[[File:Richard Dawkins - March 2005.jpg|alt=Richard Dawkins|thumbnail|260px200px|right|The [[New Atheism|new atheist]] [[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> He 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> ]]
Unlike [[Christianity]], which is supported by a large body of sound evidence (see: [[Christian apologetics websites|Christian apologetics resources]]), [[atheism]] has no proof and evidence supporting its ideology (see: [[Attempts to dilute the definition of atheism]]). In addition, atheists have a tradition of making assumptions about various matters that have later have proved to be wrong.<ref>[http://www.leaderu.com/truth/1truth11.html Why the Burden of Proof is on the Atheist] by Professor Ralph McInerny</ref>
The [[Appeal to ridicule|appeal to ridicule]] fallacy, also known as the appeal to mockery and the horse laugh, is a [[logical fallacy|fallacy of relevance]]. It consists of mocking an opposing argument rather than considering it on the merits.
== Atheist mockery and the history of French atheism ==
[[File:Prise de la Bastille.jpg|thumbnail|right|250px200px|On July 14, 1789, the [[Bastille]] was stormed by a mob and its prisoners freed, which is regarded as the start of the [[French Revolution]]. ]]''See also:'' [[Atheism and logic]] and [[French atheism]]
The [[Reign of Terror]] of the [[French Revolution]] established a state which was anti-[[Roman Catholicism]]/Christian in nature <ref>
*Tallet, Frank [https://books.google.com/books?id=aL4lsWdd-rAC&dq=&hl=en Religion, Society and Politics in France Since 1789], pp. 1-17 1991 Continuum International Publishing
*SPIELVOGEL, Jackson [httphttps://books.google.com/books?id=ni4PSpOxb6MC&dq Western Civilization: Combined Volume] p. 549, 2005,Thomson Wadsworth
*Latreille, A. FRENCH REVOLUTION, New Catholic Encyclopedia v. 5, pp. 972–973 (Second Ed. 2002 Thompson/Gale) ISBN 0-7876-4004-2</ref> (anti-clerical [[deism]] and anti-religious atheism and played a significant role in the French Revolution<ref>[https://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/chap7c.html War, Terror and Resistence]</ref><ref>''Forging Freedom: The Life of Cerf Berr of M Delsheim'' by Margaret R. O'Leary, iUniverse (June 1, 2012), pages 1-2</ref>), with the official ideology being the [[Cult of Reason]]; during this time thousands of believers were suppressed and executed by the [[guillotine]].<ref>Multiple references:
<!-- Guillotine -->*{{cite webbook|url = httphttps://books.google.com/books?id=bf3m7IVAa9gC&pg=PA461&dq=France+atheism+guillotine++Christians+executed&hl=en&sa=X&ei=l4lUUaTRBufG0QGe0IHACA&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=France%20atheism%20guillotine%20%20Christians%20executed&f=false|title =''Christianity: The eBook''|author=James Adair|publisher = JBE Online Books|year=2007|quote=Although the Civil Constitution called for religious liberty, which was extended to Jews as well as Christians, many revolutionaries pushed for the establishment of a new state religion, either the Cult of Reason (atheists) or the Cult of the Supreme Being (Deists). Changes to the calendar eliminated references to Christian holidays, and even the ancient seven-day week, and a list of officially recognized saints included such famous thinkers such as Socrates, Jesus, Marcus Aurelius, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau. A period of political persecution, often with religious overtones, broke out, known as the Reign of Terror. Thousands of people were executed by the guillotine, including many of the original leaders of the French Revolution.|pages=p. 461|accessdate = July 18, 2014}}<!-- France -->*{{cite webbook|url = httphttps://books.google.com/books?id=9WkBAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA105&dq=Reign+of+Terror+atheism&hl=en&sa=X&ei=HoRUUcD0NeXX0gGNo4HIDQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Reign%20of%20Terror%20atheism&f=false|title =''Memoirs of the Reign of George III. to the Session of Parliament ending A.D. 1793'', Volume 5|page=105|author=William Belsham|publisher = G.G. & J. Robinson|year=1801|quote=In allusion to the monstrous transactions of this portentous period, it has been eloquently and energetically observed, 'that the reign of atheism in France was avowed the reign of terror. In the full madness of their career, in the highest climax of their horrors, they shut up the temples of God, abolished His worship, and proclaimed death to be an eternal sleep:—in the very centre of Christendom, Revelation underwent a total eclipse, while atheism, performing on a darkened theatre its strange and fearful tragedy, confounded the first elements of society, blended every age, rank, and sex, indiscriminate proscription and massacre, and convulsed all Europe to its centre, that the imperishable memorial of these events might teach the last generations of mankind to consider religion as the pillar of society, the parent of social order, and the safe-guard of nations.'<br>"It is wonderful that, amid the horrors of this dismal period, while 'the death dance of democratic revolution' was still in rapid movement, among the tears of affliction, and the cries of despair, 'the masque, the song, the theatric scene, the buffoon laughter, went on as regularly as in the gay hour of festive peace.'|pages=pp. 105-6105–6|accessdate = July 18, 2014}}<!-- Reign of Terror -->*{{cite webbook|url = httphttps://books.google.com/books?id=Tt5rqiCP1p8C&pg=PA57&dq=Reign+of+Terror+atheism&hl=en&sa=X&ei=HoRUUcD0NeXX0gGNo4HIDQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Reign%20of%20Terror%20atheism&f=false|title =''Christianity, Islam, and Atheism: The Struggle for the Soul of the West''|author=William Kilpatrick|publisher = Ignatius Press|year=2012|quote=Actually, it's helpful to think in terms of two Enlightenments: the Enlightenment that cut itself off from God. The former led to the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, the abolition of slavery, and the civil rights movement. The latter led to the French Revolution, the Reign of Terror, the suppression of church by state, and the godless philosophies of Marx and Nietzsche and their offspring—National Socialism and communism. More recently the abandonment of God has led to the regime of cultural relativism that regards rights as arbitrary constructions.<br>"It's this second Enlightenment tradition that Cardinal Ratzinger referred to when he wrote, 'The radical detachment of the Enlightenment philosophy from its roots ultimately leads it to dispense with man.' Actually this transition happened not 'ultimately' but almost immediately. The first instance occurred when Enlightenment worship of abstract 'reason' and 'liberty' degenerated quickly into the mass murders committed during the antireligious Reign of Terror in France. 'Liberty, what crimes are committed in your name', said Madam Rolande as she faced the statue of Liberty in the Place de la Revolution movements before her death at the guillotine. She was one of the early victims of a succession of secular systems based on rootless notions of 'liberty', 'equality', and 'reason'.<br>"As many historians have pointed out, the atheist regimes of modern times are guilty of far more crimes than any committed in the name of religion. Communist governments alone were guilty of more than one hundred million murders, most of them committed against their own people.|pages=p. 57|accessdate = July 18, 2014}}</ref>
Kenneth Weinstein wrote in ''The American Interest'':
Lampooning of the Bible, Christian doctrine, and clergy dates back almost 400 years to the “strong thinkers,” French learned skeptics in the 16th century. The primary target of anti-religious satire was France’s official religion, Catholicism, the Church’s ties to the state, and its control over education. And the ridiculing wit long directed against these targets would eventually play a central and crucial role in reducing the status and influence of religion in the French Republic...
The method of the forerunners of Charlie Hebdo—unrelenting and vicious satire of religion and clergy — proved so effective that France became a fully secular state, to such an extent that certain of its practices, laicité, would be regarded as unsettlingly alien and intolerant by most Americans.<ref>[http://www.the-american-interest.com/2015/01/13/charlie-hebdo-and-frances-irreligious-tradition/ Charlie Hebdo and France’s Irreligious Tradition] by Kenneth R. Weinstein]</ref>}}
=== Ineffectiveness of French atheist mockery in modern France ===
[[File:Flag of France.png|thumbnail|250px200px|left|French scholars say, [[evangelicalism]] is likely the fastest-growing religion in [[France]] – defying all stereotypes about one of Europe’s most secular nations. In 2011, The number of evangelical churches increased from 769 to 2,068 in 2011.<ref>[httphttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/2012/0712/In-a-France-suspicious-of-religion-evangelicalism-s-message-strikes-a-chord In a France suspicious of religion, evangelicalism's message strikes a chord]</ref> ]]
''See also:'' [[Secular Europe|Growth of evangelicalism in Europe]] and [[Desecularization]]
The tactic of employing mockery instead of reason has been ineffective in stopping the rapid growth of [[Evangelicalism|evangelical Christianity]] in modern France.<ref>[httphttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/2012/0712/In-a-France-suspicious-of-religion-evangelicalism-s-message-strikes-a-chord In a France suspicious of religion, evangelicalism's message strikes a chord]</ref>
On July 12, 2012, the ''Christian Science Monitor'' reported:
{{cquote|French scholars say, evangelicalism is likely the fastest-growing religion in [[France]] – defying all stereotypes about Europe’s most secular nation...
Daniel Liechti, vice-president of the French National Evangelical Council, found that since 1970, a new evangelical church has opened in France every 10 days. The number of churches increased from 769 to 2,068 last year.<ref>[httphttps://www.csmonitor.com/World/2012/0712/In-a-France-suspicious-of-religion-evangelicalism-s-message-strikes-a-chord In a France suspicious of religion, evangelicalism's message strikes a chord]</ref>}}
Ridicule has been an ineffective tactic in modern France against the growth of [[Islam]] in France. The ''Washington Post'' declared in 2015: "One widely cited study by Pew from 2010 showed estimated that France had 4.7 million Muslims.<ref>[httphttps://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/01/09/map-frances-growing-muslim-population/ France’s growing Muslim population], Washington Post, January 9, 2015</ref> At 7.5 percent of the population, this meant France had the largest Muslim population in Western Europe. A 2010 estimate projects the Muslim population to be 10 percent of France's population by 2030.<ref>[httphttps://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2015/01/09/map-frances-growing-muslim-population/ France’s growing Muslim population], Washington Post, January 9, 2015</ref>
In April of 2010, the British academic and [[agnosticism|agnostic]] Eric Kauffmann declared that "the rate of secularisation has flattened to zero in most of [[Protestantism|Protestant]] [[Europe]] and [[France]]."<ref>[http://questionevolution.blogspot.com/2013/03/british-academic-eric-kaufmann-says.html British academic Eric Kaufmann says "the rate of secularisation has flattened to zero in most of Protestant Europe and France". Also, Kaufmann writes that secularism "appears exhausted and lacking in confidence"]</ref>
==== Various reasons why French atheist ridicule is ineffective against evangelicalism/Islam ====
[[File: Blue Marble.jpg|right|200px|thumbnail|Atheism is in [[Global atheism|global decline]], with the number of atheists falling from 4.5% of the world’s population in 1970 to 2.0% in 2010 and projected to drop to 1.8% by 2020.<ref>http[https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/global-study-atheists-decline-only-18-world-population-2020 Global Study: Atheists in Decline, Only 1.8% of World Population by 2020]</ref>]]
One of the reasons why French atheist ridicule may not work to halt quickly growing evangelical Christianity and Islam and that many of these individuals are immigrants who have the support of their local immigrant communities and thus they are thus largely insulated from such attacks.<ref>In his lecture [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7vCDeKPRSo Religion, Demography and Politics in the 21st Century], [[Eric Kaufmann]] points out that immigrants see religion as an integral part of their identity and group identification</ref>
In addition, many Christian immigrants are refugees who faced Muslim persecution and as a result they often have strong faiths that are resistant to mere ridicule.<ref>[http://freedomoutpost.com/2014/08/france-opens-borders-christians-persecuted-islamists-iraq/ France Opens Borders To All Christians Persecuted by Islamists In Iraq]</ref>
Furthermore, given the current and past ill-behavior of many atheists (see: [[Moral failures of the atheist Atheist populationand immorality]]), many theists have a low regard of atheists so their opinions are not valued (see: [[Views on Atheists|Views on atheists]]). For example, Charlie Hebdo is a [[secular left]], French, [[satirical]] weekly newspaper that often features generally vulgar cartoons (often with stylized cartoon versions of [[Homosexuality|homosexual]] acts on the cover), articles and [[profanity|profane]] jokes that "celebrate" [[liberal]] values frequently via [[blasphemy]] towards any form of [[religion]], but especially [[Christianity]] and [[Islam]]. (See also: [[Atheism and profanity]]).
===== Factors which limit the amount of ridicule that religious immigrants are subjected to =====
There are some mitigating factors which lesson the amount of ridicule that religious immigrants are subjected to by the [[secular left|secular leftist]] ist community: immigrants often vote for left leaning candidates and are seen as a tool to increase votes for leftists ;<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VpVwYZKeGQ Do Leftists Care About Immigrants?]</ref>; [[multiculturism]];<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>; and [[identity politics]].
The new atheists Richard Dawkins, [[Sam Harris]] and the late [[Christopher Hitchens]] have received multiple accusations of engaging in [[Islamophobia|Islamophobic]] behavior by fellow secular leftists.<ref>
*[httphttps://www.salon.com/2013/03/30/dawkins_harris_hitchens_new_atheists_flirt_with_islamophobia/ Dawkins, Harris, Hitchens: New Atheists flirt with Islamophobia] by Nathan Lean, ''Salon'', March 30, 2013*[httphttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2013/apr/03/sam-harris-muslim-animus Sam Harris, the New Atheists, and anti-Muslim animus] by Glenn Greenwald, ''The Guardian'', April 3, 2013</ref> On the other hand, defenders of atheist criticisms of [[Islam]]/Muslims indicated that New Atheists should be able to criticize Islam without being accused of Islamophobia.<ref>[http://www.newstatesman.com/religion/2013/04/new-atheism-should-be-able-criticise-islam-without-being-accused-islamophobia New Atheism should be able to criticise Islam without being accused of Islamophobia] by Andrew Zak Williams, ''New Statesman'', Published 19 April, 2013</ref> See also: [[Atheism vs. Islam]]
'''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> ]]
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.
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]]
== American and British militant atheists and the use of ridicule ==
=== Richard Dawkins and mockery ===
[[Image:Mbarber_b.jpg|thumbnail|leftright|200px|[[Matt Barber]] ]]
''See also;;'' [[Richard Dawkins and anger]] and [[Abrasiveness of Richard Dawkins]]
=== Reddit atheism and mockery ===
[[Reddit atheism]] has become well-known for its childish/"low brow" humor.<ref>[http://mashable.com/2013/06/14/reddit-atheism-mods/ Reddit Atheists Have New Leadership After Turbulent Coup]</ref>
A June 14, 2013 ''Mashable'' article declared concerning Reddit atheism: {{cquote|"In recent years, r/atheism has become known for [[meme]]s, images, quote pictures and other content viewed by some as "low brow."<ref>[http://mashable.com/2013/06/14/reddit-atheism-mods/ Reddit Atheists Have New Leadership After Turbulent Coup]</ref>}}[[File:David Silverman Reason Rally.jpg|thumbnail|right|300px200px|[[David Silverman]] took feminist [[Rebecca Watson]] off the speakers list for the Reason Rally after [[Richard Dawkins]] objected to her speaking at the event.<ref>[http://skepchick.org/2013/09/my-time-with-richard-dawkins-or-why-you-should-never-meet-your-idols/ My Time With Richard Dawkins (Or, Why You Should Never Meet Your Idols)] by Sarah at [[Skepchick]], September 5, 2013</ref> See: [[Elevatorgate]] ]]
=== Reason Rally and the mocking of religious belief ===
The 2012 [[Reason Rally]] was billed as the largest secular event in history.<ref>[httphttps://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>
''Salon'' magazine described the Reason Rally thusly:
{{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>[httphttps://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>
See alsoThe website Chortle.co.uk declared: {{Cquote|[[Ricky Gervais]] is to be presented with this year’s Richard Dawkins Award to recognise his work promoting atheism. He follows in the footsteps of previous winners including [[Christopher Hitchens|Christopher Hitchins]], [[Bill Maher|Bill Mahner]] and [[Stephen Fry]], who was last year’s recipient.<ref>[https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2019/07/11/43548/ricky_gervais_to_receive_the_richard_dawkins_award_for_atheism Ricky Gervais to receive the Richard Dawkins Award for atheism]</ref>}} [[Ricky Gervais]], [[Bill Maher]] and [[Stephen Fry]] are comedians. {{See also|Atheism and intolerance#Examples of intolerance from Richard Dawkins|l1=Richard Dawkins and intolerance]]}}
=== Atheists Penn and Teller and mockery ===
[[File:Penn JilletteTAM.jpgJPG|thumbnail|170px200px|right|[[Penn Jillette]] ]]
Atheists [[Penn and Teller]] produced a poorly reasoned video disputing the veracity of the [[Bible]] which used low grade humor and it was entitled "The Bible is bull****""."<ref>[httphttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0672540/ Penn & Teller - The Bible is Bull****]</ref> (see also: [[Atheism and the Bible]] and [[Bible apologetics website resources]]). Yet, after producing two videos after being listed in Conservapedia's [[atheism and obesity]] article and having a [[Essay: Conservapedia's challenge to atheist Penn Jillette|debate challenge]] directed his way which employed some humor, atheist [[Penn Jillette]] posted a video on the internet which declared:
{{cquote|I didn't really read the stuff so I guess I can't really comment...
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>[httphttps://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]]).
=== PZ Myers and Creation Museum buffoonery ===
[[Image:CMpix1.JPG|thumb|300px200px|During his visit to the [[Creation Museum]], PZ Myers had noticeably greater difficulty than others climbing on and off a [[dinosaur]] model due to the fact that he was overweight and out of shape (See: [httphttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQQl2TMrgbM VIDEO]) ]]
In August 2009, Myers led a group of over 300 atheist and agnostic students on a tour of the [[Creation Museum]].<ref>[httphttps://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=8280168 "Creation Museum: Is This How World Began?" (ABC News)]</ref> Myers clearly had the intention to mock the museum.<ref>[httphttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQQl2TMrgbM PZ Myers riding the triceratops at The Creation Museum]</ref>
However, the visit backfired and made Myers look foolish. During the visit, Myers had noticeably greater difficulty than others climbing on and off a dinosaur model due to the fact that he was overweight and out of shape (See the video: [httphttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQQl2TMrgbM PZ Myers riding the triceratops at The Creation Museum]).
In addition, the purpose of the dinosaur model is clearly for children to sit on for photographs.<ref>http://blogs.answersingenesis.org/aroundtheworld/2009/08/16/children-and-the-creation-museum/</ref><ref>[http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/53237252.html "A firebrand visits Creation Museum" (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)]</ref> Myers donned a borrowed cowboy hat and was egged on by the cheers and laughter of the students.<ref>httphttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQQl2TMrgbM</ref>
See also:
An atheist posted to atheist [[Sam Harris]]' discussion board: "This idea started when I googled “atheist art”. You see I was expecting to find art. Instead, what you get is a whole bunch of knockoffs of famous religious art that has been disfigured and mutilated. This made me slightly ashamed."<ref>[https://www.samharris.org/forum/viewthread/58689/ Atheist post at Sam Harris' discussion board]</ref>
== Secular left intolerant of ridicule directed toward secular leftism ==
''See also:'' [[Atheism and humor]]
[[File:Richard Dawkins photo.jpg|alt=Richard Dawkins|thumbnail|250px|left|The movie ''[[The Atheist Delusion]]'' features [[Richard Dawkins]] being the object of audience laughter due to something unreasonable he said.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChWiZ3iXWwM The Atheist Delusion Movie (2016) HD]</ref> Dawkins indignantly asked the audience, "Why is that funny?".<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChWiZ3iXWwM The Atheist Delusion Movie (2016) HD]</ref>]]
Historically, [[Atheism|atheists]] have skewed towards the [[Leftism|left]] side of the political aisle (see: [[Atheism and politics]] and [[Secular left]] and [[Atheism and communism]]).<ref>[http://atheism.about.com/od/Atheist-Agnostic-Belief-Survey/a/Atheists-Agnostics-America-Politically-Liberal.htm Atheists & Agnostics in America Tend to be Politically Liberal]</ref><ref name="Marxism-Leninsim">{{cite web|url = http://www.investigatingatheism.info/marxism.html|title =Marxism|publisher = [[University of Cambridge]]|quote=The most notable spread of atheism was achieved through the success of the 1917 [[Russian Revolution]], which brought the Marxist-Leninists to power. For the first time in history, atheism thus became the official ideology of a state.|year=2008|accessdate = 2011–03–15}}</ref><ref name="Guillotine">{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=bf3m7IVAa9gC&pg=PA461&dq=France+atheism+guillotine++Christians+executed&hl=en&sa=X&ei=l4lUUaTRBufG0QGe0IHACA&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=France%20atheism%20guillotine%20%20Christians%20executed&f=false|title =Christianity|author=James Adair|publisher = JBE Online Books|year=2007|quote=Although the Civil Constitution called for religious liberty, which was extended to Jews as well as Christians, many revolutionaries pushed for the establishment of a new state religion, either the Cult of Reason (atheists) or the Cult of the Supreme Being (Deists). Changes toAlthough the Civil Constitution called for religious liberty, which was extended to Jews as well as Christians, many revolutionaries pushed for the establishment of a new state religion, either the Cult of Reason (atheists) or the Cult of the Supreme Being (Deists). Changes to the calendar eliminated references to Christian holidays, and even the ancient seven-day week, and a ist of officially recognized saints included such famous thinkers such as Socrates, Jesus, Marcus Aurelius, and Jean-Jacques Rosseau. A period of political persecution, often with religious overtones, broke out, known as the Reign of Teror. Thousands of people were executed by the guillotine, including many of the original leaders of the French Revolution.|page=461|accessdate = 2011–03–15}}</ref><ref name="France">{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=9WkBAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA105&dq=Reign+of+Terror+atheism&hl=en&sa=X&ei=HoRUUcD0NeXX0gGNo4HIDQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Reign%20of%20Terror%20atheism&f=false|title =Memoirs of the reign of George III. to the session of parliament ending A.D. 1793, Volume 5|page=105|author=William Belsham|publisher = G.G. & J. Robinson|year=1801|quote=Reign of this portentous period, it has been eloquently tenor, and energetically observed, " that the reign of atheism in France was avowed the reign of terror. In the full madness of their career, in the highest climax of their horrors, they shut up the temples of God, abolished His worship, and proclaimed death to be an eternal sleep:-in the very centre of Christendom, Revelation underwent a total eclipse, while atheism, performing on a darkened theatre its strange and fearful tragedy, confounded the first elements of society, blended every age, rank, and sex ,indiscriminate proscription and massacre, and convulsed all Europe to its centre, that the imperishable memorial of these events might teach the last generations of mankind to consider religion as the pillar of society, the parent of social order, and the safe-guard of nations." It is wonderful that, amid the horrors of this dismal period, while "the death dance of democratic revolution" was still in rapid movement, among the tears of affliction, and the cries of despair, "the masque, the song, the theatric scene, the buffoon laughter, went on as regularly as in the gay hour of festive peace."|accessdate = 2011–03–15}}</ref><ref name="Reign of Terror">{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Tt5rqiCP1p8C&pg=PA57&dq=Reign+of+Terror+atheism&hl=en&sa=X&ei=HoRUUcD0NeXX0gGNo4HIDQ&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=Reign%20of%20Terror%20atheism&f=false|title =Christianity, Islam, and Atheism: The Struggle for the Soul of the West|author=William Kilpatrick|publisher = [[Ignatius Press]]|year=2012|quote=Actually, it's helpful to think in terms of two Enlightenments: the Enlightenment that cut itself off from God. The former led to the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, the abolition of slavery, and the civil rights movement. The latter led to the French Revolution, the Reign of Terror, the suppression of church by state, and the godless philosophies of Marx and Nietzsche and their offspring-National Socialism and communism. More recently the abandonment of God has led to the regime of cultural relativism that regards rights as arbitrary constructions. It's this second Enlightenment tradition that Cardinal Ratzinger referred to when he wrote, "The radical detachment of the Enlightenment philosophy from its roots ultimately leads it to dispense with man." Actually this transition happened no "ultimately" but almost immediately. The first instance occurred when Enlightenment worship of abstract "reason" and "liberty" degenearated quickly into the mass murders committed during the antireligious Reign of Terror in France. "Liberty, what crimes are committed in your name", said Madam Rolande as she faced the statue of Liberty in the Place de la Revolution movements before her death at the guillotine. She was one of the early victims of a succession of secular systems based on rootless notions of "liberty", "equality", and "reason". As many historians have pointed out, the atheist regimes of modern times are guilty of far more crimes than any committed in the name of religion. Communist governments alone were guilty of more than one hundred million murders, most of them committed against their own people.|accessdate = 2011–03–15}}</ref>
Although the secular left is known for ridiculing [[religion]] since at least the time of [[French Revolution]], the secular left is known for its humorlessness when it comes to others mocking its ideology (see also: [[Atheism and humor]] and [[Atheism and intolerance]]). See also: [[Mocking of atheism]]
The writer James Thurber declared:
{{Cquote|The leftists have made a concerted attack on humor as an antisocial, antiracial, antilabor, antiproletarian stereotype,” Thurber wrote in 1960, “and they have left no stereotype unused in their attacks, from ‘no time for comedy’ to the grim warnings that humor is a sickness, a sign of inferiority complex, a shield and not a weapon.<ref>[https://www.wsj.com/articles/notable-quotable-the-humorless-left-1446769128 Notable & Quotable: The Humorless Left], From Stephen E. Kercher’s “Revel With a Cause: Liberal Satire in Postwar America.”, ''Wall Street Journal''</ref>}}
Heywood Gould wrote in ''Heatstreet'':
{{Cquote|The left is trying to remake the world and feels immune to ridicule. It condemns humor as a bourgeois plot to make the oppressed laugh at and accept their exploitation.
[[Bernie Sanders]] admits he has a “bad sense of humor.” He won’t need it once his Revolution comes,
According to Marxist theorist Tom McLaughlin: “Under Socialism there will be no classes and consequently no class conflict. Humor will cease to reflect any objective reality and will wither away.”...
When Jerry Seinfeld revealed that fellow comedians had warned him away from colleges because they “were too PC,” he was savaged by the left media. Columnist Amanda Marcotte accused him of making excuses for being “a second rate hack.”<ref>[https://heatst.com/culture-wars/beyond-a-joke-why-millennials-are-losing-their-sense-of-humor/ Beyond a Joke: Why Millennials are Losing their Sense of Humor]</ref>}}
=== Soviet Union and the Department of Jokes ===
The [[Soviet Union]] practiced [[state atheism]] and the atheism was of a [[militant atheism]] variety. See also: [[Soviet atheism]] and [[Atheism and communism]]
Listverse declares in its article ''10 Bizarre Ways The Soviet Union Controlled Its People''
{{Cquote|For comedians in the Soviet Union, every attempt at humor had to be read from a government-approved list of comedic material. Each year, comedians were required to submit every joke they’d written to a section of The Ministry of Culture called The Department of Jokes, and they couldn’t crack a single one until it had been approved.
Jokes against the state, of course, were forbidden, as was everything even remotely edgy. Even jokes against the United States had to be tame. When the list came back, comedians were usually left with just a handful of tame jokes about their mother-in-laws.
For the next year, they could only tell jokes from their approved list. Improvisation was strictly forbidden. The only way a comedian could keep an act fresh was to steal gags from the competition. Plagiarism was fine, as long as the material you stole was approved.<ref>[http://listverse.com/2016/11/13/10-bizarre-ways-the-soviet-union-controlled-its-people/ 10 Bizarre Ways The Soviet Union Controlled Its People]</ref>}}
== Atheist trolls on the internet ==
See: [[Atheist trolls]]
== Atheism and sarcasm ==
See: [[Atheism and sarcasm]]
== General public mocking atheists ==
In 2017, the atheist [[PZ Myers]], quoting fellow [[leftism|leftist]] Alex Nichols, wrote:
{{Cquote|...the growing popularity of jibes associating outspoken atheists with fedoras, neckbeards, and virginity, led to an exodus of [[liberal]]s and [[leftism|leftists]] from the “atheist” tent. Those who remained for the most part [[Atheism and social/interpersonal intelligence|lacked in social skills and self-awareness]], and the results were disastrous.<ref>[https://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2017/10/17/poisoning-of-a-movement/ Poisoning of a movement] by PZ Myers</ref>}}
A 2016 Reddit post entitled ''Why is everyone mocking atheism all of a sudden?'' declared: "Now making fun of religion gets you labeled as a neckbeard or edgy, when like 2 years ago atheism was the main driving force of reddit?"<ref name="reddit.com">[https://www.reddit.com/r/OutOfTheLoop/comments/3wsfhd/why_is_everyone_mocking_atheism_all_of_a_sudden/ ''Why is everyone mocking atheism all of a sudden?''], Reddit post</ref> See also: [[YouTube atheism]]
A member of Reddit responded to the post indicating:
{{Cquote|A few years ago r/atheism had a "faces of atheism" campaign where people submitted pictures of themselves with some comment on atheism on them. It was so embarrassing and cringeworthy that the reddit mods removed r/atheism from the frontpage/main reddits because the reputation of the site itself was being tarnished. Since then, people started combining the (already existing) "fat neckbeard" stereotype with atheism and made parodies of the faces of atheism, like some ugly/underage fedora wearer saying cringe stuff like "intellect is my blade" etc.<ref name="reddit.com">[https://www.reddit.com/r/OutOfTheLoop/comments/3wsfhd/why_is_everyone_mocking_atheism_all_of_a_sudden/ ''Why is everyone mocking atheism all of a sudden?''], Reddit post</ref>}}
See also: [[Unattractiveness of atheism]]
== Parody and satire have their place - Christian parody of atheism and evolution ==
''See also:'' [[Mocking of atheism]] Although mere appeals to ridicule is a logical fallacy, [[parody]] and [[satire]] certainly have their place. Because Christianity is so well attested to via evidence and sound argumentation such as the work of [[Simon Greenleaf]] and other [[Christian apologetics|Christian apologists]], Christians certainly have liberty to use parody and satire. For example, there are certainly many parodies and satires of [[atheism]] and [[evolution]] (see: [[Essay:Comedy and satires concerning atheism and evolution|Comedy and satires concerning atheism and evolution]] ).
In terms of Christian satire, the Christian apologist [[JP Holding]] features a humorous Christian satire work entitled [http://www.tektoonics.com/test/parody/fundyath.html You may be a fundamentalist atheist if....]. The biblical [[Creationism|creationist]] organization [[Answers in Genesis]] has used satire to ridicule [[evolutionism]].<ref>[https://answersingenesis.org/media/cartoons/ Satirical Cartoons by Answers in Genesis]</ref>
=== Thin-skinned YouTube atheists and humor ===
[[Image:GustaveDoreParadiseLostSatanProfile.jpg|right|thumbnail|200px|Gustave Doré's depiction of [[Satan]] from [[John Milton]]'s Paradise Lost. It is often said that atheism is a result of demonic deception (see: [[Atheism and satanic deception]]). [[Thomas More]] said, "The Devil, the proud spirit, cannot endure to be mocked.".]]
As far as [[Christian]] [[internet evangelism]], YouTube is a popular online video sharing site that provides a method distributing Christian/creationist videos across the world. The YouTube search engine is the second largest search engine in the world.<ref>http://www.tgdaily.com/trendwatch-features/39777-youtube-surpasses-yahoo-as-world%E2%80%99s-2-search-engine</ref> There is a widespread problem with atheist cyberbullying on [[YouTube]] toward [[Christian]] and creationist YouTube channels. [[CreationWiki]] has developed a web page entitled [http://creationwiki.org/Creationist_YouTube_video Creationist YouTube video] designed to show creationists how to thwart atheist/evolutionist cyberbullies.
The popular Christian YouTube channel, [[Shockofgod]], which often uses humor to poke fun at the foolishness of atheism, was shut down several times by atheist cyberbullying through false reports, but [http://creationwiki.org/Creationist_YouTube_video he developed counter measures to overcome this problem]. <ref>httphttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kax-zAJxi-U</ref> These false reports are not isolated incidents. Atheists have repeatedly used this deceitful tactic to block out [[Christianity]] and [[creation science]].
Oswald Chambers declared about atheism: "The real attitude of sin in the heart towards God is that of being without God; it is pride, the worship of myself, that is the great atheistic fact in human life." <ref>Chambers, Oswald (1953). ''God's Workmanship'' (London: Oswald Chambers Publications Association and Marshall, Morgan & Scott).</ref> See also: [[Atheism and arrogance]]
==== 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>[httphttps://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>
In 2012, ''The Guardian'' published an article entitled ''Limmy's Show: Confessions of an internet troll'' which had the subtitle ''There's a witch-hunt going on against internet trolls right now. But, argues Scots funnyman Limmy, randomly goading atheists, jocks and non-existent techno geeks can be fun''.<ref>[httphttps://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> And of course, being thin-skinned is symptomatic of having excessive pride.
At the same time, atheists are known for trolling others and for engaging in internet [[atheist bullying]].<ref>[http://www.patheos.com/blogs/standingonmyhead/2012/07/atheist-trolls.html Atheist trolls]</ref><ref>[http://voxday.blogspot.com/2014/01/mailvox-distribution-of-atheist.html The distribution of atheist intelligence] by [[Vox Day]]</ref>
== Atheist community is lacking in confidence ==
''See also:'' [[Atheist movement]] and [[Atheism and social/interpersonal intelligence|Atheism and social intelligence]] and [[Atheism and emotional/intrapersonal intelligence|Atheism and emotional intelligence]]
In 2010, Professor Eric Kaufmann, an agnosticism|agnostic, who specializes in religion/irreligion/demographics/politics, wrote:
{{cquote|Worldwide, the [[Desecularization|march of religion]] can probably only be reversed by a renewed, self-aware secularism. Today, it appears exhausted and lacking in confidence... Secularism's greatest triumphs owe less to science than to popular social movements like nationalism, socialism and 1960s anarchist-liberalism. Ironically, secularism's [[Global atheism|demographic deficit]] means that it will probably only succeed in the twenty-first century if it can create a secular form of 'religious' enthusiasm."<ref>[http://www.sneps.net/uploadsepk/JQR%20Demography.pdf Shall the religious inherit the earth? - Eric Kaufmann]</ref>}}
Furthermore, some of the most prominent atheists/agnostics have flip-flopped between atheism and agnosticism/[[theism]] (see: [[Atheism, agnosticism and flip-flopping]]).
For more information, please see: [[Rebuttals to atheist arguments]] and [[Global atheism|Decline of global atheism]] and [[Atheism vs. Christianity]]
[[Image:Bahnsen.jpg|thumb|150px|Dr. [[Greg Bahnsen]] became known as the "man atheists fear most" due to [[Michael Martin]]'s cancellation of their scheduled debate.<ref>[http://www.frame-poythress.org/frame_articles/Bahnsen.htm Bahsen at the Stein debate] by John Frame</ref><ref>[http://simpleapologetics.com/thegreatdebate.html The Great Debate: Greg Bahnsen vs Gordon Stein]</ref>]]
=== Atheism and cowardice ===
''See also:'' [[Atheism and cowardice]]
Bluster and mockery is often a substitute for competence and is a result of arrogance and complacency - it can quickly pop like a balloon.<ref>[http://lauravanderkam.com/2013/05/confidence-competence/ Confidence and competence]</ref> In 1990, the [[atheism|atheist]] philosopher [[Michael Martin]] indicated there was a general absence of an atheistic response to contemporary work in the [[philosophy]] of religion and in jest he indicated that it was his "cross to bear" to respond to [[theism|theistic]] arguments.<ref>''Open Questions: Diverse Thinkers Discuss God, Religion, and Faith'' by Luís F. Rodrigues, page 201</ref> Yet, in 1994, Michael Martin was criticized for his eleventh hour cancellation of his debate with [[Greg Bahnsen]] (see: [[Greg Bahnsen and debate]] and [[Press release after Michael Martin pulled out of Martin-Bahnsen debate|Bahnson-Martin debate press release]]).<ref>[http://simpleapologetics.com/thegreatdebate.html The Great Debate: Greg Bahnsen vs Gordon Stein]</ref><ref>[http://www.frame-poythress.org/frame_articles/Bahnsen.htm Bahsen at the Stein debate] by John Frame</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 of 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]].
See also: [[Atheism debates]]
== Bible verses related to mockers ==
*[[Antitheism and antisocial behavior]]
*[[Atheism and humor]]
*[[Atheism and irrationality]]
*[[Atheism and loneliness]]
*[[Atheism and loneliness vs. Christian lovemorality]] *[[The fool says in his heart, fellowship and joy"There is no God."]]
== External links ==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O98sfYB2arE Atheist Mockery Effective?]
*[https://thefederalist.com/2014/12/23/hey-atheists-its-immature-to-mock-peoples-deeply-held-beliefs/ Hey, Atheists: It’s Immature To Mock People’s Deeply Held Beliefs] by Katie Geary, ''The Federalist''
==References==
<references/>
[[Category: Atheism]][[Category: Logic]]