe]] has a higher obesity rate than Africa (See: [[Secular Europe and obesity]]).  In addition, religious Africa has a lower obesity rate than atheistic [[China]] (see: [[China and obesity]]).

In the [[United States]], the greater the degree of irreligiosity in a generation, the higher their [[obesity]] rate is. See: [[Atheism and obesity]] and [[Generation X, irreligion and obesity]] and [[Millennials, irreligion and obesity]] and [[Baby boom generation, irreligion and obesity]]  According to the [[Gallup poll|Gallup Inc.]], "Very religious Americans are more likely to practice healthy behaviors than those who are moderately religious or nonreligious."<ref>http://www.gallup.com/poll/145379/Religious-Americans-Lead-Healthier-Lives.aspx</ref>  

In the [[United States]], the greater the degree of irreligiosity in a generation, the higher their [[obesity]] rate is. See: [[Atheism and obesity]] and [[Generation X, irreligion and obesity]] and [[Millennials, irreligion and obesity]] and [[Baby boom generation, irreligion and obesity]]  According to the [[Gallup poll|Gallup Inc.]], "Very religious Americans are more likely to practice healthy behaviors than those who are moderately religious or nonreligious."<ref>https://www.gallup.com/poll/145379/Religious-Americans-Lead-Healthier-Lives.aspx</ref>  

The [[Iona Institute]] reported:

The [[Iona Institute]] reported:

One of the ironies of the [[New Atheism]] movement (a form of [[militant atheism]]) is that one of its leading figures, [[Richard Dawkins]], is an agnostic whose public persona flip-flops between militant atheism, atheism, and [[agnosticism]]. See: [[Richard Dawkins and agnosticism]]

One of the ironies of the [[New Atheism]] movement (a form of [[militant atheism]]) is that one of its leading figures, [[Richard Dawkins]], is an agnostic whose public persona flip-flops between militant atheism, atheism, and [[agnosticism]]. See: [[Richard Dawkins and agnosticism]]

Richard Dawkins indicated in a 2012 meeting with the British Archbishop Dr. [[Rowan Williams]] that he is an agnostic which stunned the Dr. Williams and many in the general public.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2105834/Career-atheist-Richard-Dawkins-admits-fact-agnostic.html Richard admits he is an agnostic - The Daily Mail]</ref><ref>[http://www.theweek.co.uk/religion/religion/45552/outspoken-atheist-dawkins-admits-he-agnostic 'Outspoken atheist' admits he is an agnostic]</ref> In an essay entitled ''Is Richard Dawkins a flip-flopper?'', an advocate of the [[Question evolution! campaign]] indicated that the public persona of Dawkins is sometimes atheistic for controversy sake in order to sell more books.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/07/is-richard-dawkins-flipflopper.html Is Richard Dawkins a flip-flopper?]</ref>

Richard Dawkins indicated in a 2012 meeting with the British Archbishop Dr. [[Rowan Williams]] that he is an agnostic which stunned the Dr. Williams and many in the general public.<ref>[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2105834/Career-atheist-Richard-Dawkins-admits-fact-agnostic.html Richard admits he is an agnostic - The Daily Mail]</ref><ref>[http://www.theweek.co.uk/religion/religion/45552/outspoken-atheist-dawkins-admits-he-agnostic 'Outspoken atheist' admits he is an agnostic]</ref> In an essay entitled ''Is Richard Dawkins a flip-flopper?'', an advocate of the [[Question evolution! campaign]] indicated that the public persona of Dawkins is sometimes atheistic for controversy sake in order to sell more books.<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2012/07/is-richard-dawkins-flipflopper.html Is Richard Dawkins a flip-flopper?]</ref>

== Atheism commonly decry religion, yet atheism is a religion ==

== Atheism commonly decry religion, yet atheism is a religion ==

[[Thomas Sowell]] wrote in an essay entitled ''Ending slavery'': "The anti-slavery movement was spearheaded by people who would today be called 'the religious right' and its organization was created by conservative businessmen."<ref>[http://townhall.com/columnists/thomassowell/2005/02/08/ending_slavery/page/full/ Ending slavery]</ref>

[[Thomas Sowell]] wrote in an essay entitled ''Ending slavery'': "The anti-slavery movement was spearheaded by people who would today be called 'the religious right' and its organization was created by conservative businessmen."<ref>[http://townhall.com/columnists/thomassowell/2005/02/08/ending_slavery/page/full/ Ending slavery]</ref>

[[File:Slave auction.jpg|250px|right|thumbnail|On February 20, 2012, the British newspaper the ''Daily Mail'' reported that [[Richard Dawkins]]' "family fortune came from the slave trade".<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2103319/Campaigner-Richard-Dawkins-faces-awkward-truth-money-came-slave-trade.html Revealed: How atheist Richard Dawkins' family fortune came from the slave trade, Daily Mail, February 20, 2012]</ref>]]  

[[File:Slave auction.jpg|250px|right|thumbnail|On February 20, 2012, the British newspaper the ''Daily Mail'' reported that [[Richard Dawkins]]' "family fortune came from the slave trade".<ref>[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2103319/Campaigner-Richard-Dawkins-faces-awkward-truth-money-came-slave-trade.html Revealed: How atheist Richard Dawkins' family fortune came from the slave trade, Daily Mail, February 20, 2012]</ref>]]  

=== Richard Dawkins' family fortune came from the slave trade - asked to pay reparations ===

=== Richard Dawkins' family fortune came from the slave trade - asked to pay reparations ===

''See also:'' [[Richard Dawkins' family fortune and the slave trade]]

''See also:'' [[Richard Dawkins' family fortune and the slave trade]]

On February 20, 2012, the British newspaper the ''Daily Mail'' reported that [[Richard Dawkins]]' "family fortune came from the slave trade".<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2103319/Campaigner-Richard-Dawkins-faces-awkward-truth-money-came-slave-trade.html Revealed: How atheist Richard Dawkins' family fortune came from the slave trade, Daily Mail, February 20, 2012]</ref> On February 19, 2012, ''The Daily Telegraph'' reported that Dawkins is being called to make reparations for his family's past.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9091007/Slaves-at-the-root-of-the-fortune-that-created-Richard-Dawkins-family-estate.html Slaves at the root of the fortune that created Richard Dawkins' family estate, The Daily Telegragh, February 19, 2012]</ref>

On February 20, 2012, the British newspaper the ''Daily Mail'' reported that [[Richard Dawkins]]' "family fortune came from the slave trade".<ref>[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2103319/Campaigner-Richard-Dawkins-faces-awkward-truth-money-came-slave-trade.html Revealed: How atheist Richard Dawkins' family fortune came from the slave trade, Daily Mail, February 20, 2012]</ref> On February 19, 2012, ''The Daily Telegraph'' reported that Dawkins is being called to make reparations for his family's past.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/9091007/Slaves-at-the-root-of-the-fortune-that-created-Richard-Dawkins-family-estate.html Slaves at the root of the fortune that created Richard Dawkins' family estate, The Daily Telegragh, February 19, 2012]</ref>

The ''Daily Mail'' reported:

The ''Daily Mail'' reported:

The outspoken atheist, who once branded the Catholic Church 'evil', is the direct descendent of Henry Dawkins who owned 1,013 slaves in [[Jamaica]] until he died in 1744.

The outspoken atheist, who once branded the Catholic Church 'evil', is the direct descendent of Henry Dawkins who owned 1,013 slaves in [[Jamaica]] until he died in 1744.

The links with slavery continue down the family tree and in 1796 another ancestor, James Dawkins, voted against [[William Wilberforce]]'s plans to abolish the slave trade<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2103319/Campaigner-Richard-Dawkins-faces-awkward-truth-money-came-slave-trade.html Revealed: How atheist Richard Dawkins' family fortune came from the slave trade, Daily Mail, February 20, 2012]</ref>}}

The links with slavery continue down the family tree and in 1796 another ancestor, James Dawkins, voted against [[William Wilberforce]]'s plans to abolish the slave trade<ref>[https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2103319/Campaigner-Richard-Dawkins-faces-awkward-truth-money-came-slave-trade.html Revealed: How atheist Richard Dawkins' family fortune came from the slave trade, Daily Mail, February 20, 2012]</ref>}}

=== Christianity and the abolitionist movement ===

=== Christianity and the abolitionist movement ===

Ophelia Benson is an American atheist, [[feminism|feminist]], [[author]], editor and blogger. She is known for using the word f*#@wit and she claims the word is not a vulgar word.<ref>[http://www.skepticink.com/avant-garde/2014/07/27/ophelia-benson/ The Ophelia Benson canard]</ref><ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2014/07/26/joint-statement-by-ophelia-benson-and-richard-dawkins/ Joint statement by Ophelia Benson and Richard Dawkins] (see comment section)</ref> Despite commonly using this vulgar epithet, she published a joint statement with the agnostic/[[New Atheism|New Atheist]] [[Richard Dawkins]] indicating that atheists should behave in a civil manner in disagreements with each other and not engage in uncivil behavior such as the use of vulgar epithets.<ref>[http://www.skepticink.com/avant-garde/2014/07/27/ophelia-benson/ The Ophelia Benson canard]</ref>  

Ophelia Benson is an American atheist, [[feminism|feminist]], [[author]], editor and blogger. She is known for using the word f*#@wit and she claims the word is not a vulgar word.<ref>[http://www.skepticink.com/avant-garde/2014/07/27/ophelia-benson/ The Ophelia Benson canard]</ref><ref>[http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2014/07/26/joint-statement-by-ophelia-benson-and-richard-dawkins/ Joint statement by Ophelia Benson and Richard Dawkins] (see comment section)</ref> Despite commonly using this vulgar epithet, she published a joint statement with the agnostic/[[New Atheism|New Atheist]] [[Richard Dawkins]] indicating that atheists should behave in a civil manner in disagreements with each other and not engage in uncivil behavior such as the use of vulgar epithets.<ref>[http://www.skepticink.com/avant-garde/2014/07/27/ophelia-benson/ The Ophelia Benson canard]</ref>  

American society and other societies in the world see the use of profanity by women to be particularly unmannerly. Woman who engage in profanity are commonly deemed to be vulgar/uncouth individuals and this is especially the case in religious areas of the world.  For example, in 2014, a mother in [[South Carolina]] who swore in front of her children in public was arrested for disorderly conduct.<ref>[http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/08/15/mom-arrested-for-swearing-in-front-of-kids-at-the-grocery-store-but-what-the-woman-who-tattled-on-her-did-afterward-is-just-as-surprising/ Mom Arrested for Swearing in Front of Kids at the Grocery Store, but What the Woman Who Tattled on Her Did Afterward Is Just as Surprising], ''The Blaze'', Aug. 15, 2014 4:41pm</ref>

American society and other societies in the world see the use of profanity by women to be particularly unmannerly. Woman who engage in profanity are commonly deemed to be vulgar/uncouth individuals and this is especially the case in religious areas of the world.  For example, in 2014, a mother in [[South Carolina]] who swore in front of her children in public was arrested for disorderly conduct.<ref>[https://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/08/15/mom-arrested-for-swearing-in-front-of-kids-at-the-grocery-store-but-what-the-woman-who-tattled-on-her-did-afterward-is-just-as-surprising/ Mom Arrested for Swearing in Front of Kids at the Grocery Store, but What the Woman Who Tattled on Her Did Afterward Is Just as Surprising], ''The Blaze'', Aug. 15, 2014 4:41pm</ref>

== A significant portion of atheists believe things happen for a reason ==

== A significant portion of atheists believe things happen for a reason ==