Atheism is divisive. Atheists should therefore learn to accept religion.

[DetlefK]

http://www.salon.com/2015/03/22/atheists_self_defeating_superiority_why_joining_forces_with_progressive_religion_is_best_for_non_believers/

Humans tend towards tribalism. But tribalism bad.
Religion is tribalism. But atheism is one more tribe and therefore also bad.
Atheists should ally themselves with believers and distance themselves from the universal acid of rationality for the sake of furthering social justice.

Excerpts:
"But I’d like to encourage my fellow atheists to push the circle of our tribe out a little bit further than that. Combining the forces of secularism with the progressive religious movements of the various Abrahamic religions, for example, can achieve even more than we can by ourselves. Forget about disabusing believers of their core convictions with the “universal acid” of rationality—the best way to fight for social justice and pluralism is to ally ourselves with those who share the same values, regardless of their metaphysical beliefs."

...

"Ali told me that “wanting to share a more more moral secular community, that atheists should work together with the progressive and/or liberal elements of different Abrahamic faith groups could work very well, as a lot of the core beliefs and practices of faiths centers around moral living, basically putting good out into the world as opposed to evil or bad.”"

...

"But perhaps the biggest boon of atheists allying themselves with more liberal or progressive believers is that it will serve as a catalyst for even more change. We should see a softening of the positions of the “militants” on both sides, precisely because human beings are more receptive to messages from those with whom we share a tribal badge."




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So, there you have it. Us silly, divisive atheists should man up and get over with it. We should give up our atheist values, our philosophy, our humanist morals and our dour insistence on rationality to fight for something that has nothing to do with atheism.

You know what? I will wait with that until the believers overcome their tribalism and switch to inter-religious sermons that treat all religions the same.
Glorious will be the days when we can finally witness buddhist statues, alcohol-induced visions (norse religion), shamans reading clues about the future from the bones of sacrificed animals, Shinto-shrines, transubstantiation of bread and wine into flesh and blood, and the cry "hail Satan" in a church.

[mountain grammy]

2. You know what? I'll wait too.

"New Atheists?" WTF does that ever mean?

This guy's way off base.

[bvf]

6. Near as I've been able to figure out,

it just means "atheists who don't keep their mouths shut."

It's a bullshit term used by those who feel threatened by non-belief in imaginary beings, and nothing more.

[trotsky]

8. You have defined the term appropriately.

At least as those who use the term as an insult use it.

[RussBLib]

3. I don't think it's such a bad idea

to "hook up" (so to speak) with believers who share some of the same goals, such as expansion of human rights.

It is unlikely that we atheists are going to "convert" anyone. To shed religion, I think one has to do it for themselves. All the prodding and poking in the world (and ridicule) won't really do it.

Finding common cause is not a bad thing, and I don't think atheists need to subvert their true attitudes to work with the progressive religious faction, such as it is.

To get past this absurd political division and stalemate we find ourselves in these days, finding common cause could be a way out of the gridlock.

[PassingFair]

7. I disagree.

The more people speak up about living their lives without supernatural beliefs,
the more religionists question their "revealed truths".

It's not a "political" division, it's a philosophical division.

[trotsky]

10. When the forces we rally against use the power, mystique, and privilege of religion...

to defend their position, and rebuff attempts at compromise, then religion and its special role in society become part of the problem. Then what do we do?

[RussBLib]

18. it's hard to argue a hypothetical...

but if unbelievers were in a coalition with religious progressives and "the forces we rally against" use the religion card, then you have two religious factions opposed to one another. Something would have to give.

[trotsky]

19. Because disputes between religious factions always end well?

I'd like some of what you're smoking, please!

[TreasonousBastard]

4. All this guy is saying is that atheists and believers can work together...

supporting racial justice, ending the death penalty, dealing with abortion, poor people, the environment, whatever... Atheists and believers often agree on nonreligious subjects. No doubt there are also plenty of conservative atheists who can deal with their sympathetic believers.

And this guy got paid to tell us the obvious?

[Act_of_Reparation]

12. No. Because that's not what the article is about.

He got paid to tone troll us. And tone troll he did.

[mr blur]

5. More bullshit.

I'm surprised he doesn't suggest we sit around a church and all sing "Kumbaya". You know, just to make the religionistas feel special.

[bvf]

11. In a way, he seems to be suggesting just that. n/t.

[LiberalAndProud]

9. We should just go along to get along.

Anything else is tribalism.
...
I doubt it.

[Warpy]

13. "Sit down, shut up, get back in the closet, act like a lady, don't speak Ebonics"

Where have I heard all this crap before?

This is just more of the same, "forget your own rights as a human being to acceptance by your peers just as you are, there are bigger issues to worry about! <pat,pat> We'll get around to your rights some day."

Uh Neuman? Go fuck yourself with a chainsaw. Sideways.

[onager]

14. All I can say is...

[Lordquinton]

15. militants on both sides

Real militant atheists hardly exist anymore, closest is Dawkins types, you know, people who are vocal about atheism and the dangers of religion. Meanwhile militant theists are on street corners harassing young ladies trying to get health coverage, or they are out there killing people not of their group, or killing doctors.

So we shut up and theyll stop killing people. That's what we call a threat, when religion isn't involved.

[Binkie The Clown]

16. The non-Jesus atheists are declaring jihad on the non-krisha atheists.

Oh, the humanity!

You just never hear about atheists starting a "holy" war in the name of ....
Well, what the hell would an atheists start a holy war in the name of?

[AlbertCat]

17. Hey! My nonexistent god is greater than your nonexistent god!

'nuff said.

[Warren Stupidity]

20. I couldn't get past the headline.

But yeah, I'll wait too. Not holding my breath.

[LiberalAndProud]

21. I think I know why you didn't get past the headline.

It's because you're a dogmatic fundamentalist atheist. Stop it and think uplifting thoughts.

Done? Good. Now read the article because ... some random happy thought or another.