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cbayer

(146,218 posts)
Thu Jun 5, 2014, 01:07 PM Jun 2014

Forget Christopher Hitchens: Atheism in America is undergoing a radical change

http://www.salon.com/2014/06/05/forget_christopher_hitchens_atheism_in_america_is_undergoing_a_radical_change_partner/

THURSDAY, JUN 5, 2014 07:25 AM CDT

Having a conversation about atheism today by talking about Hitchens and Dawkins proves you aren't paying attention
CHRIS HALL, ALTERNET

Forget Christopher Hitchens: Atheism in America is undergoing a radical change


Christopher Hitchens (Credit: Reuters/Shannon Stapleton)

This article originally appeared on AlterNet.

It’s surprising just how much media analysis, both mainstream and progressive, continues to take as given the notion that atheism can be defined and discussed solely by looking at the so-called “New Atheists” who emerged roughly between 2004 and 2007. It’s easy to understand the appeal: Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens became prominent representatives of atheism because they were all erudite, entertaining and unafraid to say what they thought. A lot of people, myself included, were drawn to their works because they were forthright and articulated things we had kept locked away, or simply hadn’t found the words for.

But in 2014, Hitchens is dead, and using Dawkins or Harris to make a case for or against atheism is about as relevant as writing about how Nirvana and Public Enemy are going to change pop music forever.

More and more, the strongest atheist voices are talking about nonbelief less as an end in itself, but as part of a larger conversation about social justice. It could hardly be any other way: atheism is growing not only in numbers, but in diversity. When Dawkins, Harris and Hitchens were at their most prominent, a frequent (and credible) criticism was that the faces of atheism were all white, male and affluent. To make the same claim now is to deliberately ignore some of the most vital atheist and skeptic voices that have emerged in the last 10 years.

Greta Christina, the author of Coming Out Atheist describes the changes in organized atheism: “[T]he movement has become much more diverse — not just in the obvious ways of gender, race, and so on, but simply in terms of how many viewpoints are coming to the table. The sheer number of people who are seen in some way as leaders… has gone up significantly…. And the increasing diversity in gender, race, class, and so on are important. We have a long way to go in this regard, but we’re doing much, much better than we were. And that’s showing up in our leadership. It’s absurd to see Dawkins, Hitchens and Harris as representing all organized atheism — it always was a little absurd, but it’s seriously absurd now.”

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Forget Christopher Hitchens: Atheism in America is undergoing a radical change (Original Post) cbayer Jun 2014 OP
Sigh. Mark me down as an unorganized atheist, please. djean111 Jun 2014 #1
And you are by no means alone. cbayer Jun 2014 #2
+1 mike_c Jun 2014 #3
It's not about leadership but rather inclusiveness intaglio Jun 2014 #4
Agree and it's great to see the increase in diversity. cbayer Jun 2014 #5
I have been an atheist since I was 17. Now in late 60's. White female. djean111 Jun 2014 #6
You have hold of the wrong end of the stick intaglio Jun 2014 #7
 

djean111

(14,255 posts)
1. Sigh. Mark me down as an unorganized atheist, please.
Thu Jun 5, 2014, 01:24 PM
Jun 2014

I didn't know I needed a leader due to not believing in something.
Also, and perhaps I am alone here, but I never saw any reason to give a flying F about what theists think of me.
Unless they are thinking of starting up The Inquisition again, I guess.......

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
2. And you are by no means alone.
Thu Jun 5, 2014, 01:27 PM
Jun 2014

I think most atheists don't identify with a group or a leader, but an increasing number appear to be doing just that.

And an increasing number of believers find themselves in a similar position as you.

intaglio

(8,170 posts)
4. It's not about leadership but rather inclusiveness
Thu Jun 5, 2014, 02:20 PM
Jun 2014

The article points out that the image of atheism was old, white and male," and some of those image makers also displayed "old, white, male," attitudes that were rather unpleasant; Dawkins and his opinions about child sexual abuse in school and Hitchens' deep misogyny together with his alcohol and tobacco abuse.

What the newer atheist commentators are aiming at is a much broader diversity of opinion formers. There remains a place for the old, white males such as P Z Myers but you also have people like Hemant Mehta, Jen McCreight, Kaveh Mousav, Greta Christina and Joe Jervis. These people look to put not just the lack of belief in the spotlight but also the ethics of atheists.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
5. Agree and it's great to see the increase in diversity.
Thu Jun 5, 2014, 02:28 PM
Jun 2014

I think that Hitchens and Dawkins were critical in kicking down the doors and starting the conversation, but they alienated certain parts of both the atheist and theist communities.

And while there are some growing pains, I think there is a definite positive trend towards diversity.

 

djean111

(14,255 posts)
6. I have been an atheist since I was 17. Now in late 60's. White female.
Thu Jun 5, 2014, 05:22 PM
Jun 2014

Perhaps the "white" thing, if there is a white thing, is because it is easier to break out of any cultural pressure to believe?

These people look to put not just the lack of belief in the spotlight but also the ethics of atheists.

I am so tired of the atheists can't have morals and ethics because they don't have some god to tell them what to do BS. That is completely on the theists, and I reject and resent even having to read about it.
My ethics do not result in 800 dead babies in a septic tank. My ethics are, I believe, innately good. No instructions or threats needed.

intaglio

(8,170 posts)
7. You have hold of the wrong end of the stick
Thu Jun 5, 2014, 06:25 PM
Jun 2014

I am NOT implying causation, just that for too long atheists like me have suffered because of the acceptance as exemplars persons who have dubious ethical standards.

I have cited Dawkins and Hitchens but there was also Thunderf00t and his sickening invasions of privacy: there are the current problems with the leadership of JREF and the fight John Scalzi has had within SFWA to reduce the sexism and racism of that body. Douglas Adams is often held up as an exemplary atheist but those who knew him in London know how he harassed and abused women.

As atheists we cannot let the theist community say "look at what your hero XXX has said or done that is immoral,"

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