Difference between revisions of "Atheism and mockery"

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The [[Reign of Terror]] of the [[French Revolution]] established a state which was anti-[[Roman Catholicism]]/Christian in nature <ref>
 
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
 
*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
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*SPIELVOGEL, Jackson [http://books.google.com/books?id=ni4PSpOxb6MC&dq Western Civilization: Combined Volume] p. 549, 2005,Thomson Wadsworth
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*SPIELVOGEL, Jackson [https://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:
 
*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:
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<!-- Guillotine -->*{{cite book|url = http://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=461|accessdate = July 18, 2014}}
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<!-- 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: 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=461|accessdate = July 18, 2014}}
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<!-- France -->*{{cite book|url = http://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=105–6|accessdate = July 18, 2014}}
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<!-- 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=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=105–6|accessdate = July 18, 2014}}
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<!-- Reign of Terror -->*{{cite book|url = http://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=57|accessdate = July 18, 2014}}</ref>
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<!-- 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.<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=57|accessdate = July 18, 2014}}</ref>
  
 
Kenneth Weinstein wrote in ''The American Interest'':
 
Kenneth Weinstein wrote in ''The American Interest'':
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=== Ineffectiveness of French atheist mockery in modern France ===
 
=== Ineffectiveness of French atheist mockery in modern France ===
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[[File:Flag of France.png|thumbnail|200px|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>[http://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> ]]
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[[File:Flag of France.png|thumbnail|200px|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>[https://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]]  
 
''See also:'' [[Secular Europe|Growth of evangelicalism in Europe]] and [[Desecularization]]  
  
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The tactic of employing mockery instead of reason has been ineffective in stopping the rapid growth of [[Evangelicalism|evangelical Christianity]] in modern France.<ref>[http://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>
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The tactic of employing mockery instead of reason has been ineffective in stopping the rapid growth of [[Evangelicalism|evangelical Christianity]] in modern France.<ref>[https://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:
 
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...
 
{{cquote|French scholars say, evangelicalism is likely the fastest-growing religion in [[France]] – defying all stereotypes about Europe’s most secular nation...
  
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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>[http://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>}}
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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>[https://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>}}
  
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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>[http://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>[http://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>
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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>[https://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>[https://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>
 
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 ====
 
==== Various reasons why French atheist ridicule is ineffective against evangelicalism/Islam ====
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[[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://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>]]
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[[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>[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>   
 
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>
 
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>
  
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Furthermore, given the current and past ill-behavior of many atheists (see: [[Moral failures of the atheist population]]), 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]]).
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Furthermore, given the current and past ill-behavior of many atheists (see: [[Atheist population and 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 =====
 
===== Factors which limit the amount of ridicule that religious immigrants are subjected to =====
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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>
 
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>
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*[http://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
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*[https://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
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*[http://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]]
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*[https://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:'''
 
'''Multiculturism, assimilation and the desecularization of Europe:'''
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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>}}
  
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See also: [[Desecularization]] and [[Multiculturism and European desecularization]]
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See also: [[Desecularization]]  
  
 
== American and British militant atheists and the use of ridicule ==
 
== American and British militant atheists and the use of ridicule ==
  
 
=== Richard Dawkins and mockery ===
 
=== Richard Dawkins and mockery ===
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[[Image:Mbarber_b.jpg|thumbnail|left|200px|[[Matt Barber]] ]]
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[[Image:Mbarber_b.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|[[Matt Barber]] ]]
  
 
''See also;;'' [[Richard Dawkins and anger]] and [[Abrasiveness of Richard Dawkins]]
 
''See also;;'' [[Richard Dawkins and anger]] and [[Abrasiveness of Richard Dawkins]]
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[[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>  
 
[[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>  
  
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A June 14, 2013 ''Mashable''  article declared concerning Reddit atheism:  
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A June 14, 2013 ''Mashable''  article declared concerning Reddit atheism: "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>
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{{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>}}
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[[File:David Silverman Rally.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|[[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]] ]]
 
[[File:David Silverman Rally.jpg|thumbnail|right|200px|[[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 ===
 
=== Reason Rally and the mocking of religious belief ===
  
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The 2012 [[Reason Rally]] was billed as the largest secular event in history.<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>  
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The 2012 [[Reason Rally]] was billed as the largest secular event in history.<ref>[https://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:
 
''Salon'' magazine described the Reason Rally thusly:
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{{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>[https://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>
 +
 +
The 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}}
 
{{See also|Atheism and intolerance#Examples of intolerance from Richard Dawkins|l1=Richard Dawkins and intolerance}}
Line 105: Line 111:
 
[[File:Penn Jillette TAM.JPG|thumbnail|200px|right|[[Penn Jillette]] ]]
 
[[File:Penn Jillette TAM.JPG|thumbnail|200px|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>[http://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:
+
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>[https://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...  
 
{{cquote|I didn't really read the stuff so I guess I can't really comment...  
  
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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>[https://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]]).
  
 
=== PZ Myers and Creation Museum buffoonery ===
 
=== PZ Myers and Creation Museum buffoonery ===
−
[[Image:CMpix1.JPG|thumb|200px|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: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQQl2TMrgbM VIDEO]) ]]
+
[[Image:CMpix1.JPG|thumb|200px|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: [https://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>[http://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>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQQl2TMrgbM PZ Myers riding the triceratops at The Creation Museum]</ref>
+
In August 2009, Myers led a group of over 300 atheist and agnostic students on a tour of the [[Creation Museum]].<ref>[https://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>[https://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: [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQQl2TMrgbM PZ Myers riding the triceratops at The Creation Museum]).  
+
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: [https://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>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQQl2TMrgbM</ref>
+
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>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQQl2TMrgbM</ref>
  
 
See also:  
 
See also:  
Line 171: Line 177:
 
== Secular left intolerant of ridicule directed toward secular leftism ==
 
== Secular left intolerant of ridicule directed toward secular leftism ==
  
−
''See also:'' [[Atheism and humor]]
+
''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>]]
 
[[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 = http://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 = http://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 = http://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>  
+
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 intolerance]]).  
+
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:
 
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>[http://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>}}
+
{{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'':
 
Heywood Gould wrote in ''Heatstreet'':
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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>}}
 
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>}}
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See also: [[Unattractiveness of atheism]]
  
 
== Parody and satire have their place - Christian parody of atheism and evolution ==
 
== Parody and satire have their place - Christian parody of atheism and evolution ==
−
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]] ).
+
 
 +
''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.   
  
 
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>
 
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>
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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>   
 
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>   
  
−
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>http://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]].
+
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>https://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]]
 
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]]
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==== Atheism and trolls and atheist trolls ====
 
==== Atheism and trolls and atheist trolls ====
  
−
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
+
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>[https://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>   
  
−
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>[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
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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>[https://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.  
 
The Guardian, Friday 9 November 2012 10.00 EST</ref>  And of course, being thin-skinned is symptomatic of having excessive pride.  
  
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*[[Atheism and morality]]
 
*[[Atheism and morality]]
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*[[The fool says in his heart, "There is no God."]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
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*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O98sfYB2arE Atheist Mockery Effective?]
 
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O98sfYB2arE Atheist Mockery Effective?]
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*[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==

Revision as of 00:53, December 8, 2019

Richard Dawkins
The new atheist Richard Dawkins has encouraged his supporters to go beyond humorous ridicule.[1] 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."[2]

Unlike Christianity, which is supported by a large body of sound evidence (see: 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.[3]

The appeal to ridicule fallacy, also known as the appeal to mockery and the horse laugh, is a 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

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 [4] (anti-clerical deism and anti-religious atheism and played a significant role in the French Revolution[5][6]), with the official ideology being the Cult of Reason; during this time thousands of believers were suppressed and executed by the guillotine.[7]

Kenneth Weinstein wrote in The American Interest:

“ Charlie Hebdo has suddenly become the best-known example of a venerable French tradition: vituperative and unrelenting anti-religious satire, a provocative yet regular phenomenon of French public life. And now—not, alas, for the first time in that nation’s history—it has occasioned actual bloodshed.

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.[8]

”

Ineffectiveness of French atheist mockery in modern France

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.[9]

See also: Growth of evangelicalism in Europe and Desecularization

The tactic of employing mockery instead of reason has been ineffective in stopping the rapid growth of evangelical Christianity in modern France.[10]

On July 12, 2012, the Christian Science Monitor reported:

“ 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.[11]

”

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.[12] 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.[13]

In April of 2010, the British academic and agnostic Eric Kauffmann declared that "the rate of secularisation has flattened to zero in most of Protestant Europe and France."[14]

Various reasons why French atheist ridicule is ineffective against evangelicalism/Islam

Atheism is in 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.[15]

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.[16]

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.[17]

Furthermore, given the current and past ill-behavior of many atheists (see: Atheist population and immorality), many theists have a low regard of atheists so their opinions are not valued (see: 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 homosexual acts on the cover), articles and 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 leftist community: immigrants often vote for left leaning candidates and are seen as a tool to increase votes for leftists;[18] multiculturism;[19] and identity politics.

The new atheists Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris and the late Christopher Hitchens have received multiple accusations of engaging in Islamophobic behavior by fellow secular leftists.[20] 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.[21] See also: Atheism vs. Islam

Multiculturism, assimilation and the desecularization of Europe:

In the Europe of tomorrow, immigration and religious fertility will increase the proportion of committed Christians in Europe, many from the developing world.[22]

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

“ Ethnicity and race may succumb to liberal modernity, but committed religious populations cannot be assimilated to liberal secularism fast enough to compensate for their demographic advantage in a world of plunging fertility and growing migration. In the end, it is a battle between religious fertility on the one hand, and, on the other, religious decline through the 'assimilation' of religious offspring into secularism. This paper argues that the weakness of secularism and a widening secular-religious fertility gap points toward a religious victory...

The principle of tolerating and 'celebrating' diversity is a corollary of postmodern relativism which opens up space for antimodern religious 'diversities' to take root. If they are demographically-powerful religious movements like Islamism or evangelical Christianity, they will exploit this weakness to progressively erode the hegemony of western secular humanism....

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.[23]

”

See also: Desecularization

American and British militant atheists and the use of ridicule

Richard Dawkins and mockery

Matt Barber

See also;; Richard Dawkins and anger and Abrasiveness of Richard Dawkins

The new atheist Richard Dawkins declared to this fellow atheists:

“ I suspect that most of our regular readers here would agree that ridicule, of a humorous nature, is likely to be more effective than the sort of snuggling-up and head-patting that Jerry is attacking. 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.[24] ”

Freedom From Religion Foundation and mockery

In his article, Mockery - the M.O. for atheists, Matt Barber discusses an incident in which the Freedom From Religion Foundation encouraged atheists to engage in tactics which Barber considers to be acts of hateful mockery.[25]

Reddit atheism and mockery

Reddit atheism has become well known for its childish/"low brow" humor.[26]

A June 14, 2013 Mashable article declared concerning Reddit atheism: "In recent years, r/atheism has become known for memes, images, quote pictures and other content viewed by some as "low brow."[27]

David Silverman took feminist Rebecca Watson off the speakers list for the Reason Rally after Richard Dawkins objected to her speaking at the event.[28] See: Elevatorgate

Reason Rally and the mocking of religious belief

The 2012 Reason Rally was billed as the largest secular event in history.[29]

Salon magazine described the Reason Rally thusly:

“ 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.”[30] ”

Richard Dawkins has encouraged his supporters to go beyond humorous ridicule.[31] At the Reason Rally he exclaimed, "Mock them. Ridicule them! In public."[32] 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."[33]

The website Chortle.co.uk declared:

“ 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 Hitchins, Bill Mahner and Stephen Fry, who was last year’s recipient.[34]

”

Ricky Gervais, Bill Maher and Stephen Fry are comedians.

See also: Richard Dawkins and intolerance

Atheists Penn and Teller and mockery

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****""."[35] (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 debate challenge directed his way which employed some humor, atheist Penn Jillette posted a video on the internet which declared:

“ I didn't really read the stuff so I guess I can't really comment...

I don't tend to react to satire, or sarcasm or irony, I pretty much say what I mean and that is what I react to the most... I do know people and love people who believe...who are Christians and who have belief and who believe this stuff strongly, and as much as I want to argue with them, I don't want to show them disrespect. And I will say that that's a ****ing stupid argument, but that's not disrespect.[36]

”

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."[37] 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.[38] 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).

PZ Myers and Creation Museum buffoonery

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: VIDEO)

In August 2009, Myers led a group of over 300 atheist and agnostic students on a tour of the Creation Museum.[39] Myers clearly had the intention to mock the museum.[40]

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: 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.[41][42] Myers donned a borrowed cowboy hat and was egged on by the cheers and laughter of the students.[43]

See also:

Thunderf00t's criticism of PZ Myers' blogging tactics involving mockery

YouTube atheist Thunderf00t mocked atheist PZ Myers for commonly using comic sans font and Monty Python "My brain hurts" graphics to deride those who he disagrees with.[44]

Secular leftist Saul Alinsky and ridicule as a political weapon

Saul Alinsky, an agnostic, was an American secular leftist who championed ridicule as a means to achieve political ends.[45][46][47] One of his 12 rules of radicals was "'Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.' There is no defense. It’s irrational. It’s infuriating. It also works as a key pressure point to force the enemy into concessions."[48]

Mocking of Christianity on British television

In article about the mocking of Christianity on British television, journalist Jonathan Wynne-Jones wrote in The Telegraph:

“ Meanwhile, in Hollyoaks, a soap hugely popular with teenagers, the Christian in the show claims to have found an image of Jesus in a potato. The message is clear: Christians are nutters.

The anti-Christianity streak on television has been noted by a media blog, tvscoop.

"As a non-believer myself, and an argumentative one, there's nothing I like more than getting into debates and discussions with religious people," it says.

Yet it continues: "Anti-religious feeling is now reaching saturation point on the box."

Some would argue that Christianity has been being undermined for some time on television.

Even some of the BBC's religious documentaries have tended to challenge traditional beliefs, from claiming Mary was raped by a Roman soldier to arguing that Paul conversion on the road to Damascus was caused by an epileptic fit.

The tvscoop blog goes on to question whether Islam would receive similar treatment, before concluding: "I don't like the snide, cowardly kickings that Christianity is getting at the minute.

"There's no point feigning debate just to have a dig."

And that's exactly what Corrie and other soaps seem to be doing.

Outspoken criticism of Christian beliefs should be expected, but the stealthy attempts to make believers look absurd is much more damaging.

Once faith has been made to look ridiculous, the attempts of believers to rebut the criticism will be met with deaf ears. And then the line between ridicule and persecution becomes even thinner.[49]

”

Atheist art commonly employs mockery and/or ugliness

See also: Atheist art

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."[50]

Secular left intolerant of ridicule directed toward secular leftism

See also: Atheism and humor

Richard Dawkins
The movie The Atheist Delusion features Richard Dawkins being the object of audience laughter due to something unreasonable he said.[51] Dawkins indignantly asked the audience, "Why is that funny?".[52]

Historically, atheists have skewed towards the left side of the political aisle (see: Atheism and politics and Secular left and Atheism and communism).[53][54][55][56][57]

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:

“ 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.[58] ”

Heywood Gould wrote in Heatstreet:

“ 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.”[59]

”

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

“ 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.[60]

”

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 leftist Alex Nichols, wrote:

“ ...the growing popularity of jibes associating outspoken atheists with fedoras, neckbeards, and virginity, led to an exodus of liberals and leftists from the “atheist” tent. Those who remained for the most part lacked in social skills and self-awareness, and the results were disastrous.[61] ”

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?"[62] See also: YouTube atheism

A member of Reddit responded to the post indicating:

“ 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.[62] ”

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 apologists, Christians certainly have liberty to use parody and satire.

In terms of Christian satire, the Christian apologist JP Holding features a humorous Christian satire work entitled You may be a fundamentalist atheist if..... The biblical creationist organization Answers in Genesis has used satire to ridicule evolutionism.[63]

Thin-skinned YouTube atheists and humor

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.[64]

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 he developed counter measures to overcome this problem.[65] 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." [66] See also: Atheism and arrogance

It is often said that atheism is a result of demonic deception (see: Atheism and satanic deception).

In a 2008 interview, Dinesh D'Souza declared:

“ Look at Satan's reason for rebelling against God. It's not that he doesn't recognize that God is greater than he is. He does. It's just that he doesn't want to play by anybody else's rules. This idea that it is better to reign in hell than to serve in heaven is Satan's motto, and it turns out that this is also the motto of contemporary atheists such as Christopher Hitchens.[67] ”

Thomas More said, "The Devil, the proud spirit, cannot endure to be mocked.".[68]

Atheism and trolls and atheist trolls

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 easiest religion to troll".[69][70] Internet trolls often actively pursue trolling atheists due to their penchant of being so proud and so easily angered.[71]

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.[72] And of course, being thin-skinned is symptomatic of having excessive pride.

Most people and cultures take a very dim view of proud people and some cultures are known for actively engaging humbling successful people and/or proud people (Several Anglosphere nations are known for having tall poppy syndrome and Filipinos are known for having a "crab culture". Crabs in a bucket of water will pull down crabs trying to escape from the bucket).

Atheist trolls and atheist bullying:

At the same time, atheists are known for trolling others and for engaging in internet atheist bullying.[73][74]

Bible verses related to mockers

"Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." - Galatians 6:7 (NASB)

"Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.' For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day." - 2 Peter 3: 3-6 (NASB)

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ Dawkins: Mock them. Ridicule them! In public
  2. ↑ Dawkins: Mock them. Ridicule them! In public
  3. ↑ Why the Burden of Proof is on the Atheist by Professor Ralph McInerny
  4. ↑
  5. ↑ War, Terror and Resistence
  6. ↑ Forging Freedom: The Life of Cerf Berr of M Delsheim by Margaret R. O'Leary, iUniverse (June 1, 2012), pages 1-2
  7. ↑ Multiple references:
    James Adair (2007). Christianity: The eBook. JBE Online Books, 461. Retrieved on July 18, 2014. “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.” 
    William Belsham (1801). Memoirs of the Reign of George III. to the Session of Parliament ending A.D. 1793, Volume 5. G.G. & J. Robinson, 105–6. Retrieved on July 18, 2014. “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.'
    "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.'”     
    William Kilpatrick (2012). Christianity, Islam, and Atheism: The Struggle for the Soul of the West. Ignatius Press, 57. Retrieved on July 18, 2014. “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 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'.
    "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.”     
  8. ↑ Charlie Hebdo and France’s Irreligious Tradition by Kenneth R. Weinstein
  9. ↑ In a France suspicious of religion, evangelicalism's message strikes a chord
  10. ↑ In a France suspicious of religion, evangelicalism's message strikes a chord
  11. ↑ In a France suspicious of religion, evangelicalism's message strikes a chord
  12. ↑ France’s growing Muslim population, Washington Post, January 9, 2015
  13. ↑ France’s growing Muslim population, Washington Post, January 9, 2015
  14. ↑ 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"
  15. ↑ Global Study: Atheists in Decline, Only 1.8% of World Population by 2020
  16. ↑ In his lecture 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
  17. ↑ France Opens Borders To All Christians Persecuted by Islamists In Iraq
  18. ↑ Do Leftists Care About Immigrants?
  19. ↑ Shall the Righteous Inherit the Earth? Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann
  20. ↑
  21. ↑ New Atheism should be able to criticise Islam without being accused of Islamophobia by Andrew Zak Williams, New Statesman, Published 19 April 2013
  22. ↑ Shall the Righteous Inherit the Earth? Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann
  23. ↑ Shall the Righteous Inherit the Earth? Demography and Politics in the Twenty-First Century by Eric Kaufmann
  24. ↑ Dawkins: Mock them. Ridicule them! In public
  25. ↑ Mockery - the M.O. for atheists by Matt Barber
  26. ↑ Reddit Atheists Have New Leadership After Turbulent Coup
  27. ↑ Reddit Atheists Have New Leadership After Turbulent Coup
  28. ↑ My Time With Richard Dawkins (Or, Why You Should Never Meet Your Idols) by Sarah at Skepchick, September 5, 2013
  29. ↑ Is mocking religion enough? Harris, Dawkins and the future of atheist/secular politics by Richard Cimino and Christopher Smith, Salon magazine
  30. ↑ Is mocking religion enough? Harris, Dawkins and the future of atheist/secular politics by Richard Cimino and Christopher Smith, Salon magazine
  31. ↑ Dawkins: Mock them. Ridicule them! In public
  32. ↑ Dawkins: Mock them. Ridicule them! In public
  33. ↑ Dawkins: Mock them. Ridicule them! In public
  34. ↑ Ricky Gervais to receive the Richard Dawkins Award for atheism
  35. ↑ Penn & Teller - The Bible is Bull****
  36. ↑ Penn Point - Conservapedia or Troll Site? - Penn Point
  37. ↑ Penn Jillete's greatest disappearing act yet!
  38. ↑ National Public Radio (NPR) review of the book God, No! Signs You May Already Be an Atheist and Other Magical Tales by Penn Jillette
  39. ↑ "Creation Museum: Is This How World Began?" (ABC News)
  40. ↑ PZ Myers riding the triceratops at The Creation Museum
  41. ↑ http://blogs.answersingenesis.org/aroundtheworld/2009/08/16/children-and-the-creation-museum/
  42. ↑ "A firebrand visits Creation Museum" (Minneapolis Star-Tribune)
  43. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQQl2TMrgbM
  44. ↑ FreeThoughtBlogs and PZ Myers
  45. ↑ Nicholas Von Hoffman (2010). Radical: A Portrait of Saul Alinsky. Nation Books, 108–109. ISBN 9781568586250. “He passed the word in the Back of the Yards that this Jewish agnostic was okay, which at least ensured that he would not be kicked out the door.” 
  46. ↑ Charles E. Curran (2011). The Social Mission of the U.S. Catholic Church: A Theological Perspective. Georgetown University Press. ISBN 9781589017436. “Saul D. Alinsky, an agnostic Jew, organized the Back of the Yards neighborhood in Chicago in the late 1930s and started the Industrial Areas Foundation in 1940 to promote community organizations and to train community organizers.” 
  47. ↑ Deal Wyatt Hudson (1987). in Deal Wyatt Hudson, Matthew J. Mancini: Understanding Maritain: Philosopher and Friend. Mercer University Press. ISBN 9780865542792. “Saul Alinsky was an agnostic Jew for whom religion of any kind held very little importance and just as little relation to the focus of his life's work: the struggle for economic and social justice, for human dignity and human rights, and for the alleviation of the sufferings of the poor and downtrodden.” 
  48. ↑ Saul Alinsky’s 12 Rules for Radicals
  49. ↑ Corrie confirms an anti-Christianity trend on the box by Jonathan Wynne-Jones, The Telegraph, April 16th, 2009
  50. ↑ Atheist post at Sam Harris' discussion board
  51. ↑ The Atheist Delusion Movie (2016) HD
  52. ↑ The Atheist Delusion Movie (2016) HD
  53. ↑ Atheists & Agnostics in America Tend to be Politically Liberal
  54. ↑ Marxism. University of Cambridge (2008). Retrieved on 2011–03–15. “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.”
  55. ↑ James Adair (2007). Christianity. JBE Online Books. Retrieved on 2011–03–15. “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.” 
  56. ↑ William Belsham (1801). Memoirs of the reign of George III. to the session of parliament ending A.D. 1793, Volume 5. G.G. & J. Robinson. Retrieved on 2011–03–15. “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."” 
  57. ↑ William Kilpatrick (2012). Christianity, Islam, and Atheism: The Struggle for the Soul of the West. Ignatius Press. Retrieved on 2011–03–15. “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.” 
  58. ↑ Notable & Quotable: The Humorless Left, From Stephen E. Kercher’s “Revel With a Cause: Liberal Satire in Postwar America.”, Wall Street Journal
  59. ↑ Beyond a Joke: Why Millennials are Losing their Sense of Humor
  60. ↑ 10 Bizarre Ways The Soviet Union Controlled Its People
  61. ↑ Poisoning of a movement by PZ Myers
  62. ↑ 62.0 62.1 Why is everyone mocking atheism all of a sudden?, Reddit post
  63. ↑ Satirical Cartoons by Answers in Genesis
  64. ↑ http://www.tgdaily.com/trendwatch-features/39777-youtube-surpasses-yahoo-as-world%E2%80%99s-2-search-engine
  65. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kax-zAJxi-U
  66. ↑ Chambers, Oswald (1953). God's Workmanship (London: Oswald Chambers Publications Association and Marshall, Morgan & Scott).
  67. ↑ Salvomag.com The Apologist, An Interview with Dinesh D'Souza, Author of What's So Great About Christianity by Marcia Segelstein
  68. ↑ Advice to Hell Raiser by Carl Sundell, New Oxford Review, June 2011
  69. ↑ "Martin Wefail" on Twitter
  70. ↑ Atheism is the easiest religion to troll
  71. ↑ Limmy's Show: Confessions of an internet troll, The Guardian, Brian Limond The Guardian, Friday 9 November 2012 10.00 EST
  72. ↑ Limmy's Show: Confessions of an internet troll, The Guardian, Brian Limond The Guardian, Friday 9 November 2012 10.00 EST
  73. ↑ Atheist trolls
  74. ↑ The distribution of atheist intelligence by Vox Day
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